Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 2008

The Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the most sought after tickets in the Caribbean!The 3 day event takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica every January when the weather is perfect, skies are clear, and the rum & beer ice cold. This year's line-up includes: Diana Ross, Anita Baker, Hugh Masakela, Billy Ocean, Beres Hammond, Majorie Whylie, and more! Mark your calendar for January 24 - 26, 2008 and contact our travel agency, Caribbean Journey for great package deals at nearby hotels and luxury villas!

50% Off at the Eco-Friendly Verandah Resort!

The brand new Verandah Resort in Antigua is offering a great introductory special at 50% off their normal rates. This eco-friendly paradise opened its doors on October 19th. Enjoy all-inclusive rates of around $243/night for travel now until December 20, 2007. Why do I like this hotel? "The Verandah has identified key environmental aspects related to the operation of its resort in Antigua. These include: the rational use of energy and water; solid waste and wastewater disposal; reduction of greenhouse gases; proper disposal of hazardous materials; noise reduction; and the use of biodegradable cleaning materials. The Verandah has a comprehensive Environmental Management System in place..."

Riu Jamaica Hotels Offers HOLIDAY Discounts!

This never happens! In almost 11 years of selling the Caribbean, I can not recall a hotel offering discounts on their holiday rates. The most popular weekend for holiday travel is the week between Christmas & New Years. All three Riu Hotels in Jamaica: Riu Tropical Negril, Club Hotel Riu Negril, & Riu Ocho Rios are offering discounts for travel between 12/22/07 and 01/01/08 if you make your reservation before 11/17/07. Contact us for a custom quote!

JetBlue Adds More Caribbean Flights!

Since starting service to the Caribbean, JetBlue often has the best deals around for the markets it serves. Starting this winter, JetBlue will add the Dutch/French combo island of St. Maarten/St. Martin and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic to its schedule. Both of these new destinations will be served with flights from JFK in New York.

Air Jamaica Starts Online Check-in!

While other airlines have been allowing WCI (Web Check-in) for many years, it is a brand new feature for Air Jamaica. So far they are allowing this service for flights between Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Kingston or Montego Bay, Jamaica. This new service allows passengers to check-in online between four and eighteen hours in advance of their flight. You may also select your seat and print a confirmation. The benefit? Checking in online in advance will allow you to save time by not arriving so early at the airport. If you need to check baggage, you may arrive within 90 minutes of your flight and without bags, only 60 minutes. This is less than the required 2 hours if you need to check-in at the ticket counter. Keep checking bag for additional gateways!

Riu Palace Aruba Offers Nov & Dec Discount!

The Riu Palace Aruba is offering discounted rates for all stays in November & December! Plus, children are 50% off when sharing with 2 paying adults. Valid categories: Junior Suite Partial Oceanview, Junior Suite Oceanview, Suite Oceanview and Junior Suite Jacuzzi® Oceanview. New bookings only. You must book by 10/04/07 for travel between 11/1/07 and 12/21/07. In Aruba, the Riu Palace is beautifully designed and located right on Palm Beach, offering a most spectacular view of the Caribbean. The wide expense of soft, golden sand, virtually at its front door, invites you to enjoy the warm breeze wafting in from the ocean or enjoy swimming in one of the two fresh-water pools. We invite you to enjoy the beauty of Aruba and the comfort of the Riu Palace, the perfect combination for your next vacations.

3rd Annual Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition

Nevis is hosting the 3rd Annual 3rd Annual Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition October 19-21, 2007. The weekend long event will host cooking demonstrations, seminars and gourmet lunches and dinners prepared by the chefs of Nevis and throughout the Caribbean. There are 4 main stops on the island-wide culinary tour: Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Oualie Beach Hotel, Tequila Sheila's, the Botanical Garden of Nevis. Also on the tour are stops at local farms and produce markets. Local Caribbean bands will provide entertainment for the event while local bars will be offering signature cocktails of the island for refreshment. Contact us to check rates!

Cap Juluca Offering 7th Night Free!

