Jetsettersblog

Organized by the Caribbean Caucus of National Olympic Committees, the first-ever Caribbean Games will be held in Trinidad & Tobago from July 12-19, 2009.

Considered to be the most important sporting event in the region, the seven-day meet is seen as a platform to showcase elite athletes from the Caribbean in addition to motivating young sportsmen and women who aspire for greatness.

Competitors from various Caribbean countries will be participating in seven events that include soccer, basketball, track & field, boxing, tennis, volleyball and netball. Qualifying standards are determined by international and regional athletic federations.

For more information on Caribbean Games 2009 visit www.CaribbeanGames2009.com

CompleteSailor.com aims to provide the best content, community, and e-commerce shopping for its growing number of users

Complete Sailor announced the launch of CompleteSailor.com. CompleteSailor.com pledges to become the sailing community’s #1 resource for content and e-commerce shopping. The company was created by a group of passionate sailboat racers and cruisers from New Jersey interested in creating the Internet’s first comprehensive online destination for sailors of all types - from beginners to experienced cruisers and ocean racers.

“We are thrilled about the launch of our website, which will fill a gap in the online market for sailors throughout the United States and the world,” stated Brian Beck, CEO of Complete Sailor.

“Being experienced sailors and Internet professionals ourselves, we saw the need to bring together shopping, education, and community in one web site for sailors of all levels.”

CompleteSailor.com is more than just an online store or a message board about sailing- the site provides visitors with the content, community, and e-commerce shopping unavailable anywhere else on the web. Visitors to the new website will be able to shop for the best brands in sailing gear, electronics, line, and hardware - Harken, Ronstan, Forespar, Tacktick, and many more - learn about the fundamentals of sailing in the Education section, and will soon be able to interact with other sailors through the Community section (forums, blogs, personalized MyCompleteSailor pages, and more).

The site also contains directories of yacht clubs, sailing schools, sailing events, and links to other sailing resources online.

Complete Sailor’s founders have more than 30 years of collective sailing experience and over 20 years in the Internet and eCommerce industry, positioning them perfectly to understand the needs of the sailing community and how to deliver a great online experience for this market.

About Complete Sailor

CompleteSailor.com is the Internet’s only web site dedicated to bringing shopping, community, and education together in one destination for sailors of all levels.

The Company was founded by a group of avid sailors and Internet professionals in 2008, and is rapidly evolving to be the #1 web site for all things sailing. The site features online shopping for sailing’s best brands, community forums and blogs, and sailing education for new sailors.

For more information, please visit http://www.completesailor.com  or call 732-208-2763.

Funjet Vacations said it is seeing a growing interest and demand for the Caribbean and Mexico, so it is partnering with Iberostar Hotels & Resorts to launch an exclusive offer that gives travelers the opportunity to experience both destinations for a great value.

Clients can book any Iberostar property in Mexico or the Caribbean in 2009 and receive two free nights at almost any Iberostar property in 2010. Iberostar properties are all-inclusive and are located in Riviera Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana in the Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Because of the anticipated demand for this offer, 2009 travel must be booked by June 25.

Travelers do not need to book their 2010 vacation until March 10, 2010.

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee.

The Nature Island

The Discover Dominica Authority has launched a new health and wellness directory outlining what the Caribbean’s Nature Island has to offer for wellbeing breaks.

As well as information on Dominica’s natural wonders such as its hot springs and waterfalls, its organic cuisine and rejuvenating activities, the online directory provides A to Z listings of practitioners in a complete range of holistic therapies including crystal bowl therapy, baby massage, herbal medicine, meditation and yoga.

Colin Piper, director of tourism, comments “The vast array of wellbeing services available in Dominica clearly positions the island as a leading destination for health and wellness travel. This new directory makes it easy for travellers to search for options that will make their holiday on the Nature Island exactly what it should be – relaxing, enjoyable and revitalising.”

The island’s health-boosting properties are also backed up by its unusually high rate of centenarians – people living to over the age of 100 – which the people of Dominica attribute to the island’s mineral rich waters, fresh foods and the active lifestyle dictated by the mountainous landscape.

A feature article within the directory examines the secrets of Dominica’s centenarians, including Ma Pampo who it was claimed was 128 – and the world’s oldest person – when she died in October 2003.

Other features within the health and wellness directory include information on how hiking in Dominica can tone the body and lift the spirit; and a guide to Dominica’s ‘healing foods’.

