Caribbean Archives | Rum Therapy

December 30, 2018July 25, 2019

The 10 Best Caribbean/Bahamas Beaches of 2018

A well known travel company recently published a list of their favorite beaches in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Unfortunately, many of our favorite beaches, and evidently yours too, were not on their list, so we asked our beach loving readers for their input. The following is a list of the 10 best (or at least favorite) Caribbean/Bahamas beaches of 2018 compiled from the responses of Rum Therapy readers. There are SO many gorgeous beaches in this region that inevitabley there will be some deserving beaches left off any “best of” list, but the following 10 (and the honorable mentions at the end) are definitely worthy of a visit if you love beaches as much as we do!

10. Treasure Cay Beach, Abacos, Bahamas
A 3.5 mile stretch of sugar-soft white sand set against the powdery blue hue of the beautiful Abacos waters. During low tide, a large sandbar emerges towards the eastern edge of the gorgeous beach. Accomodations available. Looking for a beach bar? Coco Beach Bar & Grill sits on the white sand with stunning views of the water.

9. Sandy Spit, BVI
More of a spit of sand than a beach, Sandy Spit and it’s larger neighbor, Sandy Cay, are two small uninhabited islands in the British Virgin Islands. Situated between the island of Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, these two islands have become popular stops for boaters and day excursions. Sandy Cay has a small trail through the middle that will take you to the rougher north side of the island. Both are worthwile of a stop to walk around, enjoy the beautiful sand, sun and scenery. No beach bars here, but you can find B-Line Beach Bar close to Sandy Spit on Little Jost Van Dyke and a number of excellent beach bars not far away on Jost Van Dyke!

8. Tropic of Cancer Beach, Little Exuma, Exuma, Bahamas
Tropic of Cancer Beach (also known as Pelican Beach) is the longest beach (about 1 mile) on island of Little Exuma in the Bahamas. The Tropic of Cancer meridian runs along the beach and is notated onto a step leading down to the beach (good photo op). No ammenities here, so bring some food, water and snorkeling gear. Although the beach is stunning, it’s not the easiest to find and you will most likely have this gorgeous beach to yourself!

*Orient Beach, St. Martin (before the hurricanes of 2017)*

7. Orient Beach, St. Maarten
Unfortunately, the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin was hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017 and much of Orient Beach was destroyed (including all the beach bars…). Although we haven’t personally visited again since the hurricanes, there are reports that the beautiful mile+ long beach is recovering and businesses are returning. The Bikini Beach Bar reopened in July and Kontiki is scheduled to open this month.

6. The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
One of the most unique Caribbean beaches you will ever see, The Baths on the British Virgin Island of Virgin Gorda is something to explore. Take the trail through the large boulders surrounded by white sand and shallow pools of clear blue water and end up on beautiful Devil’s Bay. Looking for a snack and a drink after exploring? The Poor Man’s Bar sits across from the entrance to the trail – but if you like your rum with a view, don’t miss the Top of the Baths Bar and Restaurant across from the visitor’s center and parking lot. From the Top of the Baths, enjoy sweeping views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and Tortola, a swimming pool and shops – in addition to delicious fresh food and cold drinks!

5. Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Jimmy Buffet mentioned this British Virgin Island beauty in his song Mañana – ” I hear it gets better, that’s what they say, as soon as we sail on to Cane Garden Bay.” Located on the northwest side of Tortola, this palm tree fringed bay is a haven for boaters and the long, sandy beach and calm waters are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Showcasing some of the prettiest sunsets we’ve seen, Cane Garden Bay has some dining and beach bar options. Tortola was hit hard by last years hurricanes and even though the rebuilding is ongoing, it’s a great place to relax, unwind and enjoy. Catch a sunset here if you can.

4. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Actually not quite 7 miles long (but even at 5.5 miles it’s an incredibly long beach!), this stunning expanse of white sand is a beach lover’s paradise. There are several dining options along the beautiful sandy expanse as well as beach bars and shopping and no shortage of water based activities such as snorkeling, jet skiing and parasailing to enjoy!