Cap Juluca is one of Anguilla's most prized resorts. The resort is located on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Guests are housed in Moorish-inspired villas, each one home to no more than 6 guest rooms. Known for its first-class cuisine and all star staff and amenities, this resort is offering a fabulous fall special! Stay for 7 nights and pay for 6 nights (7th night is free). Valid categories: Superior Room, Luxury Room and Junior Suite. Minimum stay: 7 nights. New bookings only. Not combinable. Promo code: 7TH NT FREE. Booking Window: 06/19/07-12/16/07 Travel Window: 06/19/07-12/16/07. Check rates!

Jamaica is Open for Business!

I am absolutely thrilled that Hurricane Dean spared Jamaica the depth of damage we were all expecting. For the most part, the island only experienced flooding and landscape damage. Being the tropics, the flora and fauna will grow back very soon! The Jamaica Tourist Board has launched an official page with updates from the island's tourism sector. If you or a loved one has plans to visit Jamaica in the near future, you will find this information helpful and reassuring.

Hurricane Dean Update From The Weather Channel!

(Story taken from Weather.com on 8/20/07 as of 11:20AM.)

Hurricane Dean has moved away from Jamaica after lashing the island nation with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, and gusts of at least 138 miles per hour. This came from an observation in Kingston as Dean swept buy to the city's south.
Some locations along the south shore may have experienced even more ferocious winds. The north shore escaped the worst that Dean had to offer but likely experienced hurricane gusts and tropical storm-force sustained winds during the height of the storm.

At 11 a.m. ET, the center of Hurricane Dean was located about 125 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It is moving toward the west at about 21 mph. Dean is expected to continue on a west or west-northwestward track throughout the remainder of the day. Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with further strengthening likely. In fact, Dean may reach category 5 status within the next several hours.

The Cayman Islands will feel the greatest impact today but fortunately has they have avoided a direct hit. The center of Dean has recently passed about 125 miles to the south of Grand Cayman. Heavy rain, high winds, dangerous surf, and storm surge have all impacted Caymans today.

Hurricane Dean Increases in Strength

My family and I moved from Miami to Atlanta in Dec. 2005 after enduring 5 hurricanes in 18 short months. Because my Caribbean travel business is affected by any regional hurricanes, living in a hurricane zone myself was too difficult. So now, as I sit in the sunny comforts of my Atlanta office I remember the fear that many of my Caribbean friends and family are facing right now. Hurricane Dean quickly became a category 4 storm today and is likely to become a cat 5 before making landfall in Jamaica... my favorite island. I will be monitoring the storm as I can't stray too far from the office because of the many clients I have that are trying to adjust their travel plans around this storm. I am happy to know that my clients can easily reach me rather than waiting for extended periods to contact the airline or hotel if they had booked direct.

While each airline and each hotel chain do have full hurricane details on their websites by now, along with CNN, the Weather Channel and others, the state department's website is also helpful.

We sit, watch, wait, and hope for the best.

Taste of Barbados Festival

Food & Wine Magazine is sponsoring the 2007 Taste of Barbados Festival. This 10 day event is the national showcase of Barbados' fine cuisine and local culture. From rum-tastings to one-on-one prime time seating at celebrity chef's tables, the Taste offers something for everyone! Taking place October 11 to 14 at venues located across the island, the festival is not to be missed for any true Caribbean foodies! New this year is a "Farm to Table Tour" where you will follow your meal from harvest to preparation in the presence of a professional chef. While some events range in cost up to $500/per person, there are many complimentary events. Check the schedule for full details. Enjoy!

Get Married at Almond Resorts, Get a Free STAR!

Almond Resorts, with properties located in Barbados and St. Lucia, has topped the standard complimentary resort wedding package by throwing in a free star! Weddings at their resorts are free if you stay at least 7 nights and now if you get married between September 1, 2007 and December 20, 2008, a star will be named in your honor!

Free Wedding Package Includes:
Government fees (for wedding), ceremony charges and registrars cost
Decorated site
Local flowers for bride and boutonniere for groom
Wedding cake
Bottle of champagne
8"x10" photo in engrave frame*for stays less than 7 nights, a charge of $350 will apply. Ask about our inclusive Honeymoon Package.

Star Package includes:
Star named in honor of the couple through International Star Registry
16"x12" full-color, personalized parchment certificate
16"x12" sky chart showing name, date and location of star
Astronomy booklet with additional sky charts
Letter of congratulations

Call 866-236-1924 for rates!

