Sherman's Travel

The Luxury Situated on a private island in Turks and Caicos, a 35-minute boat ride from Provo, Parrot Cay is a favorite retreat for the rich and fabulous (odds are good you’ll encounter Keith Richards during your stay). The resort’s 71 rooms and villas sport four-poster beds, private sundecks, and free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of superlative spa services, free yoga and Pilates classes, and beachside water sports (like kayaking and windsurfing). If you’re planning a family vacation, note that kids eat free all summer.

The Value Through October 31, Parrot Cay is offering a “stay 4, pay 3” deal that brings starting rates down to $337.50/night. Even better, spend 7 nights at the resort and you’ll only pay for 5 – meaning rates start at just $321/night.

The Catch There are a limited number of rooms in the lowest price category.

The Details 877-754-0726; www.parrotcay.como.bz

For general trip-planning information, see our Turks and Caicos Travel Guide.

This is the time of year that nearly every spa resort set on a sunny Caribbean island begins to charge 30 percent more for the pleasure of helping you fend off seasonal affective disorder.

Not Kamalame Cay, a private island resort in the Bahamas, with just with 19 suites and a new overwater spa.

When you book now through February 2011, you can get 10 percent off on the peak-season accommodations (rates start at $395 per night, double occupancy) and a free spa treatment – like a Rosemary Citron Sea Salt Scrub, the Kamalame muscle-melting massage, or Sun Repair Facial.

To get the deal at booking, mention “Naturopathica,” the natural skincare range used in the spa treatments, which contain organic ingredients and results-oriented vitamins and peptides.

Like you’d expect, the treatment rooms at the Overwater Spa at Kamalame have glass windows in the floor, which allow you to take in the soul-soothing waves and ocean wildlife during your massage – features usually only available via iPod soundtrack.

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

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.

An impressive value on the high seas, the Celebrity Mercury hosts nine days of tropical revelry with a southern twist, starting from an unheard-of $549 per person, with up to $75 credit. Departing Baltimore on December 11, the vessel first docks in – surprise – glamorous Charleston, S.C., before sailing to Florida’s beautiful reef in Key West. Then, after treating passengers to a perfect Bahamas beach day in Nassau, the Mercury sidles up to its final port, private island and snorkeling mecca, CocoCay.

THE VALUE: Upgrade to an ocean view cabin for just $50 more.

THE CATCH: Baltimore winter is no stranger to below-zero temperatures, so pack some layers along with those board shorts.  

THE DETAILS: Visit www.cruisedeals.com to book.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out more Bahamas and Bermuda cruises.

Read our Bahamas Travel Guide.

Use our Travel Search comparison tool to find a flight deal to Baltimore.

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.

Luxury beachfront villas tucked away in remote oases are known to bait Paris Hilton and her officious paparazzi, but starting June 15, the rest of us can get our pictures taken too. Wimco Villas’ 72-hour Caribbean villa sale features savings of up to 50 percent on weeklong (or longer) bookings, in addition to a free car rental (worth $400), with rates as low as $92 per bedroom, per night, for star-studded, five-bedroom accommodations in Anguilla.
 
THE VALUE: Receive free round-trip airfare from Barbados when booking a villa on the private island of Mustique.

THE CATCH: Weeklong bookings are required. 

THE DETAILS: Visit www.wimco.com between 10 a.m. on June 15 and 1 p.m., June 18, EST, to book a villa. Travel through December 14.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out other Luxury Hotel Deals.

Check out our Caribbean Flight Deals page, or enter your dates in our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on airfare.

Read our Caribbean Travel Guide.

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.

Over the past few weeks, more “epic” news has been pouring out of Norwegian Cruise Line. The company’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay (located 120 miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale), will undergo a major renovation that carries with it a price tag of $20 million. The 250-acre island will see extended beaches, a new kid’s area, volleyball courts, and private beachside cabanas. New excursions such as kayak tours, stingray encounters, wave runners, an eco-cruise (on a man-made island, naturally), and a floating Aqua Park will also be introduced.

As more snippets are being released about the Norwegian Epic, it’s obvious that the ship will be living up to its name. In addition to its announcement that Epic will carry the largest spa at sea, the cruise line also revealed a new dinner show concept that will debut in June. Cirque Dreams and Dinner is a two-hour circus-style performance combined with Broadway-style techniques brought right to your table. The show is presented by Cirque Productions, and features soaring acrobats, musicians, and contortionists. NCL is even building a circus tent to host the performances in, which is being dubbed the first Big Top at sea.

For more information, visit www.ncl.com.

THE LUXURY Itineraries for Blue Lagoon Cruises maximize Fiji’s remote appeal. Passengers spend only a few hours each day at sea aboard the 70-passenger Fiji Princess, and the rest anchored in isolated lagoons. Enroute to the Yasawa Islands, the six-night Gold Club sailing includes visits to traditional Fijian villages where guests are greeted with an ancient welcoming ceremony. Back on deck, tropically inflected dinners are accompanied by live island music. The trip fi nishes
up with a visit to the private island of Nanuya Lailai, where guests can snorkel, kayak, or simply enjoy the secluded oasis.
THE VALUE Sherman’s Travel readers will save 30 percent on all three- to six-night itineraries through April 30 booked by March 15. With the discount, the price for the six-night Gold Club cruise starts at $2,171 a person.
THE CATCH Airfare to Fiji, which runs at least $1,100 round-trip from the West Coast or $1,400 from the East Coast, is not included.
THE DETAILS Call 877/252-3454 (mention code 30%OFFALLST), or visit www.bluelagooncruises.com.

From the February/March issue of Sherman’s Travel Magazine.

The late Marlon Brando envisioned building a luxury eco-resort on his own private island of Tetiaroa, a French Polynesian atoll about 35 miles from Tahiti. With the help of friend and Tahiti Beachcomber CEO, Richard Bailey, the new resort, dubbed The Brando, will open in 2011 and will feature 47 bungalow villas, all with private plunge pools, and, most importantly, will utilize eco-friendly practices. Construction began with the building of a platform over the surrounding coral reef to provide island access without damaging the reef and environment.  Another smart feature the resort will introduce is a “sea water air conditioning” system (SWAC) which will use a deap-sea pipe to draw cold water from the ocean and then use it to chill the air in the hotel, in turn having zero impact on the environment. A conscious that can rest easy while lounging on the Godfather’s prized property – now, that’s an offer we can’t refuse.

An exclusive private island retreat is yours for the taking with this outstanding special on offer from the Peter Island Resort and Spa. Located just five miles south of Tortola, this award-winning British Virgin Island resort provides couples and beach-lovers with the chance to unwind on 1,800 acres of secluded tropical landscape. Simply book a seven-night stay and you’ll receive nearly 30 percent off the regular rates for rooms – a discount that adds up to two free nights. Starting at just $422/night, this all-inclusive island package includes accommodations in an oceanview guestroom with a patio or private balcony, and all meals and resort activities. Guests can take advantage of complimentary sailing and snorkeling excursions, free mountain bike and kayak rentals, and daily tours to learn about local island facts, history and pirate folklore. Don’t miss the sunset in the distance over nearby St. John’s and Norman Island – a magical setting that’s accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. This offer is available for travel from July 7 through October 31, but book soon for the best availability.