Jetsettersblog

Compass Point Dive Resort, located on the East End of Grand Cayman, is pleased to announce the opening of the 2nd phase of their beautiful dive resort.

The new building introduces a variety of upscale room types, including 3-Bedroom Penthouse Suites and 1-Bedroom Deluxe categories. “The spacious accommodations provide a home away from home and cater to a new level of luxury within the dive resort marketplace. Divers no longer have to sacrifice the comforts of home, nor their wallets, when diving off the beaten path.”, states Stephen Broadbelt, Managing Director of the property.

Check Out Our Trade Only Special!

The 1 Bedroom Deluxe condominiums boast 1,100 sq ft of space, with a king size bedroom, large master bathroom, full size kitchen, dining area, spacious living area, flat-screen TV, HDTV Cable Service, Blu-Ray DVD players,

Free high speed Wi-Fi, Washer/Dryer, additional 1/2 bath with shower and Murphy beds so the unit can sleep up to 4 divers. The Super-luxe 3-Bedroom Penthouse Suites, are extremely spacious with 2,400 sq ft of space to completely make yourself at home, offering the same high standards as the 1-Bedroom Deluxe, and complemented with unparalleled panoramic views from the large out door patio and al fresco dining area. The Penthouse Suites offer 14 ft high vaulted ceilings, and have a master bedroom that will make you feel like royalty. Another striking feature that all guests notice as soon as they step through the doors, is the original photographic artwork that decorates the walls, with each unit offering a unique collection of Cayman underwater images by renowned photographer, Elly Wray.

The environmental footprint of the resort is important to Compass Point and their divers, the new building was designed and built with a comprehensive ‘Green List’ including:

Propane Gas Powered Air Conditioning
Energy Eye building management system
Water Sense Certified Faucets
Dual Flush Toilets
Zero VOC Interior Paints
Energy Star 4.0 Certified Appliances
P.O.U. Hybrid Water Heaters
Rain Water Harvesting System
Drought Tolerant landscaping
Jacuzzi Tub heated by Heat Recovery System from A/C
LowE Glass SHGC <30
Heat Radiation Barrier & Insulated Roof with SRI >78
Energy Star 60″ High Velocity Ceiling Fans
CFL Energy Efficient Lighting
Reclaimed lumber from rail road ties
Recycled Car tires for land scape mulch
Recycling Center for cans & glass bottles

In addition to luxury appointments inside the condominiums, the resort also has a new free style pool, super-sized jacuzzi hot tub and new Pool Cabana with gas BBQ grills. Compass Point also offers complementary use of bicycles and kayaks for additional activities when guests are not diving. Whether traveling as a single or couple, with friends and family, or as part of a dive group, guests of Compass Point and Ocean Frontiers will feel pampered by the first class accommodations and valet-style ‘Green Short’ dive services.

“Dive vacations at a condominium resort deliver a deeper relaxing experience than at a regular hotel. We have created a space where you want to be and spend time to unwind, rather than a standard hotel room where you just sleep and get ready”, explains Lesley Agostinelli, Reservations Manager for Compass Point & Ocean Frontiers.

Compass Point Dive Resort is a Green Globe Certified property and consists of a total of 28 condominiums, with a mix of 1 and 2 Bedroom ocean front units, 1-Bedroom Deluxe units and 3-Bedroom Penthouse Suites. Compass Point Dive Resort is home to Cayman’s award winning and premier dive shop, Ocean Frontiers. Compass Point and Ocean Frontiers specialize in diving the 55 dive sites on the East End of Grand Cayman and offer true “Roll Out of Bed and on to the Dive Boat” convenience to all of their guests and divers. Dive vacations can be booked direct or through your preferred travel agent or dive center.

LAS VEGAS – The Silverton Casino is the perfect place for great music, delicious food and a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip. Please find a list below of the upcoming headliners at Silverton Casino. Tickets can be purchased at the Silverton Casino, by calling 702-263-7777 or by logging onto www.silvertoncasino.com

Love Your Pet, “Like” the Silverton Casino

Date: Starting Wednesday, June 1

Event Info: Throughout the month of June, the Silverton Casino invites devoted pet owners to share in their support of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). For each person that “likes” the Silverton Casino Facebook page between June 1-30, the Silverton will donate one dollar to the Nevada SPCA.