Fall Escapes at Windjammer Landing, St. Lucia!

Gogo Worldwide Vacations, one of my favorite wholesalers is offering great packaged deals to Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia for Fall 2007. Rates start at $975/per person for 5 nights, round trip airfare from Miami, (Other US departure gateways are available!) round trip ground transfers, and hotel taxes and service fees. You must book by 12/1 for travel between 9/1 and 12/10.

More Flights Added Between Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao!

For years I have struggled with satisfying my client’s desires to visit another of the ABC Islands(Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) while in the region. While these islands are relatively close together making a ferry service seem like a logical answer, there is no such service. Up until a few years ago, inter-island flights were infrequent and unreliable. This year, I have found two small airlines to service my clients. Both Insel Air and Tiara Air fly between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Tiara Air recently announced that they were adding more flights and now flies between all 3 islands multiple times a day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Product Review - Desktop Beach Party!

Happy Birthday Anguilla!

2007 marks the 40th anniversary of Anguilla’s secession from the association of states of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. To mark the occasion, the island has a launched a “40 and Fabulous” campaign showcasing some of the island’s new amenities, including the brand new Greg Norman-designed course at the Temenos Golf Club is at the island's St. Regis hotel.Only having been open since November, the course is earning rave reviews from visiting golfers who can enjoy the sweeping vistas of neighboring St. Martin and dramatic landscaping. Why do I like Anguilla? Beach, beach, and more beach! Anguilla has some of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean. The island's 5 star resorts are wonderful too! Cap Juluca is a favorite with our honeymoon clients.

Health & Wellness Travel in the Caribbean

Along with the surge in demand for eco-friendly travel options, the small Health & Wellness sector is experiencing rapid growth in the Caribbean as well. This comes as a change in trend as the Caribbean has always been known as a place to indulge at any one of the hundreds of all-inclusive resorts and regional cruise lines. The spa industry long made its mark in the region but with the pampering services reigning in popularity. The Caribbean’s hotel leaders were invited to attend the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) 9th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise called the Sustainable Tourism Conference, featuring a “Health & Wellness” Theme for 2007.

JetBlue Adds More Flights to Aruba!

On June 30, JetBlue is set to add Saturday-only nonstop service to Aruba from Boston with fares ranging between $149-$399 each way. JetBlue currently flies to Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Cancun, Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.

Aruba Launches Private-Plane Terminal

Aruba's has seen a recent influx in the luxury market with hotels adding more higher-end categories and luxury villas, the island’s airport decided it must also adept to this growing market. In January, the Aruba airport’s new terminal for private planes opened. The stand-alone facility offers upscale travelers a variety of services including a VIP lounge, on-site customs and immigration, a duty-free shop, ample ramp and parking space, as well as concierge able to help with ground transportation, airport fees, car rental service, 24-hour security arrangements and private catering.

Have you heard of a “Mancation”?

Alright, so we ladies have plenty of reasons to travel with just the girlfriends. Our health spa vacations that we claim necessary to help jump-start a healthy 2007 and yet really only intend on letting someone rub, scrub, knead, and wrap our bodies and dissolve any remaining holiday stress. We also have our shopping trips that we can certainly justify as necessary because we MUST hit New York before fashion week when all the designer duds are marked down to unbelievable prices or we MUST go to Paris for the perfect antique sideboard to fill the empty space in the dining room because even though there will by so much cost involved in shipping the piece home, the resale value clearly makes this trip a smart investment. Then there are the culinary trips where we insist that our repertoire of recipes is truly lacking and if our darling husbands want to remain well-fed we MUST learn new techniques and this can certainly only be done by learning from the masters themselves. Ok – but what about the men? Don’t they deserve a special reason to travel too? Think of how they will enjoy testosterone packed excursions to fish, hunt, camp, climb or quieter activities like playing poker. Send them on a Mancation! They will love you for it! We aren’t sure who coined the term, but “mancations” are becoming increasingly popular. A study conducted by the Travel Industry Association found that 37 million U.S. men took mancations in 2005, 2 percent more than in 2000. The Caribbean is home to many worthy destinations for a MANCATION!

Grenada’s Spice Island Resort Wins!

