Guests can enjoy refreshed amenities at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; signature shipboard pool programming; and captivating historic adventures

SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — Holland America Line, a leader in leisurely travel and personalized service, released its 2026-2027 Caribbean season — featuring more voyages nine days and longer than any other cruise line sailing in the region. Nearly every itinerary features a call at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas. As part of the 2026-2027 season, guests will be able to enjoy a number of enhancements at the destination, including a new beach club featuring priority tendering, waiter service and exclusive food and beverage offerings. Beach club guests will have private beach access with upgraded beach furniture as well as indoor and outdoor seating with ship views.

For all guests visiting the island, additional upgrades will provide more ways to experience the tranquility of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Guests will enjoy enhanced beach facilities, upgraded cabanas, villas and canopy loungers for two. Guests can also visit new shopping venues and refreshed dining locales — including a refurbished food court and Lobster Shack, as well as new food trucks with island-only menu items. Other highlights include new pickleball courts, and refreshing beverages delivered via Aperol Spritz tricycles or Bacardi Beach Buggies.   “The Caribbean, with its crystal-clear blue waters and sandy beaches, is the perfect destination to unwind — and we’re enhancing the guest experience to ensure the most relaxing vacation possible,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “Whether on board or at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, guests will feel immersed in the Caribbean’s charm and the award-winning, personalized service Holland America is known for.” Holland America Line is also debuting a new adults-only Signature Pool Experience on its Caribbean cruises for those looking for the ultimate relaxation experience at sea. Available at each ship’s Sea View Pool, guests can unwind with spa-like amenities including complimentary cold towels, cucumber water and lemonade, as well as services like sunglass cleaning. On sea days, the experience will feature live ambient music. Guests seeking these new offerings can select from more than two dozen itineraries aboard six ships, ranging from seven to 14 days. Cruises are roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, Florida, sailing from October 2026 to April 2027. A Historic Adventure
As part of Holland America Line’s newly announced partnership, guests can choose from five departure dates and come aboard Nieuw Amsterdam for a 9-day Southern Caribbean and ABC Islands voyage with The HISTORY Channel. The carefully curated itinerary calls at each of the three ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — as well as RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and features a late-night call at Curaçao. While in port, guests can choose from a number of shore excursions, including Caves & City Highlights in partnership with The HISTORY Channel. The excursion will explore Curaçao’s role in Leeward Island expansion and provide the opportunity to tour Willemstad’s center — a UNESCO World Heritage site — as well as take in the stunning limestone formations of the Hato Caves. Guests aboard these cruises will be able to further immerse themselves in the complex history of the region via special onboard programming. An Extended Holiday
For those looking for longer vacations in the Caribbean, Holland America Line offers over 70 departures on cruises that are over nine days in length — more than any other line cruising in the region. Guests can choose from 11 unique itineraries, including explorations focused on the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, partial transits of the Panama Canal, Greater Antilles and beyond. Guests looking to take one of these trips over the holidays can embark Rotterdam to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year while cruising the Caribbean. Guests can expect to celebrate Christmas Day in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and New Year’s Day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. The voyage will also call at ports in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda. A Perfect Week in the Tropics
Holland America Line’s seven-day Caribbean cruises will sail aboard Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam, each featuring convenient weekend departures. Late-night stays in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and evening departures from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, allow guests to further dive into the tropical beauty, delicious cuisine and spellbinding history of each destination. Nearly three dozen departures on four different itineraries allow guests to choose both the island experience that best matches their dream vacation and their ideal timeframe. Highlights of the 2026-2027 Caribbean Season

• 7-Day Voyages
  • Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam or Zuiderdam, sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, with calls at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. A special holiday edition of the voyage sails roundtrip from Miami Nov. 21, 2026, and replaces RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, with Key West, Florida.
  • Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas aboard Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam will sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and either Key West or Nassau, Bahamas.
  • Eastern Caribbean: San Juan and St. Thomas aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, a late-night visit to San Juan, and Grand Turk.
• 9- to 14-day Voyages
• • 9-Day Eastern Caribbean: U.S. & British Virgin Islands sails aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, calling Tortola, Antigua, San Juan, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and features a late-night call at St. Thomas.
  • 10-Day Western Caribbean cruises sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Rotterdam or from Miami aboard Zuiderdam, and explore the Greater Antilles, Mexico and, on select itineraries, Belize.
  • 11-Day itineraries sail aboard Zuiderdam, Rotterdam and Eurodam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Guests can choose between itineraries that explore the eastern or southern Caribbean.
  • Two 12-day itineraries are available aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Guests can either discover the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Greater Antilles, or cruise to the Windward and Leeward Islands.
  • A 14-day voyage is available on Volendam, sailing over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Guests will enjoy eight ports in the eastern Caribbean, including a late-night call in Aruba.

Have It All Early Booking Bonus
Starting Have It All fares for Caribbean cruises begin at $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy. For a limited time, when guests book 2026-2027 Caribbean cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi. Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by June 30, 2025, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. Find Holland America Line on  Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]   
Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn’t just a tagline, it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. SOURCE Holland America Line

(Family Features) Longer days and lighter schedules make summer perfect for relaxing, having fun outdoors and spending time with loved ones. However, more physical activity and time spent in the sun can also translate to increased health and safety risks.

As you and your family enjoy the warmth and sunshine while swimming, biking, grilling, playing on the playground and more this summer, remember these precautions from the experts at the American Heart Association.

Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

On hot summer days, be alert for signs of heat illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Even when it doesn’t seem extreme, heat and humidity can take a toll. Some signs of heat-related illness include muscle pain, cramps or spasms; heavy sweating; paleness; dizziness; headache; nausea or vomiting; confusion; fainting or unconsciousness; high body temperature (greater than 100 F) with dry skin; and rapid pulse. If you experience any of these symptoms, take a break, drink some water and find shade or air conditioning to cool off. If symptoms worsen or vomiting occurs, seek medical attention.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for optimal body functioning, especially during the hot and humid months. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, frequently consuming water and foods with high water content – melons, lettuce and cucumbers, for example – can help replace the fluids lost via sweat. In addition, be aware of the signs and symptoms of mild dehydration, including a dry or sticky mouth; dry, cool skin; headache; or muscle cramps. More severe cases may include dry, shriveled skin; irritability or confusion; dizziness; rapid heartbeat; rapid breathing; fatigue; and unconsciousness.

Learn CPR

As summertime activities expose people of all ages to risks, it’s important to be trained in CPR – or cardiopulmonary resuscitation – an emergency lifesaving procedure that is performed when the heart stops beating. If performed immediately, it can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association. However, only about 40% of people who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive help before professionals arrive.

Because about 74% of adult and 87.5% of child out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes, you will likely be trying to save the life of someone you love – a child, spouse, parent or friend – if called upon to perform CPR. Hands-Only CPR is recommended for members of the general public who see someone suddenly collapse. Call 9-1-1, or send someone to do so, then push hard and fast in the center of the person’s chest until medical assistance arrives. Use an AED, if available, following the prompts. Conventional CPR is the next step and involves chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing but should only be used by health care professionals and those trained to perform it correctly.

Protect Skin from the Sun

While it’s easy to get caught up enjoying activities outdoors, remember to take steps to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Limit your time in the sun, especially during the midday hours when the rays are strongest, and wear sunscreen to help reduce your risk of sunburn, skin cancer and the early onset of wrinkles. Experts recommend sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Wearing sunglasses, a hat and cool, long-sleeved clothing can further limit exposure when outdoors for long periods of time.

Play Safe

Each year, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children under the age of 14 for playground-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Choose age-appropriate parks and playgrounds for your children and keep precautions like these in mind: teach children to take turns as pushing or roughhousing can result in accidents or injuries, check metal slides before use to prevent burns, remind kids to be careful walking near moving swings and encourage them to go one at a time on slides that are clear of other children. Also be sure to use proper protective gear for other outdoor activities like biking or watersports and have a first-aid kit on-hand, complete with bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes or spray and aspirin.

Swim Safely

Whether enjoying the pool, beach, lake or river, bodies of water can be dangerous if appropriate precautions aren’t taken. In fact, drowning is among the top five causes of unintentional injury death in the United States, according to the CDC. Avoid swimming alone, especially in natural bodies of water that aren’t clear and may present strong currents or underwater obstacles, and don’t overestimate your swimming ability. Designating an undistracted “water watcher,” wearing life jackets, ensuring someone in your group knows CPR and avoiding alcohol consumption are also safe practices to keep in mind while swimming.

Be Smart with Fire

Firing up the grill and lighting fireworks are often synonymous with summertime, but open flames pose safety hazards. Never leave a grill unattended, always grill outdoors and keep children and pets away from the grilling area. When it comes to fireworks, keep a safe distance once lit, don’t point fireworks toward anyone’s face or body, never allow young children to play with them, avoid relighting fireworks that do not function properly and keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby when lighting.

For more tips on CPR and first aid, visit cpr.heart.org or download the Knowledge Booster app.

Staying Safe in the Water

Spending time in or around water is one of the joys of summer, but it comes with some risks. Stay safe on and near water with these tips from the American Heart Association:

Learn to Swim – For children ages 1-14, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes, according to the CDC. Basic swimming skills like floating and safely entering and exiting the water can help reduce the risk.

Learn CPR – Accidents can happen in or around water.In the event of a drowning, the American Heart Association recommends rescue breaths along with chest compressions.

Remember Life Jackets – Water wings, floaties and kickboards aren’t substitutes for a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

Secure the Pool – Install fencing with self-closing gates at least 4 feet tall to separate the pool from the house and yard.

Clear Out Pool Toys – Make sure children aren’t tempted to play unsupervised by removing toys from the water and storing them in a secure location.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD) is an annual event that encourages people around the world to get outside and garden in the nude. Celebrated on the first Saturday of May, the event has been gaining popularity since its creation in 2005 by Jacob Gabriel, Liz Miller, and Mark Storey.

The purpose of WNGD is to promote body acceptance and encourage people to connect with nature. Many participants find that gardening in the nude is a liberating and relaxing experience that allows them to feel more in tune with the environment.

While the event is primarily celebrated by naturists and nudists, gardeners of all kinds are welcome to participate. Some people choose to garden in the nude while others opt for clothing-optional gardening.

WNGD is not only a fun and unique way to connect with nature, but it also has some health benefits. Gardening can be a great form of exercise, helping to build strength, increase flexibility, and reduce stress. Additionally, exposure to sunlight can provide the body with vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.

However, it’s important to note that WNGD is not an invitation for inappropriate behavior. The event is meant to be a positive and respectful experience for all participants. It’s also important to be aware of local laws and regulations regarding public nudity.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking for a new way to connect with nature, World Naked Gardening Day is an event worth celebrating. So grab your gardening tools, shed your clothes, and get ready to experience the joys of nudist gardening.

https://stmdailynews.com/naked-gardening-day-is-coming-soon/