Mosaic

Date: Friday, June 3

Admission Cost: $15

Time: 8 p.m.

Artist Info: Melodic vocal group, Mosaic, will make its Las Vegas headlining debut at Veil Pavilion in the Silverton Casino. The multi-talented and musically diverse singing sensations are famed for their appearances on hit television shows such as “America’s Got Talent” and MTV’s “Top Pop Group,” and will now call Silverton Casino their new home. Show goers can expect to hear hit songs from today and yesteryear, intertwined with Mosaic’s signature charm and innovative style.

Bikinis, Bands and Burgers Poolside Concert Series

Dates: Saturdays, June 4 and June 18,

Times: 7 p.m.

Admission Cost: $10

Event Info: Music lovers can look forward to the June installments of the Bikinis, Bands and Burgers Poolside Concert Series. Hosted by DJ Rama, his month’s performers include Mighty Diamonds featuring Haleamano on June 4 and Prezident Brown featuring One Pin Short on June 18. Attendees can enjoy this eclectic mix of artists while relaxing poolside at Silverton Casino’s luxurious Sway Pool while taking advantage of delicious summer snacks and plenty of drink specials. For more information on performers please visit www.silvertoncasino.com

Brett Dennen with Dawes

Date: Thursday, June 23

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $15 plus additional taxes and fees

Artist Info: Industry favorite, Brett Dennen will perform at the Silverton Casino. Named by “Rolling Stone” magazine in 2008 as an “Artist to Watch”, Dennen offers a rich and eclectic sound which embodies the essence of folk based pop music. With universally relatable lyrics, his songs are regularly used on television soundtracks including the hit TV series’, “Parenthood,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Scrubs.” Dennen is currently touring and sharing the music from his fourth studio album, Loverboy.

Candlebox

Date: Saturday, June 25

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $25 plus additional taxes and fees

Artist Info: Candlebox will bring their intense and rock driven sound to audience members at Silverton Casino. The band based out of Seattle’s own “grunge” movement, rose to fame in the early 1990’s with their 1993 self-titled debut album. After a seven-year hiatus, the band reunited in 2006 and in 2008 released the ambitiously powerful rock album, Into the Sun. Today Candlebox continues to write music and perform on stages across the world.

About Silverton Casino

The Silverton Casino offers 300 deluxe rooms and suites and world-class amenities all located within an upscale, contemporary luxury lodge-themed resort. Silverton Casino is home to a variety of restaurants and dining options, including the Seasons Buffet, the 24-hour Sundance Grill, Shady Grove Lounge, Twin Creeks Steakhouse and the new, Mexican-inspired Mi Casa Grill Cantina. In addition to the 165,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Silverton offers 90,000 square feet of gaming with over 2,000 slot machines and 30 table games, an intimate poker room and the Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge. The property features a 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with more than 5,000 sharks, stingrays and tropical fish, which was voted “Best Free Attraction” in the Best of Citysearchâ 2008 awards. Silverton Casino is located at I-15 and Blue Diamond. For more information, please call 702-263-7777 or visit www.silvertoncasino.com

GRAND MARAIS, MN – Peace, beauty and romance: these are what people most desire from their honeymoon destination.

For newlyweds who love the great outdoors and seek a wilderness experience for their perfect honeymoon, remote honeymoon getaways can be hard to find. Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais, Minnesota offers the complete package: serenity, breathtaking beauty and true wilderness to celebrate a couple’s new life together.
“For the couple that loves the great outdoors, there’s no better place to celebrate your marriage than at Gunflint Lodge, we’re a wonderful honeymoon destination,” says Bruce Kerfoot, second generation owner of Gunflint Lodge. “We offer an all-inclusive honeymoon package that allows honeymooners to simply relax and enjoy each other’s company in the quiet of the Minnesota wilderness.”

Kerfoot adds that at Gunflint, they take care of all the details. Gunflint’s honeymoon vacation packages include accommodations, meals, a relaxing massage for two and every day is filled with outdoor fun and activities. “There is no need to plan ahead; our honeymoon package allows the newlyweds the freedom of deciding what they feel like doing each day, knowing that no matter what the season, they will have a wonderful time celebrating their new life together.”

