Archive for the ‘Caribbean’ Category

Passport Fee Increase

July 7th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean Central America Mexico South America destinations news

If you haven’t gotten around to applying for passport books for those upcoming Europe vacations or renewing your passport cards for those booked Caribbean cruises, your pocketbook will appreciate it if you act before July 13. According to the US State Department website, new “consular fees” go into effect next Tuesday.

The cost of a new passport book for adults will jump 35% from $100 to $135 dollars. Renewal of existing passport books will increase to $110 from $85. Minors will see the cost of a new passport book go from $85 to $105. The cost of a passport card for adults will increase $10 from $45 to $55, while a minor’s passport card will go from $35 to $40.

If you are one of those travelers who collects so many stamps that you run out of pages and need more, that too will cost you. Currently you can just send in your passport and get new pages for free, but starting next week there will be an $82 charge attached to those additional sheets of paper.

Looking at the price difference between a passport card and a passport book, you might wonder if you can get by with just the card. The passport card, similar in size and appearance to a driver’s license, is valid only when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea. It is not valid for any international travel by air, so if you will be flying to your destination, you’ll have to get the passport book.
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Puerto Rico: Enjoying Old San Juan

May 21st
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean destinations

A former job used to take me to San Juan for business. No matter how busy my schedule or how many back-to-back meetings were planned at my Puerto Rico hotels, I always made sure to spend some time in Old San Juan. Covering just seven square blocks, San Juan Viejo (Old San Juan), is the colonial heart of the city. Its cobblestone streets, colorful centuries-old buildings, and leafy plazas transport visitors to another era.

Many people on Puerto Rico vacations focus on the beach, but to truly appreciate the island, you should take the time to wander the narrow streets of Old San Juan. Founded in 1521, San Juan was an important Spanish port during colonial times. Ringed by a thick wall and guarded by forts, Old San Juan’s past as a military stronghold is still quite evident.

Here are some of the “can’t miss” spots in Old San Juan:
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Bermuda Festivities

May 3rd
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean beaches destinations events and festivals

Bermuda has long been an exotic and culturally unique place to vacation. The oldest British overseas territory, Bermuda offers island appeal with distinctive English flair.  More than just pink sand beaches and fancy Bermuda hotels, the island features historic English forts, colorful colonial towns, and ocean activities galore.

While you could easily relax at the beach your entire trip, Bermuda vacations can also be spent enjoying a wide range of activities – you can golf at one of the many world renowned courses, bicycle the 21-miles of the Railway Trail, snorkel among the colorful reefs, or explore limestone caves.

If your trip happens to coincide with Bermuda Day, observed annually on May 24 or the closest weekday, you will definitely want to get out and about to enjoy the many festivities. Originally established to mark the birthday of Queen Victoria and indoctrinate colonists in British Empire lore, Bermuda Day is now a celebration designed to bring Bermudans together. It also unofficially marks the beginning of summer in Bermuda, the day when men start wearing Bermuda shorts and many islanders take their first swim of the year.

Here are some of the activities that will be taking place on May 25 and into this summer this year:

Heritage Day Parade – This colorful spectacle begins at Bernand’s Park in Pembroke Parish and winds its way through the streets of Hamilton. Spectators enjoy watching marching bands, pipe and drum bands, and plenty of dancers file by. You can even see the colorfully outfitted Bermuda Gombeys folk dancers. Don’t worry about going hungry, as there are a variety of stands selling favorite Bermudian dishes along the parade route. This year’s theme — “Green: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” – is designed to highlight the message of the importance of reducing and recycling waste on the island.
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Travel to Cuba?

December 3rd
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean destinations news

cubaThe possible lifting of the travel ban to Cuba got a shot in the arm a few weeks ago when the House Committee on Foreign Affairs discussed the contentious issue. The ban, which has been in place for 46 years, has been in the news lately because of the hearing. 

Opponents of lifting the ban say that it should stay in place until Cuba embraces democracy. Proponents call it a throwback to the Cold War and claim that lifting restrictions and having Cubans freely interact with others will usher in political change.

Currently the State Department allows travel to Cuba only for people who fall under a handful of categories: those with close relatives that are nationals of Cuba, journalists, government workers on official business, academics, and those attending professional conferences.  (And just to get this out of the way, the ban doesn’t specifically prohibit travel to Cuba, but it does prohibit spending money in Cuba, which is basically the same thing.)

There are some people for whom the allure of the forbidden is strong. Even though they could easily book cheap flights to other Caribbean islands or Spanish-speaking countries, they want to go to Cuba simply because they aren’t supposed to go. What are the options for those people? (more…)

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The Happy Planet Index

December 1st
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean Central America destinations news

Costa RicaIn doing some research for a recent post on the Dominican Republic, I came across the Happy Planet Index. This index basically combines an environmental impact measure with a well-being measure to reveal the ecological efficiency of people’s well-being. Rather than rank each individual’s happiness, the index highlights the countries that do a good job of converting the planet’s resources into long, happy lives for its citizens.

If you are a person who puts an emphasis on the health of the planet, you might want to check out vacation packages to the countries at the top of the list. You could experience for yourself what it is like to be in a place where the people enjoy long, happy lives without over-stretching the planet’s resources. What are the countries at the top of the list? Here’s a hint — you wouldn’t be off the mark if you started looking for deals on Costa Rica hotels.  (more…)

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Dominican Republic Tourism Logo Contest

November 18th
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean beaches destinations

DRThe Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is on the hunt for a new logo. Instead of hiring an agency to design one, they have decided to hold an international competition to come up with a new logo that reflects the culture, history, activities, and accommodations of this Caribbean island nation.

