Jetsettersblog

Setting sail from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas the idyllic capital of the US Virgin Islands, you will find yourself in shopping heaven before embarking upon a 5 night journey around the Caribbean. Widely known as the duty free shopping capital of the world – Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas combines rich history with some of the world’s best shopping.

SeaDream I is an exclusive & intimate mega-yacht which hosts just 56 couples who are serviced by a team of 95 crew, providing a truly 5 star luxury experience.

Leading cruise holiday specialists ecruising Asia Pacific are providing you with this dream opportunity at a saving of up to 65%. Through ecruising you can enjoy 5 nights aboard luxury mega-yacht SeaDream I for only HK$19,249.00 usually HK$61,000.00

ecruising Asia Pacific is a fully registered and licensed travel agency who are specialists in cruise holidays. Recently launching their regional centre for Asia Pacific in Hong Kong, their team of dedicated customer service agents are providing Asia with a gateway to the world of cruising.

This exclusive package on SeaDream I includes all main meals, complimentary beverages, personal refreshment bar and entertainment. The mega-yacht also features an Award-winning Thai certified Spa (massage rooms, steam shower and sauna), Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, Outdoor whirlpool, pool and spa facilities.

Caribbean Itinerary

18 Jan - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

19 Jan - Cruz Bay, St. John

20 Jan - Anguilla, British West Indies

21 Jan - Gustavia, St. Barthelemy

22 Jan - Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

23 Jan San Juan, Puerto Rico

Details
For sale until: 16 January 2009
Destinations: Caribbean
Ship: SeaDream I
Embarkation Port: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Duration: 5 Nights
Departure Dates: 18 Jan 2009

Other great cruise holidays available through ecruising Asia Pacific include:

China, Vietnam & Thailand HK$13,499.00
14 nights on board Costa Allegra from Hong Kong to Singapore. Departing 21 Feb 2009
For sale until: 21 February 2009
Destinations: Asia
Cruise Line: Costa
Ship: Costa Allegra
Embarkation Port: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 14 nights
Departure Dates: 21 February 2009

ecruising Asia Pacific can be contacted for information about cruise holiday products here and world-wide by simply visiting

 www.ecruising.travel/hk

or phoning (852) 3711 3238.

Sandals Resorts is offering travelers two opportunities to escape to the Caribbean in the New Year and save. Two deals now offer guests up to three nights free at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Jamaica (minimum seven-night stay required) and up to 60 percent off at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa (minimum three-night stay required).

To scoop up these exclusive savings, guests must book the following suite categories by Jan. 19, 2009: Available for travel between Dec. 26, 2008, and Dec. 26, 2009, guests who book a River Suite between Dec. 26, 2008, and Jan. 16, 2009 (seven-night minimum stay) will receive three nights free and up to 45 percent off. Available for all six suite categories in Sandals Grande Antigua’s Mediterranean Village, guests who book by Jan. 16, 2009, for travel between Feb. 1 and Dec. 26, 2009, can receive up to 60 percent off regular rack rates (minimum three-night stay required).

For more information, call 800-SANDALS or visit www.sandals.com

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts announced the Winter 2008 Partners in Paradise Award recipients: Richard Poitras, strategic planner and founder of Horizons.com, and Carrie Plato, Caribbean strategy and buying leader of the Mark Travel Corporation.

Poitras was recognized with the Meeting Planner Partner Award and Plato received the Travel Industry Partner Award. The highly esteemed Partners in Paradise Awards are presented to the most extraordinary meeting and travel industry partners, recognizing their overall contributions to Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts.

“These two, dynamic professionals have been selected to receive Marriott’s top industry honor for displaying qualities that exemplify the ideal Marriott partner — organization, leadership, flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm,” said Steve Cook, area director of sales and marketing for Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts.

Launched in 2006, the bi-annual Partners in Paradise Award program is a way of recognizing individuals whose contributions to Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts properties go above and beyond the financial opportunities alone.

Twice a year, the sales team nominates one meeting planner and one travel industry partner to receive this prestigious award. Winners are not only featured on ParadiseByMarriott.com and in a newsletter that is distributed to travel and meeting trades, but they also receive a personal letter, an engraved plaque and a $500 American Express gift certificate.

The Anguilla Tourist Board launched its website, www.charmingescapescollection.com, with the island’s Charming Escapes Collection (CEC), a group of 14 select hotels, villas and inns that offer affordable getaways. The new CEC site provides information on each of the member properties as well as the activities, culinary and cultural offerings of the island.

The 14 properties are supported by interior and exterior images, and visuals that showcase Anguilla’s natural beauty. Site screens include Things To Do, Restaurants, Weddings/Honeymoons, Things To Know and a Calendar of Events, with links to the Anguilla Tourist Board’s main site, www.anguilla-vacation.com

The site incorporates a booking mechanism utilizing Island Resort Tours that offers consumers a user-friendly on-line booking system and a search for the best pricing.

For the trade, an exclusive Travel Agent login provides easy access for client bookings commissionable at 11 percent.

