Jetsettersblog

Costa is letting kids sail for free when traveling with their parents in the Caribbean this winter.

This offer is available on 12 sailings — including Christmas and New Year?s — aboard the Costa Fortuna, which departs from Fort Lauderdale on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean routes each Sunday.

?Fares for parents begin at $669 per person. Costa features a children?s program, or ?Squok Club,? structured to accommodate younger guests from a variety of backgrounds.

Squok is the plush mascot of the club, a mix of dolphin and shark.

The 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna has a double-occupancy capacity of 2,720, 11 bars, four restaurants, a theater extending over three floors, three swimming pools, a casino, disco, ballroom and a gym.

TURKS AND CAICOS, BWI - Turks & Caicos Islands, a burgeoning luxury Caribbean destination featuring world-class beaches, today announced an array of resort offers inviting travelers to Providenciales, known as ?Provo.? With deals at renowned luxury retreats as well as more affordable accommodations, vacationers are encouraged to embrace Turks & Caicos? warm tropical weather with the start of autumn in the U.S.

?Fall is an excellent time to visit Provo and experience the Islands? lifestyle, whether vacationing solo, as a couple, or with your family,? said Honorable Wayne Garland, executive chairman of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. ?Travelers can participate in the Turks & Caicos? plentiful water activities, relax in more than a dozen world-class spas, and enjoy gourmet cuisine. It?s easier than ever to experience luxury with all of the impressive resort promotions currently available.?

Travelers looking to unwind in a tropical haven will be able to experience everything that Turks & Caicos has to offer from miles of fine white sand beaches and translucent turquoise waters to fine dining and indigenous, one-of-a-kind spa retreats. The warm and radiant climate provides an ideal backdrop for an abundance of water activities like world-class snorkeling, scuba diving and kite surfing.

The Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board invites travelers to enjoy Provo?s numerous accommodations in paradise. Attractive promotions include:

Located on the pristine white sands of Grace Bay Beach, the 21-suite Turks & Caicos Club offers simple luxury with a touch of European sophistication. Guests can receive 50 Percent Off Fall Rates on any one- or two-bedroom oceanfront suite or two-bedroom poolside suite with a minimum booking of four nights. Discounted rates start at $248. Offer valid Oct. 1 ? Nov. 9, 2008. For more information and reservations, call (649) 946-5800 or visit www.turksandcaicosclub.com

The Sands at Grace Bay offers guests oversized balconies and glistening moonlit beaches, embracing the spirit of the tropics. Guests have the opportunity to expand their unprecedented experience with Two Free Nights?representing a 30 percent savings when booking a seven night stay, valid now through Oct. 31, 2008. Rates start at $185 for a studio with a courtyard view. For more information and reservations, call (877) 77SANDS or visit http://www.thesandsresort.com

The Tuscany on Grace Bay, located on Grace Bay Beach, named one of the world?s top ten beaches by Conde Naste, is one of the finest luxury resort lodgings that Turks & Caicos has to offer. This exquisite resort is made up of intimate villas, each created with their own distinct ambience and d?cor. The Tuscany is offering Two Free Nights?representing a 30 percent savings, valid now through Oct. 31, 2008, when guests book a seven night vacation?a minimum savings of $1,000. Rates start at $525 for a one-bedroom suite. For more information and reservations, please call toll free (866) 359-6466 or visit http://www.thetuscanyresort.com/caicos.html

Nikki Beach, a luxury resort in Turks & Caicos, offers guests booking a deluxe king oceanfront room at $250 per night by Oct. 31, 2008 an automatic upgrade to a one-bedroom oceanfront suite?a $100 savings per night?on travel now through Dec. 14, 2008. Guests will enjoy VIP airport limo transfers, a personal assistant, the Nikki Beach Resort special turndown amenities each night and a glorious oceanfront adult playground with incomparable dining, signature entertainment and world-famous DJ?s. For more information and reservations, please call (649) 941-3747 or visit www.nikkibeachhotels.com/nikkibeachresortandspaturksandcaicos.php

Ocean Club and Ocean Club West, which sustained only minor cosmetic and landscaping damage post-Hurricane Ike while already closed for annually scheduled maintenance, is slated to re-open in late October 2008. This fall, Ocean Club Resorts will donate a portion of reservations made from Oct. 24 ? Dec. 21, 2008 to the TCI Red Cross for victims of the hurricane, located primarily on Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. Rates start at $179 for a studio with an island view.