3. Jolly Beach, Antigua
Located on Antigua’s calm, west coast, Jolly Beach is a mile long white sand beach, fringed by the turqouise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Although it can be very busy when cruise ships are in port, it’s worthwhile to visit for the sheer beauty. Plenty of watersports are available as well as beach umbrellas for rent. Several beach bars and restaurants are just yards away from the beach.

2. Shoal Bay, Anguilla
Ahhh, Shoal Bay. Frequently ranked as one of the top Caribbean beaches, this lovely two mile beach has water so beautiful that it could be described as an “electric blue”. A soft sndy shoreline and normally calm water make this beach a great one to spend the day enjoying the gorgeous sand and water. Several popular beach bars dot the pretty beach such as Gwen’s Reggae Bar & Grill and Uncle Ernie’s.

And the #1 Choice of Rum Therapy Readers?
Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
On the northeast part of Providenciales, the most populated island in the Turks & Caicos chain, lies an amazing stretch of sand and clear, blue water that is usually calm due to a barrier reef about a mile offshore. Frequently listed as one of the top beaches in the world, Grace Bay Beach is truly a beach lovers dream. A variety of hotels, timeshares and villas dot the long beach and there are many options for food, drink and watersports.

As with any “best of” list – not all deserving beaches that received a vote from our readers made the list. Here are the honorable mentions – each one worth a visit too!

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
Cinnamon Bay, St. John
Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Druif Beach, Aruba
Playa Los Tainos, Cuba
Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada
Playa Flamenco, Culebra
Paradise Beach, Carriacou
Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic
Rendezvous Beach, Anguilla
Coki Beach, St. Thomas
Jack & Issac Beach, St. Croix
Grand Anse, Grenada
Meads Bay, Anguilla
Morne Rouge Beach, Grenada
Little Bay, St. Maarten

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

January 5, 2018June 6, 2019

Our Windstar Experience Aboard the Star Pride – The Ship

The Star Pride, one of Windstar Cruises luxury yachts, was recently our home away from home for a week as we traveled south from San Juan, Puerto Rico to embark on a new adventure. We’d taken many cruises before on larger ships, but we were really looking forward to experiencing a cruise on a much smaller luxury yacht.

Well, we were not disappointed. Our week with Windstar was wonderful and it was quite different in many ways than other cruises we’ve taken. From absolutely seamless transfers to and from the airport to walking right on the ship during embarkation (no lines at all!), our embarkation was effortless. The relaxation began the moment we arrived.

Here are just a few of the reasons why we enjoyed our Windstar Experience.

Rooms, or should I say suites? The Star Pride is an all-suite yacht. There are 64 Ocean Suites with large picture windows, 36 Balcony Suites with French style balconies, 4 Classic Suites with private verandas and 2 Owners Suites with private verandas. We were able to preview all suite categories on board the Star Pride and all were spacious and comfortable.

We had a balcony suite for the week and it was spacious, well appointed and relaxing. Amenities in our room included a Queen size bed with luxurious linens, a stocked mini-bar/refrigerator, a flat screen TV and DVD player, a safe, robes & slippers, a full sized bathtub and L’Occitane Bath amenities.

Sitting area in our suite
Plenty of room in the walk in closet
Spacious bathroom
Chocolate covered strawberries awaited our return from a fun day in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe

We loved opening up the sliding glass door to the balcony to hear the waves, feel the breeze and watch the wildlife (we saw a large pod of dolphin swimming alongside our ship the first morning!).

Morning on Martinique from our balcony

Size and guest to staff ratio. The Star Pride can accommodate 212 guests and has a staff of 151. With a ratio like that, you definitely feel pampered and taken care of. Our cruise was slightly less than full due to cancellations after the hurricane and an itinerary change (valid concerns after hearing about the destruction Irma and Marie left behind, but alas, the guests that cancelled missed out – the Caribbean IS open!).

Star Pride in St. Barts – one of the islands hit hard bay the hurricanes, but recovering very well

Potentially another benefit to the high guest to staff ratio – many of the staff members greeted us each time they saw us by name after meeting us for the first time and even remembered our food and drink preferences. I’m not sure how they do it, but the personalized touch did not go unnoticed and it made us feel a bit like celebrities!

