New resorts, air service, cruise news in Dominican Republic

NEW YORK (AP) — JetBlue will offer nonstop service from Kennedy International Airport in New York to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic beginning Jan. 10, and two new luxury resorts are also under construction on the Caribbean island.

The Ritz-Carlton plans to build a 220-room luxury property, opening in 2010, in the Cap Cana community near Punta Cana, while the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will build its first property at Casa de Campo, to open in the winter of 2009. The Caribbean's first Maxim Bungalows are scheduled to open in Cofresi Beach in January, with units ranging in size from studios to two-bedroom suites. Additional Maxim Bungalows are scheduled to open in Juan Dolio in late spring of next year.

Santo Domingo's Sans Souci Port is reopening, with Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas inaugurating the renovated port on Dec. 16. The port will eventually include four separate ship terminals with docking areas; a shopping mall and duty-free shopping area; a beach club; two 900-room hotels and convention center; and a luxury condominium development. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2010.