The honeymoon package provides each couple with all their meals, plus a daily treat of appetizers and wine delivered right to their romantic lakeside cabin each evening. Newlyweds can choose to have their breakfast delivered to their cabin each day or relish the menu options in Gunflint’s main dining room. For lunch, couples can choose to enjoy a packed picnic on outdoor adventures, in the dining room, or have it delivered to the cabin.

“Our cozy cabins are each equipped with a full kitchen in case you want to stay curled up by the fireplace for dinner, but our dining options are very tempting,” says Kerfoot. “As part of the romantic, all–inclusive package, couples enjoy Gunflint’s plentiful dining options including delicious bistro-style cuisine at The Red Paddle or elegant dining in Justine’s Fine Dining. Each has panoramic views of the sunsets on Gunflint Lake.”

Gunflint is situated on the edge of Gunflint Lake in the Superior National Forest, near the Canadian border. Framed by acres of forest and miles of sparkling lake – Gunflint is a wilderness retreat. There are opportunities for outdoor adventures of all types, in all seasons.

Each week the lodge offers 15 to 20 activities for guests to choose from, many with the resort’s naturalist guides.

“We offer many great outdoor activities, perfect for those who want a unique wilderness experience,” Kerfoot adds. “In the warm months, you can explore the beauty of the region by hiking, boating, horseback-riding and biking together, or just relax on our pontoon boat cruises. In winter you can snowmobile, go for a cozy dogsled ride, cross-country ski or snowshoe. Since you have your love to keep you warm, try ice fishing on Gunflint Lake.”

About Gunflint: Gunflint Lodge is a year-round pet friendly wilderness vacation resort in northeastern Minnesota on the Gunflint Trail just north of Grand Marais, offering family vacations, fishing trips, honeymoons, horseback riding packages, women’s group retreats, and family reunions. For more information, please visit www.honeymoonminnesota.com  or

www.gunflint.com

MILAN

Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan: A member of Dorchester Collection, this iconic property has recently received a $50 million renovation including a new lobby, bar and suites. Also, experience new culinary classes to learn how to create local and authentic Milanese dishes, while enjoying paired wines selected by their Sommelier. Mangia! Rates from €325 per night. www.hotelprincipedisavoia.com
ROME

Hotel Palazzo Manfredi, Rome: A star of the Manfredi Fine Hotel Collection and owned by third generation Italian Counts, this is the only hotel located directly across from the Colosseum and built on old Gladiator training grounds. All 14 guest rooms and two suites offer views onto the ancient city. Enjoy fresh Mediterranean fare at rooftop restaurant AROMA, which debuted last season and now welcomes guests with a new glass enclosure around outdoor terrace seating. Rates from €460. www.manfrediproperties.it

Portrait Suites, Rome: Part of Lungarno Hotel Collection, Portrait Suites provides fashionable accommodations near the Spanish Steps with a 360 degree roof terrace offering breathtaking views of Italy’s capital city. Located in a townhouse directly above the Salvatore Ferragamo Men’s Store on Via Condotti, the hotel offers a unique style of bespoke hospitality with 14 luxury suites and studios. For rates and information, please visit: www.lungarnohotels.com
TUSCANY

Piedmont Walking Tour from Country Walkers: Go deep into the heart of Tuscan wine country with the 7-day Italy: Piedmont walking tour from Country Walkers. Sun-baked landscape, fortified towns, remarkable cuisine and award-winning vineyards will find you wanting more on the way to Barolo, Turin and the town of Bra, where the now-global Slow Food Movement was first cooked up. Visit local cheese-makers, experience a truffle hunt, stay in historic accommodations, and enjoy every meal with some of Italy’s best wines. From $4,298 per person. www.countrywalkers.com
FLORENCE

