Breezes Curacao

Breezes Curacao Resort Spa & Casino is the first Super-Inclusive resort in the Southern Caribbean. The Dutch flavor of this island will add a new twist to the active Breezes vacation our guests have enjoyed for years. Only a 90-minute flight from Montego Bay, this divers paradise is located off the coast of Venezuela and with only 10 miles from the international airport, this beautiful resort, with 341 rooms and suites, is adjacent to both the pristine Undersea National Park and entertaining Sea Aquarium. This Breezes Resort comes to life on the beautiful island of Curacao with it’s own 1500 feet of private white sandy beach and crystal clear waters. Here you’ll enjoy wonderful accommodations, all imaginable water sports, premium brand drinks and a variety of dining options ranging from Japanese cuisine at Munasan to the never-ending Jimmy’s Buffet. Of course, like all Breezes resorts, everything is included in the price and tipping is not allowed.

Breezes Curacao welcomes singles, couples and families with children of all ages.

Miley Cyrus Atlantis LIVE – Weekend in Paradise May 15-17, 2009

The Atlantis LIVE concert series continues and this time its Miley Cyrus as the headliner. Atlantis welcomes the two-time platinum singing-songwriting phenomenon, Miley Cyrus. Riding on the wave of success from her most recent album, ‘Breakout’, along with an upcoming movie, recently released book, and the third season of her extremely popular television series, Miley splashes onto the scene at Atlantis. Don’t miss this amazing concert scheduled for May 16, 2009 !

Book The Miley Cyrus Weekend in Paradise ! 5 Towers to choose from – 3 Day, 2 night packages Prices starting from $564* per person and from $209* for kids 11 years and younger. Package includes accommodations for 2 nights, Roundtrip ground transfers on the island, and tickets Miley Cyrus at Atlantis concert on May 16, 2009. Please note that Atlantis Live Concerts are held in intimate concert venues exclusively for Atlantis guests. Must be 18 years or older to book. Call 1-800-942-3301 for booking details and to speak to an agent – packages must be booked by April 30, 2009 so act soon!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
*Rate is pp, dbl occ., based on Thur or Fri. arrival, eff. for travel 5/14/09-5/17/09 in Beach Tower Terr promo and includes transfers and concert tickets. Child’s rate is valid for children 11 years and under, must be sharing a room with parents and includes transfers and concert tickets. Valid for new bookings only and must be booked by 4/30/09. Add up to $64pp for mandatory taxes, mandatory housekeeping grats., & utility svc. fees. Other Towers, categories and dates available upon request. Weekend, holiday & peak period surcharges may apply.Seats are NOT assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. Concert seats are assigned in the order the booking was made, based on date and time of ticket purchase. All rates, availability and offers are subj. to chg w/o notice. Not app. to groups & restrictions apply.

Atlantis Super Spring Break Special: Stay 4 nights for the price of 3

Atlantis Super Spring Break Special: Stay 4 nights for the price of 3. Prices starting from $499 and kids stay free ! Call 1-800-942-3301 for details!

Call 1-800-942-3301 for details!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
*Rates is pp, dbl occ., based on Sun. or Mon. arrival, eff. for travel through 5/31/09 in The Beach Towers in a Terrace promo. Valid for new bookings only and must be booked by 4/30/09. Add up to $179pp for mandatory taxes, mandatory housekeeping grats., & utility svc. fees. Other Towers, categories and dates available upon request. Weekend, holiday & peak period surcharges apply. All rates, availability and offers are subj. to chg w/o notice. Not app. to groups & restrictions apply. Rate is based on hotel only and cost of transfers is additional. **Complimentary 4th night offer is valid on new bookings only, for stays of 4 nights or longer to qualify, must be booked by 4/30/09 and is only available in the Super Spring Break package. Complimentary 4th night offer is based on prevailing rate. +$200 air credit is based on qualifying air-inclusive packages of 3 nights or longer, valid one per booking and is redeemable upon completion of the trip. Rebate offer is valid for bookings made 1/10/09-04/06/09 for travel 1/17/09-12/15/09. Certain blackout dates apply. ++Dining plans are per person, per day and include breakfast and dinner at all restaurants on the Super Spring Break Gourmet Dining Plan, and must be purchased at least 3 days prior to arrival date. Children 6 and under eat free with accompanied adult dining plan. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter Aura. Kids 11 years and under stay free with paying adult in room.

St. Maarten Port Information

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be divided between two sovereign powers. The current boundary is a result of numerous wars between great European powers in the 17th century. According to legend, Columbus discovered the island in 1493. During the 140 years that followed, the Spanish, French & Dutch disputed possession. On March 23, 1648, a treaty was signed that gave the Dutch 16 square miles and the French 21 square miles. Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten; Marigot is the capital of French St. Martin. No formal boundary exists between the Dutch and French sides of the island, a simple welcome sign tells you when you cross from one country to the other. The difference are as noticeable as the spelling of the island’s names, and it’s this split personality that lends so much to the island’s charm, including an international reputation for the finest cuisine in the Caribbean.

