Norwegian Cruise Lines Launches The Epic

During the first few days of July, I was in New York City as a passenger aboard the maiden voyage of Norwegian Cruise Line's massive new cruise ship, called the Epic. It's truly an incredible ship that's an ideal way for singles, couples and families alike to enjoy a memorable high seas adventure.

Throughout the next year or so, the Epic will be sailing throughout the Caribbean and departing from Miami. Not only is this one of the largest cruise ships in existence, it also offers one of the largest selections of activities for people of all ages. Starting with the offerings for kids, Epic features supervised, camp-like activities, plus a variety of shows, dining options and activities featuring popular Nickelodeon characters.

Oh, and the ship features several massive water slides as part of a water park aboard the ship, which includes multiple swimming pools. For teens, Epic has a unique and nicely equipped teen club, in addition to family-friendly cabins and dining options.

For adults, Epic is the ultimate playground on the ocean. Just some of the activities include a casino, bowling allies, an incredibly large workout/gym facility, a world-class spa (the largest on any ship), an ice skating rink, 33-foot-tall rock climbing wall, multiple shops, more than 20 restaurants, plus 20 bars and nightclubs. On the ship you'll also find Ice Bar, which is actually made of solid ice and kept at a chilly 17-degrees Fahrenheit.

Aboard the 4,100-passenger vessel, you'll also plenty of nightly entertainment, including live music, comedy featuring the Second City comedy troupe, plus performances by Blue Man Group and Cirque Dreams. Having seen Blue Man Group in New York City, Orlando, Boston and Las Vegas already, I was a bit disappointed that the Blue Man Group performance offered aboard the ship is identical to what’s offered in these other cities. It would have been nice to see the cast alter the show just a bit when presenting it aboard it’s newest home on the Epic.

The accommodations aboard the ship are ultra-contemporary, very comfortable, spacious and nicely equipped. There are many different categories of cabins, including several designed specifically for families with kids and teens. The ship is also the first to offer specially priced cabins for single travelers, as well as an entire section of suites for those seeking the ultimate in high seas luxury. Of the 2,114 cabins, staterooms and massive suites, 1,427 of them feature private balconies.

Overall, Epic is an extremely impressive ship that is staffed by an extremely attentive and experienced 1,700+ person crew. Like most cruise ships, however, Epic offers passengers many up-sells and extras once aboard. Plan on spending at least several hundred dollars per person extra during a seven day cruise if you want to experience any of the more than 10 premium dining experiences, some of the onboard entertainment, treatments at the spa, or gamble at the casino, for example. Alcoholic beverages and some other drinks are also extra, as are the land excursions available at the various ports-of-call. You'll also be charged extra to access the Internet, to shop aboard the ship, and to purchase professional photos taken of all passengers during each cruise.

If you budget for these extras, however, the cruise experience that awaits you aboard the Epic is superior to anything else that NCL and many of the other cruise lines currently have to offer. As soon as you book your cruise, take advantage of NCL's website to pre-book your premium dining, entertainment, spa treatments and shore excursions well in advance to insure you're not shut out of the activities you're interested in experiencing during your cruise.

Having experienced the ship myself firsthand, I was very impressed. One thing families in particular should be aware of, however, is that within the majority of the cabins, the toilet and shower are separated from the main living space using smoked glass partitions and a curtain, which does not allow for total privacy.

As soon as your cruise begins, spend your first few hours after boarding exploring the 1,080 foot long, 19 deck, 153,000 ton ship, so you can see firsthand all that's offered, and so you don't miss out on anything.

To learn more about the Epic and its upcoming 7-day cruise itineraries, which includes the Eastern Caribbean (Miami, Nassau, St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and Western Caribbean (Miami, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan), visit www.NCL.com or call (888) 625-2784. Any travel agent that specializes in cruises can also help you plan your vacation aboard the Epic.