Lungarno Hotels, Florence: The stylish Ferragamo family-owned collection offers the most fashionable addresses with Hotel Lungarno, Continentale Contemporary Pleasing Hotel, GALLERY Hotel Art and Lungarno Suites arrayed within stone-skipping distance of the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio. Sample award-winning cuisine at Borgo San Jacopo Ristorante and The Fusion Bar & Restaurant – the first dining spot in Florence to boast a Japanese Tea Room. Just outside the city, the aristocratic Villa Le Rose stands surrounded by Tuscan countryside, with room for 12 and a flowering garden with towering cedar trees. For rates and information on individual properties: www.lungarnohotels.com
CAPRI

Hotel Punta Tragara, Capri: The other star of the Manfredi Fine Hotel Collection, Hotel Punta Tragara includes recent refurbishments to 10 Junior Suites and a new Faraglioni Suite with some of the best views of the famed sea stacks. Designed by the legendary French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the salmon-hued hotel will host internationally acclaimed authors once again this year at Le Conversazioni – Writers in Conversation, an annual literary conference open to all island visitors from June 24 – July 3. Rates from €550. www.manfrediproperties.it

Hotel Caesar Augustus, Anacapri: Savor panoramic views of Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento and Ischia at this cliffside hotel, located in Anacapri. Hotel Caesar Augustus debuts a new entrance with Roman columns and a new statue of the hotel’s namesake and redone Jacuzzis in all guests rooms and suites. Dip into a newly refurbished infinity pool surrounded by organic gardens from which the kitchen staff plucks herbs, spices and fruits for the menu at La Terrazza di Lucullo. Rates this summer from $647. www.caesar-augustus.com

TO THE CITY’S VIBRANT HOTEL SCENE

Stunning Views, Stellar Service and Sensational Gathering Spots Grace the Other Isle

New York, NY – Incomparable views of the skyline, no fewer than three of-the-moment gathering spots, and a central location with easy access to some of the finest shopping, dining and sightseeing in town. The July opening of Z New York Hotel brings an exciting new addition to the city’s hospitality scene – in Queens, naturally. Well, not just anywhere in Queens: the Z is just over the 59th Street bridge, not far from P.S. 1, right by the iconic Silvercup Studios, and within walking distance of 2011’s biggest culinary hot spot, M. Wells Diner. Z New York Hotel is poised to join these Long Island City touchstones as a must-visit destination on city’s ever-growing map, for all of the reasons above and (even more importantly) its friendly, laid-back feel.

Celebrating the Art of Travel (Figuratively and Literally)

Almost everything you need to know about the Z’s unique take on the contemporary hotel is evident the moment you enter the lobby, a small space that makes an outsized impression. An original installation by Serett Metalworks on the main wall depicts the train station departure board of the dedicated traveler’s dreams, with points familiar (France, Germany, Spain) and exotic (Israel and Iceland) wilkomming arrivals. A custom check-in desk repurposes vintage luggage, behind which is a one-of-a-kind mural depicting the gloriously ornate City Hall subway station. This “soliloquy to travel” is the vision of the hotel’s owner, Henry Zilberman, who came to New York with $1,000 in his pocket and the kind of prescience that defines a born entrepreneur.

From the lobby, there are two choices: head upstairs to your room (or one of the jaw-dropping outdoor gathering places), or run downstairs to the lounge and restaurant below. At the bottom of the loft-like staircase you’ll glimpse a baby grand piano; a not-so-baby-grand black crystal chandelier is suspended overhead. Depending upon your arrival time, the musical accompaniment could be The Rolling Stones on stereo or a Cuban jazz combo jamming live. Either way, you’ll probably decide to descend immediately for a drink in the buzzing “Z Hotel Lounge,” spelled out in mosaic tile, New York subway-style.

Designer Andre Escobar, working in close collaboration with Zilberman and Managing Director Jon Eklund, has created an eclectic, inviting and stimulating environment. Along with burled walnut floors, glazed brick, and enormous second-story windows that shed western light on the subterranean space, there are rustic-chic pieces from Restoration Hardware, inviting banquettes, and a one-of-a-kind bi-level bar topped with black Caesar stone. Oh, and many, many more eye-catching chandeliers. Zilberman and team understand the all-important mood-enhancing power of great lighting. You will look good at the Z – as will all of those interesting strangers.