Open Bridge Policy. Windstar Cruises has an open bridge policy while at sea, and we really enjoyed being able to stop by the bridge to talk to Captain Ricardo Pinzon or his crew, see the charts, pinpoint our location and have the crew identify different islands in the distance.

Tuna Tartare appetizer prepared by Chef Mario Pagan

Dining experiences. Yep. We’re foodies and the Star Pride offered some of the best cuisine we’ve had on vacation. AND on our particular cruise, Puerto Rican Chef extraordinaire, Mario Pagan, spent the week aboard as part of the James Beard Foundation collaboration with Windstar, offering a cooking demonstration on Puerto Rican influenced dishes and preparing one of the entrees each evening. The menu on Star Pride changed daily and we’d have a hard time finding something to complain about with anything we ordered.

Delicious Bison Salad

Another dining highlight was the on-board deck BBQ. Offered one evening towards the end of the cruise, the staff assembled an incredible smorgasbord of delectable delights, including Caribbean lobster, other seafood delicacies and delicious grilled offerings prepared right on the deck under the stars.

A look from an upper deck at just a few of the watertoys available at the Watersports Marina

On board Watersports Marina. The Star Pride has a retractable water sports platform off the back of the boat. From the private platform, guests can enjoy a variety of watersports including kayaks, SUP boards, Hobie Cats, waterskiing snorkeling, jumping on the over-sized water trampoline and lounging on the water mats.

Private beach for the Windstar Beach Party

BEACH PARTY! Windstar features a private beach party on all of its Caribbean itineraries and during our cruise, it was on the island of St. Lucia.

Excited for this event, we headed out early to a pretty beach close to Pigeon Island State Park to enjoy the festivities and were some of the first guests to arrive. The Star Pride crew pulled out all of the stops on this one. We spent a lovely afternoon enjoying the St. Lucia sun and sand, food, drinks from the bar, and watertoys brought over from the ships watersports marina. It was a beautiful day of fun in the sun.

Size DOES matter. Truly a big benefit in our book is that due to the size of the Windstar yachts, they can sail into smaller ports and hidden coves so that you can really experience the destination, but not necessarily experience the crowds.

Enjoying live music and champagne

Do as much – or as little – as you like. Whether we wanted to spend the day lounging in the sun on the deck, or wanted to try a bit of everything including yoga classes, trying every piece of equipment at the watersports marina, getting a seaweed wrap at the Windspa, working off some calories at the Fitness Center, listening to live music on deck at sunset or checking out a late night movie and ordering room service popcorn, we could do as much or little as we wanted.

Happy Hour in the Star Bar before our sail-away from St. Lucia

Enjoy happy hour on the deck during the sail-away parties. Each evening, when the Star Pride pulled away from port, we would assemble in the Star Bar on the upper deck for happy hour with new friends we’d met on the cruise and to enjoy the sail away song, Conquest of Paradise, as we said that last goodbye to another beautiful island.

We’ll be covering a few other highlights of our Windstar Experience (such as the itinerary and excursions) in upcoming posts, so stay tuned for more. Would we sail on Windstar again? Absolutely. In fact, we think the Tahiti cruise may be calling our name…

Did you miss Our Windstar Experience Aboard the Star Pride Part 1?

To find out more about this and other Windstar itineraries, contact Windstar Cruises.

We thank everyone at Windstar Cruises for inviting us to sail with them on the Star Pride. Although we were sponsored by Windstar to take this cruise, the views are solely our own and we only recommend products or services we believe our readers will enjoy.

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

December 22, 2017June 6, 2019

Our Windstar Experience Aboard the Star Pride

Windstar’s Star Pride

When we were invited to embark on a Windstar Cruise aboard their beautiful ship, Star Pride, we were not only very excited to experience a small ship luxury cruise, but we, in typical Rum Therapy style, were also hoping to see some new beautiful beaches, explore islands we’d yet to visit, and learn about local rums (and rhums) and local rum cocktails.
Check, check and check and a whole lot more.

Chef Mario Pagán during a cooking demo

This particular cruise would also welcome aboard Chef Mario Pagán, one of Puerto Rico’s premier chefs and part of the James Beard Foundation. Chef Pagán would not only provide a cooking demonstration on preparing Caribbean dishes with a Puerto Rican influence, he would additionally prepare a signature dish each night during the cruise.

