Countdown to the Rock’n Roll’n Caribbean Classic-The St.Maarten Heineken Regatta

With less than one week to go before the opening events at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (4-7 March) there’s a steady flow of yachts arriving in the marina including Tom and Dotty Hill’s custom Reichel/Pugh 75 – Titan 15. Final preparations are well underway and entries to this 30th anniversary spectacular have already exceeded numbers from last year.

The bareboat charter fleet is extremely buoyant with over 100 including a high contingent of Beneteau and Jenneau yachts making up the bulk of the fleet. There’ll certainly be no lack of top ranked competition in this fleet either with the likes of Margriet Matthijsse – Dutch, double Europe Olympic silver medallist – who will be racing with her team aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 473 Heineken Rotterdam (Monet II), among the notable entries.

The big boat line-up is exceptionally strong too with the rare opportunity to see Tom and Dotty Hill’s new custom Reichel/Pugh 75 – Titan 15 up against George David’s Reichel/Pugh 90 – Rambler, and Irvin Laidlaw’s Wally 82 Highland Fling, and probably in the same class as Roberto Galperti’s Swan 90 White Lie, Patrick Adams’ Swan 100 Varsovie, Peter Harrison’s Farr 115 Sojana, and Christopher Besser’s Swan 80 Team Selene.

These seven large boats represent an unusually strong fleet for recent regattas with three of them (Titan 15, Highland Fling and Rambler) highly comparable new boats incorporating the latest trends in high technology, which should make for some interesting racing. Also, Bill Alcott – an avid campaigner whose spirited effort is always appreciated in the Caribbean – will make a welcome return this year with the super-hot crew aboard his Andrews 68 – Equation.

Other interesting entries to keep an eye on include Clay Deutsch’s chartered canting-keeled Farr/Cookson 50 Privateer, and Richard Matthews’ Humphries One-Off design Oystercatcher XXVI. Given the right conditions, either of these boats could produce some sparkling results. Matthews chatting about what draws him from the UK to this particular regatta said: “I have been a fairly regular participant in the Heineken Regatta, Rolex, BVI and Antigua Sailing Week for the last 20 years as they are a great way to escape the UK winter… Most of the Heineken fleet will probably be charter yachts but there is still some excellent Class 1 and 2 racing, with great courses which we are all looking forward to.”

A solid group is forming to make Class 3 interesting including Kip Curren’s Swan 56 Clover III which is likely to be fighting it out with Stefan Lehnert’s Passion 4C (Turner 56), the Spanish 55 ft X Yacht Reserva de Higueron, Bernard Laurent’s Swan 62 Schider, and the 63ft Judel Vrolijk Stickey Toffee, to name a few.

Guaranteed close racing is also expected in the next class down with a bevy of Beneteau 40.7s such as Toucan, Spirit of Athens, Past the Mark, Lancelot, Elandra and Coyote up against a selection of highly rated A 40s including Malachite, Black Sheep, the well prepared El Ocasso (J/120), and the likely entry of Lost Horizon (J/122).

Smaller boats they may be, but there will be no shortage of strong competition among the three local Melges 24s whose mission it is to beat St Croix-based Bad Girl, the J/100 that, up to now, has consistently managed to out-perform them. Other hot locals include Ian Hope Ross with his Beneteau 36.7 Kick Em Jenny, and St Barth’s entry Raymond Magras with his Dufour 34 Speedy Nemo.

Arguably the newest boats at the regatta, and making a Caribbean debut, will be the SC37 Team Optimix/AEZ – one of the newest, highly regarded generation of Santa Cruz boats.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta race schedule kicks off at 1000 next Tuesday, 2 March with the ISAF-sanctioned Grade 5 Budget Marine Match Racing Cup. Peter Isler, Gavin Brady, and Peter Holmberg – three of the world’s most respected match racing skipper – will be among the eight-strong team, racing for cash prizes totalling $10,000.

The Gill Commodore’s Cup on Thursday 4 March is proving a popular option with over 40 entries already signed up. This one-day, windward/leeward format, on a course two miles offshore, is used by many as the perfect warm up to the three-day Heineken Regatta series. After racing there’s a special welcoming party at Port de Plaisance giving competitors and visitors to the island a chance to experience the first of many stimulating Caribbean parties. First up, in the line-up of legendary performances planned for the regatta is “Voices of Classic Rock”, an all star ensemble comprising the original lead singers from among the most iconic classic rock acts of the 1980s including Loverboy’s Mike Reno, Toto’s Bobby Kimball, John Cafferty of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and Tommy Tutone.

The first race of the Heineken Regatta series is on Friday, 5 March, starting just off Simpson Bay on a course that will take most of the fleet around the Island to Great Bay. After another night of partying, most classes race from Simpson Bay on the Saturday but this time to Marigot.

The final day of racing is from Marigot back to Simpson Bay where the prize giving ceremony will take place. The iconic Caribbean beach party atmosphere where competitors will be able to relax and dance with a cool Heineken in hand, will be enhanced by the presence of International Reggae superstar Maxi Priest and his band who promises an evening filled with classic hits of the last three decades

Direct Air Service from Brazil to Barbados to Begin Later this Year!

Exclusive Offer from Sandals Dunn’s River:

For a limited time, guests will receive one night free and a free Catamaran Cruise when they book minimum six nights or more at Sandals Dunn’s River Villagio Golf Resort & Spa.

Additionally, guests staying for three nights or longer can get up to 65% off this beautiful Jamaican resort! Please see details of this offer below.

