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

Iberostar confirms their position as a leading hotel operator in the Caribbean with the opening of a new property in Montego Bay, Jamaica, its third property on the island. The Spanish-owned hotel group opened its first Caribbean property fifteen years ago and now has a strong presence in the Caribbean and South America, with properties in México, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil.

The 5-star Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall, Jamaica is set to open in December this year. The adults-only hotel, located a short distance from Montego Bay, is part of the Grand Collection which was launched earlier this year. The Grand Collection is a portfolio of deluxe hotels and resorts, predominantly in the Caribbean.

The suites and junior suites at the Grand Rose Hall are elegantly designed and luxuriously decorated. Each room is equipped with a Plasma interactive TV, DVD player and an iPod/MP3 docking station. The hotel’s all-inclusive service is available 24 hours a day. Guests in the Oceanfront and Presidential suites will be looked after by their very own Butler who offers an unpacking and packing service as well as a breakfast in bed option and personalised check-in and check-out services.

The hotel features six restaurants including a teppanyaki restaurant, a beach restaurant, and surf & turf restaurant as well as a music bar, lobby bar, smokers’ bar and an aqua-bar. The two large swimming pools and jacuzzi are surrounded by gardens and sun terraces, where guests will find private areas to relax. A full beach and poolside Butler service is also available to guests. Guest can take part in a range of classes including, Tai Chi, spinning, sailing and windsurfing.

As the spa and wellness market continues to boom, Iberostar are catering to spa lovers at all its hotels. The Iberostar Grand Rose Hall features a two-story, world-class spa complex that offers private and couples orientated treatments in luxurious suites. Guests can choose to have their massages on-site or by the beach. Other spa facilities include Turkish and Roman baths, Jacuzzis, and Thalasotherapy pools. The hotel also shares spa facilities, a teen and adult disco and a diving centre with Iberostar’s neighbouring resorts; the Rose Hall Suites and the Rose Hall Beach, which means guests can enjoy the best all three resorts have to offer.

In October, Iberostar opened the Rose Hall Suites, a suite-only, 24 hour all-inclusive resort is located on the beach front in Rose Hall.
Iberostar also offers a range of premium accommodation on other Caribbean islands such as the Iberostar Grand Trinidad in Cuba, a World Heritage Listed building in the heart of town, or the five-star beachfront Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, which will open in the Dominican Republic later this year. The Caribbean is a growth area for Iberostar, with many new hotels set to open in the next few years.

For more information on Iberostar Hotels & Resorts or to book direct, please visit iberostar.com

Notes to editors: Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned hotel chain based in Palma, Majorca. Iberostar resorts are 4 and 5 star properties, located across Spain, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and South America. Iberostar Hotels & Resorts received a total of 28 awards at World Travel Market 2007 from the most prestigious British Tour Operators.

FROM SELECTED U.S. GATEWAYS TO THE CARIBBEAN

Offer Valid for Travel January 10 – February 28, 2009

Air Jamaica continues the spirit of giving this holiday season and starting tomorrow December 20 through December 23, travelers can take advantage of this special offer in order to beat the winter chill. In response to the escalating costs of air travel, Air Jamaica is providing an unbeatable offer by providing special non-refundable one-way sale fares from selected gateways in the U.S. to Kingston or Montego Bay, Barbados and Grenada. Air Jamaica passengers can take advantage of this last minute winter deal and escape the frigid temperatures to enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean.

Customers are encouraged to book now to benefit from these incredible one-way sale fares good for travel between Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, February 28, 2009 and combinable with any available fare for the return trip to the U.S.

“This holiday is a great time to fly Air Jamaica. As always, we want to make it affordable to travel the Caribbean,” says George deMercado, Air Jamaica’s Senior Director, Sales. “Especially at a time when travelers are seeking deals which offer great value for money, we want customers to experience our award winning lovebird hospitality at a great price. Air Jamaica continues to prove that the Caribbean is an affordable vacation option this winter.”

These special one-way fares are valid for travel originating from the U.S. between January 10 and February 28, 2009 and combinable with any available fare on the return. Government taxes and fees are additional. Conditions regarding cancellations and changes apply. Sample fares include:

• New York to Montego Bay/Kingston: $119

• Atlanta to Montego Bay/Kingston: $120

• Philadelphia to Montego Bay/Kingston: $139

• Baltimore to Montego Bay/Kingston: $175

• Chicago to Montego Bay/Kingston: $188

• Los Angeles to Montego Bay/Kingston $222

• New York to Barbados/Grenada $237

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.

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

The 524-room all-inclusive Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay has put 2009 on sale, offering 50 percent off published rates. Savings are valid for resort stays between Jan. 4 and Dec. 22, 2009 with all-inclusive rates for standard room accommodations ranging between $189 and $250 per room, per night based on double occupancy.

