Jetsettersblog

Summer never really ends in the Whitsundays, and the region is currently enjoying the best sail & cruise season of the year.

Now is the perfect time to go explore this magical island group and its abundant nature on a sea based getaway onboard the 20-meter luxury cruiser DescaradA.

To get the full feel of the great many things that the area has to offer, why not combine a range of experiences with your exclusive cruise and discover the best of the Whitsundays all in one holiday.

The island escape may start from Airlie Beach which is considered the mainland gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

You can stay in a pleasant, fully serviced hotel conveniently close to the town centre or one of the luxurious holiday apartments that offer great views from the hillside over the ocean, before heading for your DescaradA cruise the next day.

The DescaradA crew take guests around the amazing island areas on scheduled two-day and three-day tours as well as extended stays on private charter.

The cruises take in some of the most beautiful areas of the Whitsundays, such as Nara Inlet with its extraordinary rock faces, pure white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, stunning scenery of Hill Inlet from Tongue Point lookout and fabulous snorkelling spots off northern Hook Island.

While basking in the breathtaking beauty of the Whitsundays the guests are treated to wonderful service with fine food, fun activities and moments of sweet relaxation.

Speed boat trips to beaches, walks in the nature, snorkelling, jet skiing and kayaking are all included activities within the DescaradA cruise package.

On request, scenic flights over the marvellous Great Barrier Reef can be organised directly from the vessel with the thrilling seaplane landing as part of the fun. Guests get the best views of the reef area high from the sky on an hour’s flight, and then return back to their private ocean oasis on DescaradA.

Once the vessel returns to the marina and the unforgettable cruise comes to an end, your holiday can still continue with a relaxing stay in one of the exquisite Whitsunday Island resorts.

Whether you want to experience something private, secluded and romantic or something social, fun and active, you can always find the right island to suit your preferences. Poolside daydreaming, rejuvenating spa treatments, candle lit dinners, and waking up in fresh ocean air that one more last time really do seem like the best ways to take your Whitsundays holiday to an end.

Airlie Beach is the departure and arrival point of all scheduled DescaradA cruises. Proserpine airport is only 25km away and has daily flight connections from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Hamilton Island Airport has daily direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane and regular flights from Cairns and Melbourne.

There is a convenient ferry connection from Hamilton Island to Airlie Beach several times a day. DescaradA Charters organise transfers from local accommodation to the vessel and private charter pick ups directly from island resorts. Contact the DescaradA team for great Whitsunday package ideas and start dreaming of the perfect island escape in one of the renown boating destinations of the world.

Sway to the Vibe of Three Unique, Affordable Jazz Travel Experiences for Singles in 2009!

BOCA RATON, FL – Jazz lovers can’t miss with Singles Travel International’s three unique and affordable travel opportunities for jazz lovers in 2009 – the Smooth Jazz Charity Weekend in August, Chicago Jazz Festival in September, and a five-star Jazz Cruise experience to the Caribbean this November. Party to the sounds of the best jazz artists in a variety of venues with single adults who love to travel, too!

Smooth Jazz Children’s Charity Weekend Featuring Jazz Artist/Saxophonist Mindi Abair, Melbourne, Florida, August 7 – 9, 2009, starting at only $399.

Join Singles Travel International for a great jazz experience that benefits Children with Disabilities, too! Enjoy a beach weekend in Melbourne, Florida, party with smooth jazz lovers and raise money for a great cause. Stay 2 nights and golf, see Kennedy Space Center, or simply relax at the spa.

Features include your own room, preferred seating at the Mindi Abair Concert, a luncheon buffet, photo and autograph session with Mindi, singles-only welcome dinner, and other singles-only special events.

Chicago Jazz Festival Weekend, Chicago, September 4 – 7, 2009, starting at only $599.

Whether you are a jazz aficionado or don’t know Miles Davis from Fats Domino (unlikely!), a jazz weekend in Chi-town will be the perfect ending to summer. Join Singles Travel International for an insider’s tour of one of America’s most vibrant cities with world class architecture, gourmet restaurants, incredible nightlife and one of the country’s outstanding jazz festivals featuring jazz artists from around the world. The tour includes deluxe accommodations at the Fairmont Hotel, only steps from Millennium Park, home of the 31st Annual Jazz Festival

This trip includes entry to the festival, 3-course dinner at the Palm Seafood & Steakhouse with sweeping views of Lake Michigan, VIP passes to Rush Street bars, After Dinner Party at Jilly’s Piano Bar, special city tour, VIP Beach Party at “Beachstro,” ranked in the Top 10 Beach Bars by the Travel Channel, and more!