St. Kitts Is An Excellent Caribbean Vacation Destination

I just returned from a wonderful visit to St. Kitts, and was pleasantly surprised at just how much this relatively small Caribbean island has to offer for vacationers.

Direct flights to St. Kitts are available from Miami and San Juan via several major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, plus it's a popular port-of-call with the major cruise lines.

If you're planning to fly to and stay on St. Kitts for several days, and want to experience a top-notch, full-service resort that offers a wide range of activities, superior accommodations, multiple restaurants, several swimming pools, a nicely equipped day spa, an 18-hole golf course, a casino, plus an incredible view of the ocean, you'll want to book your reservations at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort (869-466-1200, www.stkittsmarriott.com).

This is the largest, most modern and most well-rounded resort on the island. It's perfect for families, honeymooners, couples and even single travelers looking for a tropical getaway.

Throughout St. Kitts, however, you'll also find a handful of boutique hotels and inns, but unlike the majority of other Caribbean islands, St. Kitts is not overbuilt with countless hotels and resorts, which really adds to the charm of this beautiful and tropical vacation destination.

Once you arrive at St. Kitts, you'll have no trouble finding plenty to do. The island has both white and black sandy beaches, plenty of duty-free shopping, many historical sites to explore, plus countless land and water based activities - from scuba diving and snorkeling, to boating, hiking, zip-lining, biking, casinos, day spas, tennis, and truly gorgeous oceanfront golf courses.

If you shop around, you can find great airfare deals, plus deeply discounted accommodation deals when planning your St. Kitts vacation. However, once you arrive, unless you purchase an all-inclusive package, you'll probably find the cost of meals, activities and most items to be a bit on the high side. (This was the only negative thing I discovered on the island.)

Families will enjoy staying at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort because of the on-property activities, including a supervised Kids Club and multiple swimming pools, plus a beach that young people will love. Meanwhile, adults will appreciate the gourmet cuisine served here, as well as the spa, golf course, tennis courts and casino, not to mention the multiple bars (several of which feature nightly live entertainment).

Outside of the resort, there are several public beaches on St. Kitts, including the popular Reggae Beach, which offers swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, boating, a great outdoor cafe/bar, plus a resident monkey, goat and giant pig (named Wilbur) that kids can interact with and feed.

If you enjoy hiking (and you're in top physical shape), consider experiencing the 2.5 mile trek up Mount Liamuiga. You'll hike through a lush rain forest be be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the island and coastline when you reach the top. (Keep in mind, you also have to hike back down on sometimes rugged terrain.) It's a challenging hike, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes, you're dressed appropriately, and bring along plenty of bottled water.

Also, don't even think about hiking up Mt. Liamuiga without a tour guide! Some of the best tour guides on the island are employed by Greg's Safaris (869-465-4121, www.gregsafaris.com). Not only will they help you plan an exciting, full-day hike up one of the island's tallest mountains, but Greg's Safaris offers a wide range of other tours and guided activities on the island that are suitable for people of all ages.

On your own, if you enjoy seeing historical sites, Brimstone Hill is an ancient fort that is extremely interesting to explore, plus you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the coastline from several directions. The fort is located on the top of an 800-foot-tall mountain (which you can drive up to). This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which people of all ages will enjoy visiting and exploring on foot.

Another really fun activity offered on St. Kitts is zip-lining through the Kittitian rainforest. It's offered by Sky Safari Tours (869-466-4259, www.skysafaristkitts.com). People of all ages can enjoy zip-lining, which is very safe, and far less scary than riding a roller coaster. The views are amazing, yet the ride along the zip line is smooth.

While I'm personally not a fan of duty-free shopping in the Caribbean, mainly because you can often find better deals for jewelry and designer watches, for example, online, you will find plenty of duty-free shopping on St. Kitts. Good deals can be found on alcohol and tobacco products.

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to St. Kitts. The food and water quality at the resorts and many of the restaurants was top-notch, plus the resort offered cable television (with virtually all U.S. programming), plus reliable high-speed Internet access. These are amenities you won't find at many Caribbean destinations.