For more information and reservations, please call (800) 457-8787 or visit http://www.oceanclubresorts.com

The CTO UK Chapter has now released its 56-page 2009 Guide to the Caribbean. The team?s UK Chapter will, in the coming weeks, be launching the full colour, glossy, A4 publication, circulating it to 50,000 consumers and members of the travel trade.

The CTO?s main fulfilment piece for the UK and Ireland, the guide will be sent out in response to all enquiries made to the CTO London office. The CTO UK team will also distribute the guide at all the trade and consumer shows they attend in order to communicate the latest news and factual information on the region?s 32 destinations, helping and encouraging agents and consumers to plan travel to the Caribbean with increased knowledge and insight.

To guarantee penetration of the UK and Irish travel trades the guide has also been distributed within BMI?s Selling Long Haul publication, thereby reaching travel agencies, home workers, online agencies and tour operator reservation, contracting and marketing departments.

The guide will be used throughout the year for a range of further purposes, from training to sales packs, direct mailings and other promotions.

In addition to the printed publication an exact downloadable electronic copy will exist online which can be viewed on www.caribbean.co.uk

The contents of the guide including chapters on island hopping, regional news, beaches, nature the green side of the Caribbean, diving, exploring, family holidays and business facilities, as well as a detailed factfile on each of the 32 destinations.

Julia Hendry, the CTO?s director of marketing for the UK and Europe, said, ?Our guide is the definitive manual to the entire Caribbean region and we?re delighted that the CTO UK Chapter will have so many opportunities and channels to distribute the 2009 edition.

?We?re particularly pleased that next year?s guide is going to be available electronically as we?re acutely aware of the importance to both the trade and consumers of online access to travel information and news.

?The CTO UK Chapter looks forward to using the guide for training and marketing throughout the year and continuing in our endeavours to continually raise awareness of the countless faces of the Caribbean and its colourful charisma which we are confident will keep drawing visitors despite the current economic difficulties.?

Private 5:00 pm Tower Isle wedding ceremony with Minister, photographer and wedding coordinators journey with you to the private Tower Isle to ensure a gorgeous ceremony complete with cake, champagne and photos
Boat transportation to the island for you and your wedding party

Celebrate your nuptials in secluded tropical luxury on the private offshore island at Couples Tower Isle

Private wait staff to serve you and up to 40 of your guests hors d’oeuvres and cocktails
Hors d’oeuvres served on the island

Full bar on the island
Romantic d?cor for the ceremony and reception sites
24 Photo Package — 24 printed photos in a Couples Resorts photo album, along with high-resolution images on a CD

Authentic Mento band to play during your wedding ceremony and cocktail party
Two personalized champagne flutes

Personalized wedding certificate holder
Personalized knife & cake server

Special “Just Married” breakfast in bed for the wedding couple the day after the wedding
Couples Resorts “Thank You” cards

$4,500*

*Does not include $200 government and license fees

SeaDream Yacht Club has published an update of 2009 Caribbean winter and European summer itineraries. ?Bookings for 2008 continue to sell briskly at good yields, and 2009 shows a strength that belies the economic headlines,? said Larry Pimentel, president, CEO and co-owner of SeaDream. ?As in previous years, 2009 will find our small, sleek, 50-couple yachts sailing in the Caribbean in the winter months and European waters in the summer. They will call not only at vibrant port cities (for pre- and post-voyage visits), but at small and exclusive seaside towns and villages where the big passenger ships can?t go. Calling at small yachting ports is a specialty of ours.?

