Jetsettersblog

Star Clippers is taking reservations for its fall 2012 through spring 2013 Caribbean and Costa Rica sailings. Prices include advance-purchase savings of up to 30 percent and free air from select cities.

Royal Clipper, the 227-passenger flagship, continues to sail two seven-night, roundtrip Barbados itineraries. The Windward Islands itinerary features calls at St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Iles des Saintes and Martinique. The Grenadine Islands itinerary includes calls at the Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago Cays, St. Vincent, Bequia, Martinique and St. Lucia.

The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails two seven-night itineraries roundtrip from St. Maarten. The “Treasure Islands” itinerary calls at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and St. Barts. The Leeward Islands itinerary visits Nevis, Dominica, Iles de Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St. Barts.

Star Flyer returns to Costa Rica with seven-night roundtrip Puerto Caldera sailings.

The 170-passenger ship calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Playa del Coco, National Park Santa Rosa, Flamingo Beach, and Isla Tortugas/National Reserve of Curu (overnight), Costa Rica. The “Costa Rica and Panama” itinerary calls at Isla Gamez, Panama; and Golfito, Drake Bay, Isla del Caño (evening scenic sailing), Quepos and Isla Tortugas/National Reserve of Curu (overnight).

Two additional itineraries between Balboa, Panama, and Puerto Caldera also call at Isla Iguana, Panama.

Star Flyer will transit the Panama Canal on a 14-night cruise that departs Barbados Nov. 25, 2012. A 14-night transit departing March 30, 2013, sails from Balboa to St. Maarten.

Cruise fares for Star Clipper’s Caribbean and Star Flyer’s Costa Rica seven-night sailings begin at $2,075 per person, double occupancy, which includes the advance-purchase discount and free air. Royal Clipper fares begin at $2,195 per person, double occupancy, for the seven-night Caribbean sailings, which also includes the savings of 30 percent and free air.

Port charges of $225 per person are additional. Free air is available from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Copa Airlines said that it will begin nonstop service in June 2012 from Panama to four new destinations — Recife, Brazil; Liberia (Guanacaste), Costa Rica; Las Vegas, Nev.; and the island of Curacao.

Passengers who depart or connect to these new flights through Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport will have access to a network of 63 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. As part of the airline’s strategic plan, Copa will add 10 new Boeing 737-800s Next Generation aircraft this year, for a total of 83 aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology.

The travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small expedition ships announces that is offering effective March 2012 five new itineraries in Central and South America thanks to the re-launch of newly renovated M/V Sea Voyager.

AdventureSmith Explorations,

www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/

brings this 60-passenger expedition ship into its fold at a time when demand for travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador is on the rise, said Todd Smith, founder / director.

He noted that the ship that provides both an experienced crew and affordable rates was a winner in Condé Nast’s 2009 Best Small Ships Awards.

Smith has worked with many of the newly assembled A-team representing the ship’s parent company, Sea Voyager Expeditions (SVE), and its partner Global Voyages Group. Among them are Michael Lomax, Brand Director Global Voyages Group, whom he met through Glacier Bay Tours & Cruises in the 1990’s; David Giersdorf, President & CEO Global Voyages Group, whose father gave Smith his first job as a naturalist guide; Dave Randon, Senior Sales Manager Global Voyages Group, who has joined Smith on Antarctic and North Pole expeditions; and Captain Jorge Murillo whom Smith met back when the ship was operated by Lindblad Expeditions.

”While I have not personally met Denise Landau, President & CEO Sea Voyager Expeditions, I am familiar with her because of her work at IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators),” Smith noted, adding that Landau is also noted as an eco-tourism advocate and expert.

Fares, priced seasonally, begin at $365 per day, per person, double cabin for 8 to 12-night cruises. Included are all meals, pre-post hotels, shore tours, admission to museums and parks, tax and port fees.

Plus, travelers can save up to $2,000 per couple if they book their cabin on any of the M/V Sea Voyager departures by Jan. 31, 2012. Discount amount is dependent on time of year, cabin type and itinerary.

While cruising guests will venture with naturalists and guides into rainforests and sea in pursuit of land and marine life that is among the world’s most diverse.

While on board passengers enjoy air-conditioned comfort in 31 outside staterooms with ample storage and private bath. On board are a lounge, bar, fitness and massage rooms, library with WiFi, dining room, buffet, fore and aft deck space and a platform for getting on/off Zodiacs. See: THIS LINK.

While other small ship cruises may be limited to Panama and the Pacific side of Costa Rica, traveling only November through March, M/V Sea Voyager will operate year round with itineraries inclusive of the Pacific and Caribbean side of Costa Rica, both sides of Panama and Panama Canal visits and coastal Columbia and Ecuador.

