Sherman's Travel

Nothing staves off those post-holiday, cold-weather blahs quite like planning a beach vacation. Breezes Resorts and Spas is offering savings of up to 55 percent off at six of its properties in the Bahamas (Breezes Bahamas), Jamaica (Breezes Runaway Bay,  Breezes Grand Negril, or Breezes Trelawny), Curaçao (Breezes Curaçao), and Brazil (Breezes Búzios) for travelers who book by February 15 for travel between May 1 and October 31. The chain’s all-inclusive rates include accommodations, all meals at multiple dining venues, unlimited premium-brand drinks, numerous land and water sports offerings, entertainment, and more.

THE VALUE: Savings range from 25 to 55 percent off of rack rates, working out to as low as $68 per person, per night. You’ll secure the most highly discounted rates by booking ahead for travel in August or September.

THE CATCH: A minimum 3-night stay is required.

THE DETAILS: To book, visit www.breezes.com or call 877-273-3937.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more travel deals.

We’ve seen our fair share of unique hotel design elements, but the sheer number and grandiosity of on-property hotel aquariums took us by surprise. While some are in locations where you might expect to find elaborate shrines to the local ocean flora and fauna – Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Philippines – mega-aquariums have turned up in some unexpected places, like central Berlin and midtown Manhattan. A pair of Vegas showstoppers, a duo of Florida hideaways, and a monstrous aquatic playground only possible in everything-to-the-extreme Dubai round out our list of the largest and most extravagant. And unlike the tanks you may have encountered during grade school field trips, these 10 hotel aquariums aren’t just for pressing your nose against the glass: Some allow guests to plunge right in through scuba or snorkeling sessions, stingray feedings, or dolphin encounters. So take it from us – it really is better down where it’s wetter, under the (artificial) sea! Check out our Top 10 Hotel Aquariums to get a sneak peek of these watery wonders.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more travel deals.

Ring in 2012 from the high seas with this roundup of priced-to-go cruise deals on Carnival. We’ve found six sailings to warm-weather destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico embarking from a trio of destinations in Florida (Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami), San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charleston, and New Orleans. Set sail for four to six nights, with rates working out to as low as $104/night, and savings to as high as 65 percent off brochure rates. Book now while everybody else is distracted with holiday preparations and have yet to set their sights on New Year’s Eve plans – these low fares are bound to spike in the weeks to come, when latecomers start scrambling for quick New Year’s getaways. Read more

Take a break from your holiday shopping to book one of these amazing Cyber Monday hotel deals, with rates up to 60 percent off!

• Loews Hotel: Get 20 percent off at 15 hotels, with rates from $104. Available all day today.
• British Colonial Hilton, Bahamas: With rates from $129/night, you’ll save 30 percent on stays December 10-23. Sale ends today!
• Fairmont Mayakoba: This Five Diamond Riviera Maya hotel is on sale for $199/night.
• Z NYC: This brand new hotel will offer rates of $128/night on the 28th of the month for the first six months of 2012. Hurry! You can only book from 12:00pm to 12:28pm today!
• Kura Hulanda Resorts, Curacao: Get the third night free at one of two luxury properties on the island.
• Viceroy Palm Springs: Facebook fans of the hotel can score rates of $75/night, plus some stellar perks.
• Charles Hotel, Boston: The Four Diamond Boston property is slashing rates 50 percent, to start at $99/night. The low rates are only bookable between 11:28am and 12:29:28pm.
• Hotel Thirty Thirty, NYC: Stay at this Midtown NYC hotel for just $129/night. The sale ends Tuesday.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.

Take advantage of one more Black Friday Sale! Book a stay at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas this winter with rooms starting at just $129 per night. This saves you 30% on the hotel’s current rates.

This sale takes place between November 25–28 for travel from December 10–23.