Pier:

Most ship dock at the A.C. Wathey pier. Taxis are at the Cyrus Wathey Square and from the government dispatchers.  The tourist Bureau is located here.

Transportation:

Water taxis are also available from the cruise ship pier into town. The cost of the taxi was $4 per person, each way. The taxi did continue for those wanting to go to the beach, for $10 per person, each way.

Shopping:

Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Great Bay Beach is conveniently located along the waterfront in Philipsburg. You can find great buys on Front Street. There is no local sales tax. Prices on liqueurs, imported linen, perfumes and European chocolates can be as much as 50% less than those found in the U.S.  Local spices as well as jellies made from the locally grown guava berries are also a good buy.

Excursions:

Popular excursions were the Best of St. Maarten Island & Beach tour which was 4 hours for $39; Marigot Shopping Express 4 hours for $29 pp; Phillipsburg at Leisure Beach & Shopping all day shuttle $39 pp and the Catamaran Snorkel, Beach & Shopping with lunch which was 6 hours for $94. For those of you that do not want to take an excursion, just take the $4 cab ride and enjoy shopping on Front Street or the various shops available right at the cruise pier.

Grand Turk Port Information

Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. A small island bursting with turn of the century Caribbean charm. The island was founded by Bermudian salk rakers some 3 centuries ago & Turks & Caicos is a seperate Crown Colony of Great Britain. it’s Bermudian-British-Colonial architecture surrounded by the colorful local dwellings and crystal blue waters, make Grand Turk a beautiful place to visit.

Pier:

Cruise ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. A very short walk gets you right to the beach and shopping area.

Transportation:

You can rent a car, jeep or bike to explore the island of Grand Turk which is 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide. In addition to magnificent beaches, it is world renowned for diving, snorkelling, fishing and other water sports. The reef wall 400 yards off shore in Pillory beach is the most popular spot for divers.

Shopping:

Grand Turk boasts many fine shops selling everything from local souvenirs to an excellent selection of duty free items. The most visited area in the port is Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Bar & Restaurant. Smaller arts & crafts can be found throughout the island. Innovative work can be found by local artist who use the natural environment, such as shells, to create designer mirrors, lamps and other household decor. If you collect stamps, a visit to the Philatelic Bureau in Grand Turk is a must; the brightly colored stamps are highly valued around the world.

Beaches:There is a beautiful beach located within the cruise center. Beach chairs are complimentary and clam shell umbrellas and floats are available for rent.

The Island was hit by hurricane Ike earlier this year, and there was cosiderable damage around the island, but you would not known it by visiting the cruise center, as everything has been repaired. Several shore excursions are currently unavailable, however you can still take the popular Horseback riding, Dune buggy and 4WD Safari tours of the island, as well as snorkeling and fishing adventures. Most passengers on our cruise seemed to just enjoy the beach and shopping right in the pier area, or  spending time around the pool and ”Wastin’ away in Margaritaville.”

Barbados Port Overview

Barbados is one of the best developed, most popular tourist destinations of the southern Caribbean. Often called the “Little England” of the Caribbean, blends the finer elements of British tradition with warm island hospitality. Barbados is one of the first democracies in the New World and a regional leader in education and commerce. Explore the many beaches, rolling countryside, charming villages, old sugar mills and plantations that represent the colonial past of the island. Tour the East Coast where the Atlantic Ocean’s waves are a surfer’s paradise. Shop in the capital city or stay out late to party in the nightlife. The average annual temperature ranges from 70°F–87°F.

Ships dock at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal, about a mile west of downtown Bridgetown.  You can shop for crafts and souvenirs in the terminal area. Barbados offers plenty of duty free shopping for jewelry, perfumes, liquor, pottery & cigars. Not interested in shopping, enjoy Barbados’ endless beaches, natural beauty, attractions and fine dining.  You can tour Barbados via car, 4 x 4, bus, catamaran or helicopter.  Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular shore excursions as well.

Rather than use the cruise line’s shore excursions, we wanted to book a private tour to create our own itinerary. We booked through Glory tours. Confirming everything via email was easy. Please note that the tour operators cannot come all the way to the ship, so there is about a 1/4 mile walk to where you meet up with the tour guides. Our interests were the Mt. Gay Rum Factory, the Barbados Wildlife reserve, Harrison’s Cave, St. John’s Church & Bathsheba.

The day did not go exactly as planned. There had been a small earthquake the day before and it was rumored that there may be an aftershock. So we opted for a 1/2 day tour rather than a full day. We got great pictures of area beaches and made it to the Wildlife Reserve. If I had it to do again, I would have skipped the reserve. Although it was interesting, it took up too much time and I did not get to see a Green monkey which was the main reasons I wanted to go and see them in their habitat. Apparently the monkeys normally come out around feeding time which is 3 p.m.  In my opinion, there are many other “must-sees” that you should spend your day in port enjoying:

Harrison’s Cave:  Travel through the winding tunnels in specially designed trams and make your way into the specially lighted caverns, view the majestic stalactites and stalagmites which have been growing from the floors and ceilings for many centuries. Cascading through the caves, the crystal blue waters form magnificent pools and waterfalls.
Get their early to avoid the lines.