The five new itineraries are:

Panama to Costa Rica Pacific Cruise – 9 Days; Balboa/Panama City to San Jose/Costa Rica

Panama to Costa Rica Caribbean Cruise – 10 Days; Panama City/Panama to San Jose/Costa Rica

Panama to Colombia Caribbean Cruise – 9 Days; Panama City/Panama to Cartagena/Colombia

Columbia Caribbean Cruise – 9 Days; Cartagena/Colombia to Santa Marta/Colombia

Panama to Ecuador Pacific Cruise – 13 Days; Balboa/Panama City to Quito/Ecuador

About Adventure Smith Explorations

AdventureSmith Explorations is the global leader in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas ashore.

The company matches guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well with intimate, boutique ships that may not make the radar of most travelers.

In moving through exotic natural environments and exploring vibrant native cultures seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries, AdventureSmith Explorations dedicates its efforts to small footprint, sustainable travel and has launched a carbon free cruising initiative. Its off-the-beaten-path destinations include Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica, Columbia, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Hawaii, Panama, Peru, the Arctic, Antarctica, Asia, and Australia.

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, California along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or 530-583-1775.

Email: travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com  or visit: www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas will operate 19 Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises in winter 2012-13.

The cruises range from 10 to 15 nights roundtrip from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Variations of a 10-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at Tortola, St. Maarten, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Croix and Martinique.

Variations of an 11-night Southern Caribbean itinerary call at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, St. Kitts, Dominica and St. Vincent, a maiden port for Royal Caribbean.

On a holiday and New Year’s cruise, departing Dec. 24, the ship will visit St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Martinique and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti.

Two 14-night Panama Canal itineraries will sail from Port Everglades and San Diego on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, respectively.

Two 15-night sailings on March 18 and April 2, 2013, also depart Port Everglades and San Diego, respectively.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide announced the soft opening of The Westin Playa Bonita Panama in Panama City.

The $100 million, 611-room beachside hotel features a selection of international restaurants, and Panama’s largest meeting space.

To celebrate the soft opening, the hotel is offering an exclusive Westin Indulge package, featuring daily breakfast in bed, sparkling wine and strawberries upon arrival, and a late check-out of 4 p.m. Rates start at $265 per night for a green view room, and $285 for an ocean view room through April 3, 2012.

The property features six fine-dining restaurants, four bars and an open-air 19th floor VIP Lounge, which features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, rainforest and the downtown skyline.

The hotel is also in close proximity to various attractions, historic landmarks and national parks.

The property features 64 suites and three deluxe Royale suites, all with ocean or tropical rainforest views. Each room is equipped with Westin’s branded Heavenly Bed, an LCD TV, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic workspace.

The resort also features 65,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Additional facilities include a fitness center, three infinity pools, a dedicated children’s pool, and a Westin Kids Club.

General Tours World Traveler is offering 14 privately guided small group journeys in Latin America, focusing on the region’s cultural heritage and featuring its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 12-day Grandeur of Peru program includes major sites in Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines.

The Complete Panama Canal combines a full canal transit, rainforest exploration and a beachfront resort with two World Heritage Sites — the Colonial-era monuments of Casco Antiguo in Panama City and ancient fortifications along the Caribbean coast in Portobelo. Across the Andes includes Iguassu Falls and a journey by lake and land from Chile to Argentina across the Patagonian Andes. The company also offers five different trips to the Galapagos Islands.

Marriott International announced that the Finisterre Suites in Panama City, Panama, will be converted to a Marriott Executive Apartments extended-stay hotel in early 2012.

The 126-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Finisterre — Panama, will be operated by Marriott under a long-term management agreement with the owner, Grupo Hotelero Finisterre S.A.

Marriott Executive Apartments was selected by the owner as the preferred brand and operator after a competitive operator search process carried out by the tourism consultancy, C4T Tourism, Business & Planning. The hotel is located on the corner of Calle Colombia and Avenida 3a Sur in downtown Panama City, easily accessible to main arteries and the business district. The property offers 126 king, double, junior and master suites, all with a full kitchen and separate eating, sleeping and work areas. Each unit is furnished in contemporary style, with hardwood floors, Internet connectivity, flat-screen television, a washer-dryer, maid service, on-site storage and other services.

Hotel services at the Marriott Executive Apartments Finisterre — Panama will include 24-hour room service and a three-meal-a-day restaurant, as well as a grab-and-go marketplace for snacks and sundries.

Other facilities include two meeting rooms measuring a combined total of 394 square meters, a fitness room and swimming pool.

Marriott International is currently represented in Panama City by the 388-room Panama City Marriott, the 248-room Courtyard Panama Real Hotel and the recently opened 120-room Courtyard Panama Metro Mall. Marriott will open the 180-room Casamar Marriott Panama Resort on Panama’s Pacific coast in 2013. For more information, visit www.marriottexecutiveapartments.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Sunstar Hotel & Development, S.A. announced the opening of the Sheraton brand’s first all-inclusive resort — The Sheraton Bijao Beach, Panama. The hotel marks the second Starwood all-inclusive resort in Central America. The beachfront resort features 294 guest rooms and suites with views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainside surroundings.

