Before You Go... let us know if you have a foreign passport!

A colleague once told me, that our jobs are comprised of 1000 details. Never before could this be more true, than today. What was once a simple 3-4 step process, now consists of... well, organizing 1000 details. I won't bore you with the details as I'm sure you get the picture.


I would like to remind all of our clients to please be sure and let your booking agent know if you are traveling with a non-US passport. This is an important fact and we would like to note your airline reservation. We would also like to know so we can advise you to check with your own embassy or consulate and inquire on any visas that may be required for your nationality to enter the destination we are booking for you.


{Book your Caribbean Vacation with the Caribbean Travel Specialists at Caribbean Journey today!}


Bon Voyage! 

Curtain Bluff Makes a Difference

{Some of the 150 kids Curtain Bluff Resort in Antigua have helped send to tennis camp.}

We really enjoyed meeting Ron Sherman, the GM of Curtain Bluff last week. We were charmed by his larger than life personality and impressed upon learning about how much his hotel gives back. 

The resort’s founders, Howard and Chelle Hulford, started the Old Road Fund in 1974, naming it after the village that sits just outside the resort's gates. Initially its purpose was to supply basic necessities to the community’s neediest families, but it quickly out-grew these modest goals thanks to support from the resort and its guests. To date over $US 1 million has been spent on university scholarship assistance, additional college expenses, sending children to the U.S. for summer camp or to work as camp counselors, and providing medical and emergency relief to the local community.

In the last twenty years alone more than 150 children have gone to tennis camp in the U.S. and 45 have received a full university education. Eleven students are currently enrolled in college in the U.S. Over 20 have had major healthcare benefits. Through the fund, computers have been donated to the Old Road Primary School, and new uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for the village football (soccer) and cricket teams.

Book at stay at Curtain Bluff and know that you are helping them help others! 

Cheers,

My Visit to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Welcome to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

We stayed here for 4 nights at the beginning of our recent trip to Jamaica. We booked an Oceanfront Suite. This was the dreamy view... right outside our patios. {the oceanfront suites have TWO patios.}

The Suite had a mini-bar, which we quickly turned into a bottle prep station...

A PLUSH king bed in the bedroom. {I don't have photos of the sitting area where our 4 kids slept - the older two on the pull-out sofa and the twins sharing a crib.}

The bathroom was a highlight - the white marble and turquoise walls had a very clean feel which helped offset the somewhat dated color theme of the soft furnishings in the other areas... 

The hotel has three main restaurants - all with outdoor seating which is a plus when you are traveling with kids. For some reason, when a baby cries in an open air environment, it is not as disturbing as crying in a closed atmosphere. Agree? 

The beach is small - but even at full occupancy, there seemed to be enough room for all.

The water is BLUE.... give it any other adjective and it doesn't change the color...

But the truth is... the beach is pretty rocky and challenging to get in and out of. This was the biggest complaint we had.

The drinks were cold and creative and ALWAYS served with a smile. {The service has to be the BEST part of the Ritz Carlton... it is amazing. The entire staff makes an effort to learn your name from the second you arrive and it can be said that most staff you encounter will anticipate your every need.}

No cool & creative cocktails for this little lady! But she was still a pampered princess. The room service staff was happy to collect our bottles and wash them 3 times a day, giving them a proper sterilization. The restaurants were wonderful at making "baby food" for our little girls too, mashing carrots, sweet potatoes... whatever we asked for and our girls devoured every bite.

The pool is on the small side - but there was always plenty of room in the shade... even for SWEET ANGEL BABIES to take naps in the sea breeze...

Maybe I've saved the best for last... the grounds of the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall are absolutely amazing!!! These gardeners deserve huge applause because they keep the resort perfectly manicured and post card perfect. 

Overall, we had a wonderful time and would return to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall for a future stay. It was the perfect size hotel for our first trip out of the country with the twins.