Gimme Shelter

The remarkable thing about Z New York Hotel is how democratic the room situation is. Two sizes, depending on your needs, each designed with the kind of flair that generally comes at twice the price. Rather than wallpaper, there are three bespoke murals of iconic New York experiences – Billie Holiday singing, the Rockettes kicking, a taxi cab cruising. You might interpret them (respectively) as celebrations of nuance and originality, energy and the desire to please, efficiency and excitement. The murals perfectly capture the Z’s values, spirit and hospitality goals. The mattresses are the same you will find at the Four Seasons, the sheets high-thread-count Egyptian cotton, the flat-screen TVs Sony. Z Floors have radiant heat for post-shower comfort; showers are double-sized and equipped wonderfully sleek chrome fixtures and Gilchrest & Soames bath products.

The over-bed wall sconces, custom created for the Z by Brooklyn’s Ecostruct, channel “Steampunk,” mixing sleek contemporary filament bulbs with classic Mason jars. Dashes of shiny silver fabric are chicly mixed in with the predominantly brown, black and grey aesthetic; bright red leather chairs add punctuation. For sale on chic boutique shelving: flip flops replace standard slippers; hard hats accompany requisite baseball caps. Even the mini-bars offer something almost unheard of nowadays: reasonable prices. But all of this exceptional attention to detail and focus on the user-experience ultimately takes a back seat to the rooms’ most remarkable feature: floor-to-ceiling windows framing the full sweep of that island across the way.

Gazing, Grazing, Lazing: Gathering Together, Z-Style

If possible, the views are even better above the Z, where you’ll find what is destined to be the (end-of-conversation) best of New York’s hotel rooftop restaurants. Twinned aviator-style bars by Serrett Metalworks and sleek Design Within Reach furniture create a suitably stylish foundation for sunset cocktails, romantic dinners, and festive nightcap toasts. A pizza oven turns out fabulous blistered-crust personal pies at reasonable prices, accompanied by terrace-friendly greatest hits of rustic American fare from the signature restaurant downstairs. This is a destination that’s destined to be on every New Yorker’s list, for it turns out you can’t really see an island’s full glory while you’re standing on it.

Says Zilberman, the man who recognized the glory of his up-and-coming borough before almost anyone else: “The service industry is in my blood. Back in Israel, I opened a very successful restaurant in an unlikely spot – so I guess I have a history of finding promise in the unexpected. But that’s a lot more fun than following an already established formula.” Fun is a big word for the Z Hotel team – rather than a somber temple to design and quiet good taste, they’ve gone for eclecticism, liveliness and community. Consider, for example, the layout of the upper floors. In good weather, they are completely open, with balconied walkways clad in multi-colored panels. In the colder months, glass panels slide down, preserving the views of Silvercup and the rest of the borough. Chic lounges are central to each floor – adding yet another common space that encourages relaxation and even socializing.

Come late summer, fun will certainly be the word applied to a third Z CBR (café-restaurant-bar) venue: a second-story “asphalt beach” the team plans to transform into a Balinese beer garden. Well, something like that: as stylish as Bali, as lively as Berlin, the spot will offer a full range of world class brews served alongside an open-air grill turning out the best of the wursts. Located at the back of the hotel, just one floor up from the lobby, it still manages to offer stunning views of the iconic skyscrapers over there.

Let’s Get Lost

While the Z is literally focused on Manhattan, it’s not actually in it. But it is incredibly well situated for shopping Madison Avenue, visiting the Fifth Avenue museums, having Breakfast at Tiffany’s (or, more likely, one of the celebrated restaurants in the area), and rambling around Central Park. “The hotel is nearer than most places on the Upper West Side,” says Zilberman. “And much, much closer than the downtown hotels.” (This is a man who knows his distances, having started his New York life as a gypsy cab driver.)

“I know what I’m looking for when I travel,” he adds. “And I’m surprised I don’t encounter more of it. I want a place that’s inclusive, familial, a place where you can be yourself. I want casualness with comfort. Not stiffness. I want convenience and I want adventure – in the place and in the people. I want a hotel that’s taking chances, but only chances that are calculated to make things better for the customer. I want to get lost in the excitement of being somewhere completely unexpected.”

For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit www.zhotelny.com  or call 212-319-7000.