Prior to the opening, the property underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to meet Sheraton brand standards and will feature the brand’s complete offering of signature amenities including the Sweet Sleeper Bed, Club Lounge, Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft and Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort will be operated by GHL Hoteles Ltd and represents the eighth hotel operated by GHL under the Starwood portfolio.

The opening of the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort is the latest addition to the brand’s portfolio of more than 60 resorts and is part of the Sheraton brand’s strategic global expansion plan that will add more than 70 new hotels and over 23,000 rooms to the Sheraton portfolio over the next two years.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort overlooks a stretch of beach in the Santa Clara region of Panama known for its comfortably dry climate throughout most of the year.

The resort is located 62 miles northwest of Panama City, and approximately one hour and 45 minutes from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport.

For social functions, the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort offers more than 3,600 square feet of flexible meeting space and features several restaurants serving both local and international cuisine.

The resort’s other amenities include three swimming pools, two heated Jacuzzis, children’s pools, tennis courts, and a spa area featuring four treatment rooms and saunas.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort also features Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance, the brand’s health and fitness offering.

Additionally, there is a nine-hole golf course located adjacent to the resort offering preferential access to Sheraton Bijao Beach Hotel guests.

For more information, visit

www.starwoodhotels.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Sunstar Hotel & Development, S.A. announced the opening of the Sheraton brand’s first all-inclusive resort, The Sheraton Bijao Beach, Panama.

The hotel marks the second Starwood all-inclusive resort in Central America.

The beachfront resort features 294 guest rooms and suites with views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainside surroundings. Prior to the opening, the property underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to meet Sheraton brand standards and will feature all the brand’s signature offerings, including the Sweet Sleeper Bed, Club Lounge, Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft and Sheraton Fitness” programmed by Core Performance.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort will be operated by GHL Hoteles Ltd and represents the eighth hotel operated by GHL under the Starwood portfolio.

The resort is located 62 miles northwest of Panama City, and approximately one hour and 45 minutes from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort offers more than 3,600 square feet of flexible meeting space and features several restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. The resort’s other amenities include three swimming pools, two heated Jacuzzis, children’s pools, tennis courts, and a spa area featuring four treatment rooms and saunas. The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort also features Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance, the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness offering designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through a partnership with Core Performance. Additionally, there is a nine-hole golf course located adjacent to the resort offering preferential access to Sheraton Bijao Beach Hotel guests.

For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com

Collette Vacations is marking the one-year anniversary of Collette Family Vacations with the release of its 2012-13 brochure and savings of $100 per person on any family tour. The print brochure has been mailed to select travel agents; an e-brochure can be found online at www.collettevacations.com/ebrochure.

The brand, which launched last December, now includes a new Panama Family Adventure. The Family Vacations brand is one of Collette’s subbrands, which also includes the Explorations line of small group tours.

The Family Vacations brochure offers 10 specially crafted itineraries that bring travelers of all ages together to experience destinations ranging from U.S. National Parks and the Canadian Rockies to the Islands of Galapagos and the streets of Paris. Also offered are a zip-line canopy tour in Costa Rica, stargazing in the Galapagos, and traversing the Panama Canal through two locks.

“To my knowledge, Collette is the only major tour operator offering a family tour to Panama, a great destination for all ages,” said Dan Sullivan Jr., president of Collette.

“Here you have rainforests and luxury resorts, and experiences like traveling by dugout canoe to visit an Emberá Indian village and a hands-on discovery of stingrays and sea cucumbers at a nature center will be a hit kids and parents.

The best part is Panama is just three hours from Miami but feels like a world away.”

Collette Family Vacations offers the ease and convenience of an escorted tour but is geared toward parents and grandparents traveling with children.

Components of the new brand include child rates up to 45 percent off adult rates for children (14 and under), child rates that apply even with only one accompanying adult, family-friendly hotels and activities, and itineraries designed to keep all generations engaged.

While Family Vacations is its own distinct brand within the Collette family of brands, the advantage for travelers is that they can take advantage of shared services such as complimentary roundtrip home to airport transfer service on all air-inclusive tours, guaranteed departure dates, and the No Worries Cancellation Waiver that allows for a full cash refund for cancellation right up to the day prior to departure.

Collette Vacations is a tour operator based in Pawtucket, R.I., with more than 90 years in the business. The company offers 125 programs to destinations on all seven continents, including small group tours, family vacations, educational travel, train journeys, river cruises and vacations that feature a Collette Foundation site visit. For more information, call 800-611-3361 or visit www.collettevacations.com

For more information on family vacations, call 888-621-8687 or visit www.collettefamilyvacations.com