{Want to see a sample of how much prep went into this trip? Jump over here.}

The hotel is stroller friendly and very easy to navigate. If you visit with kids, book an oceanfront suite for so many reasons! The ocean path that runs the length of the resort in front of the ocean is right outside the door of the oceanfront suites - EASY! While the older kids would have appreciated a larger pool and slightly more kids entertainment, I hear there are plans to improve this aspect of the property in the very near future. The rocky beach? I'm not sure what can be done about that - but as long as you arrive prepared, it shouldn't put a damper on your stay.

I'd be happy to help you plan your own vacation to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall - feel free to contact me at any time - laura @caribbeanjourney.com.

Enjoy,

The Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio, Jamaica

I've been to the Blue Lagoon before. The first time was 2001. Back then, the Jamaica Tourist Board took a more active role in marketing Port Antonio. We flew into the small airport just outside of town. We stayed at a hotel that is not currently operating called Dragon Bay. {If you saw the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise, you know the beach and the famous beach bar.} But that was then. In the years since, I've been lucky enough to spend about 5 Easters in Port Antonio and I make it a point with each visit, to return to the Blue Lagoon.

And this is why...

It is simply MAGICAL...

I'll visit any way I can... usually by rising early to walk down the long and winding hill from our home-away-from-home at Goblin Hill Villas. This year, we succumbed to the offers to take a bamboo raft into the lagoon and swim.

 

The ride was relaxing to the point I almost dozed off - that was, until my husband decided to add a little adventure to the trip and jump in the shallow flats in front of the lagoon and capture a sea creature for our son:

Success and oh so spiny....

Fascination with hands on nature is.... better than any classroom...

The Blue Lagoon is adjacent to some of the prized real estate in the Caribbean. These waterfront villas sell for millions but rent for pretty reasonable rates - ask me about renting one for your next villa vacation.

Then we finally reached the lagoon and took a swim in the cool water. The lagoon is reportedly 186 feet deep. I figure that must be 15-16 stories - right? That's DEEP and the reason behind the water's amazing hue - not quite blue, not quite green - truly the closest thing to turquoise I've even seen...

After an hour swimming, our raft guides returned to pick us up... 

Priceless...

a trip to remember

Cheers,

The Motherload of Sunscreen on Sephora Today

I'm a huge promoter of skin protection. Selling vacations to the Caribbean goes hand-in-hand with reminding my clients to pack SUNSCREEN! The sun in the Caribbean is very powerful. Any Sephora fans out there? Check out this amazing deal of sun protection products... 

From Sephora.

Cheers,

Luxury Honeymoons at Secrets Wild Orchid or Secret St. James

Its no secret that Jamaica is a top honeymoon destination. The tropical island is home to some of the most scenic geography in the Caribbean. Beauty relaxes the mind and after months of stressful wedding planning, all brides deserve to relax. So what better place for a honeymoon?


Jamaica has many wonderful resorts - but the two new Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay are a smart and easy choice for anyone wanting a fully inclusive, luxury resort, catering to couples. Now is a great time to book either Secrets St. James or Wild Orchid for your honeymoon and take advantage of the following promotion:

Book a Hotel + Delta Air package for you, each traveler will earn 3000 bonus Delta Skymiles AND at least $50 off your vacation package. Contact us today to get started!

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply. Please inquire for full details.}

Cheers,

Hot NEW Caribbean Hotel Inclusions!

Here is a roundup of hot new Caribbean hotel amenities being offered in 2012:

Hotel Chocolat in St. Lucia offers guests house-made chocolate truffles from cocoa grown right on property - yum:

The Four Seasons Nevis offers guests with small children complimentary items to childproof their room.


The Body Holiday Le Sport in St. Lucia has an Icicle Tricycle that cruises the beach providing guests with cool and refreshing snow cones daily in unique flavors such as cucumber mint.


{this is for my girls...} Tucker's Point Resort in Bermuda has the prettiest sunbrellas I've ever seen - hot pink with ruffles, found at their spa pool. Book a massage and curl up under one of these with a spa cocktail and a good book:

The St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico provides a daily Iced Tea Ritual - where teas from around the world are served iced and accompanied by a tropical fruit skewer.


Excellence Playa Mujeres & Excellence Riviera Cancun offer top-shelf tequila tastings:

Secret Bay, the new eco-luxury resort in Dominica offers guests free exclusive use of a Kindle loaded with daily international newspapers.


