Summer’s Best Caribbean Travel Packages

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Family vacationers can find some of the best Caribbean travel packages available anywhere in the good old summertime. Eager to welcome grandparents, parents and children during what is traditionally the peak family travel season, Caribbean resorts are extending discounted rates to vacationers this summer, along with a diverse sun and fun activities designed for the entire family.

And because summer is also prime destination-wedding time, several Caribbean islands and resorts are offering special packages to couples set to begin their life journey with a warm-weather wedding. 

The Bahamas’ Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina is celebrating Independence Day with a three-night travel package featuring a beach barbeque, live entertainment, and a fireworks display. Abaco’s “Fourth of July Fun-Tastic Getaway” offers ocean front accommodations, tickets to the resort’s July 4 beach barbecue and two round-trip ferry transfers to choice of nearby Elbow Cay, Guana Cay or Man-O-War Cay.

In addition, children under 12 years old stay free at Abaco when sharing a room with adults. The offer is available through July 5, 2014 for travel from July 3 to July 7. Rates start at $375 per couple, per night, double occupancy.

The Sugar Beach Resort in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands is offering a “Family Summer Adventure” package featuring discounted room rates for families traveling with one or two children ages 12 and under. Travelers who book a minimum of three nights receive a 15 percent discount on room rates and a 10 percent discount on car rentals. The resort’s accommodations feature two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, large patios and washers and dryers.

The Sugar Beach property is 1.5 miles from the Dutch town of Christiansted and offers a central base for exploration around St. Croix. Adventure-seeking guests can also opt for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, golf, sailing and rain forest jeep excursions available at the property from local operators. Guests must book by Aug. 15, 2014 for travel by Aug. 31, 2014.

The Barbados Tourism Authority’s “Forever Begins in Barbados” features free airfare and accommodations to couples who book destination weddings at participating island hotels this summer. Bride and grooms who book a minimum of 10 rooms for at least four nights each will receive a complete wedding ceremony including a minister, sparkling wine, a wedding cake, a decorated wedding area and arch, recorded music and a bridal bouquet.

Participating hotels include the Sugar Cane Club, The Crane Residential Resort, Turtle Beach Resort, Crystal Cove, Tamarind, Colony Club, The House, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Island Inn, Mango Bay, Accra Beach Hotel Spa, Ocean Two Resort and Residences, Sea Breeze, South Gap and Little Arches.

The new Belle Mont Farm, a hillside resort located at St. Kitts’ Kittitian Hill development, offers luxury accommodations and amenities for couples and families, including tablets loaded with carefully selected films in all guest accommodations. Living rooms offer pull-down screens and projectors to create cinema-like viewing options, and refrigerators are stocked with local products and a selection of wine chosen by the resort’s sommelier. Service staff includes private guest house attendants and a 24-hour concierge.

Belle Mont Farm accommodations include 84 guest houses surrounded by lush greenery for maximum privacy, with open verandas and private infinity pools. Bell Mont also offers seven farm houses designed for families, each offering four bedrooms accommodating up to eight people. Like guest houses, farm houses offer include the services of a private housekeeping staff. Rates start at $800 per night, double occupancy and include breakfast.

In Anguilla, the Beaches Edge Villas feature two side-by-side, oceanfront sister villas that can be reserved individually five bedroom/five-and-a-half bath private villas, or combined to create a secluded 10-bedroom villa for wedding parties and extended families.

The contemporary two-level villas each feature three king bedrooms (one on main floor) and two queen bedrooms, all with en-suite baths and ocean or garden views. Both villas feature an oceanfront terrace with a private bi-level pool and Jacuzzi plus kitchens with premium appliances, great rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, French balconies, formal indoor and covered outdoor dining areas, and built-in outdoor Viking grills.

Travelers who book one or both villas for six nights by Aug. 31, 2014, will receive the seventh night for free. Travel agent commissions of up to 12 percent are available for bookings made in 2014 stays in 2014 or 2015.