The Charming Escapes Collection portfolio includes Allamanda Beach Club, Ambia Bed and Breakfast, Anguilla Great House Resort, Arawak Beach Inn, Caribella Villas, Carimar Beach Club, Ferry Boat Inn, Sirena Resort and Villa, Lloyd’s Bed and Breakfast, Paradise Cove Hotel, Patsy’s Seaside Villas, Royal Palms, Serenity Cottage and Shoal Bay Villas.

The Anguilla Tourist Board plans to implement special online promotions and value added packages supporting the CEC properties and the launch of the new website.

For more information, call 877-4ANGUILLA

or visit www.charmingescapescollection.com

and www.anguilla-vacation.com

Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism announced the launch of a new executive air service which will operate between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Anguilla. The new service, scheduled to start on Feb. 14, will be provided on the Anguilla Air Express, and operated by Rainbow International Airlines Inc. Rainbow International Airlines Inc. currently operates executive charter service out of major hubs in the Caribbean including San Juan, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados and St. Kitts. They also serve a number of five-star properties, including Malliouhana Hotel, Four Seasons and Raffles. The Anguilla Air Express will operate a Beechcraft 1900D Turbo Prop Airplane with seating capacity for 19 in leather reclining cabin chairs on this route. A captain and first officer will pilot the flight.

Departures out of San Juan are at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and departures from Anguilla are at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and flying time is approximately 46 minutes. Bookings will be made direct using an 800 number or online, and negotiations are currently underway for guests to be able to book flights through their hotel.

Ticket prices start at $399 per person, including taxes. The emphasis of the Anguilla Air Express will be on first-class, personalized service, with an agent meeting all passengers at the gate and escorting them through security and to the departure gate in San Juan, and through Immigration and Customs on arrival in Anguilla. The same level of service will apply on the return journey, with all passengers greeted at aircraft by an agent, then escorted through Immigration and Customs in San Juan.

For more information, call 877-4ANGUILLA or visit www.anguilla-vacation.com  or www.rainbowinternationalairlines.com

MLT Vacations added three popular island destinations in the Caribbean through the company’s NWA WorldVacations and Continental Airlines Vacations brands. The tour operator began offering Antigua, Turks & Caicos, and St. Lucia vacation packages Dec. 18.

NWA WorldVacations will offer all three island getaways while Continental Airlines Vacations will offer the islands of Antigua and Turks & Caicos. Vacations package components will include round-trip air, accommodations at a Sandals or Beaches Resort, and ground transportation.

Rental car options and more lodging selections will be announced in the spring of 2009, and optional car rental. More accommodation options are coming in spring 2009.

MLT Vacations, one of the largest providers of vacation packages in the United States, manages multiple package vacation brands, including NWA WorldVacations, Worry-Free Vacations, and Continental Airlines Vacations.

NWA WorldVacations offers vacation packages via scheduled air service on Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other airline partners, with convenient connections from many U.S. and Canadian cities, to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, including luxury vacation packages and destination weddings and honeymoons.

Worry-Free Vacations offers charter vacation packages from several U.S. cities to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Continental Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages via scheduled air service on Continental Airlines with convenient connections from many U.S. and Canadian cities, to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

For more information, visit www.worldagentdirect.com

ITC Sports Unveils Shorter Options On West Indies Cricket Cruise

If time is of the essence but you’re still keen to catch the action of England’s upcoming tour of the West Indies in February, ITC Sports may have the answer – two shorter luxury cruise options. Cricketing fans can now join the luxurious Silver Shadow, exclusively chartered by ITC Sports, for a 9 night cruise taking in the First Test in Jamaica or an 8 night holiday featuring the Second Test in Antigua. Prices for both options start from £3,950 per person. For those with ample time, there is still limited availability for the full 16 night cruise, prices from £6,995 per person.

In addition to taking in world-class cricket and an array of glamorous Caribbean islands, guests on board the Silver Shadow will have the chance to brush up their cricketing know-how with their celebrity hosts. ITC Sports has brought together a unique, star-studded line up of cricketing celebrities and entertainers, including David Gower, Darren Gough, Derek Underwood, Christopher Martin-Jenkins, David Lloyd, Allan Lamb, Paul Allott, celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson (who will be offering cookery demonstrations) and Mike d’Abo of Manfred Mann. These onboard Hosts will be joined by many other special guests, meaning that evenings on board will be a highlight of the trip, with “State of Play” discussions, interviews with celebrities, live entertainment, and sumptuous dining.

Silversea’s “six star” Silver Shadow offers all-suite accommodation, a vast array of facilities, and the highest standards of personal service and attention to detail. Little wonder that Silversea has won award after prestigious award for small ship, luxury cruising.

9 Night Cruise Itinerary
2 Feb Fly London to Miami with BA and board Silver Shadow
3 & 4 Feb At sea – with first day of First Test shown on ship
5-7 Feb Test Match in Kingston
8 Feb Either final day of Test Match or cruising round to Port Antonio
9 Feb Day at sea
10 Feb La Romana, Dominican Republic
11 Feb Disembark at San Juan and board flight to London

8 Night Cruise Itinerary
10 Feb Fly London to San Juan for 1 night bed and breakfast at the Sheraton Old San Juan
11 Feb Transfer and board Silver Shadow for 7 nights all-inclusive
12 Feb St Barths
13-17 Feb Second Test Antigua
18 Feb Fly Antigua to London

Prices from £3,950 per person – based on all-inclusive, all-suite accommodation on Silversea’s Silver Shadow, international flights, cricket hospitality facilities, all transfers, celebrity hosts and entertainment.

