Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Releases Camp Lucaya Video

We just received a copy of the first of 13 "webisodes" that The Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resorts will be releasing in the coming days. This one-minute video is of special interest to traveling families because it features Camp Lucaya at the Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort. From fully supervised arts and crafts activities to nature safaris, the day-long kids camp entertains and educates children from ages three to twelve.

"Love Your Family" Package Announced at Sheraton Cable Beach

Nassau is an easy destination for families to love: it's a quick hop from the US, the water is sensational, and there's a wide variety of activities on and off the beach. Now there's another good reason to love this island: the recently renovated Sheraton Cable Beach Resort has launched the new “Love Your Family” program, which offers a variety of fun activities for both parents and children. The resort is also the only international Sheraton property to currently feature the brand’s signature “Love Your Family” guest program.

Special "Love Your Family" Program Amenities: Families will be able to enjoy a number of family-friendly activities, such as fireside storytelling, stargazing and ‘dive-in’ movies. In addition, the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort offers a variety of exclusive experiences indigenous of its location, including Junkanoo Jamboree, a festival featuring authentic foods, dance and music; cultural dance lessons for guests who want to learn native dances of the island; Bahamian Idol, a talent competition featuring local folk songs; and Bahamian Spelling Bee where guests will be tested on the spelling of native words.

• Parents’ Night Out - Parents can take a guilt-free night off while their children enjoy their own big night out, dining with other kids and enjoying fun and festive counselor-led activities.
• Added Guestroom Amenities & Services - Families are guaranteed a host of family-friendly amenities including connecting rooms, child safety accessories, and a minimum of at least one family television station, like the Disney Channel or Cartoon Network.
• Lower Prices on Food & Beverage - Children five and under eat for free, while children six to 12 receive 50 percent off the regular menu.

The Package: To welcome guests and their families, the all-new Sheraton Cable Beach Resort is offering the “Love Your Family” Package*, which starts at $219 per room/per night and includes:

• Special check-in area and orientation with a member of the resort’s "Fun Team"
• Single room, guaranteed connecting rooms or a suite
• $100 resort credit per day
• Food and Beverage Amenities: Kids 5 and under eat free from the kids menu; kids 6-12 receive 50 percent off items on the regular menu; free souvenir cup with unlimited soft drinks, juices and milk, available at all outlets
• Age appropriate amenity for each child in your room upon arrival
• Complimentary crib / rollaway, if needed, in your room upon arrival
• Evening Entertainment, arranged by the resort’s "Director of Fun"

Dates: This offer is valid for stays booked between now and December 31, 2008 for stays completed between now and March 31, 2009. A seven-day advance booking is required.

The Fine Print: Maximum length of stay is 14 nights with a stay being defined as one or more consecutive nights paying a qualifying rate that are spent in the same hotel regardless of the number of check-in or check-outs that occur. Basic room rates do not include additional per room per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes. Rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and availability. A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Offer not applicable to groups or with other special offers. Food and Beverage Amenities discounts as follows: Ages 5 and under eat free from the kids menu when accompanied by an adult purchasing an entree; kids 6-12 receive 50% off items on the regular menu in child portions when accompanied by an adult who purchases a regular priced entree (1 adult = 1 discounted child, up to 2 kids per night and for all meal periods).

For more information:
• visit www.sheraton.com/cablebeach
• call 1-877-782-0149 and refer to Promo ID "FML"

Azul Hotels, by Karisma Announces Family and Friends Vacation Planner Package

Located on Mexico's Riviera Maya, the all-inclusive Azul Hotels by Karisma is launching the new Family & Friends Vacation Planner (FFVP), part of the Gourmet Inclusive program, and its Free Family & Friends Vacation Planner Package, beginning June 15, 2008. The FFVP team will orchestrate perfect agendas for families vacationing at Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma, Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma (opening Oct. 1, 2008) and Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma (opening Dec. 1, 2008).

The package will mean help planning family reunions, grandparent trips, or just family get-togethers. The Free Family & Friends Vacation Planner Package includes room assignments, a personalized itinerary given at check-in, one dinner reservation with a set a la carte menu guaranteed for up to 20 people, constant communication informing the family of trip updates, and brochures for each attendee with a welcome letter for each guests, introducing the hotel and destination. Guests can also take advantage of additional offerings including spa parties; private cooking classes; round robin tennis tournaments; private Olympic games; personalized polo shirts, hats and beach bags; beach barbecues; and cocktail receptions. The FFVP Package is valid with a reservation of five rooms or more.