Originally, our cruise was to originate in San Juan, Puerto Rico and visit the islands of Culebra, St. Barths, Montserrat, St. Maarten, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Unfortunately, hurricanes Irma and Maria made an unwelcome visit to each of these islands in September, causing Windstar to make the difficult decision to change the itinerary to allow time for the islands to heal and recover.

**On a side note, although a few areas received substantial damage from these storms, much of the Caribbean was not impacted. Don’t be afraid to make travel plans for 2018 as the Caribbean IS open and even some of the hardest hit islands are beginning to welcome visitors back and with OPEN arms!

Beautiful Scenery in St. Lucia

Anyway, we were informed that our itinerary would change, and this new itinerary would allow us to visit several islands that we’d not seen! We’ll be covering our adventures in a series of subsequent posts, but suffice it to say for now, we had a wonderful time and can’t wait to share it with you.

Find out more! Read Part 2 – Our Windstar Experience Aboard the Star Pride, The Ship

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

September 8, 2017June 6, 2019

Where to Donate (Hurricane Irma)

Here are links to organizations we have heard of that are providing support in the way of humanitarian assistance to those in need on the islands so drastically affected by Hurricane Irma. Please do a little research and make sure you feel comfortable – wherever you donate. You want your donation money to get to the people who REALLY need it! We are not including “Go Fund Me” accounts at this time as we have no way of checking their validity, although I’m sure there are some that are very honorable.

Apparently what is needed right now are the basics, food, clothing, personal hygiene items, generators, communication systems, housing, transportation, medical, etc. Please contact us to let us know of other reputable organizations that we should add to the list.

As time goes on, we’ll add links to any organizations that might assist in rebuilding. Right now it’s essential to help with what they need to get through the next few weeks and months. Thank you!

British Virgin Islands:
Richard Branson Hurricane Fund – no fees, all monies go to helping those in the BVI
BVI Recovery Fund British Virgin Islands Government
VISAR Organized by Tania Paine
Convoy of Hope (Irma BVI) Recommended by Nancy Richardson, Tortola

Virgin Gorda:
Virgin Gorda Relief Supply Fund Organizer: Casey McNutt

St. John, USVI:
The St. John Foundation Recommended by Russ Ballou
Love for Love City Kenny Chesney

St. Thomas, USVI:
US Virgin Island Relief Fund organized by Tim Duncan who grew up on St. Thomas (he is matching funds up to 1,000,000)
Adopt a Family, USVI send a care package to hurricane victims

Anguilla:
Help Anguilla Recommended by Nori Evoy, Anguilla Beaches

Barbuda:
The Coco Point Fund; Barbuda’s Recovery from Irma Recommended by Barbudaful

All Islands Affected:
Global Giving
Red Cross
The Salvation Army

July 13, 2017June 6, 2019

10 Ultra-Luxurious Caribbean Resorts

Talk about palm tree paradise… The following is a list of 10 Ultra-Luxurious Caribbean Resorts that will pamper you in luxury, offer world class amenities, stunning beaches and over-the-top service. Sound great? All are on our list of places we’d love to experience, but we may have to save up for…um, a little while. Click on the name of the resort to see photos and find out more about these incredible resorts.

Turks and Caicos

COMO Parrot Cay
Parrot Cay is an award-winning Turks and Caicos luxury resort set on its own private, beautiful island. Popular with celebrities, this toes-in-the-sand ultra-luxurious resort sits on 1,000 acres with a mile-long white sand beach. All rooms, suites and beach villas have soothing interiors along with COMO’s outstanding service, holistic therapies, yoga, diving and world-class cuisine.

Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort, Antigua
Set in one of the most beautiful, undisturbed places in the world, Jumby Bay, this Rosewood Resort is an island of simple pleasures. A couple of miles off of Antigua and reachable only by boat, this island paradise has no cars in sight, white-powdered beaches and winding bicycle paths and is a one-of-a-kind hideaway known, quite simply, as one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean.

