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.

St. Kitts has launched the first visitor channel in the destination’s history. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week on cable channel 70, the St. Kitts Visitor Information Channel will air a mix of dedicated programming about all the things to see and do on St Kitts, including taking a day trip across to its sister island Nevis.

The St. Kitts Visitor Information Channel was officially launched by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas at a brief ceremony held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino on Dec. 17. A joint venture between the St. Kitts & Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association and Brisbane Productions, the St. Kitts Visitor Information Channel will be available in hotel rooms and private residences throughout the twin islands of the federation. Since it is part of the basic cable package, the channel will be available virtually anywhere there’s a television on St. Kitts.

The St. Kitts Visitor Information Channel programming will be airing on a rotating basis to keep the material constantly changing. Christophe Harbour, a major resort and real estate development project, is the official sponsor of the channel for its inaugural year.

For more information, call 800-582-6208 or visit www.stkittstourism.kn

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

St. Kitts & Nevis are launching a destination-wide added value offer, “Feel the Warmth in St. Kitts & Nevis,” which provides the fifth night free on stays of at least four nights at participating hotels on St. Kitts & Nevis. Guests also receive a complimentary $75 food and beverage or other resort credit at participating hotels.

In addition, American Airlines is offering more than a 10 percent discount off standard published rates when booking flights in conjunction with a stay at a participating hotel as part of the “Feel the Warmth in St. Kitts & Nevis” offer. The offer further includes a special card provided to the hotel guest upon check-in entitling the bearer to additional discounts at participating establishments such as local tour operators, restaurants, car rental companies and more along with a list of those establishments. The more times the card is used, the more the overall savings becomes.

To take full advantage of the “Feel the Warmth in St. Kitts & Nevis” offer in conjunction with discounted air from AA Vacations, travelers must book by Jan. 6 for travel between Jan. 4 and March 31.

 The offer can also be booked exclusive of air anytime between now and Feb. 28 for travel Jan. 4 through April 19. Reservations can be made through AA Vacations, American Express Vacations via the St. Kitts website at www.stkittstourism.kn or by booking directly with a participating hotel.

St. Kitts & Nevis is served non-stop daily from Miami by American Airlines. It is also served non-stop by American Airlines from New York’s JFK International Airport, by Delta Air Lines from Atlanta and by US Airways from Charlotte. Additionally, travelers can connect via San Juan on American Eagle. Regional air carriers include Windward Island Airways (WinAir) and LIAT with connections over St. Maarten, Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 For more information, call 800-582-6208, email info@stkittstourism.kn  or visit www.stkittstourism.kn

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

ST. KITTS TOURISM AUTHORITY ON STAND NO. CA 3010 AT WTM

Traditional folklore performances representing the dance and music from St. Kitts (and Nevis) will bring the vibrant culture and rich heritage of this unspoilt island alive on the St. Kitts Tourism Authority Stand at World Travel Market. The theme Heritage and Culture will be reflected in much of the stand’s décor, emphasising the unique sounds, food and people of this unspoilt Caribbean destination, while photographs will provide a unique insight in to the island’s historic treasures and attractions.

As one of the island’s greatest assets, the heritage and culture of St. Kitts offers visitors a wealth of activities, historical and cultural experiences which range from arts and crafts to its architecture and island attractions such as the popular ‘Sugar Train’, unique to St. Kitts.

The ‘Sugar Train’, the Caribbean’s only scenic passenger railway, offers a truly unique and picturesque view of the island of St. Kitts, offering visitors a nostalgic trip by rail and road encircling the Northern part of the island. Using tracks originally built to transport sugar, it offers a poignant insight into the quaint villages and towns along the way. Schoolchildren and construction workers all stop to wave ‘hello’ to passengers as the train rolls by and a traditionally dressed choir sings Kittitian folk songs while sugar cakes, a popular island dessert, are served.

Other national treasures include:

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park: Visitors will feel the island’s history come alive at the top of this magnificent 17th century fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage site in the Eastern Caribbean. Perched 800 feet above sea level with spectacular views of its surroundings, its now dormant cannons still point outward toward the harbour, where they once served to guard against invaders from the sea. A brief introductory video provides a thorough summation of the Fortress’ history while books on Brimstone Hill and the history of St. Kitts can be purchased in the gift shop.

Romney Manor/Caribelle Batik: Another must-see on the St. Kitts activity agenda, this local artisan’s factory produces intricate hand-made batik fabrics from fine, locally-grown cotton using traditional methods and techniques. Watch the artisans work and learn how batik is created, then shop for souvenirs in the factory store or stroll the romantic property gardens. Located at Romney Manor, one of the island’s old estate great houses on land originally owned by William Jefferson, great-great-grandfather of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, the nine-acre property has lush gardens and stately ruins to enjoy.

Carib Indian Petroglyphs: People visiting this site can close their eyes and almost see St. Kitts in its pre-colonial days while running a finger over the ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock near the entrance to Romney Manor. Created by the island’s original inhabitants, the Carib Indians, the carvings are believed to be images of their Gods and even today many locals believe that touching these images can bring luck or even fertility.