Jazz Cruise to the Caribbean, November 8 – 15, 2009, starting at only $2,080.

Singles Travel International provides the backstage pass to “Where the Legends have Played and the Tradition Continues.”

Wrapped in the luxury of a 5-star cruise experience by Holland America, single travelers will sail the Caribbean with an intimate experience with your favorite Jazz superstars including Johnny Mandel, Bill Charlap, Freddy Cole, The Four Freshman, Ann Hampton Callaway, Houston Person, Johnny O’Neal, Jeff Hamilton, and many more.

This cruise includes nightly live concerts, late night jam sessions, pool parties and theme nights, artist seminars and autograph sessions, and Anita’s Idol Contest whose winner will perform on the next jazz cruise. Singles Travel International includes singles-only events and dinners.

Check out the entire list of entertainers at http://www.singlestravelintl.com/trip_packages/58-jazz-cruise

About Singles Travel International

With over 25 years experience in travel consulting, Singles Travel International (STI) is an industry leader in providing worry-free travel for single travelers. STI offers age-specific excursions, short and long trips to close-by destinations and distant and exotic locations for all budgets — from frugal to luxury.

Trips include themed cruises (food & wine, jazz, volunteer, dancing) as well as adventure travel. Hallmarks of STI trips are personalized service, special singles events, and flexibility.

People may choose to participate in group activities or spend time relaxing and exploring on their own. www.singlestravelintl.com

LOS ANGELES – It’s never been a better time to visit Los Angeles than now through the end of summer with the unveiling of LA Inc.

The Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau’s new “Top 100 Vacation Deals.”

The sizzling summer offers are available through August 31, 2009.
For a complete listing of hotel offers, visit this  link

Stay in the middle of the action and save up to 40 percent with a Hollywood Getaway at Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel or Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa.

Choose from online exclusive getaway packages including two nights of accommodations, a seven-day unlimited ticket to enjoy all the new entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood, complimentary breakfast for two, complimentary parking and roundtrip transportation between your hotel and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Wind down with a midweek or weekend stay at a choice of 16 Westside hotels.

Escape to The Sofitel Los Angeles, where visitors who book a guestroom by July 5, 2009 get their fourth night free, in addition to a sumptuous picnic basket. If performing arts or a studio tour is on your travel itinerary, visit Inter Continental Los Angeles Century City, where guests who stay a minimum of two nights receive breakfast for two, complimentary parking and a tour of Sony Studios or two tickets to Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Rates start at $269.

In Beverly Hills, The Residence Inn treats travelers to an American Express gift card valued at $50, complimentary AMC movie tickets for two, free WiFi and complimentary breakfast for two starting at $229. At the Holiday Inn Century City, travelers who book two nights obtain the third night free.

For the ultimate ocean-side retreat, take advantage of beachside getaways at Hotel Casa Del Mar with rates starting at $395 per night based on space availability, Le Margot, A JW Marriott Beach Hotel & Spa highlighting two Swedish massages with guestroom rates starting at $459 based on space availability, or Shutters On the Beach which offers a $50 hotel credit and guestroom rates starting at $525 per night based on space availability.

Discover culture in the heart of downtown Los Angeles with Millennium Biltmore Hotel’s “I Love (Downtown LA)! Package for two which highlights a one night stay priced from $179 per night based on space availability, breakfast and tickets to the Museum of Contemporary Art, tickets to the Grammy Museum and vouchers to visit the ESPN Zone.

Other attractive downtown hotel deals include Wilshire Grand Los Angeles’ “Beat the Heat,” whereby the guestroom rate is based on the high temperature of the day of your stay with a $20 room upgrade and 20 percent off hotel dining.

At the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, guests relax in a deluxe guestroom, savor a three-course pre-fixe dinner for two at LA Prime Restaurant and obtain complimentary overnight parking.