About Z New York Hotel

The new Z New York Hotel will open early July 2011, leading Long Island City in a revival as it transforms the neighborhood’s previous industrial image into a destination for New York City visitors seeking stylish accommodations with affordable rates. With each of its 100 guest rooms boasting sweeping, panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, Z New York Hotel offers a new perspective on New York City boutique luxury lodging. Whether via the complimentary shuttle service each hour, a quick 10 minute cab ride, or a mere subway stop over the river on the 7 train, guests are provided easy access to the Big Apple through the hotel’s concierge services. Amenities include oversized mattresses clad in high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, feather beds, complimentary wifi in all rooms, complimentary global phone calls, Gilchrist & Soames bathroom amenities and outdoor lounges for guests on every floor. Z New York Hotel is a culinary destination with three unique venues including the signature Z restaurant serving rustic American fare, Z Roof, and Z Beer Garden. Rolex, Citibank and Silvercup Studios all have offices in Long Island City and the industrial façade offers plenty of hip food outlets, shops, galleries and sculpture studios. The site was originally a warehouse that owner/developer Henry Zilberman purchased in 1996. www.zhotelny.com

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The literary talent and vigorous Key West lifestyle of Ernest Hemingway are to be celebrated Tuesday through Sunday, July 19-24, on the island the Nobel Prize–winning author called home throughout the 1930s.

Hemingway Days 2011 includes a popular look-alike contest, a book debut and authors’ readings, an offbeat “Running of the Bulls,” a marlin tournament and the culmination of a short story contest directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway.

Events begin Tuesday, July 19, with a book release party for “The Key West Bucket List” by Florida Keys writer David Sloan at The Porch, 429 Caroline St.

The festival’s leading literary offering is the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition winners announcement and awards reception. The reception is scheduled Friday, July 22, at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St., where Ernest Hemingway stayed during his initial 1928 visit to Key West. For information, visit www.shortstorycompetition.com.

Other literary events include “Voices, Places, Inspirations,” an evening of readings by acclaimed authors set for Wednesday, July 20, at Wyland Galleries, 623 Duval St.

Approximately 125 stocky, bearded men resembling Ernest are to compete in Sloppy Joe’s “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, a festival highlight now in its 31st year. The competition takes place at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St., a watering hole frequented by Hemingway.

Preliminary rounds are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 21 and 22, with a celebration of the author’s July 21 birthday preceding Thursday’s contest. The winner will be chosen Saturday night by a judging panel of past winners. For more information and registration, visit www.sloppyjoes.com.

The “Papas” also take part in other festival activities, including Saturday’s “Photos with Papas” at noon and “Running of the Bulls” at 1 p.m. — an offbeat salute to Pamplona’s sporting challenge featuring man-made bulls.

Those who share Hemingway’s well-known passion for angling can compete in the July 20-23 Key West Marlin Tournament, offering cash prizes for top catches of marlin and other fish. For details, visit www.keywestmarlin.com.

Other events include an exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia at the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front St., daily tours of the author’s former Key West home at 907 Whitehead St., Sloppy Joe’s Arm Wrestling Championship, a 5k race and a lively street fair on Key West’s Duval Street.

Event information: www.hemingwaydays.net
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

Barbados brims with appeal for travelers of all interests, from idyllic watersports to natural wonders. In its quest to provide guests with the finest experiences available, Elegant Hotels Group has created the Discover Barbados Program at each of its five distinctive resorts that affords access to the very best this Caribbean island has to offer, from spectacular natural wonders to sites steeped in culture and history.

Excursion options include:

• Catamaran Cruise: A five-hour cruise by catamaran along Barbados’ tranquil West Coast, including a buffet lunch and standard bar. Guests can enjoy snorkeling and swimming with local turtles and relaxing on a lovely beach. Offered daily.

• Mount Gay Lunch Rum Tour: This three-hour excursion includes a guided tour of the Mount Gay distillery – complete with film presentations, tastings and cocktail secrets revealed – and culminates in a sumptuous lunch buffet with drinks. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Island Safari Full-Day Tour: 4×4 Safari Land Rovers transport guests off-road to Barbados’ most beautiful spots that can’t be accessed by tour bus. Gullies, tropical forests, and a gourmet lunch at on of the island’s historic plantation houses are highlights of this seven-hour excursion. Offered daily.