Visitors to the island will find most food and drink is locally sourced and organically grown, so it is rich in vitamins and nutrients. The food guide lists the benefits of various local ingredients such as:

• CACAO TEA - Studies have linked drinking minimally processed local cacao to increased blood flow to the brain; a positive effect on cardiovascular function; healthy cholesterol levels; reduced blood clot formation; lower blood pressure; improved insulin resistance; clear skin; the release of endorphins in the brain; increased energy levels; cough suppressing abilities; diuretic abilities; eased menstrual symptoms; lower cancer rates; and an enhanced immune system

• COCONUT WATER – Also known as jelly water, this is a natural isotonic beverage with the same level of electrolytes present in our blood. The liquid contains vitamin C and some B vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and traces of iron to maintain good health and boost the immune system

• SPICES – The herbs and spices traditionally added to Creole dishes have a variety of health benefits. Some have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, others aid digestion or simply contribute nutritionally to the diet in Dominica

• PROVISIONS – Breadfruit, dasheen, Tanya, yam, cassava, green kokoy, plantain and fig are the tropical answer to grains, providing a great source of complex carbohydrates and fibre, plus a wide range of vitamins, minerals and amino acids

The guide also examines how natural features of Dominica can promote good health. For example:

• SEA WATER – Inhaling sea water has long been recognised as a curative for clogged-up, painful sinus cavities. In addition, bathing in sea water following a strenuous hike draws out waste acids released by muscles that have been tensed and stretched, preventing stiff legs the following day

• SULPHUR WATER – There are various warm and cold sulphur water sites and spas dotted around Dominica. Many medical skin treatments for conditions such as eczema contain sulphur-based ingredients, confirming what the people of Dominica have known for hundreds of years – that sulphur water is a natural path to smoother skin

Dominica’s new health and wellness directory can be found at www.discoverdominica.com/site/spa.cfm

For more information on Dominica, see www.DiscoverDominica.com

According to the Discover Dominica Authority, as more couples are choosing to plan destination weddings, the island’s hotels are offering special packages for all newlyweds.

Among packages and deals to couples are Jungle Bay Resort & Spa’s Jungle Bays Escape Weddings and Honeymoons coupon special which deducts $500 off the reservation.

This offer includes a professional wedding planner. This special is valid on reservations booked by Aug. 31. Rates begin at $1,500. When booking refer to coupon code wedding09.

For more information, call 767-446-1789 or visit www.junglebaydominica.com/weddings.cfm

Calibishie Cove’s Caribbean Honeymoon package includes seven nights in the Paradise Penthouse, a bottle of champagne, extra flowers, one candlelight dinner, one waterfall tour and a one-day kayak rental to explore Dominica’s coast, river and island. Rates begin at $1,595 per couple.

For more information, call 813-417-8448 or visit www.calibishiecove.com

The Anchorage Hotel’s Honeymoon Package includes seven nights, welcome drink and fresh fruit platter, bottle of champagne, daily breakfast, one five-course private candlelight dinner, airport transfers, one whale and dolphin safari tour and one trip to Screws Sulphur Spa.

Rates begin at $1,699 per couple.

For more information, call 767-448-2638 or visit www.anchoragehotel.dm

Calibishie Lodges’ Honeymoon Special includes four nights accommodations, airport transfers, private driver and car, welcome honeymoon drink, a bottle of champagne, flowers, daily breakfast, and excursions including hike to Chaudiere Pool, water tubing in Concord and a visit to the Indian River and National Park.

For more information, call 767-317-1843 or visit www.calibishie-lodges.com

Rainforest Paradise’s Couples Package offers accommodations in a river cabin, daily breakfast, and a tour and lunch at the Rainforest Mushroom Farm.

For an additional charge, guests can take advantage of their spa treatments and full day tours of the island.

Rates begin at $840 per couple.

For more information, call 767-449-3074 or visit www.rainforestparadise.com

Crescent Moon Cabins is offering newlyweds a five-night stay in their rainforest cabins overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

This special includes daily organic dinners for two and private tours upon request to Boiling Lake, Morne Trois Pitons and any of the waterfalls.

For more information, call 767-449-3449 or visit www.crescentmooncabins.com

For general destination information, call the Discover Dominica Authority at 866-522-4057 or visit www.discoverdominica.com

MSC Cruises is offering a Family Plan for Four on five-, seven- and 10-night cruises aboard the MSC Poesia.