What It Includes: Azul Hotels by Karisma also boast Beach Butlers, who provide towels, arrange beach picnics, offer cold drinks, reading materials or anything else that may be desired; U.S.-based and on-site wedding planners; and full concierge service. In addition to the FFVP, Azul Hotels by Karisma feature a variety of Gourmet Inclusive offerings catering specifically to families such as kids' clubs, teens' clubs, kids' splash park, face painting, piñata parties, fishing at the pool, kids’ playground, DVD library with free popcorn, and babysitting services, among others.

At Azul Sensatori Hotel, families will enjoy Luxury 2 + 3 = Family with suites that comfortably sleep two adults and three children, or three adults and one child, with guaranteed connecting rooms for groups traveling together. At Azul Fives Hotel, families will enjoy one, two and three-bedroom suites accommodating up to eight people. Azul Hotels by Karisma also provides parents with strollers and cribs, monitors and bottle warmers, baby bathrobes, and Gourmet Gerber for babies and toddlers.

For more information:
• call 1-888-280-8810
• visit www.azulhotel.com

Chukka Caribbean Celebrates Father's Day

For fathers with a sense of adventure, here's a fun package in Jamaica: a Father's Day program offered by Chukka Caribbean Adventures.

First, Dad will zip through the trees on the Chukka Canopy Tour, a zip-line experience near Montego Bay.

Next, Chukka will put Dad on an ATV and send him for a rugged adventure ride through Jamaica’s hills.

Dad’s special gift from Chukka Caribbean Adventures is a commemorative Father’s Day t-shirt.

Price: The Chukka Canopy Tour is US$88, and is appropriate for kids 10 years and older. The ATV Safari is US$75 for ages 16 and older. The offer is valid for bookings made on the Chukka Caribbean Adventures website.

For More Information:
• visit www.chukkacaribbean.com

Photo courtesy Jamaica Tourist Board

Beaches Celebrates Father's Day

Family travel is great for all its together time...but a little time away from the kids can make everyone enjoy the family time even more. Recognizing that fact, Beaches Resorts (with locations in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos) is offering the When We Were Two package for families celebrating Father’s Day with the family but looking for a chance to slip away for a few hours of romance.

The Package: The package includes:

• a 50-minute couples’ massage at Red Lane Spa
• Champagne served with chocolate-dipped fruit during a romantic sunset on the beach
• a private, four-course candlelight dinner with personalized menu
• Champagne
• souvenir photo
• complimentary Ultra Nanny babysitting services (up to three hours) for children 12 and under

Price: Rates start at US$2,188 per family of four (two adults, two children under 16) over Mother’s Day and US$2,496 per family over Father’s Day for a minimum three-night stay that also includes all meals, drinks, transfers between airport and hotel, entertainment, and more.

For More Information:
• visit www.beaches.com

St. Maarten Sonesta Resorts Offer Family Fun Package

We know firsthand that families that travel with two guest rooms instead of one can have twice the fun. Especially great for families with older children, the second room option gives the kids a sense of freedom and everyone just a little elbow room.

But that can add up to an expensive vacation...unless a good package comes along. Here's one that just came our way: the new Family Fun Package at the Sonesta St. Maarten resort. When you book a second room, you'll receive it at half price!

The Package: Families book two rooms at either Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino (photo, left) or Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino and receive the second room at half price. Also, kids ages 12 and under eat, stay and play free (buffet dining only).

Dates: The Family Fun Package is valid for travel June 1- August 31, 2008. Book by May 31, 2008. Minimum five-night stay. This is not combinable with other offers.

Price: Rates at both resorts April 19 through December 19, 2008 begin at $165.00 per room, per night based on single or double occupancy. Rates are room only and are subject to 21% tax and surcharge. All-inclusive rates are also available.

For More Information:
• call 1-800-223-0757
• visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten

Beaches Turks & Caicos Adding Surf Simulator

When it opens in December, the new Pirate's Island Waterpark at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa will include a new surf simulator as well as a new lazy river, seven new slides, an aqua playground, pool, and play area with water cannons, cranks, and spray features.

The waterpark is part of the resort’s new Italian Village, with 162 family-style suites. The newly expanded waterpark will be ten times the size of the original Pirate’s Island area and the largest in the Caribbean.

The Surf SimulatorThe new surf simulator, “Surf’s Up Dude,” will be accessible by novices and experts. Adventure seekers will be able to hop a boogie or surf board and enjoy white-water rafting and surfing conditions. Created by SurfStream™, one of the top surfing companies in the U.S., the surf simulator is to have several people riding safely at once. Extreme sports competitions and invitationals will be scheduled here, too.

Photo courtesy Beaches Resorts