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Weekly UpdatesMay 24, 2009
Brazil
At a special session of the Global Travel & Tourism Summit, held in Florianpolis, Brazil, from May 14 to 16 panelists agreed that, while the epidemic of the influenza virus A (H1N1) -- commonly known as swine flu -- had so far been relatively mild outside Mexico, its possible return in mutated form in the northern hemisphere winter remains a serious cause for concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) is not recommending travel restrictions, because it believes that limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the spread of the virus, but would be highly disruptive to the global community. www.wttc.org or www.globaltraveltourism.com May 21, 2009
Carnival Cruise Lines
The Port of San DiegoOs first year-round homeported cruise ship, Carnival Cruise LinesO 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, will resume its regularly scheduled Mexico voyages on June 18. The visits to Mexican ports of call were temporarily halted in late April because of the H1N1 flu virus and a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) against non-essential travel to Mexico. The CDC has lifted its recommendation against Mexico travel, and all Carnival vessels that originally visited there will return in the coming weeks. www.carnival.com, www.portofsandiego.org. May 21, 2009
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines hosted more than 2,100 fans of the pop music group New Kids on the Block during a three-day Bahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Imagination. The cruise kicked off the groupOs North American reunion tour, which will run through July. During the cruise, NKOTB fans enjoyed performances and meet-and-greet opportunities with the group. www.bookccl.com. May 19, 2009
Globus
The Globus family of brands is offering special prices on more than 20 vacations ranging from seven to 23 days to Central and South America. Until June 2 clients can receive USD 200 per person off the air-inclusive price of any 2009 Globus, Monograms or Avalon South American vacation. Some examples include the following: New Amazonia Voyage with Rio & Iguassu (10 days) [ETH] After arriving in Rio de Janeiro, clients will take a ride along the Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches to the Sugar Loaf Mountains where theyOll ascend by cable car and take in the spectacular city. TheyOll also visit the statute of Christ the Redeemer crowning Corcovao Mountain and experience a Samba show. In Iguassu Falls, clients will experience the falls and take an ecological jungle train before boarding a flight to BrazilOs Amazon. After exploring many sites of Manaus, clients will take a three-night, all-inclusive Amazon Cruise with excursions into the Amazon jungle, tributaries and local communities. Those wanting more time in the Amazon can extend their journey four nights. Priced from USD 4,056 (includes air from Miami and intra-tour flights). www.globusjourneys.com, www.monogramstravel.com. May 21, 2009
Jamaica
Many Jamaica hotels are offering family specials. Sunset Resorts is welcoming families for an all-inclusive vacation at savings of up to 35 percent for the entire family. The new Play in Paradise sale is available at the recently renovated Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Montego Bay, and the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ocho Rios. Rates start at USD 140 per person, per night, based on double occupancy, plus two children. The Play in Paradise Sale is valid for travel from June 7-Sept. 30. Visit www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com. www.visitjamaica.com. May 22, 2009
Mexico
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has revised its advice on Mexico, saying it no longer warns against "all but essential travel." The change comes after a decline in the number of people catching swine flu since its peak on April 26. The FCO said the World Health Organisation's Pandemic Threat Alert still remains at level 5. It also still reminds potential travellers of the Mexican Secretariat of Health's advice to avoid large crowds, shaking hands and kissing people as a greeting. www.fco.gov.uk May 18, 2009
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises reduced the single supplement for solo travelers on five- and 10-night Caribbean sailings on the MSC Poesia. Guests who book an interior, ocean-view, or balcony stateroom for one on select 2009-10 itineraries by May 31 can save 30 percent off the single supplement of 80 percent. This single supplement offer is applicable for categories 1-11 on the following itineraries from Fort Lauderdale: five-night OCaribbean EscapeO cruises departing Nov. 10 and Nov. 15 to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, single rate reduced from USD 718 to USD 599; 10-night ODazzling Dutch Caribbean & The Panama,O Nov. 20 to Curacao, Aruba, Cartagena, Cristobal, and Playa Del Carmen, USD 1,199; 10-night OTropical Splendors, European Charm,O Nov. 30 to San Juan, St. Kitts, Barbados, Martinique, St. Maarten and Nassau, USD 1,124; and 10-night ORemarkable Rainforests & the Panama Canal,O Dec. 10 to Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Cristobal, Puerto Limon, and Playa Del Carmen, USD 1,124. www.msccruisesusa.com. May 19, 2009
Palace Passport,
Palace Passport, which represents up to a USD 1,000 value; a USD 200 golf and spa summer special, free kids summer promotion; free sort fishing at Isla Mujeres Palace; and free scuba diving at Cozumel Palace. All of the offers can be combined during each getaway. Palace Resorts is covering a portion of the airfare cost with the new air credit promotion. Guests traveling to any Palace Resort in Mexico that book now through June 30, 2009 and travel now through Sept. 30, 2009 will receive a USD 100 air credit per room, per stay when staying three or four nights, a USD 200 air credit per room, per stay when staying five or six nights and a USD 400 air credit per room, per stay when staying seven or more nights. This credit is available to all guests and will be applied to the total cost of the stay. Valued at up to USD 1,000 per stay, the Palace Passport is available to all guests who stay three-nights or more, now through Dec. 23, 2009, at all of the 12 Palace Resorts throughout Mexico and the Dominican Republic. www.palaceresorts.com. May 22, 2009
Palau
A naturally eco-friendly destination, Palau now boasts a new eco-tour, which was introduced March 31. The new Sense of Wonder ECO Tour is an environmental and education program supported by the Ebill Society in the Ngarchelong state. The tour includes kayaking through the mangrove forests, nature games and a tour through PalauOs many historical remains, to name a few of the features. The tour includes close encounters with PalauOs endemic plants and animals; lessons on cultural legends; tours of historical remains such as stone monoliths; and a Palauan lunch. isebong@hawaii.edu or visit www.Dolphinspacific.com or www.visit-palau.blogspot.com or www.visit-palau.com. May 21, 2009
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are more accessible now through the first and only locally based reservation service focused exclusively on Turks and Caicos resorts, hotels, villas and other attractions. The services, collectively called DiscoverTCI, are being launched and run by Wired Island, Ltd, a local marketing agency, and include a multi-faceted website (www.discovertci.com), live-chat, a custom-designed, real-time booking engine, and toll-free phone numbers for North American and European tourists. www.wiredislandtci.com. May 21, 2009
ZZ AirGuide 090525
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