In addition to these exclusive packages, travelers can obtain up to 50 percent off on LA’s top cultural, dining, entertainment and other top attractions.

Head to Hollywood for a night at the theatre with 35%-50% off theatre tickets to Dirty Dancing at the Pantages Theater, Hollywood. While in the area, enjoy $5 off regular Adult/Child admission to Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood Wax Museum, or treat yourself to a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée when dining at the renowned Geisha House on Hollywood Boulevard.

While in downtown, embark on a larger-than-life feature film adventure with $2 off Adult admission and $1 off Children’s admission to an IMAX movie at the California Science Center IMAX Theater, or enjoy $3 off admission to the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. Stop for lunch at Zucca Ristorante, an upscale Italian establishment, currently offering a $19 lunch special and $5 parking for guests of the restaurant.

Chill out on the Westside with a complimentary appetizer while dining at Crustacean, one of Beverly Hill’s finest eateries, or experience 2-for-1 general admission to the Skirball Cultural Center.

Soak in the sun at the city’s top seaside eateries with offers including 15% off the total bill at I Cugini’s in Santa Monica, or a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée at Geoffrey’s Malibu.

Take in the sites and sounds of the Santa Monica Pier boardwalk with 15% off an unlimited-ride wristband at the popular weekend beachside destination, Pacific Park.

The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for leisure travel, meetings and conventions. Though not part of city Government, LA INC. is recognized as the city’s official tourism marketing organization.

For more information about “Los Angeles Top 100 Vacation Deals,” visit the official visitors information website of Los Angeles at www.discoverLosAngeles.com

From New Year At North Cape To Star Gazing With An Astronomy Expert! Hurtigruten Launched 2009/10 Northern Lights Programme

FROM NEW YEAR AT NORTH CAPE TO STAR GAZING WITH AN ASTRONOMY EXPERT!

Hurtigruten launches 2009/10 Northern Lights programme

Want to do something different this year? Fancy learning more about the Northern lights from an expert? Hurtigruten has launched its 2009-10 Northern Lights programme featuring more themed voyages, new flights and new excursions such as reindeer sledging.

The brochure offers a host of unique experiences in Norway for all ages and with prices starting from only £495 per person, it offers something for everyone. Seeing the Northern lights continues to be high on people’s wish list of things to see in their lifetime. Hurtigruten recently carried out some research into why people travel in winter and the overriding response, from all demographic groups was to see the Northern Lights.

Highlights include:

• NEW YEAR AT THE NORTH CAPE (page 26) – New for 2009/10 is the opportunity to celebrate New Year at the top of the world and see in 2010 at Europe’s most northerly point, North Cape.

Departing on 29 December, this itinerary travels from Tromsø to Honningsvåg and back on board MS Richard With where on arrival, guests have dinner on board before heading to the North Cape for midnight. The ship then returns the next day via Alta where a range of winter excursions can be enjoyed. Priced from £1285pp for a five night trip.

• MORE THEMED VOYAGES (pages 27-29) – Due to demand, there are now more departures than ever before. Previously there was only one of each and they sold out months in advance.
- There are two astronomy voyages (3 February and 11 March) with Dr John Mason onboard to share his incredible knowledge of the Northern Lights.

The entire journey is spent above the Arctic Circle, increasing the chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Dr Mason is Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester and has appeared many times on BBC TV’s ‘The Sky at Night’. Priced from £985pp.

- Two digital photography voyages (22 January and 2 February) are also available with an experienced lecturer in photography. Passengers will learn how to realise the full potential of their digital camera and develop skills for capturing the challenging and awe inspiring Arctic light.

Priced from £1070pp.Other themes available include an Opera Voyage, a Northern Lights Festival trip and a Sami Day and Reindeer Races themed journey.

• NEW EXCURSIONS (page 30-33) – Arctic Norway offers a range of quirky excursions that ensure passengers get to enjoy some of the amazing experiences that the region has to offer and for 2009/10 the selection has grown.
- Reindeer sledging in Tromsø which takes guests to Risvika to sledge through the winter landscape pulled by reindeers. A four hour trip which includes a meal in a traditional Sami Lavvo (tent) after. Priced from £120pp.

- Polar Night with the Aurora Gazing takes guests away from the city lights of Tromsø out into the countryside to look for the Aurora Borealis. Dinner is served in a Sami Lavvo afterwards. Priced from £70pp for five hours.

