Recently U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the United States is to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. This also included a new American Embassy in Cuba. The old relationship with Cuba was according to Barack Obama “outdated” and this now starts a new era between the countries.

The government of Antigua signed a $255 million deal with state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. to renovate the island's main port and harbor in the capital city of St. John's, according to the Antigua Chronicle.

Cruise ship enthusiasts might be doing plenty of Havana daydreaming' in the wake of President Obama's announcement this month that the U.S. will begin to normalize ties with Cuba. But government and industry experts say it will take a lot of work before it's done.

Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, which was damaged in an engine room fire on Dec. 11, will not return to service until March 22, parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced on Dec. 23.

A newly formed company, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, is tentatively set to begin two-night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island in February. The 1,800-passenger Grand Celebration will replace the damaged Bahamas Celebration, which remains out of service.

Carnival Corporation has announced new cruise ship orders for two of its brands with Fincantieri, the world’s largest cruise ship building company. The new cruise ships will be constructed by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, two of Carnival Corporation’s nine industry-leading brands.