At GeeJam in Port Antonio, Jamaica, you have the option of renting out their state-of-the art recording studio, following the drum beats of many famous artists.


Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Bermuda offers spa services in their underground serenity cave. Serene? Yes!

To book these hotels, or any other Caribbean or Mexican luxury resort complete with unique amenities, please contact our Caribbean Travel Specialists - info @ caribbeanjourney.com OR 866-236-1924.

Cheers,

Dive, Stay and Dine at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis

The top-rated Caribbean resort has partnered with Scuba Safaris, a PADI five-star dive center, to offer a week-long dive vacation full of underwater discoveries, gourmet cuisine and spacious accommodations under the attentive care of Nisbet Plantation’s dedicated staff.

Available through December 19, 2012, Nisbet Plantation’s Ultimate Luxury Dive Vacation includes:

·          A free night on a seven-night stay in spacious cottage-style accommodations for two

·          Daily full-service breakfast served poolside at Coconuts

·          Daily lunch either served on the beach at Sea Breeze or boxed up to enjoy on the dive boat

·          Nightly three-course gourmet dinner at the Great House, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant

·          Five two-tank dives in the crystal clear waters of St. Kitts and Nevis

·          Round-trip airport transportation from St. Kitts (SKB) or Nevis (NEV)

Package rates begin at $3,102 for two divers or $2,724 for one diver. Rates are subject to tax and service charge. The package is not combinable with other offers and subject to availability.

During the week-long vacation, divers will have the chance to explore some of the more than 40 dive sites surrounding St. Kitts and Nevis. From gently sloping coral reefs to caverns, ledges and wrecks, the dive sites are home to snapper, barracuda, southern stingrays, eagle rays, turtles and more.

Nevis and Nisbet Plantation offer plenty for land lovers as well. Guests can lounge on the white sand beach or oceanfront pool, get pampered at The Palms Spa, dance under the stars to live music at the weekly Beach Barbeque, cycle around the island or hike through a rainforest.

The 36-square-mile island of Nevis is just a short water taxi ride away from sister-island St. Kitts. Direct flights into St. Kitts (SKB) are available from many gateway cities in the US, Canada and UK. Connecting flights into Nevis (NEV) are available from San Juan (SJU), St. Maarten (SXM) and Antigua (ANU), all cities easily served by American Airlines.

{Contact the Caribbean Travel Specialists at Caribbean Journey if you are interested in booking a dive vacation to Nevis!}

The Caribbean's Best Destination Health Spa... The Body Holiday, St. Lucia

I started my hospitality career in Phoenix as a spa coordinator at the Arizona Biltmore. Working in a spa was bliss and being linked in to the spa community afforded me many opportunities to test out other area spas. Arizona is known for its Destination Spas such as Canyon Ranch and Miraval. Most other Destination Spas strive to be as comprehensive as these two.

While many resorts in the Caribbean have full service spas, few can rightly call themselves a Destination Spa. To me, this term means the Spa is a location/destination one would travel to simply for the benefit of its services - all other resort amenities are considered secondary.

The Body Holiday LeSport in St. Lucia IS a Destination Spa. All of my colleagues agree we would most certainly make the trip to this resort simply to visit the spa. The Body Holiday is a fully inclusive resort where the spa treatments are already included in the nightly room rate - one 50 minute service per guest, per day. You may add to this... and once you've spent an hour in the Oasis Spa, allowing all 5 senses to relax, you will likely want to. 

The spa offers an la carte menu of additional services, or you can work with your travel consultant prior to arrival and pre-book one of their Personalized Wellness packages starting at $699 and featuring a focus in the areas of weight loss, stress management, detoxification, fitness and tone, and anti-aging.

With every meal, at every restaurant on property, The Body Holiday serves healthy and enticing spa cuisine to compliment the wellness goals of the guests. If you want to splurge and enjoy bacon, eggs, and a croissant, fear not for those items are plentiful as well. 

I'd love to help you plan the best possible wellness vacation to The Body Holiday in St. Lucia. Feel free to contact me anytime! laura @ caribbeanjourney.com 

Namaste,