Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas will operate a short Brazil season beginning Feb. 15. It will offer four roundtrip sailings from Sao Paulo (Santos) on a six-night itinerary -- the March 5 voyage coinciding with Brazil’s Carnival celebrations -- featuring a call at Rio de Janeiro and an overnight at Salvador De Bahia.

Cruise and hospitality veteran, Michael Bayley, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the company announced today. Bayley will continue to drive the strategic international business development for three of the company’s cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

Thousands of tourists and business travelers were told to stay away from Jamaica’s capital Tuesday as bloody drug clashes blockaded Kingston airport and sparked travel warnings across the globe.

As of May 1, 2010, Grenada increased its departure tax, and at the same time implemented a new procedure to collect that money from airlines.

Royal Caribbean International said nearly 10,000 travel agents registered for the May 13 All Access Expo, a virtual trade show that featured company executives via live video sessions and the latest sales resources and information.

Crystal Cruises named U.K.-based leisure travel industry veteran Philip Ordever vice president-international sales and marketing. Ordever was a key member of Crystal’s international sales team from 2003 to 2009, prior to leaving to pursue other opportunities.