In the Caribbean from January through April, the two SeaDream mega-yachts will sail in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico?s Virgin Islands, French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles and the Windward and Leeward Islands. Embarkation and debarkation ports include San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Maarten and Miami on a westbound transatlantic crossing. In Europe from May through October, SeaDream I and II will sail in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, up into Croatia and down to Tunisia. Embarkation ports include Barcelona, Seville, Tenerife, Lisbon, Nice, Monte Carlo, Rome, Venice, Athens and Dubrovnik. SeaDream will also call on the ports of Miami, Palm Beach and Key West in 2009.

New ports in 2009 are Dewey, Culebra in Puerto Rico?s Virgin Islands; Honeymoon Beach and Water Island, USVI; Cooper Island, BVI; Coconut Grove, Nevis; Samana, Dominican Republic; and Deshaies, Guadeloupe.

Many Caribbean port calls include overnights, such as St. Bart?s. SeaDream is also offering more active land options. Examples are bone-fishing off Anegada and rainforest hikes on Nevis, in addition to kayaking, biking, deep-water fishing, small catamaran racing, beach horseback riding, golf (at Anguilla?s new upscale golf course) and swimming in a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico?s Virgin Islands.

New ports for 2009 for SeaDream?s European sailings are Formentera, Spain; Lipari, St. Margherita and Trieste, Italy; Le Lavandou, Antibes, Port Vendres, Sete, Bandol and Menton, France; Piran, Slovenia; Vis, Croatia; La Goulette and Tunis, Tunisia; Katakolon, Elafonisos, Aigina, Chania and Crete, Greece; and Ponta Delgada, the Azores. The European schedule includes more calls at what has been termed the new Mykonos — Naousa village on the Greek island of Paros.

?Guests can also combine the Greek Islands with Croatia on voyages between Venice and Athens.

For more information, visit www.seadream.com

22-day Panama Canal Cruise from only $4,995!

Applicable Cruises

8328 + 8329 Round-trip Miami 12/01 22 Days
Normal Combo Fares Special Combo Fares Combo Savings
Category C: $6,745 $4,995 $1,750
Category B: $7,980 $5,995 $1,985
Category A: $8,605 $6,395 $2,210
Category AA: $9,350 $6,995 $2,355
Embark on a round-trip Miami 22-day combo cruise and enjoy fares from just $4,995. Relish a truly incredible Caribbean vacation, from the verdant shores of Tortola and Aruba to the quaint Creole-style villages of St. Barts.

In Turks and Caicos, snorkel and dive at one of the world?s largest network of coral reefs. Plus, enjoy two remarkable days transiting the magical Panama Canal.

On board, enhance your experience with our Mind, Body & Spirit Theme Cruise on voyage 8329, featuring comprehensive instruction in yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi and expert guest lectures including a wellness seminar from the Cleveland Clinic.

Sail to the Caribbean on a marvelous 22-day cruise with the World?s Best and discover why the difference is Crystal clear.

Norwegian Cruise Line is promoting 11 holiday cruises in November and December in various destinations. While on board, guests can dine on holiday feasts in their choice of 12 restaurants and perhaps book a suite or villa with flexible space for the family. All NCL ships feature holiday caroling by members of the staff, Christmas Eve services, and a holiday show in which both crew members and children participate.

For Thanksgiving on Nov. 27, ships are adorned with Thanksgiving decorations. Thanksgiving-themed menus are available in the main dining rooms, featuring such items as smoked duck breast, pumpkin soup, roast turkey with chestnut sage dressing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake. For Chanukah, at sundown Dec. 21, a rabbi will be aboard each ship to conduct services for the holiday period, and a menorah will be placed in a central location and lit each day to commemorate the eight-day celebration.

