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

New Environmental Research And Educational Marine Programme On Board Royal Clipper

Guests on board the magnificent Royal Clipper, one of the three tall ships in the Star Clippers fleet, can now take part in marine research and learn about the marine biology and ecology of the area in which the ship is sailing.

Star Clippers’ Swedish owner and founder, Mikael Krafft, himself a fervent environmentalist, has appointed Italian Marine Biologist Dr. Mariano Peruzzo, as the resident marine expert on board Royal Clipper for its summer 2009 season of Mediterranean sailings.

Royal Clipper will then cross the Atlantic in October 2009 for the Caribbean season, where the project will continue.

At no charge to guests, Dr Peruzzo, a graduate in biological sciences of the University of Genoa, is giving passengers daily talks on marine biology, relevant to the area in which the ship is sailing at the time.

He also offers entertaining and informative presentations on the history of oceanography, coral reefs, cetaceans (whales and dolphins), marine reptiles such as turtles and geology.

The lectures encompass the issue of climate change, its causes and contributing factors.

In addition to the educational programme, Mariano Peruzzo is available to guests throughout each day as he continues his research into the environments in which the ship is sailing. Enthusiasts can join him at dawn on deck to look for and log whales and dolphins, or join him on dives and snorkelling trips, or for beach walks in areas of ecological interest.

The daily finds are logged and will be used in Peruzzo’s collaborations with various environmental projects worldwide.

Mikael Krafft said “We at Star Clippers are passionately committed to preserving the environment and by having Dr Peruzzo on board, we hope to pass on our enthusiasm to our guests, many of whom have already taken advantage of his fascinating talks, beach walks and dives.”

Mariano Peruzzo added “Star Clippers’ owner Mikael Krafft is deeply interested and concerned by environmental issues and the problems of ocean pollution and the effects of climate change. I am very keen to achieve worthwhile results in my role as Star Clippers’ scientific consultant.

The fact that we regularly sail for six months in the Caribbean and six months in the Mediterranean, two distinct environmental areas, is ideal for cooperation with research projects of many kinds.”

With the assistance of Star Clippers’ founder and owner Mikael Krafft, he is also in the process of setting up a small laboratory on board Royal Clipper, to show guests the technical workings of a marine biology research project and to achieve a heightened awareness of the importance of environmental issues.

Royal Clipper will operate sailings from four to 11 nights in duration in the Mediterranean until October, calling at ports in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Malta and for the first time, Libya.

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.

Montserrat’s newest airline company, Fly Montserrat, was granted its Air Operators Certificate on May 28th 2009 by the UK overseas Civil Aviation Authority Air Safety Support International (ASSI).

With this certificate, Fly Montserrat is now fully operational and ready to fly private charters for travellers between Montserrat and neighbouring Caribbean islands including Antigua.

Operated by Montserrat Airways Ltd, Fly Montserrat’s first official charter took place on Saturday May 30th 2009.

Until the new service began, Winair flights from Antigua were the only way to access Montserrat other than by private vessel, so this additional flight service lends more capacity to welcome visitors from neighbouring islands. The charter service also opens up others islands including St Lucia and St Kitts as hubs for UK tourists travelling to Montserrat.

Fly Montserrat can offer on-demand charters to provide additional capacity at peak periods, urgent freight movements and day trips both on and off island at short notice.

Fly Montserrat’s nine-seater Britten-Norman Islander plane will be based in Montserrat and operate services across the Eastern Caribbean. The website currently advertises routes to 14 Caribbean islands – Tortola, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Barths, St Eustatius, Barbuda, St Kitts, Nevis and Antigua to the north of Montserrat and Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia and St Vincent to the south.

For more information and reservations visit www.flymontserrat.com or call 00664 491 5690.

For more information about Montserrat see www.visitmontserrat.com  or follow the island on Twitter http://twitter.com/VolcanoIsland

25th annual Tour des Yoles Rondes to be held July 26 to August 2, 2009

NEW YORK, NY – June 11, 2009 – Festivities are to the Caribbean as fish are to the sea – one simply cannot exist without the other. In Martinique, the analogy is taken one step further when “la fête” and sea are brought together for a celebration unlike any other, the famed Yawl Boat Race (Tour des Yoles Rondes).

A yearly highlight of the Martinican social calendar, the Yawl Boat Race will be contested this year between July 26 and August 2, literally encircling the Isle of Flowers with the boundless spirit of carnival, replete with pulsating rhythms, prodigious libations and nonstop parties.

“This is a uniquely Martinican cultural event that gives a wonderful expression of our seafaring past and the importance that the daily catch still holds in our society today,” said Muriel Wiltord, director of the Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA. “At the same time, it’s a great party with daily celebrations across the island open to all.”

Yawl boats featured in the race are constructed with painstaking detail in the grand tradition of Martinican fishing vessels initially developed by local craftsmen in the 70’s. Each vessel flies brightly colored rectangular sails over rounded canoe-like wooden hulls made from local Pear trees.

As distinctive in style as they are challenging to sail, quick and agile yawl boats test the mettle of even the most experienced sailors; their rounded hulls ensuring an instant capsize if ever the vessels should come to a stop at sea.

This year’s race departs initially from the picturesque seaside village of Vauclin, continuing in a counterclockwise fashion around the island in seven stages.

Teams representing various towns across Martinique compete alongside international competitors from neighboring islands.

Visitors and locals turn out by the thousands each day of the race to offer vociferous support and enjoy the festivities.