Antigua

Amanyara, Turks and Caicos
Amanyara is a secluded sanctuary that embraces the best of the Caribbean. Managed by Aman, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, this super luxurious resort on the island of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos offers 40 timber-shingled guest pavilions and is blessed with a stunning sugar-white beach. Enjoy some of the world’s best wall and reef diving in the crystal clear water. The resort enjoys a contemporary layout and design and is open to the sights and sounds of the crystal clear turquoise sea.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
A 74 acre private island north of Virgin Gorda owned by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Records. Did you know you could stay here? On selected weeks of the year, you can book an individual room – or you can rent the entire island paradise for 33 of your closest family and friends! Necker Island is unquestionably one of the most idyllic places in the Caribbean.

British Virgin Islands

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
Built in harmony with Caribbean nature by owner and architect Nick Troubetzkoy, the bold architectural design – individual bridges leading to exceptional infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky – makes Jade Mountain St. Lucia one of the Caribbean’s most mesmerizing resort experiences. With the fourth wall entirely absent, Jade Mountain’s rooms are stage-like settings from which to embrace the full glory of St. Lucia’s Pitons and the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

Eden Rock Resort & Spa, St. Barthelemy
With its breathtaking setting, the iconic Eden Rock exudes elegance in the heart of the Caribbean. This luxurious retreat built on a rocky promontory is surrounded by white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a lovely coral reef full of wild sea life. The hotel offers 34 highly individual accommodations and world class dining at ‘The Sand Bar’ and ‘On the Rocks’ restaurants, both masterminded by the world famous Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.Rosewood Mayakoba, Quintana Roo, Mexico
A serene oasis surrounded by emerald jungle and pristine white beaches, Rosewood Mayakoba is a Riviera Maya resort that defines a private world of rare luxury and refined beauty. Enjoy a place where there is never any rush to get anywhere and upon entering the property, guests instantly enter relaxation mode. Ahhh…

Paradise Island, Bahamas

One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island
Located on a beautiful beach on Paradise Island, Bahamas, the One & Only Ocean Club received a multi-million dollar reno which updated one wing and added a new 125 ft infinity edge pool on the stunning beach. Love to golf? No problem. Tee it up on the resorts 18 hole, par 72 golf course with gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bellmond Cap Juluca
Belmond Cap Juluca, is an idyllic luxury beachfront retreat on the exquisite island of Anguilla. Set on Maundays Bay, a mile-long white-sand beach and lapped by crystal clear waters, Belmond Cap Juluca is an island escape brimming with Caribbean magic.

Bellmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla

Pink Sands Club Canouan
The Pink Sands Club Canouan is an exclusive island retreat on the island of Canouan in the Grenadines, with luxurious suites and villas offering high-end dining, non-motorized water sports, infinity pool with a 3-tier tanning deck, Jim Fazio-designed golf course, tennis center, and spa with overwater glass-bottomed treatment palapas. An exquisite and ultra-luxurious island escape.

Have you vacationed at any of these luxurious Caribbean resorts or have them on your “list” of places to visit? Tell us about it!

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 5, 2017June 6, 2019

4 Reasons to Travel to the Caribbean During the Summer

Summer vacation in the Caribbean? Once the weather gets warm in our neck of the woods, our thoughts don’t drift quite as much to the Caribbean – but should they? Summertime can be a terrific time to take a break in the Caribbean and here are 4 reasons why!

Less crowded – high season in the Caribbean is generally mid December to mid April. By traveling to the Caribbean during off season, you are far more likely to enjoy quieter beaches, restaurants and resorts. Enjoy your piña colada in peace!
Clearer, warmer water – during the summer months, there is a slight chance you can encounter a tropical storm or hurricane (see Should You Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season), but most people experience warm, calm weather, which translates into warm, calm and clear water – perfect for snorkeling and diving!
Temps may actually be cooler than some places back home – yes, the tropics can be warm during summer (especially inland), but the temps may actually be cooler than some of the southern states during the summer! And if you get really hot, just jump back into the ocean!
DEALS! – many hotels, condos and resorts slash their prices 20-50% in the summer over their high season rates. Have you been longing to stay at a beautiful resort but find the price too costly during the winter? Check out the prices during the summer months!

