US Airways Adds $25 Fee for 2nd Bag!

US Airways is one of the top airlines serving the Caribbean with flights to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Punta Cana, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua to name a few! On Tuesday, US Airways announced they are adding a $25 fee to any second check-bags. Up until this announcement, travellers were allowed 2 pieces of checked baggage. This policy will go into effect on May 5th, 2008 and will generate an additional $75 million in cost savings and new revenue. United Airlines has already made this change and we expect all airlines to follow suit. "Some critics may call this another example of airline customers being 'nickel and dimed' for services that used to be provided as part of the flying experience," US Airways President Scott Kirby said in a statement to employees. "But the airline industry of 2008 is very different from the industry of 1998 or 1988, and we have to be realistic -- and innovative -- about our product." (Reuters)

Best of Barbados is Back!

The Best of Barbados program is one of my favorite island promotions because the majority of hotels on the island participate! The program includes air discounts of $200 to $300/per person, the first or first and second night free at the hotel of your choice based on a 7 night stay, and free breakfast! Additionally, there are gift certificates for local restaurants and buy one get the second one half-price at most area activity providers! Book your travel by April 1, 2008 to take advantage of these great savings! Let the Caribbean Specialists with CaribbeanJourney.com plan your Barbados Vacation or book online for discount packages!

Bonaire Tourist Board Launches New Site

Bonaire is quickly becoming the most popular dive destination in the Caribbean. Long famous for a no-frills approach to tourism, a concept that appealed to die-hard divers, Bonaire is fancying up some of its best digs and still remaining true to its dive roots. In promoting these new features, the island has launched an amazing new website! This website is the first of its kind, divided into different sections such as diving, snorkeling, nature, vacation planning, etc. and each section is manned by a different virtual tour guide. You can read about the tour guide and see their personal recommendations for your visit. The photography on the site certainly wets your whistle for more and leaves me yearning for the real thing! This site has more info on Bonaire than any others I have come accross.

High Season in the Caribbean

Wow - almost February already? The past few months have flown by for me and my family as we welcomed a new addition on November 17th - a beautiful baby boy. Combine the baby "busy-ness" with the rush of last-minute high season clients and I have not been able to update my blog... but I am back! I thought I would open 2008 with a posting about what High Season really means in the Caribbean. High Season officially begins on December 15 and traditionally goes until April 15, with a few villas & hotels stretching high season all the way until May 1.

High Season covers all the holidays of Christmas, New Years, President's Day, Valentines, and Easter. The week between Christmas & New Years is THE most popular week for Caribbean travel. During this week, airfare sells out almost immediately and you will be hard pressed to find a seat less for than $1000/per person if you wait to book. Hotels do not sell out as quickly as their lengthy nightly minimums of 7, 10 or 14 nights weed out any quick trips. Most hotels require only 7 nights during this time, but some of the more exclusive hotels require 10 or 14. Surprisingly, they don't have a problem filling all their rooms by early fall.

Moving on... the next most popular week is President's Week. Having never lived in the Northeast, I learned quickly that many NE schools are closed this week and therefore it is the perfect time for a winter warm-up trip to the sunny Caribbean shores. The 3rd most popular week is Spring Break. Luckily for all of us in the industry, these dates vary around the country - but most breaks fall into either the second or third weeks of March or the first week of April. (This year I was surprised to learn that some schools are closed April 19 to 26. These folks will luck out by being able to enjoy their break at Low Season rates!)

What is the Caribbean like during high season? Fun, fun, fun!!! All of the restaurants and bars are open - as opposed to many being closed for a few months every fall. Live music is easy to come by as most establishments pack their entertainment schedule with events every night. The beaches are lively and sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to make sure you secure beach loungers or palapas for your crew! And the number one reason High Season in the Caribbean is so amazing? It is WARM and you will likely be leaving much colder temps behind...

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!