Guests who book a balcony stateroom on select MSC Poesia 2009 and 2010 Caribbean sailings can save up to 50 percent off a connecting balcony stateroom.

The Family Plan offer applies to adjoining Category 9, 10 or 11 Balcony Superior staterooms (accommodating up to four guests) beginning Nov. 10, 2009.

Family Plan rates for four start at $625 per person. Cruise itineraries include destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean and Panama.

Ports include San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; King’s Wharf, Bermuda; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; St. John’s, Antigua; Cristobal, Panama; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort de France, Martinique; Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

For more information click the banner at the right.

Princess Cruises has scheduled its Caribbean, Mexico and Panama Canal program for fall 2010 to spring 2011. Six Princess ships will visit more than 25 Caribbean ports on 14 itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. Ruby Princess takes over sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale on Sundays. The itinerary calls at Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Ruby Princess will offer 28 sailings between Oct. 24, 2010, and May 1, 2011.

Crown Princess sails on 25 roundtrip seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, visiting Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Crown Princess’ season will run from Oct. 30, 2010, through April 30, 2011.

Caribbean Princess will sail from San Juan on two alternating seven-day itineraries. The “Classic Southern Caribbean” route sails to St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados, while “Southern Caribbean Explorer” sailings travel to St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.

In total, 27 cruises will depart between Oct. 31, 2010, and May 1, 2011.

Emerald Princess offers alternating 10-day roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean and the Eastern Caribbean.

The “Southern Caribbean Medley” itinerary calls at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.

The “Eastern Caribbean Voyager” itinerary calls at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. Emerald Princess will offer 23 sailings between Sept. 19, 2010, and April 27, 2011.

The Grand Princess will operate a 14-day “Caribbean Collection” itinerary roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

The ship sails to Aruba, Curaçao, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Grand Turk. Grand Princess will offer 15 departures between Oct. 11, 2010, and April 25, 2011.

Sea Princess will offer alternating 14-day voyages from Barbados. The “Grand Caribbean Islander” route calls at Tobago, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Tortola, Antigua, St. Kitts and Dominica.

The ship will also offer a “Grand Caribbean Adventurer” itinerary that stops at Grenada, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad. Sea Princess will sail 14 departures between Oct. 25, 2010, and April 18, 2011.

Three ships will operate 37 Mexican Riviera departures from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Sapphire Princess returns to the Mexican Riviera with 33 departures from the Port of Los Angeles.

The seven-day roundtrip calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. The season runs from Sept. 25, 2010, to April 30, 2011. Sea Princess will offer one roundtrip sailing from San Francisco, with a 10-day cruise to Catalina, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and San Diego, departing on Sept. 29, 2010. Star Princess will offer three 11-day roundtrip Mexican Riviera voyages from San Francisco calling at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Departure dates are April 8, April 19 and April 30, 2011.

On the Panama Canal, Coral Princess, Island Princess and Sea Princess will give passengers additional time to explore Panama with 15-day sailings between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Francisco. In addition to the canal transit and an additional Panama call at Fuerte Amador, the ships visit Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba. Thirteen sailings run between Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, while five similar sailings travel between San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale.

One 16-day sailing also includes a call in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Departures are offered between Sept. 21, 2010, and May 4, 2011. The 10-day “Panama Canal Adventurer” route between Fort Lauderdale and Acapulco offers a full canal transit plus visits to Ocho Rios, Fuerte Amador or Cristobal, Puntarenas, San Juan del Sur and Huatulco. Coral Princess offers six sailings on this route, with departures between Oct. 6, 2010 and April 24, 2011.

Coral Princess and Island Princess will sail on the classic 10-day itinerary from Fort Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Cristobal, plus visits to Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica) and Ocho Rios.

The ships offer 16 departures between Oct. 26, 2010, and April 4, 2011. Panama Canal sailings are currently open for booking, and Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises will be available starting June 11. Launch Fares for seven-day Caribbean and Mexican Riviera sailings start at $569 per person, and 10-day Panama Canal cruise fares begin at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy.

Windstar Cruises has announced a new, seven-day St. Martin roundtrip itinerary aboard the 148-guest Wind Spirit. The sailings will take place each week from December through March.

Ports of call will include St. Kitts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and St. Barts.