In a nutshell, St. Kitts has become one of my all-time favorite destinations in the Caribbean, and it's certainly a destination you should consider when planning your next tropical getaway. This is also a great place to host a destination wedding or to visit for a honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion. Regardless of why you're visiting, you can't go wrong staying at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

All photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

St. Lucia - A Wonderful Vacation Destination in the Caribbean

While I've had the opportunity to travel to most of the Caribbean in recent years, only a few destinations have stuck out in my mind as being favorites, and one of those destinations in St. Lucia. The island was absolutely beautiful, the locals are incredibly friendly, plus there were so many exciting and memorable things to do.

Direct flights to St. Lucia are affordable, and available from several East Coast cities, including New York City and Miami. Plus, you can choose from a wide range of resort (and all-inclusive resort accommodations) at various price points. The thing to remember, however, is that you should always be on the lookout for money-saving packages or special promotions when visiting any Caribbean destination, such as St. Lucia. Simply by searching the web, you can easily find incredible deals at places like the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa (866-978-6226, www.cbayresort.com).

With its 254 guest rooms and suites, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is truly an all-inclusive resort destination. Yes, everything - including activities, all dining, drinks, access to the private beach and pools, entertainment, etc.) is really included (with very few up-charges or additional fees). The resort offers an amazing kids program, multiple swimming pools, a gorgeous private beach, tennis, an entire building dedicated exclusively to adult accommodations (plus a separate building with family-friendly accommodations), a lovely spa, several on-property fine-dining restaurants, plus plenty of on-property and nearby activities. All of the resort's buildings are also wired with Wi-Fi, and the guest rooms have cable TV.

Another great thing about this resort is its proximity to the airport. While many of the resorts on St. Lucia are located up to a one hour drive from the airport, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is located about five minutes from the airport. So, you can literally get off the airplane, collect your luggage, and be on the beach or sunbathing at the pool in well under an hour.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is a beautiful, three-star resort. It's not over-the-top luxurious, but it is extremely clean, comfortable and very nicely equipped, plus the service is top-notch. Up until about five years ago, the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa was a Club Med property, however, it's now under new ownership. Over the past few years, the resort has undergone massive renovations, and new additions are constantly being added.

This is a great family-friendly destination, or a perfect destination wedding or honeymoon resort. Thanks to the function space, it can also be used for business meetings or retreats.

One of the really special things about Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is that it's home to 2 Elements - a kite-surfing and windsurfing school that's one of the very best in the world. In fact, the exact location where this resort is located is considered one of the world's top kite surfing hot spots, because of the perfect combination of wind, water and beaches.

If you want to learn how to kite surf, expert private instruction is available. Plan on investing about 10 hours during a five day period into lessons (at an additional cost of $400.00), after which you will be able to kite surf! This is one of the few resorts in the world that has its own kite surfing school right on the premises. If you're not sure this sport is for you, you can sign up for a free kite surfing introductory lesson, or watch expert kite surfers do their thing right from the resort's private beach.

When you're ready to explore St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa has teamed up with a handful of top-notch local tour operators, for sightseeing, scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, off-roading on an ATV, windsurfing, bicycling, boating, and zip lining - all of which are available on St. Lucia (within a 5 to 30 minute drive from the resort). And, if you sign up for a tour through the resort, all transportation is arranged on your behalf.

In terms of sightseeing, St. Lucia offers some incredible places to visit, from historic fishing villages, to a tropical rainforest. There are also mineral baths and sulphur springs, a volcano, incredible water falls, a wildlife preserve, the Piton mountains, and botanical gardens, all of which are well worth visiting.