The prize, a seven-night stay for two at one of the many five-star Dominican Republic hotels along with US $15,000, is sweet enough to encourage even amateur designers to pull out the sketch pad. The logo, which must include the words “Dominican Republic”, is supposed to define the country as a unique tourism destination. With that in mind, here are some images that I might try to include:

Beautiful Beaches and Clear Caribbean Seas: Most of the country’s five million annual visitors go to spend time on the fine, white-sand beaches of the island’s north and east coasts. Miles of palm-lined sandy shore are washed by the amazing blue waters of the Caribbean. (The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.) (more…)

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Sip Sip Restaurant in Eleuthera, Bahamas

July 15th
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean destinations food

sip-sip-11Have you ever flipped through the pages of a travel magazine and wondered how all the people in the photos could look so well-coiffed and serene? I discovered exactly how last week on my Caribbean vacation in Eluethera, Bahamas.

After a full morning of boogie boarding in the aquamarine waters off Surfer’s Beach, my family was starving. We made our way to the northern end of the island and hired a water taxi to take us on the ten-minute ride to Harbour Island. Once there, we rented golf carts, the cay’s preferred mode of transportation, and puttered past the town’s colorful clapboard houses to Sip Sip’s, one of our favorite lunch spots.

As we pulled up, we noticed an unusual amount of commotion and thought that perhaps a large group had just arrived. As we walked in the door, however, we saw an over-sized camera, people holding light reflector panels, a woman running around with a make-up powder puff, and a stunning model. It was a photo shoot for Condé Nast. (more…)

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Independence Day in the Bahamas

July 14th
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean destinations events and festivals

independence-1Americans weren’t the only ones celebrating the birth of their nation last week. Bahamians also observed their anniversary of shirking British rule on July 10, 1973.  I happened to be enjoying a Caribbean Vacation  in Eleuthera, Bahamas at that time, so I got to experience Indepence Day island-style.

Eleuthera, one of the Bahamian Out Islands, is a very narrow u-shaped spit of land that faces the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Caribbean to its west. At 110-miles long and only two-miles wide, it offers long stretches of easily accessible pink and white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, beautiful sunsets, and friendly people. 
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Expired Passport and other Travel Blunders

July 13th
2009
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean tips

passport1I am an idiot. I arrived to the Fort Lauderdale airport last week geared up and excited for my Bahamas Vacation. While checking myself in at the airline’s kiosk, I got a message I had never seen before — “Please see attendant for assistance. Passport may be expired.”

A rapid-fire barrage of thoughts ran through my head. “Expired passport? What? When was the last time I checked it? Oh, no. This could be a problem. A big problem.” Sure enough, it had expired four days earlier. After booking a car, dashing to the rental car agency, driving to Miami, geting passport photos taken, finding the passport agency in downtown Miami, and waiting hot and sweaty in a variety of slow-moving lines, I managed to get my travel documents in order and meet up with the rest of my family in Eleuthera, Bahamas  just a few days after I was originally scheduled to arrive.

Even the savviest and most wordly of travelers make stupid blunders from time to time. My experience sparked a conversation over dinner about embarrassing travel mistakes. We are a family of travelers, more accustomed to needing extra pages in our passports than letting them expire, but we had all had our moments. Here are some of my family’s best travel gaffes: (more…)

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Which Cruise Line is Right for You?

April 23rd
2009
by Rachel Berg
posted in:
Caribbean family tips

With meals and accommodations included in the total price, cruises are a great bargain, especially during tough economic times. And the deals out there are making waves, with some cruises going for less than $50 per person per night. It’s hard to beat that on land. But with so many cruise lines to choose from, how to pick the one that’s right for you? Here’s some information on some of the most popular cruise lines to guide you as you make your choice.

Carnival Cruise Lines
With Carnival, fun is the name of the game, no matter how old you are. The cruise line has great kids’ programs, including its heralded Camp Carnival, but it also has plenty of fun-centric activities for adults, too. Hairy chest contests, rollicking karaoke, and a sing-along piano bar all add to the carnival atmosphere. And there’s always a new towel animal waiting for you when you return to your stateroom after a busy day in port or on deck.

Royal Caribbean International
The Royal Caribbean cruise experience was designed to banish boredom. Innovative technology has brought onboard such diversions as the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and self-leveling pool tables that are hallmarks of the Royal Caribbean experience. Art auctions, shopping boutiques, and gala shows round out the onboard offerings. Plus, in addition to the main dining halls, most ships also feature Johnny Rockets diners onboard.

Norwegian Cruise Line
With Freestyle Cruising, you can do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Eat what you want with whom you want. Dress up or dress down. Choose assigned dining times or eat whenever you want. Everything’s flexible—there are no rigid rules—so you’re in the driver’s seat. Whether you want to go gambling in the exciting casino, watch a show in the ship’s theater, take a dip in an onboard swimming pool, or just order room service to your stateroom, the choice is yours.

Princess Cruises
Made world famous by the beloved TV show, The Loveboat, Princess ships are among the most recognized in the world. Offering everything from sumptuous spa treatments to its abundant balcony staterooms, Princess pioneered the Personal Choice cruising concept with Anytime Dining, which means you can eat whenever you like. You can even order room service 24 hours a day, for no extra charge.

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity is all about making you feel like a member of the A-list. No matter who you are in your everyday life—working mom, busy executive, firefighter—you’ll be treated like a celebrity onboard. The award-winning ships all feature an impressive guest to staff ratio of two to one, which means you’ll get as much or as little individualized attention as you so desire. For those who want to escape from the little ones, the cruise line also offers special, adults-only sailings.

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