Sherman's Travel

Setting the stage for the erratic dance of the four most-recent tropical storms, the Atlantic has been a less-than-friendly cocoon for leisurely cruising in the last nine days. The hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 through November 30, has carved four more notches on its belt, blanketing coastal areas of prime cruise destinations such as Bermuda, the Caribbean islands, and the Eastern U.S. and Canada in hurricane warnings at breakneck speed. Cruises headed toward these regions are altering their course to err on the side of caution, some switching from the Eastern to the Western Caribbean, others idling in harbors longer than planned, and more still canceling port calls completely.

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Once the weather cools off in the temperate Northeast, take to the shimmering waters of Florida and the Bahamas for a relaxing, 7-night cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line, priced from just $399 per person. For less than $60/night this idyllic, round-trip sailing departs from chilly New York, sojourning in sunny Port Canaveral before calling on Great Stirrup Cay (a private island and snorkeling mecca), and last, the brilliant beaches of Nassau.

THE VALUE: NCL defines the Freestyle Cruising mantra, offering a massive array of activity, dining, and entertainment options, with the freedom to participate in all or none. Between captivating casinos, bowling alleys, luxurious golf courses, beautiful destinations, and so much more, the ships resemble some of the most sophisticated cities around the world.

THE CATCH: Pack some layers for the first few days onboard, as the ship will still be sailing through cooler temperatures.

THE DETAILS: The lead price point is valid on the following upcoming departures in 2010: Oct. 31, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, and Dec. 12. Click here to visit the NCL promo page and browse the cruise deals to view this offer.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out the Mexico Cruise Deals page for other tropical escapes.

Not in New York? Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find cheap flights.

These are the ShermansTravel producers’ favorite Daily Deals from this week. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay on the Las Vegas Strip, check out the 2-year-old Trump International which towers 64 stories above the Strip and bills itself as a sophisticated, nongaming hotel. Through September 2, Sherman’s readers can score a one-bedroom suite for $139/night and receive a $50 credit for use at The Spa at Trump (good for any service costing $150 or more), two cocktails at H2(EAU) each day, and a 4 p.m. checkout.

DirectAir has brought back its Family Ties Sale in which customers can purchase flight certificates (tickets) on any of DirectAir’s routes without passenger names, dates, or destinations for a total cost of $159, taxes, reservation, and convenience fees included! When purchasing the certificates, customers can schedule trips at their convenience, deciding later whether to visit destinations like Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls, Orlando, New York, and Chicago.

Minutes from South Beach, the sleek, 205-guestroom Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove overlooks tropical Biscayne Bay. Rates start from just $159 per night, featuring a complimentary fourth night, free daily breakfast, and WiFi. All rooms have a 42-inch, wall-mounted LCD television, king-sized bed, and granite vanities and countertops. Taxes and gratuities not included. 

DirectAir has brought back its Family Ties Sale in which customers can purchase flight certificates (tickets) on any of DirectAir’s routes without passenger names, dates, or destinations for a total cost of $159, taxes, reservation, and convenience fees included!  By purchasing these blank certifications, customers can schedule trips at their convenience, deciding later whether to visit destinations like Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls, Orlando, New York, and Chicago. DirectAir has granted fliers total freedom in a world where traveling is otherwise filled with restrictions and red tape. To sweeten the deal DirectAir has also announced new service to West Palm Beach, Florida, which is included in the Family Ties Sale.

THE VALUE: When you couple the $159 price tag and total customer flexibility with no blackout dates and the ability to purchase up to 20 vouchers, the value is one for the books!

THE CATCH: Unfortunately, DirectAir’s flight routes are limited. Take a look at their flight schedule.

THE DETAILS: Tickets must be purchased by August 10 for travel between September 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, depending on departure and arrival cities. To book your flight, visit www.directair.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Can’t find the flight you’re looking for? Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the flight you want.

Visit our Hotel Deals Page to book a hotel during your vacation.

Hop to it — these sales end tonight at midnight! Not to be outdone, American Airlines and Delta launched similar sales to the JetBlue one, offering flights as low as $39 one-way. For American, Dallas/Ft. Worth seems to be the lowest-priced destination, so if you’ve got friends or family there, now is the time to see them. According to our Dallas Travel Guide, it has the largest arts district in the nation. Other steals are Pittsburgh to NYC (JFK) for $44 and L.A. to Vegas for $49.  Delta’s lowest fares start at $44 one way, and some notable deals are Phoenix to NYC (JFK) for $154; NYC to Tampa for $94; and L.A. to Sydney, Australia for $429.

THE VALUE: Some more sample fares from American…

• San Francisco to L.A.: $49
• Chicago to Atlanta: $69
• N.Y. (JFK) to Miami: $94
• Atlanta to Chicago: $69

More sample fares from Delta…

• L.A. to Ft. Lauderdale: $109
• Minneapolis to N.Y. (LGA): $119
• N.Y. (LGA) to Dublin, Ireland: $229
• Detroit to Denver: $114

THE CATCH: Catch ‘em now while you can. All sales are for fall travel; check out the blackout dates per destination.

THE DETAILS: For Delta, travel is valid in most cases from Aug. 17-Nov. 17. For American, travel now through Nov. 17.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out all our Flight Deals.

Get the latest jet-set news from our Savvy Flyer Blog. 

SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury Best known as a winter ski destination, Telluride attracts the active crowd in summer, too, with activities like hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. The 95-room Capella Telluride serves as an excellent base for outdoor pursuits, providing plush amenities for tired bodies like pillow-top mattresses and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. When you’ve had your fill of nature for the day, indulge in the Alpine-inspired spa, dine on locally-sourced dishes at the Onyx Restaurant, or sample a local microbrew at the Suede Bar. Read more

Park City, Utah, isn’t just for skiers — in the off-season, it offers loads of outdoor activities like hiking, fly-fishing and horseback riding. Nearby Newpark Resort serves as a great jumping-off point for exploring the 300 miles of trails and the nature preserve that’s practically the resort’s backyard. An ideal family destination, Newpark Town Center has shopping for moms, a state-of-the-art rec center for kids, and golf for dads. This offer slices the resort’s nightly rates down to $82 for a Deluxe Hotel Room, but one- and two-bedroom suites as well as townhomes are available.

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Life really is all about making an entrance. Be it a board meeting or a backyard BBQ, one should always enter with style. Same goes with your vacation destination. 

The people at the Six Sense Hideaway at Zighy Bay in Oman could not agree more. Part of the eco-conscious Six Senses Hideaway family, Zighy Bay resort has a couple of ways to get you to the front desk. Guests have a choice of arrival experiences after picking you up at the airport, which include a scenic fifteen-minute speed boat trip or a drive down from the top of the hill overlooking the bay. But, for the ultimate in dramatic entrances, and an extra charge, guests can strap themselves to a professional paraglider and gracefully sail down to the resorts front steps. 

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