Situated on the site of Old Fort Nassau, the British Colonial Hilton in the Bahamas is an ideal island getaway during the stressful holiday season.  Whether at the hotel’s 300-foot long private beach, freshwater pool with harbor views, or expansive sundeck with lounge chairs and umbrellas, travelers will enjoy ultimate relaxation.  Guests looking for more adventure can take advantage of kayak and snorkel gear and organized excursions like island exploring, golf, and scuba diving.

The hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation throughout all areas, and boasts a marble-tiled lobby, luxurious guest rooms with harbor or island views, and both an on-site restaurant and bar.

THE VALUE: Save 30% on current rates at this idyllic island getaway.

THE CATCH: You can only book this deal from Black Friday through Cyber Monday – November 25 through 28, 2011.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/nassau between November 25-28 to reserve your room.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals to the Bahamas.

For general trip-planning information, see our Bahamas Travel Guide.

Budget airline darling JetBlue has noticed those temps dropping, and they’re not leaving us out in the cold. The airline – currently the largest carrier in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic – is rolling out a bevy of new flights this week from New York City-area hubs that will have travelers lifting off to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica all winter long (and beyond). Plus, they’ll launch their inaugural flight between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten, providing a wallet-friendly new Caribbean island-hopping option in the region. Read on for the latest, and claim a sun, surf, and sand vacation from just $39 one-way, plus enter for a chance to win a JetBlue Getaways vacation, or nab a promotion to have your surfboard tag along on your next vacation fee-free. Read more

A long-time cruise specialist, my aunt Sheila was the first person in the travel industry whom I recall using the term “floating city” to refer to both a ship’s physical size as well as the remarkable depth of things to see and do aboard an ocean liner.

In a way, that term helps shape an important travel-planning question for your family vacation: If you want to take your kids on a cruise, you’ll naturally look hard at the cruise line’s overall reputation. But you’ll also want to factor in which “city” – aka, which ship within any given cruise line – has both a good reputation and the specific attractions and activities that suit your family best.

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If you have a thing for H2O – you love to be near it, in it, over it, or under it – here’s a sampling of some of the unique water-centric features of a variety of resort and cruise ship spas in the U.S. and around the globe. All are located on or near the ocean as well, so it’s water, water everywhere!

Deep Ocean Spa, Bora Bora: If you are planning a romantic getaway or honeymoon, consider the exotic South Pacific island of Bora Bora, where The Deep Ocean Spa at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (shown above at left) is a water-lovers’ fantasy come true. Features include overwater treatment rooms with glass panels in the floor so you can spy on fish as your back is massaged, and an al fresco hydrotherapy circuit filled with mineral-rich sea water pumped from 3,000 feet below the Pacific. Rooms from $670, treatments from $108.

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Did summer manage to slip away before you had a chance to plan that little getaway? No need to dismay – we’ve dug up a trio of short-and-sweet sailings embarking next month that are primed for quick weekend escapes to either the Bahamas or just for some well-spent R&R days at sea on “cruise to nowhere” itineraries. Departures are available from Miami; Norfolk, Virginia; and New York City and are priced as little as $149 for a two-night getaway – that’s just $75 per night, per person – and reflects a savings of up to 58 percent off brochure rates. Read more

Steal away to Grand Bahama Island – soon to be even easier to get to thanks to a host of new flights launching in November – for a chance to relax and play at Sunrise Resort & Marina. The resort’s 30 rooms and one suite all boast water views, fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Get out and explore the island with free bikes, snorkel gear, kayaks, and paddle boats. This fall, you’ll be able to double your fun: From September 1 through December 31, Sunrise is offering two-for-one rates on all hotel rooms (and marina slips, if you arrive by boat!).

THE VALUE: Rates start at just $105 for two nights.

THE CATCH: The travel period is prime hurricane season in the Bahamas. However, if your stay is affected by a storm Sunrise Resort will let you postpone your vacation for up to one year with the same low rates.

THE DETAILS: Find more info on the resort’s website, but you’ll need to call 800-932-4959 to book.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights to Grand Bahama Island.

For general trip-planning information, see our Bahamas Travel Guide.