The State Department is making travel easier for U.S. citizens since more rigid travel requirements have come into effect with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  The State Department has begun to produce new passport cards, keep in mind, travelers do not need passports of any kind to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands.   The new passport cards are an alternative to the traditional passport books.  U.S. citizens do not need a passport when visiting St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passed by U.S. Congress requires that travelers, including U.S. citizens who travel via air to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda must travel with a passport in order to enter or re-enter the United States.  

 The Caribbean is making itself over, and here are some of the most popular new and refurbished hotels in the Caribbean this 2007-08 season.

 In the Bahamas you will find the Atlantis Paradise Island, which will have finished its multimillion-dollar expansion by December 19 of this year by adding the new 497-unit Reef Atlantis.  This is a section of family-friendly units that feature kitchens, laundry facilities and large terraces, also with upscale options such as butler service. Rates start at $340 a night for a 519-square-foot studio terrace.  Another in Bahama is the 694-room Sheraton Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, which just went through a $2.3 billion refurbishment on their seven-acre beachfront property.  The rates start at $199 a night.  And on the out-island of Bimini you will find the new Bimini Bay Resort, which features 300 condos and villas, and ranges from $250 a night for a studio to $2,400 for a four-bedroom villa.

 In Puerto Rico you can visit the Caribbean’s first oceanfront water park, Coqui Water Park.  This 2.4 acre water park opens in January 2008 at the El Conquisitor Resort.  This park features a 8,000-square-foot “lazy river”, a 9,000-square-foot infinity pool that overlooks the Caribbean, Flumes and free-fall slides.

 In St. Thomas you can stay at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, which through its $40 million transformation will offer 55-new club-level guest rooms in addition to the previous, and now re-done, rooms.  They also expanded the spa with Prada-branded treatments.  Rooms start at $359.

 In Jamaica you can visit the living-history park, Outameni Experience, which traces 500 years of Jamaican history with interactive exhibits set in a historic Great House.  This park was opened in September in Trelawny between Montego Bay and Ochos Rios.  You can also go over to Negril and go to the Kool Runnings Water Park, which offers a Jamaican bobsled ride.  And when looking to stay in Jamaica, you need not look farther than the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay.  This 950-room resort is going through two phases of a $850 million development, one of which is finished with rates starting at $208 and the second of which will open next year.

 In Mexico you can stay at one of the newest hotels, Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, which opens in January 2008.  On 36 acres is features 128 villas and a 25,000 square-foot spa.  Doubles start at $700.

 In the Dominican Republic you will find the Cap Cana Resort on 33,000 acres in Punta Cana.  This is Punta Cana’s first resort hotel once is opens the 176-suite Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa, with rates starting at $468.

 And in Antigua you can relax at the eco-friendly Verandah Resort & Spa, located on 30 acres along Dian Bay.  This resort offers hiking trails, two sheltered beaches and the islands largest free-form pool.  Rates start at $243.

            Though St. Thomas is known lately for its expensive condos and pricey luxury hotels, you can still find bargains to give your wallet a break.

 
            You can stay for $89 at the Mafolie Hotel and relax with their rooms which over look the harbor and downtown.  They also offer a pool deck and canopied restaurant.  And at sunset you can gaze at the bruise ships that set out form port while the lights on the surrounding hillsides flicker on.  Another choice is the Island View Guesthouse, where if you want something to eat you simply ask the staff for it, and if you want a drink you make it yourself and mark it on the blackboard behind the bar.  Rooms start at $87.
 
            Dining on a budget in St. Thomas is also easy, and delicious, if you know where to look.  Some spots include; Shinsen, a new sushi bar at Indigo Bar and Restaurant where, with sake, a dinner can cost less than $35 a person; the Frenchtown Deli at 24A Honduras; and Hook, Line and Sinker on 62 Honduras.
 
            In the day you can visit one of the many beaches.  One of the most photographed and visited beaches in the Caribbean is Magens Bay on the north side of St. Thomas.  Another less crowded beach would be Linquist Beach on the east end of the island.  Also you can call Homer’s Scuba & Snorkel Tours on Hull Bay, where you can rent kayaks and other water toys.  At night you will be glad to find that your bar tab with be one of the your smaller expenses.  For a mellow evening, go to Latitude 18 which offers live music from local bands.  And for more modern spot, head to Duffy’s Love Shack, where they offer two-drinks-for-the-price-of-one.  And last is Epernay; a bistro good for wine.

This year the U.S Virgin Islands is celebrating its 90th anniversary as a U.S territory, and is celebrating by investing nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in new and expanded tourism facilities, Cruise capacity in two stops, and upgraded hotels.

In St. Thomas, Cruise clients such as those aboard Holland America and Princess Cruise lines are stopping. St. Thomas has nearly two million passengers a year, making it one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. To accommodate more cruise ships and passengers, they are upgrading. In November 2006, the $28 million Crown Bay Center and Marina opened with shopping, restaurants and kiosks selling local crafts. Now Princess has signed a 10-year agreement with St. Thomas to bring 3 of their cruise ships to their dock exclusively. By next year, Crown Bay will plan to have built a visitors center on the dock with virtual tours of the island.

Found in St. Thomas is Coral World Ocean Park, which offers the Shark encounter, Sea Trek or submarine, and their new experience – the Sea Lion Splash. This new attraction creates a chance for adults and children alike to play with sea lions in a pool, and join them on land. It is best to reserve in advance, since only 12 people a day can do this, as not to stress out the sea lions. The entry price to the park is $18 for adults, $9 for children (3-12 yrs.), the Sea Lion Splash is $99 per adult and $90 per child, the Sea Trek is $50 per person, the Shark Encounter is $24.95 per person, and the Semi-Submarine is $18 per person.

The hotels in St. Thomas are also being renovated. The Ritz-Carlton is now complete with its $40 million renovation. The resort added 55 guestrooms, 16 executive suites, four presidential suites and two villas. They also expanded the spa, and renovated all the previous rooms. The Marriott Vacation Club International opened their first timeshare resort with 28 villas on St. Thomas. These offer a pool, fitness center, health club, and their own beach.

St. Croix is also upgrading for more access for cruise ships. With a $50 million upgrade to the Frederiksted pier area and the waterfront boardwalk, they expect more cruise ships coming into dock. And more can, with the harbor dredged to accommodate larger ships. The hotels on St. Croix are upgrading as well. The luxury Carambola Beach Resort will be renamed the Renaissance Resort by the end of the year. T he renovation is half-done, and Wi-Fi will be there by the end of July. This $20 million renovation will also open a new 2,200-square-foot spa.
The one area of the U.S Virgin Islands not changing is St. John, but that is viewed as a good thing, as two-thirds of the land on this island is a protected national park. Though the island goes un-changed, it is still a popular spot for those looking for relaxation, and those looking for a more natural stay at the islands. But the resorts are still upgrading. The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is converting 108 of the guestrooms into 52 vacation ownership villas. The popular eco-tents of Concordia Estates are offering eco-tents built on a hillside with views over the sea, and the tents are equipped with indoor plumbing, kitchens, screens, and most of all, comfort.