- Arctic City Walk in Tromsø is a guided walk around this historic and cultural city including a visit to the Polar Museum and the Catholic Church. Priced from £25pp.

• NEW FLIGHTS – for 2009-10 flights are now available from London Gatwick as well as London Heathrow on the operator’s core voyages, the Classic Round Voyage,

Voyage North and Voyage South, on a daily basis. In addition, regional airports are once again featured for a supplement.

These include Manchester, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

For more information call Hurtigruten on 020 8846 2666 or www.hurtigruten.co.uk

From Calypso Star Charter

South Australia (www.southaustralia.com)  based adventure operator Calypso Star Charter has teamed up with the Eyre Peninsula’s Port Lincoln Hotel to offer a new two-night accommodated shark diving package.

This two-night diving package, which includes accommodation in a deluxe ocean view room in the Port Lincoln Hotel (www.portlincolnhotel.com.au) , is priced at AUD$1,320 (approx £656) for two people (twin-share) and includes a full-day shark diving excursion for two, return transfers from the hotel, wetsuit hire and buffet breakfast on the day of departure.

Travellers short on time can opt for a one-night package starting at AUD$1,115 (approx £554) for two people which includes accommodation in a superior town view room and a full-day shark diving excursion.

Shark diving takes place 80km (2½ hours) south of Port Lincoln near the Neptune Islands, one of very few places in the world that boasts great white shark activity all year round, and with excellent visibility.

Here the adventurous don full length wetsuits, hook up to a respirator (a scuba mask connected to an air supply on the boat) and climb into the cage where up to four people are lowered under the surface to experience the thrill of meeting a great white shark first hand. No diving experience is necessary.

South Australia (www.southaustralia.com) is one of only three places in the world where cage diving with great white sharks is possible.

ONE DAY SHARK DIVING TRIP FROM AUD$495 (approx £246)

For travellers who purely want to dive with sharks, Calypso Star Charter (www.calypsostarcharter.com.au)  offers a selection of options.

The one day tour normally lasts 7-8 hours, is fully catered and includes breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

There is also the opportunity to swim with sea lions in shallower waters close to Port Lincoln.

The one-day tour runs from July to September and costs from AUD$495 (approx £246) per person.

Meanwhile, the cost of a four-day shark dive trip is AUD$2,300 (approx £944).

Calypso Star Charter, in conjunction with local environmental authorities, tags and records shark sightings so that their movements can be tracked around Australia.

SWIM WITH TUNA

For an alternative underwater experience, Calypso Star Charter also offers swimming with tuna. Port Lincoln Bay is home to small tuna (about 15kg), and, from within the confines of a pen, swimmers can have an exciting experience as the fast, energetic tuna can swim excitedly close. The two-hour tuna swim costs from AUD$30 (approx £12) per adult and AUD$15 (approx £6) per child.

LIBRA HOLIDAYS INTRODCUES ALL INCLUSIVE ON 5-star DOMINA PRESTIGE NILE CRUISE!

Specialist tour operator, Libra Holidays, has introduced an All Inclusive supplement at £14 per person per night to its “exclusive” 5-star Domina Prestige Emilio Nile Cruise.

This All Inclusive board basis is available to book on all departures until 31st October 2009 and will offer guests unlimited drinks and alcohol, tea, cake and pizza. This AI board basis is an add-on to the Full Board basis already included in the package price.

Product & Contracts Manager, Costas Stylianides, commented, “Paying that little extra to be on an All Inclusive board basis is great for those holidaymakers wanting to stick to their budget and not have to worry about extra spending money.

The Nile Cruise is great value for money and customers will receive a high standard of accommodation and service on board with the added bonus of knowing their budgets before departure.

Guests are free to enjoy the free flowing drinks and additional benefits at no added expense.”

In addition to the standard Full Board basis, the All Inclusive board basis will offer guests unlimited local wine, beer, soft drinks, local spirits and small bottles of mineral water. Tea and cake is offered on sailing days in the afternoon and pizza is available on a Saturday. The All Inclusive service is available from 10:45am until 23:00pm.

