About two weeks after Tobago unveiled its $17 million investment to its cruise industry, its sister island, Trinidad, is slated to officially open the Hyatt Regency Trinidad on January 4.

The Tobago House of Assembly announced two weeks ago the grand opening of the Scarborough Jetty in Tobago. The $17 million Scarborough Jetty expansion project will facilitate larger cruise ships and is designed to encourage more cruise lines to include Tobago on their itineraries. The Jetty can now accommodate cruise ships that hold up to 3,114 passengers and measure 320 meters long by nine and a half meters in depth.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean are both expected to make calls there in the 2008-2009 season. Travel Agent also learned that more cruise lines are expected to get onboard, although no further details have been released as of yet. Visit www.visittobago.gov.tt.

That small window between announcements of new Dominican Republic developments was abruptly shut recently as Cap Cana, a luxury resort in the Dominican  Republic, and Ritz-Carlton announced a partnership that can officially put the stamp of luxury on the region and the explanation point at the long list of developers who plan on gracing the destination.

Since the beginning of the year, we have brought you constant news of property’s opening its doors or plans to build in the Dominican Republic whether it was the upcoming Maxim Bungalows, our visit to the grand opening of Agua Resort & Spa in  Uvero Alto or the July news of Oasis’ acquisition of four properties there.

We first told you about Cap Cana in our March 5 issue of Travel Agent. The luxury resort consists of 30,000 acres of prime Caribbean waterfront.

The two-fold partnership with global powerhouse The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., is to develop a world class luxury resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana, and a residential venture known as the Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana.

Whereas hurricanes Felix and Dean dominated Caribbean news at the end of the season, it was the opening, unveiling or refurbishing of luxury products in the region that took the title for the most common theme coming out of the Caribbean this summer.

The summer season started with the unveiling of Grand Isle Resorts & Spa’s Master Grand Penthouse. The property, located in Exuma, the Bahamas, has remained a pretty well-kept secret since it opened about four years ago. But this last finishing touch, as well as the press we gave it, probably ensures that most agents know about this luxury resort by now.

The best room is the Master Grand Penthouse, which was unveiled to media, tourism and government officials when we visited. The $5.7 million Master Grand Penthouse sits on the highest point of Emerald Bay, and in peak season, costs as much as $6,000 per night.

From the fast-tracking of Bermuda's first luxury property in 35 years to Anguilla's and Turks and Caicos's strides to improve their upscale offerings, last week's news coming from the Caribbean region bodes well for agents selling luxury products.

It's a good thing for Bermuda that plans to get its first new luxury property moved closer last week.

The Caribbean continues to make significant strides to improve the luxury market of the region, but Bermuda hasn't unveiled a new luxury property in nearly 35 years. However, this is about to change.

Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hotel group, announced that Jumeirah Southlands Resort on the south shore of Bermuda has been given a Special Development Order Decree, or "the green light," enabling the project to move forward without delay. The first phase of the resort is expected to open in the first quarter of 2009. Situated on 37 acres, Jumeirah Southlands will have 300 balcony suites, including 17 two-story suites built into the ocean front, as well as five restaurants and bars, a nightclub and outdoor entertainment space, a spa, more than 1,700 feet of beach, numerous pools, an executive conference center and an equestrian center. There will also be a collection of luxury boutiques on property. Of its 300 suites, 135 will be offered for fractional vacation residence ownership.