Local Artisan Galleries: Found at locations throughout the island and in Basseterre, local art and craft galleries display and sell items created by the hands of resident artists, each with a distinct island flavor. For example, there is a glassblowing shop located off the Circus featuring unique items and the Kate Spencer gallery features her exquisite oils and watercolors depicting life on St. Kitts in brightly colored, finely imagined portraits. Visit the near by National Museum and ask for the galleries of Rosie Cameron or Dennis Delaney, or walk through the Amina Craft Market for a truly Caribbean experience.

The City Circus: Featuring majestic old style architecture, this central taxi stand area at the heart of Basseterre is a spot where both tourists and locals alike congregate. The Circus is a perfect location from which to observe the hustle and bustle of St. Kitts’ capital city, which was the first French capital in the Western Hemisphere. Basseterre’s many historic buildings reflect a mixture of French and British architectural influences, a result of the settlement of the island by these two former colonial superpowers. In a nod to the island’s British heritage, the Circus is modeled after the British Piccadilly Circus in London and its centerpiece is the Berkeley Memorial Clock. Also located close by is Independence Square, a garden type memorial and a historic site of a former colonial slave market.

Plantation Inns: Scattered across the countryside, the stately ruins of old sugar plantations rise from amongst the cane fields, a physical reminder of days gone by when St. Kitts was renowned for its sugar production. Many of these elegant plantation houses and their sugar mills have been converted into charming boutique inns, where guests can enjoy serenity and relaxation while sipping a cool cocktail or quietly watching the sunset from the verandah.

Taxicabs: Aside from being a great way to tour the island, taxicabs offer a distinct insight into the soul of the island’s culture. The comfortable vans are each uniquely decorated and themed to express the driver’s personality. Even better, the drivers are enthusiastic, well versed and eager to tell visitors all there is to know, including tips on their favourite local foods and restaurants and where to spot some of St. Kitts’ many playful and amusing Green Vervet monkeys. Ask to visit Black Rocks, the magnificent volcanic rock formations on the Northern coast, or Old Road Town, the history capital and site of the first English settlement in the entire Caribbean. Better yet, feel free to just jump into any taxi and tell the operator to show you the best of his island.

Carnival: Perhaps the most exciting and captivating display of St. Kitts’ heritage is the unique folklore and pageantry of the annual National Carnival celebration, a time when local residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate the island’s unique sights, sounds and traditions. Carnival spans from Boxing Day to New Year’s and events take place at various sites across the island. This colorful display of island culture includes lively parades, elegant balls, j’ouvert, street parties, music from Calypso to Soul and more. It is a distinctive experience, combining Carnival with the religious observance of Christmas on the streets through song, dance, drama and poetry.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

Beginning January 10, 2009, St. Kitts will be served weekly from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first UK scheduled carrier to provide regular airlift to the island.

London, WTM 2008: The upcoming start of the new British Airways scheduled service to St. Kitts was celebrated at the 2008 World Travel Market at a champagne reception hosted by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Key members of the press and travel industry were entertained by Manchester-based St. Kitts & Nevis Masqueraders and Clowns. The introduction of the weekly Saturday service, commencing 10 January 2009 from London Gatwick to St. Kitts, will be the first time an established UK scheduled carrier has operated a regular service to the destination.

Celebrating from left to right in Picture One are:
„X Adam Daniels - Head of Leisure Sales, British Airways
„X Senator Ricky Skerritt - Minister of State for Tourism, Sports &
Culture, Government of St. Kitts & Nevis

Celebrating from left to right in Picture Two with Manchester¡¦s St. Kitts-Nevis Masqueraders and Clowns are again:
„X Senator Ricky Skerritt - Minister of State for Tourism, Sports &
Culture, Government of St. Kitts & Nevis
„X Adam Daniels - Head of Leisure Sales, British Airways

Commenting on the introduction of this new service, the St Kitts & Nevis Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Senator Ricky Skerritt said “This timely BA service reinforces and supports a key part of the tourism strategy for St. Kitts which is to increase high end tourism. I applaud BA for expanding its Caribbean itinerary at a time when other airlines have been reducing capacity”.

“The new BA service is already attracting attention in the UK marketplace from tour operators and travellers who have not previously shown an interest in St Kitts, while the inclusion of the Club World seats also means that it is now easier for upmarket UK tour operators to sell both St. Kitts & Nevis”, Skerritt added.

BA will use a three class, 280 seat Boeing 777 aircraft with 40 Club World seats, 24 World Traveller Plus and 216 World Traveller seats. The London Gatwick service will also connect a wide array of UK and European cities served by BA.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has unveiled its new website, which is which is designed to streamline pertinent information to the organization’s hotel and affiliate members, while allowing for new capabilities such as an online membership directory, access to CHTA publications, and the ability to register online for conferences and events.

Through the website, members can access their profile in the CHTA membership directory at any time to update company profiles and records as well as employee contact information. The site also features CHTA manuals, publications, committee minutes and presentations.

