Caribbean Travel Packages Extend Beyond Summer’s End

PHOTO: Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort Offshore Island is one of several Nassau Paradise Island operators offering late summer “instant savings.” (Photo by Brian Major)

Summer is fading into another bittersweet memory but that doesn’t mean travelers can’t squeeze one more break for sun and fun in before fall officially arrives.

In fact, there may be no better time than now to visit the Caribbean as destinations are partnering with tour operators, airlines and resort companies and partnering to offer multiple opportunities for visitors to book themselves some sun and fun.

For example, the Curacao Tourist Board is teaming with American Airlines Vacations to offer travelers who book a Curacao vacation with the company up to 30,000 bonus miles in American’s AAdvantage loyalty program or up to $300 in “instant” savings off their vacation package. The offer applies to packages of from four to six nights and is available through Sept. 15, 2014 for travel through Dec. 31, 2014.

Meanwhile, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board is teaming up with several properties to offer “Instant Savings” tied to late summer bookings. Travelers who book stays of four nights or more at participating properties by Aug. 26, 2014 will receive $200 in savings. The offer applies to travel through Dec. 19, 2014. Participating properties include Atlantis, Paradise Island; Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort Offshore Island and the historic Graycliff Hotel.

On Labor Day weekend, Atlantis will host HGTV’s Live Paradise Musical Festival featuring performers including Jewel, Dierks Bentle and Rascal Flatts. Three-day festival ticket packages start at $395 per person.

At Sandals Royal Bahamian, guests can save up to 65 percent off Labor Day stays. Couples who book stays of seven or more will receive a $150 credit at the resort’s Red Lane spa. Meanwhile, Graycliff is offering 25 percent off stays of two nights or more booked by August 31 for travel through Dec. 15, 2014.

Vacationers will also find it easier to visit multiple Caribbean destinations before summer’s end thanks to Seaborne Airlines’ “Fly Anywhere You Like” promotion. Under the offer, vacationers pay $699 for the option to book an unlimited number of trips to Caribbean destinations served by the airline between September 3 and Nov. 17, 2014. “We wanted to give our customers an excuse to see the beauty of the Caribbean by taking multiple trips for one low price,” said Gary Foss, Seaborne’s president and CEO. “With just two trips, this can pay for itself.” 

Seaborne operates over 2,100 monthly departures to Caribbean destinations including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Fall Back into Savings

A handful of Caribbean operators and destinations are getting a jump on the September equinox with early fall packages.

Tobago’s Magdalena Grand Beach Golf Resort is offering Fourth Night Free and Seventh Night Free packages to guests who book the resort’s breakfast plan or its all-inclusive “Grand Experience” option this fall. The offer applies to reservations made by Sept. 30, 2014 for travel form September 1 to Dec. 14, 2014.

The Magdelena Grand’s breakfast plan includes an oceanfront room, buffet breakfast for two and a daily activities program. Nightly, double occupancy rates start at $97 per person. The Grand Experience plan is all-inclusive and features all meals, beverages, daily activities and a complimentary shuttle bus to and from Tobago’s Pigeon Point Beach. Grand Experience packages start at $105 per person, per night.

The Sugar Beach Condo Resort on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is offering “Falllin’ into a Sweet Deal,” a special travel package offering one free night plus 10 percent off a car rental to travelers who book a minimum four-night stay through Dec. 1, 2014. The offer applies to travel from August 31 to Dec. 15, 2014.

Sugar Beach Resort accommodations feature full kitchens and views of the Caribbean Sea. Ground-floor units open right onto the resort’s palm-lined beach and second and third floor units offer over-sized balconies.