Libra Holidays offers a seven night All Inclusive Nile Cruise on board the 5-star Domina Prestige Emilio from £515 per person. The price is based on two sharing a main deck cabin and includes return flights from Gatwick departing in June with resort transfers. Flights are also available from Manchester.

TO BOOK CONTACT LIBRA HOLIDAYS ON 0871 226 7825 OR BOOK ONLINE AT www.libraholidays.co.uk  and SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 10%

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.

From £151pp For 9 Nights

Family holidays with DFDS Seaways needn’t cost the earth, cars go free on villa holidays in Europe, £151pp for 9 night break in your own hideway, or opt for Center Parcs 9 nights from £169, and many more.

As the weather heats up we are all thinking about what to do with our families for holidays this year. A few suggestions from DFDS Seaways are below.

With DFDS Seaways the holiday begins the moment you step onboard and check in to your cabin

-no baggage restrictions

-taking your car? Just pack it up, drive onboard and have everything you need for your holiday

-restaurants, bars, live entertainment, nightclub, shops and cinema (on some routes) onboard

-Kids Club to keep the little pirates amused during the school holidays

Upgrading to Commodore Cabins gives you a more spacious cabin, complimentary breakfast and mini bar. A more luxurious way to travel

The perfect home from home with Novasol choose cottages and villas in Denmark, Holland, Germany and beyond. Cars go free on selected dates.

Choose stunning coastline cottages, cultural locations, romantic getaways all properties have their own unique style and character. 9 nights from £151pp includes 2 nights onboard, 7 nights at selected cottage, carriage of standard vehicle (free on selected dates) Sailings from Newcastle and Harwich

Center Parcs Europe

DFDS Seaways has teamed up with Center Parcs Europe to offer fantastic holidays at a selection of resorts across Europe.

Taking your own car on a 9 night break it is a perfect family holiday with sensational locations set by beaches, in woodland and on lakesides. 9 nights includes 2 nights onboard, 7 nights in a villa and carriage of standard vehicle. Each resort chosen to offer something special from watersports, skiing (all year round in a snow dome), sailing, horseriding, bike trails, and beaches. Prices start from £169pp at Park Zelande in Holland. Sailing from Newcastle to Amsterdam

Danish Holiday Centres

Great locations for family breaks in Denmark, which has some of Europe’s whitest, widest beaches. Ideal for family breaks with fun, adventure, sports and great times in the outdoors. All sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg.

Lalandia Billund – one of Denmark’s most famous attractions, Legoland is just around the corner and you stay in modern spacious holiday homes. 6 nights with prices from £291pp and include 2 nights onboard, 4 nights self catering, carriage of standard car, final clean, entrance to waterpark and Monky Tonky Land.

Seawest Holiday Centre – set in Vestjylland area of natural beauty, the resort has an impressive centre with water slides, Jacuzzi, fitness centre, indoor play area, pizzeria, restaurant and café. Accommodation with dishwasher, washing machine, TV, DVD, radio, internet access, BBQ. 7 night holiday with prices form £220pp and includes 2 nights onboard, 5 nights at centre and carriage of standard car.

Middelfart Holiday Centre – discover the beautiful island of Funen, ideal for those who love the outdoors it is located in woods, near a fjord on the coast of the Little Belt Sea, plenty of walking, swimming, mountain biking and fishing. There are indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, tennis and bowling.

The bungalow includes living room, satellite TV, woodburning stove, fully equipped kitchen and patio area. Prices from £269pp and includes 2 nights onboard, 5 nights in bungalow, carriage of standard car, final clean of bungalow.

Lalndia Rodby Holiday on the Baltic sea there is plenty to do with a famous Aquadome tropical water park, 100m long side and indoor area. Golf and fishing as well. 6 night holiday includes 2 nights onboard, 4 nights at centre, carriage of standard car and final clean of holiday home.

Jet-It-Together announced the launch of www.jet-it-together.com , the online community where members experience significant cost savings on private jet travel by matching their itineraries with other members who have the same travel plans.

By aggregating individual trip itineraries, Jet-It-Together members can save up to 70% on private jet travel as compared with a traditional whole plane charter.

Jet-It-Together provides a cooperative approach for its members to share in the cost of private jet charter. When a member initiates a trip, or decides to join a trip that has already been initiated by another member, the website displays the cost of the trip one way.