The new website will provide information on conferences and events, as well as the ability to register online. Registrations processed online will receive immediate confirmation.

A new feature CHTA expects to have in place shortly is the ability for members to renew their membership dues online. Online purchases such as membership dues and conference registration will require credit card payment through PayPal, a secured credit card transaction company.

For more information, email marketing@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com  or visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

Set Course For Golf’s Most Enticing Fairways

Silversea’s 2009 Silver Links Golf Theme Cruises For golf explorers, it’s a dream come true! Silversea’s 2009 Silver Links program offers golfers the chance to combine their passion for the game with their love of adventure on 13 golf theme cruises featured aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper.

The Silver Links voyages offer optional golfing excursions in multiple ports arranged and escorted by the ship’s golf professional. From the breathtaking Pacific scenery of the Cape Kidnappers Golf Club in Napier, to the narrow fairways and mountain terrain of the elegant Monte Carlo Golf Club, to the rolling hills and lush landscape of the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club, guests will have a chance to perfect their game at some of the world’s most challenging and revered championship courses in 30 countries and island destinations throughout the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Mexico.

“The popularity of golf is increasing every year, and more and more golfers are looking for an international golf experience,” said Steve Odell, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. “With our Silver Links program, avid golfers of all levels can combine a luxury vacation with the chance to enjoy guided golf excursions and priority tee times at some of the world’s most celebrated courses.”

The escorted, optional golfing excursions vary in price from course to course and include transfers to and from the select golf courses, pull or power-drive carts (where available), green and any applicable caddy fees. Should guests choose to leave their clubs at home, the finest Nike Golf clubs and golf essentials are available for rental or purchase. Golf clubs can be rented for as little as US$45 per day with multiple-day and equipment packages available.

 On each of these exciting voyages rich in golf destinations, guests will also have the opportunity to advance their game aboard ship with the help of a certified PGA-classed golf professional, who is available to organize personalized instruction, specialty group clinics, demonstrations and even putting contests. While some group activities are complimentary, there is a fee for private lessons.

Golfers have the option to further hone their skills aboard ship with sophisticated split-screen swing analysis utilizing the most advanced V1 digital coaching system, the same software selected by PGA.com as their preferred instructional technology. The cost for private swing analysis starts at just US$30.

Guests aboard Silver Links voyages will also enjoy spacious, ocean-view accommodations, most with private veranda, award-winning gourmet cuisine, personalized service, warm Italian hospitality, and Silversea’s unmatched selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, 24-hour room service, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet and all gratuities.

Following is a sampling of the Silver Links voyages and golf courses for 2009:

– Silver Shadow departs January 4 on a 9-day Caribbean sailing (#3901) from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados calling in Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada and Bequia. Optional golf excursions visit Cedar Valley Golf Club (St. John’s); St. Lucia Golf and Country Club (Castries); and Sandy Lane Country Club (Bridgetown). Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$3,537 per person.

— Silver Whisper departs January 4 on a 14-day South Pacific sailing (#4901) from Auckland to Sydney calling in Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, Burnie and Melbourne. Optional golf excursions visit Titirangi Golf Club (Auckland); Cape Kidnappers Golf Course (Napier); Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club (Wellington); Royal Hobart Golf Club; Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Sydney’s Camden Lakeside Country Club. Early Booking Incentive cruise fares start at US$9,005 per person.

– Silver Shadow departs February 18 on a 17-day Panama Canal crossing (#3906) from Antigua to Los Angeles calling in Cartagena, San Blas Island, Costa Rica, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Optional golf excursions visit La Iguana at Los Sueños (Puntarenas); Fairmont Pierre Marquis Golf Club (Acapulco); and Puerto Vallarta’s El Tigre Golf Club. Early Booking Incentive cruise fares start at US$7,906 per person.

– Silver Whisper departs May 19 on a 9-day Mediterranean sailing (#4912) from Athens to Barcelona calling in Santorini, Malta, Sicily, Sorrento, Rome, Monte Carlo and Porquerolles. Optional golf excursions visit Il Picciolo Golf Club (Catania); Le Querce Golf Club (Rome); and the Monte Carlo Golf Club. Advance Payment Bonus cruise fares start at US$6,236 per person.

– Silver Whisper departs August 15 on a 7-day Mediterranean sailing (#4924) from Monte Carlo to Barcelona calling in Sardinia, Antibes, Sète, Porto Mahon and Palma de Mallorca. Optional golf excursions visit Monte Carlo Golf Club; La Grande-Motte Golf Club (Sète); Son Parc Golf Club (Mahon); and Son Vida Golf Course (Palma de Mallorca). Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$4,896 per person.

– Silver Shadow departs December 2 on a 9-day Caribbean voyage (#3931) from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados calling in Grand Turk, Samana, La Romana, St. Lucia and Grenada. Optional golf excursions visit Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog (La Romana), St. Lucia Golf and Country Club and Bridgetown’s Sandy Lane Country Club. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at US$3,657 per person.