Are you ready to head to the islands? Do you like to vacation in the Caribbean during the summer? Tell us about it!

Find more Tropical Tips at our Tropical Tips & More directory

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

January 26, 2017June 6, 2019

Caravelle Hotel & Casino – Comfort and Convenience in the Heart of Christiansted

During our recent VI adventure, we were given the opportunity to visit Caravelle Hotel & Casino, a newly refurbished waterfront boutique hotel in the heart of Christiansted, St. Croix, and we jumped at the chance. In previous visits we found ourselves wishing for more time to explore this pretty, historic town on the north side of St. Croix and we were excited to have the chance to do so.

Our trip to St Croix from St Thomas was via a Seaborne Airlines sea plane. The short and convenient flight left from Charlotte Amalie and landed in Christiansted Harbor within walking distance of Caravelle Hotel, just down the scenic boardwalk. You can read more about the sea plane flight here.

Caravelle Hotel recently underwent extensive remodeling, re-opening in 2016 and now has a breezy, modern tropical feel on the inside, while the exterior vibrantly retains the Danish architectural charm found in much of Christiansted.

Lobby
In addition to the new décor in all 42 rooms and the lobby, Hotel Caravelle now incudes a new on-site casino with 76 slot machines.

What we loved the most about our stay at Caravelle Hotel & Casino was its close proximity to the many fine amenities found in Christiansted. All within walking distance, (or request a ride on one of their golf carts), you will find fine dining options such as balter, St. Croix, Zion Modern Kitchen and 40 Strand Eatery. BES Craft Cocktail Lounge is just a few blocks from Caravelle Hotel and is an excellent place to relax and enjoy craft cocktails masterfully created by award winning mixologist Frank Robinson. In addition to the many dining and drinking options, we enjoyed shopping at the nearby jewelry stores which offer beautifully handcrafted and original pieces, boutique clothing shops – and exploring the rich history of Christiansted at Fort Christianvaern . We also enjoyed learning about (and tasting!) some of the authentic flavors of St. Croix on the Virgin Islands Food Tour – an excellent guided food tasting and cultural walking tour in Christiansted. Or, if you don’t want to leave the comfort of Caravelle Hotel, you can dine and/or enjoy a cocktail at Rum Runners (downstairs and on the water), or stop in Big Beards Adventure Tours (attached to Caravelle) to set up an excursion to beautiful Buck Island.

In addition to all the wonderful things to explore in Christiansted, we took the two St. Croix rum distillery tours: Captain Morgan and Cruzan Rum. We easily toured both in one afternoon via a taxi so that we could enjoy the rum drinks offered at the end of each distillery tour.

After all of the exploring, we had a hard decision to make; pull up a lounge chair at the pool overlooking Christiansted Harbor, or take a short water taxi from the boardwalk to the pretty beach on Protestant Cay. We ended up doing (and enjoying) both!

And – at the end of each day, this was a really great place to land…

View of Christiansted Harbor from our room

Caravelle Hotel & Casino – comfort and convenience in the heart of Christiansted.

Are you ready to enjoy some time exploring Christiansted, St. Croix? Get more information on Caravelle Hotel & Casino on their website and follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.

A special thank you to Caravelle Hotel & Casino for arranging our wonderful stay. Stay tuned in the next couple of days as we post more about some of the fun things we experienced in Christiansted!

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

December 28, 2016August 5, 2019

10 Most Visited Rum Therapy Island Blog Posts of 2016

As 2016 draws to a close, we looked back to see which of our island posts were visited the most during the year. Although some we expected, some surprised us, such as our #3! In case you missed any of them, here’s the countdown.

From #10 to #1, the 10 Most Visited Rum Therapy Island Posts of 2016 are:

#10

Located on Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos, Miss Emily is purported to be the originator of the delicious rum concoction, the Goombay Smash. Read about our visit to this interesting little bar here:
Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar, Home of the Goombay Smash

#9

Depending on the time and day you motor or dinghy up to this iconic floating bar located at The Bight on Norman Island in the BVI, you could encounter anything from a quiet lunch crowd to an all out party! Read more about it here:
Have You Taken the Plunge at the Willy T?

