Premium Line at the Top

HOLLAND America Line took home five Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2018 Readers' Choice Awards. Readers from Porthole, one of the world's leading consumer cruise travel publications, recognized Holland America Line in areas that covered everything from top shoreside experiences to onboard facilities.

Holland America Line won in the categories of Best Shore Excursions, Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, Most Eco-Friendly Line, Best Medical Facilities and Best Facilities for Guests with Disabilities.

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Changing the game with Eco-innovation

RAJA AMPAT in Indonesia is a dream destination for all divers thanks to its the rich marine life and Eco system. Raja Ampat is a marine protected area, however, like anywhere else in the world, dive operations and trips are using fuel powered speed boats, polluting and damaging the environment, one dive after another.

MahaRaja Eco Dive Lodge wants to change the game with Eco-innovation and is introducing electric dive boats, equipped with Torqeedo engines, for #diving and #snorkeling trips. Launched in March 2018, MahaRaja Eco Dive Lodge is the newest kid on the block in #RajaAmpat, with the vision of pioneering a new era of eco-tourism.

It offers an exclusive tropical holiday experience to their guests, all with appreciation, respect and care for the ocean, nature, people and life. Created by a group of friends, passionate about the ocean, nature, traveling and people. After falling in love with Raja Ampat, they changed their lives to create a place where they could share their passion with their guests and immerse them in a full eco-lifestyle on a private island.



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Joining the ranks

CALALA Island, a privately-owned Nicaraguan oasis in the Caribbean Sea, has joined the ranks of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the trusted and definitive collection of luxury boutique hotels worldwide.

Opened as a luxury resort in 2017, Calala Island has received numerous awards and is cited as one of the most exclusive private islands in the world, offering guests an island hideaway experience in an undiscovered part of the world with just four suites on the entire island - a feature that undoubtedly factored in during SLH's decision-making process to welcome the unique resort into its exclusive fold.


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Four Seasons announces plans for luxury resort in Belize

SCHEDULED to open in 2021, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans for the development of Caye Chapel, a private island in #Belize featuring magnificent oceanfront estates, private residences and overwater bungalows. 

The 280-acre (113 hectare) island is outlined by 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) of white sand beaches and turquoise waters, and is located 16 miles (26 kilometres) from Belize City, either 30 minutes by boat or 10 minutes by flight. The island’s marina and airstrip can accommodate private boats and planes for easy access by owners and guests arriving from further afield. A destination in its own right, the island also acts as a convenient base to explore the nearby cultural and natural sites of mainland Belize and surrounding cayes.

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Branson’s Necker Island available for September bookings

RICHARD BRANSON’S private #island in the British Virgin Islands, #Necker, is available for booking on selected dates this summer. 

Guests can book a seven night stay for the following dates:

• September 3 for 3, 4, 5 and 7 nights 

• September 10 for 3,4,5 and 7 nights 

• September 17 for 3, 4, 5 and 7 nights (adults only) 

• September 24 for 7 nights (adults only) 

Rates per couple start from USD $12,840 for a 3-night stay.

Go to www.virginlimitededition.com/necker-island to check availability online.

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MSC Cruises reveals plan for Caribbean island

MSC CRUISES is to develop its own private island in the #Bahamas. 

The company will invest $200 million in the 95-acre island – to be called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – which will have a 1.5-mile beach, a purpose-built berth and pier, a 2,000-seat amphitheatre, and restaurants and bars. It will also be fitted out with watersports, a zip wire across the island and a pavilion for weddings.

MSC Yacht Club guests will have access to an exclusive area of the island which will be a spa and ‘wellness’ sanctuary with private bungalows and massage huts.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the line, said: ‘This is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our shipboard experiences.’

#MSCCruises plans to break ground on the development in March 2016, and it will open to guests in November 2017 with 240 staff recruited from the Bahamas.

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The luxury collection

A TOUR operator offering #privatevillas, villa resorts, and #privateislands to UK clients has launched operations.

The Villa Collection – established by tourism industry veterans Andrea Lovering and Gemma Lewis – handles luxury villas in locations including Barbados, St Lucia, Anguilla, and Antigua.

#Luxury properties in the Hamptons, Miami, and New York are coming on stream, and a range of Indian Ocean & Middle East destinations will also be available. Clients can currently book directly with the company, but plans are in place to begin working with travel agents.

‘The brand and our product offering has been carefully designed and selected with the target market in mind,’ says Ms Lewis. ‘We will be offering a highly personalized service to our clients and sharing our knowledge and experience to ensure our customers stay in the perfect villa and destination for them.’

Ms Lovering adds: ‘Many people initially assume private villas are more expensive than hotels, but villa rates often work out more affordable per person and clients enjoy privacy and space that a hotel cannot offer. We also offer villa resorts which combine both resort facilities with villa accommodation, and for ultimate luxury and privacy, we feature a range of private islands.’

www.thevillacollection.co.uk

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Your own desert island – for $$$$s a day

WANT to rent on an exclusive basis an uninhabited island in the middle of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, and are happy to pay between US$2,000 to US$3,000 a day for the privilege? Then contact Erika’s Marine Services, a yacht agent and concierge in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Heather Grant, founder of Erika’s, said: ‘Here’s the deal … Nobody else will be there. Guests can have all their water toys, barbecue, sun shades, lounge chairs, local fish or lobster, and even live music, if they wish.

‘We can pretty much guarantee they will like it – what’s not to like about a beautiful natural environment, complete with white sand beach, warm azure sea and sunny skies? Go swimming with the turtles, scuba dive, snorkel, or enjoy kiteboarding lessons right there on the private beach.’
 
www.erikamarine.com

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