• Harrison’s Cave Tour: This natural wonder features spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, breathtaking waterfalls, and deep emerald pools. Guests enjoy a subterranean tour by tram, informative movie, and more. Three hours; offered daily.

• St. Nicholas Abbey Tour: Following a tour of this fascinating 17th-century abbey, believed to be the island’s oldest building, guests are treated to a scenic island drive that includes Cherry Tree Hill for its panoramic views, the East Coast Road, Bathsheba and St. John’s Church. Rum or fruit punch refreshment is included. Three-and-a-half hours; offered Sunday through Friday.

• Coast to Coast: The ultimate Bajan adventure, this six-hour excursion includes stops at scenic sites across the island, from Barbados’ first town – Holetown – to its first port – Speighstown. Guests will take in magnificent views from atop Cherry Tree Hill and along the breathtaking East Coast Road, and stop at the famed St. John’s Parish Church, a classic Gothic structure that appears to be carved from the cliffside on which it sits. A sumptuous Barbadian lunch buffet will follow at Sunbury Plantation House, with its private collection of horse-drawn carriages. Offered Sunday through Friday.

Discover Barbados excursions are an outstanding add-on value at only $75 US per person, per excursion. Each excursion requires a minimum of two guests and includes transportation

For reservations, please visit www.eleganthotels.com  or call 888-996-9948

ABOUT ELEGANT HOTELS GROUP

Elegant Hotels Group owns and operates five of the finest hotels and resorts on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Set on the most desirable of the island’s legendary beaches on the west and south coasts, each hotel features unique attributes and a distinctive personality. Together, they offer styles to suit every taste, from classic to contemporary, family-friendly to adults-only, and traditional to all-inclusive. The hotels share a commitment to superb service and fine culinary experiences, and provide the ultimate beach and water sports environment for their guests, including the Elegant “Beach Ambassadors” program. They offer upscale accommodations that remain welcoming and unpretentious, or “elegance with a twist,” – a casual elegance that embodies the best of Barbados. Elegant Hotels include The House, Colony Club Hotel and Tamarind, as well as the all-inclusive Crystal Cove Hotel and Turtle Beach Resort. The group also includes the acclaimed Daphne’s restaurant on Barbados’ west coast – sister to Daphne’s restaurant in London.

For reservations and further information, call (UK) 0800-917-3534 or (US) +1 888-996-9948, or visit www.eleganthotels.com

For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate an extended schedule of voyages from Boston with a series of roundtrip four- and five-day Eastern Canada cruises aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory beginning in June 2012. Carnival will be the only cruise line offering short cruises from Boston to the Canadian Maritimes.

On the new program, Carnival Glory will sail from the recently refurbished Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on four-day “long weekend” cruises departing Thursdays to Saint John, New Brunswick, and five-day voyages departing Mondays and Saturdays to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John. The program will operate June 10 to July 26, 2012. One seven-day cruise will be offered June 3 to 10, 2012, with visits to Portland, Maine, and Saint John, Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

“Massport’s facilities are economic engines for the New England region and we expected our $11 million in capital improvements to the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal would not only be appreciated by the more than 300,000 passengers who use the facility each year, but it would generate renewed interest from cruise lines in the Port of Boston,” said Thomas J. Kinton Jr., Massport’s CEO and executive director. “Bringing Carnival Cruise Lines to Boston for regularly scheduled service is not only good economic news, it will provide New England residents more choices in cruising vacations.”

Following its cruises from Boston, Carnival Glory will reposition to New York for a series of four-day voyages to Saint John and five-day voyages to Saint John and Halifax from Aug. 1 through Sept. 3, 2012. Carnival Glory will also offer five week-long fall foliage cruises roundtrip from New York to Halifax, Saint John, Boston and Portland, Maine. Departure dates include Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 2012.