Grenada was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in the fall of 2004. The Spice Island Resort was not spared and had to undergo a $12 million renovation. Recently one of my favorite publications, Costal Living Magazines, awarded Spice Island with the Coastal Living Award 2007 for its success in keeping green technologies and practices at the forefront of its renovation. Great job!

Frommer’s Names Virgin Gorda One of the Top Twelve Destinations for 2007

Get it while its hot! Virgin Gorda isn’t even hot… usually a breezy 85 degrees. But, since making the list of Frommer’s top twelve enticing and unique places to visit in 2007, it will surely become even more of a hot spot. With many private beaches, Virgin Gorda is paradise for those seeking R & R. The island plays host to a few high end hotels and amazing luxury villas, including Rambutan one of my personal favorites. Also present is the Bitter End Yacht Club, a great place for wanna be sailors as all watersports are included in the price. If you go, don’t miss The Baths, a section of the north coast beaches that is dotted with giant smooth boulders trapping the tide and created pools or baths.

Beaches Fifth Annual Single Parent Mixer!

For 5 years Beaches Resorts has been offering a Single Parent Fun promotion, aka SPF. The 2007 SPF dates will include all of May and August 17 to October 31. For this promotion, Beaches will waive the single supplement fee of up to $180/night. SPF activities include Single Parent Welcome Receptions, Single Parent Social Cocktail Receptions, and Kids' Movie Nights. The SPF offer is available at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Beaches Sandy Bay, and Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club. A three-night minimum stay applies and can be combined with Beaches' current 25 percent off sale for 2007 travel.

Book Two and Save!

The Martineau Bay Resort and Spa in Vieques, Puerto Rico, is inviting guests to book a second room for 50 percent off regular rates for travel Jan. 3-Apr. 9, 2007. You must stay at least 3 nights to take advantage of this money saving offer. If you haven’t been to Vieques – GO! It is close to home, yet world’s away meaning it doesn’t take long to get there and once you are, you can truly feel the Caribbean of old. Time moves slower on Veiques than most other Caribbean islands. The beaches are uncrowned and the people unfazed by the stressors of city life. Being part of Puerto Rico means you DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A PASSPORT to visit! Great news, since the January 23rd Passport Initiate is quickly approaching.

Save $300 and visit Bermuda!

The island of Bermuda is offering a savings of $300 if you stay at least 3 nights and visit the island before March 31, 2007. Bermuda is chilly this time of year as it is not even considered the Caribbean due to its more northern location in the Atlantic Ocean. But don’t let the weather deter you as the island is just as lovely! Now is a great time to go and take advantage of the island’s world class golf. In fact, did you know that Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than any other country in the world? Reason enough to visit for sure!

Nassau/Paradise Island offering Passport Rebates!

Nassau Paradise Island will pay for passports for your entire family! Here’s all you need to do:

• Apply for a new U.S. Passport between December 20, 2006 and March 24, 2007
• Visit Nassau Paradise Island from January 17 through March 31, 2007
• Stay a minimum of 2 nights at any of our 19 member hotels
• Download and fill out the rebate form
• Attach verification documentation to the rebate form
• Paid hotel receipt
• Airline boarding pass for all travelers
• Photocopy of passport photo page for all travelers

Contact us for help in booking this great deal!

Gogo Worldwide Vacations launches Caribbean Sale!

Gogo Worldwide Vacations is my favorite Caribbean wholesaler, available only to travel agents! They are the nation’s oldest tour operator and have a stellar reputation! Thinking of going to the Caribbean soon? Gogo just launched a HOT sale offering up to 35% off, free nights, resort credit, and room upgrades! Want rates? Contact CaribbeanJourney.com! These specials expire on January 22, 2007 so don’t wait!

USVI’s “No Passport Required”

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I was recently asked what is currently the single biggest Caribbean newsmaker. The January 23, 2007 Passport Initiative wins hands down as the most talked about and most concerning hot topic. All of us in the Caribbean travel business are concerned that this initiative will hurt business because only 23% of US citizens have passports and many might decide to bask on beaches closer to home. So, when the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix decided to launch a “No Passport Required” promotion we all smiled! The promotion includes a 20% discount at dozens participating hotels for ALL of 2007. Contact us for a full list and happy travels!