SUNSET
RESORTS in Jamaica will reopen
two properties this winter and launch a water park at a third. The
85-room Sunset at the Palms in Negril reopens Jan. 15 after a
lengthy renovation, which included a new lobby bar and restaurant,
expanded seating in the dining room, an upgraded beach bar and
grill and new equipment in the workout area (www.www.sunsetatthepalms.com).
The 730-room Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios will
welcome guests March 19 to its mid-market, all-inclusive property.
Restaurants have been upgraded, a new entertainment area built, the
pool deck area expanded, and a new beach bar, grill and wedding
gazebo added. The resort's new water park features a lighthouse
with two water slides that "shoot" guests out into the Caribbean or
into a swimming pool (www.sunsetjamaicagrande.com).
The 430-room Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay will open
its Pirate's Paradise Water Park on Jan. 30. Guests can meander
Blackbeard's Lazy River in an inner tube, explore a fort, or blast
out of shooting waterslides (www.sunsetbeachresortjamaica.com).
CARIBBEAN
RELIEF EFFORTS for Southeast
Asia's tsunami victims include Barbados-based Counterpart
Caribbean, whose Washington-based partner, Counterpoint
International, is spearheading the distribution of pharmaceuticals,
medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance. CI has prepared
airlifts to fly in supplies that are being distributed to the
hardest-hit communities. To contribute, visit www.counterpart.org/tsunamirelief. In addition,
the Web home page of Sol Melia hotel company (www.solmelia.com) has a banner with a link to
the Red Cross home page, which has information on aiding the
damaged zones.
TAKEOFFS
" Spirit Airlines will
add a second daily nonstop flight to Nassau from Fort Lauderdale on
Feb. 10. Spirit launches its daily Nassau service Jan. 10.
According to Jacob Schorr, ceo and president, "customer response
has been so strong that this second flight became a necessity."
Fares start at $44 one way when booked at www.spiritair.com.
" FlyFirstClass
launches service Feb. 11 on the same Fort Lauderdale-Nassau route
as Spirit. The line will have six daily departures [except
Tuesdays] plus one additional flight on Fridays and Sundays. To
book, visit www.flyfirstclass.us/ or call (866)
878-8757.
" Northwest Airlines
will offer daily nonstop service from Memphis to Nassau from Feb.
16 to April 30. The flights will be operated with Northwest Airlink
partner Pinnacle Airlines on 50-passenger Canadair regional jets.
To book, call (800) 225-2525.
PENCIL IT IN
" Aruba Carnival, Feb.
3 to 8, Aruba.
Packages available through Alken Tours at (800) 221-6686, (800)
732-1530 or (800) 538-2553.
" Eighth Annual La
Ruta Maya River Challenge, March 4 to 7, Belize. This is billed as
the longest canoe race in Central America, a 180-mile journey from
San Ignacio in western Belize to Belize City on the coast. For race
details, visit www.bighjuices.com.
OOPS!
" Worry-Free Vacations
pays 20% commission on air and hotel package bookings to Jamaica
from Dallas/Fort Worth. Bookings must be made by Jan. 15 for travel
anytime. Each Jamaica booking earns agents a chance to win two free
seats per week through Jan. 15. Agents can also save clients up to
$300 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Jamaica [$200 saved on a minimum
purchase of $1,500, and an additional $100 if a Sandals Signature
property is booked, using promotional code WF5326]. The 12/30/04 Caribbean E-letter listed incomplete
information.