As you plan a trip to St. Lucia, you'll definitely want to spend at least five to seven days here, so choosing an all-inclusive resort, like Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, makes perfect financial sense when it comes to planning the budget for your trip, since you know the majority of your food, drinks and on-property activities will be included. If you're traveling with kids, they'll absolutely love the Kids Klub, which offers supervised camp-like activities, an on-property water park, plus a playground (all included in the resort's all-inclusive price.)

To find the best deals for the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, check their website, or visit one of the popular online travel services, like Hotwire.com or Travelocity.com. Discounts on accommodations, guest room upgrades, and free resort credits, are among the special deals you'll find online.

Compared to all of the other potential Caribbean destinations you can visit, St. Lucia is definitely one of the very best and most affordable. Yet, the accommodations, food, service, and selection of activities are all excellent. It really is the perfect, tropical destination for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a honeymoon or even a destination wedding. So, if you're thinking about taking a trip to the Caribbean, seriously consider St. Lucia as your destination. You won't be disappointed!

Photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) Offers The Perfect Weekend or Week-Long Getaway

I am currently visiting St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands) as a guest of the lovely Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa (340-777-7100). I arrived last night and have spent a fun-filled day today exploring the resort and enjoying its many amenities and activities.

One great thing about this resort is that it is all-inclusive and offers all of the services and amenities you could ask for, including a private beach, tennis courts, multiple swimming pools, an incredible ocean view (overlooking St. John and Tortola), several restaurants, a casino, a day spa, a putt-putt golf course, and a supervised kids' club.

At the resort's private beach/pool area, you'll find all kinds of water-based activities (most of which are included), such as snorkeling, sail boats, and paddle boats. Jet skis and scuba diving are available, but for an additional fee.

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa here in St. Thomas operates as a traditional resort hotel (you can pay by the night), but I'd recommend taking advantage of the all-inclusive option during your stay. Not only will this help you manage trip costs, it also offers convenience and significant savings (all-you-can-eat meals are included).

St. Thomas is a Caribbean island, 32-square-miles in size. It's part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is comprised of 50+ islands located about 40 miles west of Puerto Rico (1,100 miles southeast from Miami and 1,500 miles from New York City).

While vacationers feel like they're visiting a foreign country that's tropical and exotic, St. Thomas is an English speaking island which is considered a self-governing unincorporated U.S. territory. In other words, the U.S. dollar is accepted here and American citizens do not need a U.S. Passport to visit.

In addition to its tropical location, the weather is what attracts many vacationers here. Throughout the year, the average temperature is in the 80s. The peak season to visit St. Thomas is between November and June, however, it offers a great weekend getaway throughout the year. Multiple major U.S. airlines (including U.S. Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines) fly from popular U.S. cities directly to St. Thomas, so getting here is easy.

Plus, St. Thomas offers plenty of duty-free shopping, so if you're looking to purchase jewelry for a designer watch, for example, this is a great place to come for a bargain. During the peak season, multiple cruise ships dock here on a daily basis. However, many of the resorts and hotels, including the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, are located on the opposite side of the island (about a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride away).

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa is an ideal vacation destination for families, since the resort is very kid and teen friendly. However, this resort also caters to people wishing to have a memorable destination wedding or honeymoon. Wedding and honeymoon planners are on-site, since the resort hosts over 100 weddings per year.

If you're looking to visit the Caribbean, St. Thomas offers something for everyone, plus it's affordable and easy to get to. (Anyone with a U.S. cell phone will have full-service here, without having to pay international roaming charges. Plus, high-speed Internet access is readily available.)

When you're planning a visit to St. Thomas, be sure to experience some of the water-based activities - whether you opt for jet skiing, motor boating, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing or sailing. These activities can be coordinated through the resorts and hotels. There are also a handful of attractions worth visiting, such as Coral World (a small but interesting marine life park), and the St. Thomas Skyride (which offers an amazing view of the island).