Bathsheba:  It is said that Bathsheba, wife of King David, bathed in milk to keep her skin beautiful and soft. The surf covered white waters of Bathsheba are said to resemble Bathsheba’s bath in both appearance and health giving value. It is breathtakingly beautiful dramatic coastline of striking rock formations against which the Atlantic rollers break in cascades of foam.

Mt. Gay Rum Factory:  Discover the colorful history of Mount Gay Rum Learn how the world’s finest rum is made and then taste it. Enjoy Bajan cuisine in the verandah restaurant overlooking the sea. Then take home a taste of the Good Times from their store. 

We are looking forward to going back to see these island highlights.  

Aruba Port Information

Miles of beaches, and an annual average temperture of 82 degrees with little rain, make Aruba a popular island with over 1 million visitors annually. The official language is Dutch, but many locals also speak English, as well as a creole language called papiamento which is a mix of English, Spanish & Portuguese. Much of the architecture combines Dutch gables and baroque ornamentation with Caribbean colors like pistachio, ochre, pink, and aqua. The result is a sun-drenched gingerbread confection with a touch of theme-park squeaky cleanliness. The currency is the Aruba Florin, but US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.

The cruise terminal is walking distance to the downtown area. Its waterfront bustles with cruise ships, yachts, fishing boats, and cargo carriers.  Wreck diving is one of the most popular excursions, as well as snorkeling and other water sports.   All beaches are public…the most popular ones being on the Southern and Western Coasts. Palm Beach is the best known, but W. Indies Eagle beach is also nice and less crowded. It is appox. 10 minutes from the downtown area.

Several 10+ day Caribbean cruises visit Aruba. Best prices are found November through March.

Holland America Caribbean

Holland America offers more 10+ day Caribbean itineraries. Look deeper, and discover some of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean. With an array of 10 to 14 day itineraries, Holland America Line immerses you into the must-see parts of the region, from the rain forests of Dominica to the villages of St. Lucia. Most ships also visit Holland America’s award-winning private island, Half Moon Cay. Days at sea are filled with an array of choices including a cooking class, spa treatments and more.

January through March have some excellent prices for the Caribbean. The Westerdam has prices from $449 pp on inside cabins & $499 for ocean view on several 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruises. The brand new Eurodam has prices starting from $649 pp for inside & $749 pp for ocean view & you can book a 10 night Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise aboard the Noordam for as low as $899 pp inside/$949 pp ocean view. 

Promotion details: Pinnacle Grill lunch experience is included for 2 with any booking.  Some sailings include added amenities such as shipboard credits or pre-paid gratuities. Call for details. Prices do not include fuel surcharges or taxes. Restrictions may apply. Offer is for new bookings only & deposit must be made by December 15, 2008.  Call for details, or price your cruise online

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas arrives in Ft. Lauderdale

Royal Caribbean Cruise line’s latest Freedom-class ship, debuted in the U.S. yesterday at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Touted as one of the world’s largest cruise ships, it will be Royal Caribbean’s first Freedom-class ship to sail from Port Everglades.

When it comes to onboard activities, Independence of the Seas offers an unbelievable array of choices. For those who love to go wild on vacation, you can hang-10 on the popular FlowRider, take your frustrations out in the boxing ring, putter around on the nine-hole miniature golf course, or cool off at the ice-skating rink. For travelers who want to just sail away from it all, the ship offers plenty of soothing distractions such as whirlpools, a day spa, solarium with an indoor/outdoor pool, and a library. Plus, children will love the fun designed just for them with the H20 Zone interactive water park and the Adventure Ocean Youth Program.

Hungry? The three-deck-high main dining room serves your favorite dishes from around the world. Cruisers can also enjoy casual eateries like the buffet at Windjammer Café, Johnny Rockets 50s-style diner, Sorrento’s pizza parlor & Ben & Jerry’s. Independence of the Seas also has two specialty restaurants: Portofino Italian Restaurant & Chops Grille. After dinner, you can burn off those calories with scores of entertainment options. Drop off the kids for evening activities at the Adventure Ocean club, & press your luck at the Casino, perform like an “American Idol” during karaoke classic at the On Air Club, or dance the night away in the castle-themed nightclub, The Crypt. Want fun for the whole family? Shoot for the high score in the arcade, watch a movie together in the theater, or take the whole bunch to see the ice skating show or headline performance at the Broadway-style venue Arcadia Theatre.

Independence will sail from Ft. Lauderdale & alternate between eight-night Eastern Caribbean & six-night Western Caribbean itineraries. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary will call at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Belize City, Belize; & Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.