If the member is initiating a new trip, Jet-It-Together notifies other members to give them the opportunity to join the shared trip. Once there is sufficient interest to cover the estimated trip cost, Jet-It-Together negotiates the exact pricing with a FAA Part 135 charter operator.

The final cost of the trip for each member is then adjusted, based upon the final number of travelers and the negotiated cost of the trip. Members can also secure the whole plane if they do not wish to share with other Jet-It-Together members. As with the shared trips, Jet-It-Together will negotiate the most competitive cost from a range of operators.

Jet-It-Together members can also use the Going My Way? feature to build a “wish list” of trips. These are trips that a member would like to take, but are open-ended and would only be scheduled if other members shared in the cost of the private jet charter.

The technology powering Jet-It-Together.com allows members to control the complete process for shared private jet travel. Members can map trips, receive cost estimates, initiate new trips, review and join existing trips, manage their personal profiles, receive email updates and confirmations, and, through links to other suppliers, purchase travel insurance. Jet-It-Together has an instructive online demo and web-based customer support.

“Jet-It-Together is building an online community that will redefine the private jet experience, providing greater affordability and convenience for travelers.

This new online service gives members the option to have an enjoyable travel experience for a fraction of the cost of traditional private jet charters.

When you join the online community, you gain access to a wide choice of regional, as well as hub airports, and the ability to truly control your travel time in the air and on the ground,” said John Ackermann, one of the founders Jet-It-Together, LLC.

Since Jet-It-Together is not a charter operator, nor does it have any investment in or from charter operators, the company has the flexibility to continually review and manage a pool of pre-screened Part 135 operators that the company believes meet the highest standards for offering the safest and best service to its members. Having that independence allows Jet-It-Together experts to negotiate the best pricing and services for its members.

Visit www.jet-it-together.com  for more information.

The Yachts of Seabourn debuted the Seabourn Odyssey in Venice, its first vessel in six years.

The 32,000-ton vessel, built by T. Mariotti of Genoa, Italy, accommodates 450 guests in 225 luxury suites, including 90 percent with verandas. The Odyssey features the largest spa on any luxury yacht, as well as four restaurants and luxury amenities. Guests of the maiden voyage will also share the unprecedented honor of acting as godparents.

The Odyssey is the first of three new vessels Seabourn is building, a 216 percent increase in capacity for the line, with Seabourn Sojourn launching in June 2010 and a third new-build in 2011.

Among the Odyssey’s amenities, The Spa at Seabourn measures 11,400 square feet. The ship also is the only cruise vessel to offer SkinCeuticals, the award-winning skincare line, products and treatments at sea.

The spa also features a hydropool, a Kinesis wall, two herbal steam rooms and two Spa Villas with whirlpools big enough for two, private balconies for sunbathing, double daybeds and full living rooms.

The four restaurants range from the fine-dining Restaurant with menus by Charlie Palmer to the casual, open-air Patio Grill. In-suite dining also is available.

The 11-deck vessel also offers two outdoor swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, water sports from the marina, and a private diamond showroom.

The Retreat features a contoured, nine-hole mini golf course, a giant chess board, shuffleboard and stargazing in the evening.

Additional amenities include Seabourn-branded netbooks and iPods for loan, as well as complimentary, poolside massages and Caviar in the Surf service. A new feature of Odyssey, Seabourn Square, is a concierge lounge with a library, upscale shops, an outdoor terrace and a coffee bar, as well as concierges, in a relaxed, club-like atmosphere. The crew-to-guest ratio of the Odyssey is nearly one-to-one, and top-of-the-line amenities include the new Molton Brown Therapies skincare line, available for the first time at sea.

Among the accommodations, the Grand Wintergarden Suite, the largest of any Seabourn suite, offers 1,182 square feet of indoor space plus two verandas. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite features a glass-enclosed solarium with a tub and daybed, as well as a whirlpool, dining for six, two bars and three flat-screen televisions.

The Odyssey will spend its maiden year in the Mediterranean throughout the summer and early fall and then sail the Caribbean before embarking on Seabourn’s first world cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Athens, a 108-day voyage departing Jan. 5, 2010, visiting 42 ports in 26 countries on six continents.

For more information, call 800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com