Cruise rates start at $1,999 per person, double.

In addition, Windstar offers seven-day roundtrip sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados, during fall and winter aboard the 312-guest Wind Surf. The ship’s northbound itinerary includes St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes and St. Lucia. The southbound itinerary includes Bequia, Dominica, St. Lucia, Mayreau, Grenada and Tobago. Cruise rates start at $1,859 per person, double.

Windstar also offers holiday sailings aboard the Wind Spirit and the Wind Surf.

The Wind Spirit’s seven-day holiday cruise sails its new itinerary departing St. Martin on Dec. 19, with rates from $2,349 per person, double.

The Wind Surf’s seven-day holiday voyage departs Dec. 20 from Bridgetown, visiting St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Barts and Bequia. Cruise rates start at $2,249 per person, double.

In addition, the Wind Surf is offering a seven-day New Year’s cruise departing Bridgetown Dec. 27 and visiting Bequia, Martinique, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis and Grenada. Cruise rates start at $2,249 per person, double. And the Wind Spirit’s New Year’s cruise departs Dec. 26 with cruise rates from $2,449 per person, double.

A new biography of Dominica’s most famous author, Jean Rhys, has just been published to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of her death on 14th May 1979.

Rhys is most famous for Wide Sargasso Sea, the Jane Eyre prequel that tells the tale of the first Mrs Rochester. The novel was largely inspired by the landscapes and lifestyle Rhys experienced growing up as a white Creole in Dominica – a period that is explored in Lilian Pizzichini’s new biography, The Blue Hour: A Portrait of Jean Rhys.

Jean Rhys was born Ella Gwendolen Rees Williams in 1890 in Dominica’s capital, Roseau. The influence of Dominica in Rhys’s works has been identified by island historian Lennox Honychurch – from her first-written novel Voyage in the Dark about a young girl emigrating from Dominica to England; to locations including the site of the Geneva Estate near Grand Bay – a plantation acquired by Rhys’s great-grandfather and later destroyed by arsonists which becomes the scene of the burning of ‘Coulibri’ in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Visitors to Dominica can also view Rhys’ childhood home; the Anglican church where she was christened and her father was buried; and the Carib Territory, which Jean Rhys visited on her return to Dominica in 1936.

For more information on Jean Rhys’s Dominica, please visit www.lennoxhonychurch.com/jeanrhysbio.cfm

Tour operator Jetlife is currently offering free nights and discounted rates at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau, an ideal base for travellers wishing to explore the island that influenced Jean Rhys.

Travellers can stay for seven nights and pay for five with packages starting from £729 per person; or stay for fourteen nights and pay for ten with packages starting from £959 per person.

These deals also include complimentary upgrade to the next room category and are subject to availability. The price includes return flights to Dominica with British Airways and is valid for travel in May, June and July 2009. Book before 30th June 2009 with Jetlife on 0871 902 7877 or see www.jetlife.co.uk

For further information on travelling to Dominica, see www.discoverdominica.com

- Ends -

Funjet Vacations is offering specially priced Caribbean packages designed to capitalize on increased interest in the Caribbean. The offers coupled with aggressive airfare prices enable vacationers to buy a three-night Caribbean vacation at an all-inclusive resort from $429.99.

SuperClubs Hotels & Resorts is the cornerstone of the sale, with an offer only available with Funjet Vacations. Travelers who book five or more nights in 2009 will receive two free nights in 2010.

The offer is available at SuperClubs Breezes (except Breezes Montego Bay), Grand Lido, Hedonism or Starfish Trelawny all-inclusive properties in Jamaica, Nassau or Curacao. Jamaica and Punta Cana hotels are offering a variety of savings, including kids stay free, up to $200 resort credit and complimentary room upgrades.

Funjet is making similar offers in Nassau, Aruba, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman and St. Lucia. Funjet is also offering buy one, get one free tours and excursions in Aruba, Grand Cayman, Nassau, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and San Juan.

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee.

Funjet Vacations is celebrating 35 years of business in 2009 and specializes in providing the customer with an exemplary “end-to-end” customer service experience and a vacation package that meets their needs and is an exceptional value.

Individual and group Funjet vacations are via nonstop charters and scheduled airlines to hundreds of destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Florida and Europe. Travelers can choose from air-inclusive, hotel-only or air-only vacations and add tours, attractions, shows and more to their vacation package for added value and convenience.