#8
Are you heading to the French side of St Martin in 2017? If so, you should check out this post on things to see and do in the town of Marigot! Shopping, great food and historical sites are just a few of the things you could encounter. Our personal favorite? A visit (or two) to Sarafina’s French Bakery. Ooh la la..
What to See and Do in Marigot, St. Martin

#7
The health benefits of walking on the beach. Can we get a prescription for that? Find out what they are here:
Health Benefits of Walking on the Beach

#6
A just for fun post we did on National Rum Day this year that includes a short quiz about rum.
Happy National Rum Day! What’s Your Rum IQ?

#5

One small, beautiful island – SO many great beach bars! Jost Van Dyke in the BVI is home to some of the best beach bars in the Caribbean! Let’s go bar-hopping!
Bar Hopping on Jost Van Dyke

#4
I’ve never been a big fan of sharks – it’s just those teeth! But, swimming with the nurse sharks in Exuma was…cool. I’d even do it again! Read about the experience here:
Swimming with Sharks on Compass Cay

#3

A visit to the Callwood Rum Distillery on Tortola is like taking a walk back in time. If your a rum aficionado, this is a tour you’ll probably enjoy. Find out more here:
Callwood Rum Distillery, Tortola

#2
No surprise here – this list, compiled by suggestions from you, has been visited thousands of times since we published it! Looking for songs to put on your beach playlist? You’ll find a wide variety of songs here!
The Ultimate Rum Therapy Playlist

#1
And our most visited blog post of the year?
Health Benefits of Spending Time In or Near the Ocean!

Here’s to spending more time in or near the ocean in 2017! Cheers!

Find more Tropical Tips here:
Tropical Tips & More

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

September 29, 2016June 6, 2019

Should You Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season?

We’ve all seen them. Photos of the storms and destruction caused by hurricanes. It’s almost enough to keep us from traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season. Almost.

We used to completely avoid traveling to the Caribbean and Bahamas during the months of June – November (official hurricane season), but after looking at statistics, we have occasionally chosen to take advantage of the lower rates and quieter season with a few precautions and strategies in mind. After all, statistically, you are more likely to be involved in a serious hurricane event in parts of the US mainland than much of the Caribbean. Of course there’s always a risk, but all we can do is try to reason with the hurricane season…

A few things to keep in mind when considering island travel during the summer and fall:

1. The peak months for hurricane storms are August, September and October.
2. The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos and the Eastern Caribbean islands historically tend to be affected by more storm weather during hurricane season than islands farther south.
3. The islands least likely to be affected by hurricanes are the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada.
4. Even in the islands most affected by storms, the likelihood of encountering a serious one during the time you are there is slim.
5. Because more people avoid the Caribbean (and Bahamas) during hurricane season, you may be able to find some terrific low season rates.

Additional things to consider:
Some establishments (bars & restaurants) close for a month or two during hurricane season (usually in the August – October time frame), so if there’s a place you’d really like to experience, be sure to check and see if they will be open during your visit.

Travel insurance can help cover you in the event your vacation is cancelled or postponed by weather. Be sure to check with a reputable travel insurance company and make sure they specifically offer trip-cancellation insurance, which ensures that travelers who have purchased airline, cruise tickets and hotel stays will be fully compensated if a storm prevents them from traveling.

Some resorts offer a hurricane guarantee, but be sure to carefully read it and understand it before booking. It may be full or part coverage or a voucher for future travel.

Consider downloading the free Red Cross Hurricane app to keep you up to date on hurricane info wherever you are vacationing.

Armed with facts and good information to help you make the best choices of dates and areas, you might just become a fan of the lighter crowds, cheaper accommodations and beautiful weather of the summer and fall in the Caribbean.

Do you travel to the Caribbean during hurricane season? Tell us about it!

Find more Tropical Tips at our Tropical Tips & More directory

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

June 5, 2016May 29, 2019

Best Beach Bar Signs & Décor

Beach bar signs & décor – sometimes tacky, sometimes chic, but usually we love it all. Here’s just a sample of some of the most entertaining beach bar signage that we’ve enjoyed during our visits so far…

Beach Bar at St. James’s Club, Antigua