As is the case with traditional land-based carnival celebrations, the Yawl Boat Race is a spectacle of color. Each vessel is brightly festooned for the occasion with crewmembers sporting matching corporate-sponsored race-wear akin to that of a Formula One race team.

Carnival-style celebrations punctuate each day’s victory with the largest spectacle reserved for the race finale and the crowning of the overall winner.

Throughout the race, the party extends to the high seas where hundreds of yachts, catamarans, speedboats, and other private vessels trail the racers, partying along the way. Charter boat operators offer affordable race packages, including meals, excursions to secluded beaches and more, enabling visitors to experience the race up-close and at sea.

Whether experienced on land or by sea, the Yawl Boat Race is a uniquely Martinican take on traditional Caribbean carnival that is not to be missed.

For more information on the 2009 Yawl Boat Race, including the latest details on tour and charter packages, travel agent referrals, and more, please contact the Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA at Tel: 212-838- 6887, or Email: info@martinique.org
About Martinique (www.martinique.org)

The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire) – by any one of its many names Martinique remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world; as unforgettable as a summer romance or a first kiss. Named “Best Gourmet Island of the Year 2008” by Caribbean World Magazine,

Martinique is an overseas region of France that stirs the passions with distinctive culinary delights, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a rich cultural history, warm smiles and so much more. Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, was born and raised here. The Pompeii of the Caribbean, St. Pierre, is found here.

The finest French products, from Chanel fashions to Limoges porcelain, are readily available here. La Route des Rhums, a tour of the world’s finest rum distilleries based on France’s famed Route des Vins, is offered here.

A special place, to be sure, with so much to offer

– Martinique c’est magnifique!

Are you looking for the perfect Caribbean romantic gateway for your clients? Think about Martinique, the Caribbean island with a French romantic twist! From lavish 5-star Relais et Chateaux property with a Spa from Guerlain, 4-star hotel from ACCOR chain with a category of rooms right on the beach, a very upscale Club Med Village located on its own peninsula, to charming small boutique hotels, different options awaits you.

CULINARY:

Martinique boasts a vibrant and eclectic culinary scene with local and international chefs elevating gastronomy to an art form. Traditional French cuisine is widely available through-out the island and rivals that found in Paris, but what really sets Martinique apart is its Creole flair. A sublime blend of African, Indian, European and Caribbean flavors, Martinique’s Creole culinary creations keep visitors coming back again and again.

The Martinique Promotion Bureau is glad to announce the very first ever culinary theme package from the US, with the cooperation of the tour operator Tour de Forks!

This exquisite culinary trip is scheduled from August 26 to 31and will feature a culinary demonstration, a visit of the traditional Fort de France market, rum distilleries tour, delightful meals, a catamaran full day excursion and much more!

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.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, located on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, has a new “Free Wedding Package,” valid for travel through 2010.

Brides and grooms booking a minimum of 10 rooms on the resort’s all-inclusive plan for seven nights or more earn a free wedding with all the works including personal wedding sales consultant to help couples design their nuptials; one-hour with wedding coordinator on wedding day; ceremony venue; documentation charges; stamp duties; official marriage license; on-site officiate; translation of documents into English;

courier charges; customized cocktail reception and dinner; open bar during the event; custom designed wedding cake; sparkling wine for a toast; signature Sonesta champagne flutes; and 10 percent off select spa services at The Good Life Spa.

All-inclusive rates start at $174 per person, per night through Dec. 19, 2009, and $204 per person, per night through April 4, 2010.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino’s free wedding package is based on a minimum of 10 rooms staying a minimum of seven nights on the resort’s all-inclusive plan or a minimum of 70 room nights with a customized wedding package.

Rooms booked outside of the group block will not be counted towards free wedding package eligibility. |

This offer is subject to availability and black-out dates.

Rates are based on double occupancy. Service charges and taxes are included.

For more information or to book the offer, call 602-904-5584 or email weddings@mahobeach.com

Crystal Cruises is offering two Experiences of Discovery cruises sailing from Miami this Thanksgiving.

The Duke Ellington Alumni Band — featuring several of the original members of Ellington’s orchestra — will headline Crystal Serenity’s roundtrip, seven-day Caribbean Jazz voyage.

On Crystal Symphony, renowned names in the culinary, wine and mixology fields will spice up the 13-day Wine & Food cruise to Manaus, which marks the first time in three years Crystal has sailed the Amazon. Both itineraries depart Nov. 22, and will host gala Thanksgiving feasts and celebrations.

Along with the Duke Ellington Alumni Band, the jazz cruise will feature Kitt Moran and pianist Eddie Tobin. Phil Schaap, the jazz curator at New York’s Lincoln Center, will lecture. Crystal’s Yamaha Passport to Music program will also offer keyboard and music classes.

Guests aboard the Wine & Food cruise will enjoy a multi-course menu and cooking demonstrations from Michelin Star-awarded chef Andre Rochat of Andre and Alizé in Las Vegas;

wine tastings led by head sommelier Kris Margerum of the Auberge du Soleil restaurant in California; and signature cocktails and cocktail classes and competitions with mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Crystal’s executive pastry chef will also give cooking and pastry classes.

Both itineraries are 2009 Value Collection cruises.

Cruise fares start at $2,480 and $3,615 per person, double occupancy, respectively. “All Inclusive-As You Wish” shipboard spending credits are $500 and $1,000 per person, respectively.

Crystal Symphony’s Thanksgiving itinerary can be extended to a 62-day voyage roundtrip from Miami that makes a circumference of South America, including an exploration of Antarctica. The “Grand Americas” vacation comes with a spending credit of $6,000 per couple.

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.