Savings are available in standard, superior and deluxe room categories. A one-night minimum night stay is required and blackout dates (Jan. 21 to 24) apply. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or consumer savings and can be withdrawn at any time.

The 50 Percent Sale is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. Promo code 150 must be provided to receive savings. Group bookings are ineligible and revisions on current bookings are not permitted.

For reservations and more information, call 888-288-6006 or visit www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica

CARIBPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY,: Jamaica’s Rose Hall development in Montego Bay is set to become a feast for the soul this January when the “new” Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival returns to the popular resort area from January 22-24, 2009.

Fans will be able to sing along to the soulful sounds of the famous O”Jays, Atlantic Starr, Lionel Richie, Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame and Maxi Priest among several others.

Many will remember the O”Jays for hits like “Lonely Drifter,” “Backstabbers,” Put Your Hands Together,” “For the Love of Money,” “Give the People What They Want,” “Let Me Make Love To You” and “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet Tender Love).” Of course Atlantic Starr has thrilled many with “Always“ and who could forget “Secret Lovers?” While Lou Gramm has lent his voice to Foreigner with “I Want to Know What Love Is“ and “Waitin For A Girl Like You,” among others Lionel Richie” musical repertoire needs no introduction.

The Academy-award and Grammy-award winning singer returns to the festival with old and new hits, including a sneak peak into this 2009 album, “Just Go.” The album’s lead single “Good Morning” was released to Urban AC radio on November 3, 2008 and features the writings of Akon and Ne-Yo. Of course there will be no ignoring of the classics like “Stuck On you,” “Endless Love” and “Three Times A Lady.”

While Maxi Priest is sure to spice things up with a glimpse into his “Wild World,” as he takes “Just A Little Bit Longer” to get “Close To You.”

Performances for the January event will also come from jazz singer, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample, Chicago, Estelle, Robin Thicke, Alto Reed’s Blues Entourage, Los Van Van, Tony Hendriks and young Canadian sensation, 13-year-old Nikki Yanofsky.

The 2009 festival is being presented this year by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which is the new title sponsor. As such, the festival has been renamed the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. As executive producer, Walter Elmore of Turn Key Productions explains, the annual event has definitely become synonymous with brand Jamaica so renaming it makes sense.

“There”s Jamaican, run, Jamaican coffee and Jamaica jazz and blues,” he added, while urging fans to book early since as usual, there is a high demand for hotel and flights for the Caribbean”s best music festival.

Fans can book their entire package - flights, hotel rooms, and tickets on the festival”s website at http://jamaicajazzandblues.com/final/. Tickets to the nightly festival this year are $US80 or a three-day pass can be obtained for $ $155. A season pass is $235. Log on directly to

http://www.jamaicajazzandblues.com/final/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=8&Itemid=71  to buy tickets.

The festival, which since its introduction in 1996 was known as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau,Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more. And to bring the Jamaican flavor, well-known names such as Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage.

This year the festival is being presented by key title sponsor, the Jamaica Tourist Board along with Rose Hall Developments, Jamrock Magazine, Half Moon, The Jamaica Observer, Holiday Inn Sun Spree, The Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Courts Jamaica, CaribPR and Sky Writings Magazine.

For more information log on to: http://www.jamaicajazzandblues.com/final  CaribPR.com

Sandals Grande Ocho Rios unveiled the Villas in Paradise promotion, offering guests who book three private villa suites with a fourth villa suite free with rates starting at $193 per person, per night.

Members of the Sandals Select Rewards Club — a newly enhanced loyalty program for returning guests — will be treated to VIP status during the 8th Annual Sandals Reunion Week taking place April 13 to 17 at all 12 Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and the Bahamas.

With last year’s reunion week hosting more than 1,400 members, Sandals Resorts plans on making this year’s event bigger with additional member-only activities, events and excursions, as well as up to 55 percent off regular rates.

Available to all guests who have booked at least one previous stay at any Sandals Resorts International property — including Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and The Royal Plantation Collection — the reunion week kicks off with a customized “Welcome Home” gift — an annual tradition for returning guests. Throughout the week, guests will be given with member-only cocktail parties, courtesy of Sandals Resorts’ partner, Beringer Vineyards, as well as exclusive gala dinners. Guests who attend the Annual Sandals Reunion Week in April will also earn double points and will be eligible to win a free seven-night stay at any Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean.

Those who book by Jan. 31 can also receive up to 55 percent off regular rack rates (minimum three-night stay required) and up two nights free (in select categories, minimum seven-night stay required) at all 12 Sandals Resorts. Loyalty customers who over the years have formed kinship with other guests and will be traveling together to this year’s event can take advantage of additional group activities and savings at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. Sandals Grande Ocho Rios recently unveiled a V.I.P. — Villas in Paradise — promotion, offering guests who book five-night stays in three private villa suites with a fourth villa suite free throughout 2009, with rates starting at $193 per person, per night.

For more information, call 888-SANDALS, or visit www.sandals.com

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