If you're not a certified scuba diver, but wish to see incredible underwater marine life, consider experiencing BOSS (Breathing Observation Submersible Scooters), which are available on St. Thomas in the Havensight and Crown Bay areas (340-777-3549 / www.bossusvi.com). These are personal underwater motor scooters which you literally drive along the ocean floor. No diving or swimming experience is necessary. The experience is truly unique and is much more exciting than snorkeling. Check out the company's website for details about this very unique and fun activity. By the way, St. Thomas offers amazing snorkeling and scuba diving, even for people who have never tried these activities.

For more information about St. Thomas, visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism's website at www.usvitourism.vi or call (800) 372-USVI.

Below are some photos from my visit to St. Thomas...

All images (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Passport Reminder

Starting June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. Passport to travel aboard - including to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. 

This new rules apply whether you're driving, flying or taking a cruise. A driver's license and birth certificate is no longer acceptable when traveling abroad.

I wrote an article about the new passport regulations for the New York Daily News, so be sure to check it out before your next trip. Click Here to read the article. 

You can also visit The U.S. Department of State's website by clicking here. If you need to obtain a new passport or renew an old passport, be sure to allow between four and six weeks for processing. Otherwise, you'll have to pay hefty rush charges to obtain a passport in a timely manner.

Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay in the Dominican Republic Offers The Ultimate Caribbean Getaway

If you're looking for an up-scale, ultra-luxurious, extremely beautiful, modern, well-equipped and easy-to-reach Caribbean resort getaway, check out Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay (888-442-2262) in the Dominican Republic.

Designed by Oscar de la Renta, this resort offers a stunning oceanfront setting, plus all of the amenities and activities you could ask for - from multiple golf courses, to horseback riding, water sports, boating, a spa, a well-equipped fitness center, tennis courts, and eight fine-dining restaurants.

Tortuga Bay is an ultra-exclusive resort within the larger Puntacana Resort. It includes only 15 one, two, three or four bedroom villas (just steps from the beach) which offer privacy, security and five-star luxury, plus plenty of modern amenities.

Located in the Dominican Republic, Puntacana Resort & Club's Tortuga Bay is situated on 15,000 acres of private land located less than 10 minutes from the world's only privately-owned international airport.

Direct flights to Punta Cana are offered by several major airlines from a handful of east coast cities. From New York's JFK Airport, for example, the direct flight takes under four hours. (It's as easy as flying from New York to Florida or Puerto Rico, for example.) Guests of Toruga Bay are literally met at their airplane's door upon landing and escorted to their villa in under 20 minutes.

Toruga Bay is a perfect honeymoon destination or a wonderful place for adults to go for a romantic and fun-filled getaway. It's also a great vacation destination for serious golfers, as well as ideal for families traveling with kids and teens. A wide range of family-friendly activities, services and amenities are offered on-property. The secluded white sandy beaches create a beautiful, tropical setting which is nicely combined with immaculate landscaping and surrounded by several pristine (and award-winning) golf courses.

I just returned from a trip to Toruga Bay and can't recommend this resort highly enough. Having toured throughout the entire Caribbean multiple times over the past few years, I can honestly say that this resort offers the most luxurious, modern and comfortable accommodations I have encountered anywhere in the Caribbean. The friendly and efficient service is unparalleled.

While Tortuga Bay offers the ultimate in upscale resort accommodations, the 355-room Puntacana Hotel offers more affordable accommodations located on the same 23-square-mile property.

Yes, the Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country with its own currency, but you'll find most everyone at the Puntacana Resort & Club speaks fluent English and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. High-speed Internet access, satellite television, cell phone reception and traditional phone services are readily available throughout the resort. So, if you must check your email, you can do it wirelessly from your villa, the beach, the swimming pools or the golf courses.

Tortuga Bay offers something for everyone, although your vacation experience won't be cheap. If you're looking for an extremely affordable, over-crowded, no-frills, all-inclusive resort, seek out other accommodation options within the Dominican Republic or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Tortuga Bay is designed to offer only the best-of-the-best to vacationers able and willing to pay for the experience.

The following are photos from my trip...