The ship will also operate a series of cruises roundtrip from Norfolk, Va., in the spring and fall. Spring six-day Bahamas departures will be available on May 15, May 21 and May 27. In the fall, there will be six-day Bahamas cruises departing Oct. 14 and Oct. 22, a five-day Bahamas cruise on Oct. 28, and a two-day cruise on Oct. 20, 2012.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Glory’s voyages from Boston, New York and Norfolk. For more information, call 800-CARNIVAL or visit www.GoCCL.com

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines announced details of an 80-night voyage around Africa. Black Watch’s Indian Ocean cruise, departing Jan. 10, 2013, from Southampton, visits several African countries, rounds the Cape of Good Hope, and takes in Mauritius and the Maldives en route to India. The cruise then travels to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt, with a transit of the Suez Canal, returning via Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, and Libya.

Key ports of call include Banjul, Gambia; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Cape Town, South Africa, for two nights; Port Louis, Mauritius; Dubai for an overnight; Abu Dhabi; Muscat, Oman; Alexandria, Egypt; Piraeus, for Athens, Greece; and Valletta, Malta.

“On the itinerary planning front, cruises featuring ports of call across North Africa and the Middle East have come under scrutiny,” said Nigel Lingard, Fred Olsen’s marketing director. “Despite these constraints, we continue to expand our horizons, offering new destinations wherever possible.”

Prices start at $12,043 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin-bed cabin. Up to $600 onboard spending per person is available, depending on cabin grade. Those who book before May 31 receive early booking savings. For more information, call 800-843-0602, email info@bortonoverseas.com  or visit www.bortonoverseas.com

Holland America Line’s Maasdam recently completed a stem-to-stern, multimillion-dollar Signature of Excellence dry dock at Freeport, Bahamas. Also completing dry-dock refurbishments in April were Eurodam, Volendam and Veendam.

The 1,258-guest Maasdam added new stateroom furnishings and bathroom upgrades; Canaletto, a complimentary Italian eatery; the Showroom at Sea; and the lounge called Mix, which combines three bars into one area. Twenty-nine new Lanai staterooms also were added to Maasdam during the refit, and 16 staterooms across Verandah Suite, outside and inside categories were converted into Spa Staterooms. The refurbishment was part of the company’s more than $566 million Signature of Excellence ongoing fleet-wide program.

“Maasdam is our fifth ship to receive these exciting enhancements,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president-marketing, sales and guest programs. “The ongoing Signature of Excellence program has touched all 15 Holland America ships in various ways and ensures that our fleet continues to evolve in premium amenities, programming, technologies and activities that our guests expect from Holland America Line.”

Volendam’s dry dock in Singapore included new carpet in most of the public areas and restaurants. Audio and lighting enhancements were completed in the show lounge. Guest staterooms received new carpeting and soft goods, and all furniture was re-upholstered and refinished. Crew cabins and recreation areas were also updated. The hull was repainted and a number of technical maintenance repairs were performed.

Eurodam’s dry dock at Freeport involved new carpets, privacy curtains along the Atrium side of the Pinnacle Grill, hull coating and some routine technical upgrades. Veendam’s dry dock, also at Freeport, included routine technical updates. The aft Lido Deck retreat area was modified with a new design with more open deck space, two pools and two hot tubs.

Canaletto, the casual Italian restaurant, comes to life for dinner behind glass partitions in the Lido. Dishes include puttanesca and penne alla vodka. Although there is no charge to dine in Canaletto, reservations are suggested.

Maasdam’s piano bar and casino bar were reconfigured into Mix, a multi-themed area with three separate bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales, each serving its namesake libations. The casino was redesigned and the main show lounge was transformed into the Showroom at Sea with nightclub ambience.

The upscale Merabella luxury jewelry shop was added to the completely renovated mid-ship shopping area with its signature jewelry and watch boutiques. Other public areas around the ship also were refurbished and received new carpeting.

In addition to Maasdam, these extensive public area Signature of Excellence enhancements can also be found on Veendam, Statendam, Rotterdam and Ryndam.

Maasdam’s staterooms received new carpeting, soft goods and completely renovated bathrooms with new vanities and cabinetry.

Sixteen staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa on Verandah Deck were converted to spa staterooms. Spa accommodations offer organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, a yoga mat, a water feature, special room-service menus and treatments, and more. For more information, call 1-877-724-5425 or visit www.hollandamerica.com