Jetsettersblog

Excursion provider Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours has launched its first tour offerings in Barbados and will expand to the Cayman Islands before the end of 2011, giving travel agents new commissionable opportunities to sell shore excursions off cruise ships.

David Shields, general manager of Island Routes, said Barbados is the first Island Routes destination that does not feature a property owned by Sandals Resorts, Island Routes’ parent company, and is part of the company’s expansion to new destinations and non Sandals-dependent client sources.

“Barbados and the Cayman Islands are stable and solid staple Caribbean destinations that both offer high visitor traffic and easy access,” Shields said.

The expansion to the Caymans will allow Island Routes to add dive tours to its portfolio.

The company also will introduce premium helicopter transfers and tours in Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the Turks & Caicos later this year, according to Shields.
For more information, call 877-768-8370.

This fall, SeaWorld Orlando is offering half-price kids tickets for children ages 3 to 9 with each full-paid adult ticket, through Oct. 31, 2011.

This offer also includes a second visit free for both the full-paid adult and the half-price child tickets.

Guests can enjoy SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place from 12 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 to 2, 8 to 9, 15 to 16, 22 to 23, and 28 to 30.

Half-price kids’ admission is only available with the purchase of a full-paid adult ticket. Additional children receive $10 off their admission.
Adult admission is $81.99 plus tax, and children’s half-off admission is $36.99 plus tax with each paid adult ticket. This offer is on sale now and is valid for visits through Oct. 31, 2011. This limited-time offer is available for advance and online purchase only, and is not available at the front gate.

Tickets can be purchased at www.SeaWorldOrlando.com

Also, now through Dec. 25, 2011, visitors can book two nights at a SeaWorld partner hotel, and get a third night free.

Plus, guests also enjoy the added benefit of SeaWorld’s All-Day Dining Deal included free with each paid admission. F

or more information, visit www.SeaWorldGetaways.com

Morgans Hotel Group in South Florida is welcoming guests by introducing their new Bienvenido A Miami! promotion. The special offer, available at the Delano (www.delano-hotel.com ), Mondrian South Beach (www.mondrian-miami.com ) and Shore Club (www.shoreclub.com ), includes a complimentary room upgrade and 2 p.m. late check-out, as well as a $75 hotel credit. Hotel guests choosing an extended stay of three or more nights will receive an additional $25 hotel credit.

The Bienvenido A Miami promotion is being offered now through Jan. 31, 2012. The hotel credits can be used at each hotel for spa treatments, restaurants and creative cocktails. For more information, visit www.morganshotelgroup.com

The Bay Course was launched at Costa Navarino, a new year-round golf destination in Greece. It is Costa Navarino’s second golf course. The Bay Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in October.

The addition of The Bay Course creates a new luxury golf destination.

The Dunes Course, designed by Bernhard Langer, is located nearby. The Bay Course, overlooking the bay of Navarino and the town of Pylos, joins a long list of world-class facilities, including the two five-star Starwood-managed hotels, The Romanos and The Westin Resorts, and a wide range of other activities, making this a complete destination for every season.

With a layout offering panoramic sea and mountain views, a feature of the course is its proximity to the water, enjoying several holes along the historic Bay of Navarino and breathtaking sunsets.

The 18-hole, par-71 Bay Course, measuring 5,760 meters from the back tees and featuring four sets of tee positions, will provide to both amateurs and professionals on-course amenities to enjoy the game, including extensive practice facilities, lessons and coaching sessions for those who wish to learn or improve their skills as well as the ability to host full-service group and tournament events.

Both courses are located in Messinia, an area that enjoys an excellent climate, blessed with balmy summers, mild winters and overall pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for golf visitors throughout the year. As with The Dunes Course, strict environmental protection guidelines have been applied to The Bay Course, in order to achieve sustainable golf-course management. Navarino Bay, the second area in Costa Navarino and home to The Bay Course, will be the world’s first earth sheltered mixed-use resort, featuring the first all-pool-villa resort in Europe. For more information, visit www.costanavarino.com

The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay launched a new “Sweet Suite” sale featuring savings of up to 40 percent off published rates for suite accommodations throughout 2012.

The offer applies to stays between Jan. 1 and Dec. 21, 2012; a two-night minimum stay is required. Vacationers who wish to enjoy the 2012 Holiday Season at the property will receive a 30 percent discount on eligible suite accommodations for stays between Dec. 22, 2012, and Jan. 1, 2013.

A four-night minimum stay is required on “Sweet Suite” sale bookings during the 2012 Holiday Season. Bookings must be made by Oct. 15, 2011. For reservations and more information, call 888-288-6006 or visit www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada, VIA Rail is offering select packages — from east to west Canada — that highlight the beauty of Canada’s landscape.

Driven to protect and preserve the country’s parks and historic sites, Parks Canada plays an integral role in ensuring their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations to enjoy.

The Parks Canada Centennial & Christmas in November package celebrates Parks Canada’s centennial on board VIA Rail’s Canadian train. After a VIP welcome at the Jasper Heritage Railway Station, accommodations will be included at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge where clients check in for a two- or three-night stay to enjoy the 23rd annual Christmas in November event (www.christmasinnovember.com).

All passengers will be provided with surprises along the way and the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada, the official guidebook for the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada. Package departures are available from Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto. An optional additional night at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and return trip to your starting city on VIA Rail are also available with this package. This package starts at $1,654.