Land Based Tours
For those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land, ITC Sports is also offering an extensive programme of Celebrity Escorted Tours, staying in excellent accommodation and offering exceptional itineraries that include welcome drinks, cricket transfers, cricket forums, farewell dinners and fabulous touring and sightseeing – plus guaranteed access to official match tickets.

Any of ITC Sports’ suggested itineraries can be personalised by its team of Caribbean specialists to suit individual requirements.

For reservations and further information please contact ITC Sports
(01244 355527; www.itcsports.co.uk)

Certified Vacations Group entered into a partnership with CaribbeanWeddings.com, the largest site on the web dedicated to destination weddings in the Caribbean, to launch a new CaribbeanWeddings.com brand offering complete travel and destination wedding planning and booking services to the Caribbean.

The partnership provides CaribbeanWeddings.com professional travel industry expertise to back up its web marketing prowess. Roberta Backus Turner, chairwoman and founder of CaribbeanWeddings.com, said, “We worked with our visitors this way for many years, but our call volume and email requests became so enormous that we needed to find an experienced travel partner. Certified’s 28-year track record of excellence in developing packaged leisure travel, combined with our wedding expertise makes a perfect marriage. We interviewed some excellent firms and found the right relationship with Certified Vacations.”

CaribbeanWeddings.com, with more than 1.3 million page views a year, claims to be the leading Internet site dedicated exclusively to the Caribbean wedding and honeymoon market. The Internet company is ranked number one in over 5,000 first page rankings on the major search engines and continues to establish itself as a major Internet player in the Caribbean. Destination weddings are not only popular but they continue to increase each year according to most industry research, and wedding, honeymoon and romance packages sales remain solid year-round, despite a down economy.

According to the most recent “American Wedding Study” conducted by Condé Nast Bridal Media, an estimated 2.3 million Americans got married in 2006, with approximately 16 percent of couples enjoying a destination wedding. This represents an increase of 400 percent since 1996. Destination weddings and honeymoons generate an estimated $5.4 billion in annual revenue for the Caribbean.

To better serve brides and grooms-to-be, Certified Vacations has established a dedicated Caribbean Weddings call center staffed with destination wedding reservations specialists.

CaribbeanWeddings.com was launched in 1999 and is the largest site on the web dedicated exclusively to providing information about destination weddings in the Caribbean.

Before entering into its arrangement with Certified, CaribbeanWeddings.com provided information about weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean to its visitors and sent leads from those visitors to participating hotels. Now, its visitors will be able to contact Certified directly to handle all or any part of their travel, wedding and honeymoon needs. For reservations on CaribbeanWeddings.com, call 877-312-LOVE (5683).

For more information on Certified Vacations, visit www.certifiedvacations.com

Anguilla’s Second Annual Festival Del Mar, a community based culinary event celebrating the freshest catch from the sea and the fishermen who provide it, is set for Easter Weekend, April 11 and 12.

Admission is free. Held at Island Harbour, Anguilla’s primary fishing village, the weekend will honor the sea with activities from deep-sea fishing to boat racing. The island’s local chefs, whose specialties are served up roadside in trucks and stands around the island, along with chefs from Island Harbour’s restaurants will cook up lobster, crayfish, conch, tuna and snapper in a variety of ways.

Visitors can also indulge in island staples such as dumplings, fry cakes, rice and peas and other local dishes at more than 20 food stalls. Culinary competitions are open to restaurants and non-restaurateurs, with awards going to the best seafood soup or salad, best traditional seafood dish, best roasted or grilled seafood and more. Community activities will include awards for “Heaviest Catch of the Day,” tips on fishing, swimming races and traditional games — all to the beat of island music.

For more information, call 877-4 ANGUILLA or visit www.anguilla-vacation.com

Kamique Anguilla BWI is offering 25 to 35 percent off the standard rates of their four- and six-bedroom luxury villas for bookings made before Jan. 31 for travel anytime through April 15. Kamique is also offering 25 percent booking commissions to travel agents.

As a further incentive for luxury travelers they are offering the following package on a complimentary basis for any weekly bookings: free private charter boat transfer from St. Martin; complimentary in-room massage/spa treatments for up to four guests; and a complimentary private dinner for up to six. Under the current promotion, rates for Kamique’s four bedroom (up to 10 guests) villas start at $15,750 per week and rates for their six bedroom (up to 14 guests) villa start at $22,750 per week.

Rates are exclusive of 10 percent occupancy tax and 10 percent service charge. Kamique is located on the center of Anguilla’s south coast. Kamique’s teams of concierges work together with guests prior to their visit to plan a customized fully serviced vacation experience and on-call 24 hours for guests during their stay.

For more information, visit www.kamique.com