Booking Window: Now – February 25, 2010

Travel Window: Now – July 31, 2010

Minimum Stay: 6 nights

– Now offering 23 nonstop destinations from Orlando –

– Special starting fares as low as $69(a) –

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today celebrated its inaugural service between Orlando International Airport and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Jamaica.  The new daily flight becomes JetBlue’s 23rd nonstop destination and its 6th international destination from Orlando International.  Flights are available now for only $69 (a), if booked at www.jetblue.com by February 15, 2010, 11:59 PM MT for travel between February 8, 2010 and March 23, 2010.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090217/NY71475LOGO-b)

“As Orlando’s carrier of choice, these new flights add another key choice to our growing portfolio of international destinations served from Orlando,” said Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning. “Indeed, with plenty of legroom, Live TV at every seat, unlimited free snacks and the industry’s best customer service, we’re well positioned to serve the Florida market.”

“Jamaica is a popular destination and with the growing Caribbean population in Central Florida this new service by JetBlue will be a welcomed addition to Orlando and give passengers more options to travel to an established market,” said Jim Rose, Senior Director of Business Services, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

JetBlue’s schedule between Orlando and Montego Bay:

    Orlando (MCO) to                Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) to
    Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)      Orlando (MCO)
    --------------------------      -----------------------------
    Depart - Arrive                 Depart - Arrive
    ---------------                 ---------------
    10:30a.m.- 12:23 p.m.           13:18 p.m.- 3:31 p.m.
    ---------------------           ---------------------

Customers interested in getting away can take advantage of this amazing $69 starting fare (a) or jet to any of JetBlue’s nonstop destinations from Central Florida to the Caribbean and Latin America, including Bogota, Colombia; Cancun, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; San Jose, Costa Rica; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Aguadilla, Ponce, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue offers Customers a host of premium amenities including a free first-checked bag, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (b), 36 channels of complimentary DIRECTV(R) (c), more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio(R), and unlimited free snacks and drinks. For a small fee customers can upgrade to one of JetBlue’s super-spacious Even More Legroom seats, which offer travelers 38 inches of seat pitch.

About JetBlue Airways

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft “BetaBlue,” a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 60 cities with 600 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.

(a) For travel between Orlando, FL and Montego Bay, Jamaica: Travel must be booked by February 15, 2010, 11:59 PM MT. All fares are subject to change without notice. Travel costs $15 more per person if purchased by telephone, or at an airport or city ticket office. Travel must take place between February 8, 2010 and March 23, 2010. Travel must be completed by March 23, 2010. Fares may not be available on all days or on all flights. Fares are most often found on midweek travel dates. All fares must be purchased at time of reservation, and are one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Cancellations and changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for $100 per person at 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530, 1-800-963-3014 if located in Jamaica, or at jetblue.com, with applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If a reservation is not changed or canceled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with the reservation is forfeited. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. International fares also do not include government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way. Puerto Rico fares also do not include a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without proper documentation. A second bag fee of $30 applies. DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental US. Other restrictions apply. ©2010 JetBlue Airways

(b) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines, excluding premium coach products.

(c) DIRECTV(R) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable in-flight movies are offered complimentary on these routes.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways

Photo: Flickr member mrkathika

Columbus on beholding the island for the first time described Jamaica as “the fairest isle mine ever eyes beheld…”. Spectacular land and seascapes set the scene for any visit to Jamaica, where the capital city of Kingston is built around the seventh-largest natural harbor in the world. A little exploration will unveil spots of extraordinary beauty that serve as a magnet for nature lovers, hikers, golfers, divers and addicted vacationers, who return repeatedly to this magnificent Caribbean island.

Jamaica abounds in scenic beauty. There are white sand beaches and rivers, large expanses of plains and mountains where the flora and fauna provide an attractive kaleidoscope of island life. For those who are inspired by nature, the island offers 252 species of birds (27 are endemic), 200 native species of orchids, 500 species of true ferns and about 50 species of coral.

The island has plantation tours & great houses, dolphin parks and nature reserves, museums, galleries and soft adventure tours. There are also numerous craft markets and duty-free stores for goods, both bargain and luxury.  Jamaica also offers excellent facilities for tennis, golf and equestrian sports. Water sports of all sorts are available. Visit Jamaica on our Islands page for more information, travel tips and photos!

With the addition of Jamaica to our selection of featured Caribbean Islands, you’ll also see  the island in our “Did you know?” Fun Island Facts weekly Facebook post featured by Caribbean Travel & Leisure, but wait, that’s not all! Stay tuned for more reviews, happy hour hot spots, hot deals & more!

Win a 7 day, 6 night Luxury Included® vacation at a Sandals or Beaches Resort of your choice (subject to availability). To enter the sweepstakes, click on the link below and fill out the form!

Win a 7 day, 6 night luxury vacation at a Sandals or Beaches Resort of your choice (no purchase necessary) !

-

Photo Credit: Flickr member galfred

If you are planning on having the most romantic getaway of a lifetime, the honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of, or looking to have your wedding on a charming Caribbean island, you’ve come to the right place! Caribbean Travel & Leisure’s Romance – Caribbean Signature offers the perfect guide for that ultimate romantic Caribbean getaway.

Planning a Caribbean destination wedding is easy, as most popular resorts have full-time wedding planners to help you arrange your special day, and it will save you money as Caribbean island weddings are often less expensive than the more traditional weddings.

Our Romance packages offer the luxury, comfort and romance you look for when choosing your destination – lush spacious rooms, luxurious spas and much more at our all new Romance –Caribbean Signature page! http://caribbeantl.com/romance

Fan us on our Facebook page and share your Caribbean destination romance desires! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caribbean-Travel-Leisure/195150257248