The eight-night Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI package begins with a scenic rail journey through Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, ending in Halifax. The rugged beauty of Canada’s eastern provinces and the maritime charm of both the urban center of Halifax and the communities of the coast are revealed on a fascinating seven-day guided tour. Moreover, a thrilling whale watching excursion off the coast of Nova Scotia is included. This package starts at $2,034.

For more information, visit www.trainpackages.ca/en?thumb=holidays.

United Continental Holdings has released details of the MileagePlus loyalty program for 2012. It includes new benefits and services for United’s and Continental’s most-frequent flyers, more options for members to redeem their miles and additional recognition for customers who purchase tickets in premium cabins or at premium economy fare classes.

In 2012, MileagePlus will offer four levels of Premier member status — Premier Silver, 25,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 30 Premier qualifying segments (PQS); Premier Gold, 50,000 PQM or 60 PQS; Premier Platinum, 75,000 PQM or 90 PQS; and Premier 1K, 100,000 PQM or 120 PQS. United will continue to offer Global Services recognition to select members by invitation.

United will offer an expansive suite of upgrade products, including Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and Complimentary Premier Upgrades. United is expanding Complimentary Premier Upgrades to include eligible intra-Asia flights in addition to most flights within North America. Premier members traveling on certain full-fare economy-class tickets will also be eligible for an instant upgrade when available at the time of ticketing.

Premier members will have access to Premier Access airport services, a complimentary standard checked-baggage allowance and extra-legroom Economy Plus seating, among other benefits. Premier Silver members and Star Alliance Silver members will be able to check one bag weighing up to 50 pounds with no fee, and Premier Silver customers will be able to confirm Economy Plus seating at time of check-in. Premier members at all other status levels will be able to check three bags weighing up to 70 pounds with no fee, and will be able to confirm Economy Plus seating, when available, at the time of ticketing. United will offer Premier members bonus miles of up to 100 percent on paid tickets.

Premier-level frequent flyers may continue to book United Standard Awards, even when redeeming miles for the last available seat on the flight, a benefit United is reserving for Premiers and customers who have the United MileagePlus Explorer Card or an eligible Chase-issued OnePass credit card.

Beginning in 2012, Premier members who have the United MileagePlus Explorer Card or an eligible Chase-issued OnePass credit card will also qualify for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on eligible economy-class reward tickets.

United is introducing greater rewards to customers who purchase tickets in premium cabins or at premium economy fare classes. Travelers will earn up to 250 percent of the actual miles flown as award miles when they book first class tickets, up to 175 percent for business class tickets and 125 percent for full-fare economy class tickets.

United is launching a new Million Miler program with benefits drawn from the existing MileagePlus and OnePass programs, including the popular spousal benefit. Starting in 2012, United will determine each member’s lifetime earnings based on the member’s elite qualification miles earned in MileagePlus and OnePass since joining the programs, and will pool miles for members with accounts in both programs. For more information, visit www.unitedcontinentalholdings.com

Condominium Connection is offering 25 percent discounts off of condo units in Maui’s Kihei area. Bookings must take place by Oct. 31 for travel through Nov. 30.

Nightly rates start at $79 at the Kihei Akahi, $97 at the Hale Kamaole and at the Island Sands in Ma’alaea, $101 at Sugar Beach Resort, and $112 at the Maui Kamaole. All properties are near shopping, entertainment, restaurants, beaches and other activities.

For more information, call 800-423-2976 or visit www.condoconnection.com

American Airlines is offering AAdvantage bonus miles for roundtrip trans-Atlantic travel on American Airlines and fellow oneworld alliance members British Airways and Iberia.

After one roundtrip to the U.K. or continental Europe, AAdvantage members can earn 25,000 bonus miles — enough to redeem a roundtrip travel award within the United States.

To qualify, members should register for this offer prior to travel and fly a trans-Atlantic roundtrip flight on an eligible First Class, Business Class or full-fare Economy Class ticket on American, British Airways or Iberia between Sept. 19 and Dec. 31, 2011. Members will earn 25,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after their first roundtrip, 35,000 after their second roundtrip and 45,000 for each additional roundtrip flown. After three roundtrips, customers will have more than 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles in their accounts, and there is no limit to the number of bonus miles they can earn throughout the offer period.

Tour operator Insight Cuba is partnering with the Havana Marathon (Marabana Marathon) to allow American athletes to legally participate in the Nov. 20, 2011, event.

The five-day, four-night tour will run from Nov. 17 to 21 and draws an international crowd.

The race course extends through the UNESCO World Heritage city and past historic sites including the Malecon, Old Havana, the historic Hotel Nacional, and Revolution Square.

Preceding the marathon, runners will participate in a hand-picked people-to-people tour.

The package includes five-star accommodations at the Melia Cohiba in Havana; all meals including a marathon dinner on Saturday night; entrance fees to scheduled activities and events;

a Cuban host to facilitate all marathon details and people-to-people activities;

the marathon entry fee; a medical check-up;

all in-country ground transportation;

a U.S. Treasury Department license and letter of authorization;

and travel insurance including emergency medical evacuation and trip cancellation coverage.

Rates start at $1,995 per person double occupancy; $2,295 single occupancy. For more information, call 800-450-CUBA or visit www.insightcuba.com

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