For Christmas, select public areas will be outfitted with holiday decorations. Crew members stage an interactive holiday show in the ship?s theater, while the cruise director and staff sing carols. A priest and a minister are onboard each ship to conduct Christmas Eve services, and Santa hands out gifts on Christmas Day.

?NCL ships offer holiday-themed menus in the main dining rooms with dishes such as honey-glazed Black Forest ham with sweet potato mash, roasted turkey with apple and apricot stuffing, pumpkin souffl? and a pear and chestnut torte. On New Year?s Eve, guests will enjoy a special menu in the main dining rooms, including foie gras, Blue Point oysters and oxtail. Party-goers are given hats, noisemakers and streamers. Each ship?s captain leads a special countdown from the bridge to usher in the new year.

Among NCL?s holiday cruises are the Norwegian Pearl?s seven-day Western Caribbean voyages from Miami departing Nov. 23, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28; fares start at $549. The Norwegian Jewel will operate a nine-day Southern Caribbean from Miami Dec. 26, with prices starting at $1,549. The Norwegian Jade offers a 14-day Eastern Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona departing Dec. 21, with fares from $1,699. The Norwegian Star will operate seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles, departing Nov. 22, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27; fares start at $699.

Silversea Cruises is offering 13 golf theme cruises in 2009 on the 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. Golf is arranged at championship courses in 30 countries and island destinations throughout the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Mexico, including Cape Kidnappers Golf Club in Napier, Monte Carlo Golf Club and the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. The escorted, optional golfing excursions vary in price and include transfers to and from the golf courses, pull or power-drive carts (where available), green and applicable caddy fees. Should guests choose to leave their clubs at home, Nike golf clubs and other essentials are available for rental or purchase. Golf clubs can be rented for as little as $45 per day with multiple-day and equipment packages available.

On each of these voyages, 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 get split-screen swing analysis utilizing a 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 $30.

A sampling of the Silver Links voyages include the Silver Shadow?s nine-day Jan. 4 cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados calling in Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada and Bequia.

Optional golf excursions visit Cedar Valley Golf Club in St. John?s, St. Lucia Golf and Country Club in Castries, and Sandy Lane Country Club in Bridgetown. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $3,537 per person. The Silver Whisper departs May 19 on a nine-day Mediterranean sailing from Athens to Barcelona.

Optional golf excursions visit Il Picciolo Golf Club in Catania, Le Querce Golf Club in Rome and the Monte Carlo Golf Club.

?Advance Payment Bonus cruise fares start at $6,236 per person.

The Silver Whisper?s seven-day? cruise sails from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. Optional golf excursions visit Monte Carlo Golf Club, La Grande-Motte Golf Club in S?te, Son Parc Golf Club in Mahon and Son Vida Golf Course in Palma de Mallorca. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $4,896 per person.

For a complete list of Silver Links voyages, visit www.silversea.com

MSC Cruises is offering a special for Baby Boomers and seniors. Boomers and seniors can save at least 50 percent on the price of an MSC Cruises Caribbean sailing. They can also take children or grandkids along for free with the line?s ?Kids Sail Free? policy. Boomer/Senior Saver prices on all 2008-09 Caribbean sailings of MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra begin at $449 per person, double occupancy, on seven-night itineraries and $749 on 10-night itineraries.

At least one guest in the stateroom must be 50 years of age on the departure date and bookings must be made by May 1, 2009. Up to two children age 17 and younger cruise free when staying in the same stateroom with two full-fare paying adults cruise for free.

Both MSC Orchestra and MSC Lirica will sail roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. The MSC Orchestra is making its North American debut during the winter season.

The ship will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries as well as a seven-night Bermuda and Nassau itinerary. MSC Lirica will operate a seven-night Eastern Caribbean Christmas sailing and a seven-night Western Caribbean New Year?s cruise as well as 10-night Deep Caribbean and Caribbean/Panama sailings. Fares listed are cruise only, not including government fees and taxes and fuel surcharge.