New Delta Direct Flights to Grand Cayman

Traveling to the Cayman Islands just got easier for you northerners with the addition of Delta's new weekly direct service. Starting June 12, the airline will begin operating a round trip flight every Saturday between New York's JFK and Grand Cayman, so you can kick off your island vacation without any of the usual layovers. Just log on to delta.com to book your trip, then surf over to our destination pages and our Cayman blogs to start planning your summer vacation!

Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

The Deal: Book the exclusive Club Level for your next 4- or 5-night Ritz-Carlton Caribbean or Mexico vacation and you'll enjoy a complimentary night on your stay – a savings of at least $379.

Why We Love It: Already known for top notch service and amenities, the Ritz Carlton brand has gone a step further with the addition of its new Club Level – an intimate "hotel within a hotel" experience that includes a personal concierge and perks such as light breakfast, drinks and sweets delivered throughout your stay. This free-night promotion makes it more affordable to indulge at luxe properties including the Ritz-Carlton St .Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall Jamaica, and the Ritz-Carlton San Juan (pictured) – and, if your travels happen to take you to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, your minimum 5-night stay (you pay for four) also includes the Cayman Stingray Splash, a promotional day trip to nearby Stingray City.

How to Book It: Book online at ritzcarlton.com. Rates start at $379 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica, up to $599 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.

Cayman Islands Earthquake Update

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism just released an update about the magnitude-5.8 earthquake that occurred 40 miles offshore from George Town, Grand Cayman earlier this morning. As of right now, there are no reports of injuries or any structural damage to the island, and businesses and schools remain open as usual this afternoon. We'll keep you updated on the event here on the blog should anything further develop – and for continuing information on last week's Haiti earthquake and how you can help, check out our Haiti posts here as well.

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

All of you notherners are going to hate me for saying this, but I just returned to Florida from five days in sunny San Juan and I'm already freezing! Yes, it's in the 60s here today, but still...I'm covered head-to-toe in my warmest winter garb, already longing for those balmy Caribbean tradewinds. Okay, and the cold mojitos.

Anyway, in the spirit of staying warm this winter, I thought I'd share the latest promotion from the Cayman Islands. For travel now through May 15, 2010 you can leave those winter coats at home and escape to the islands with the Get Warm package, offering a fifth night free on four-night-minimum stays at a range of accommodations, plus a complimentary trip for two to Stingray City, and a special two-tank dive offer at select dive shops around the islands.

To sweeten the deal, the Cayman Islands has also put together a new Get Warm contest that just might get you there for free. To enter, just surf over to http://getwarm.ky and enter your favorite frosty photo that shows why you need an island escape this winter; Ten finalists will be put to a vote to determine who will win a trip for four.

For now, check out this new promotional video from the Cayman Islands to get in the spirit...

Then surf over to http://getwarm.ky for more info on the Get Warm promotion (you'll need to book by March 31, 2010 to take advantage). Don't forget to share your trip photos on our Facebook page when you return!

New Direct Flights on Cayman Airways

Cayman Airways just announced new seasonal service between Chicago (O'Hare) and Grand Cayman that will make winter travel a breeze. Through March 13, you can fly direct between the two cities twice per week – on Wednesdays and Sundays – and once you're on the island, you can also take advantage of a range of specials like discounted excursions and dive trips. Log on to caymanairways.com for more info and to book your trip.

Cayman Jazz Fest 2009

This year's Cayman Jazz Fest kicks off on December 3 and it's poised to be the biggest yet as Grammy Award winning artist Alicia Keys headlines the entire weekend. Through December 5, jazz, soul and R&B artists including Keith Sweat, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, and soul singer Oleta Adams will descend on Grand Cayman's Camana Bay for the sixth annual event celebrating the area's musical roots.

Want to go? Just cruise over to caymanislands.ky/jazzfest to check out vacation packages starting at $649 per person.

News and Deals in the Cayman Islands

I recently blogged about the Peppered Pickled Pirate Party that's coming up in November on the island of Nevis – but for even more swashbuckling action this Fall, don't miss the Cayman Islands' 32nd Annunal Pirates Week from November 12-22. Held across Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, the event includes a staged "pirate invasion" of George Town Harbor, plus street parties, food festivals, a pirate costume competition, and even 5K and 10K runs throughout the week. Most events offer free admission, but to find more information and the full event calendar, just surf over to www.piratesweekfestival.com.


And for all of you pirates out there just trying to save a buck, you're in luck with the new island-wide Free Fallin' promotion. Through December 15, you can cash in on upgrades and savings around the Cayman Islands – like fourth-night-free offers at a variety of hotels; special discounts on Cayman Airways; and a $200 American Express gift check when booking your stay on your American Express card. Fore more information and a full list of participating partners, check out the official site at www.caymanislands.ky/freefallin.

Cayman A Go-Go

Breaking news for those of you lucky enough to live in or near one of Cayman Airway's hub cities (New York, Tampa and Miami): The airline just announced a (very) limited-time buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer. Book a round-trip ticket from one of those cities by June 26th and your companion flies free. The offer is good through September 30 - just call 1-800-422-9626 or surf over to caymanairways.com. Have fun!

Choice Rewards

At Caribbean Travel + Life, we love to uncover the hidden gems of each destination - particularly unique, boutique and authentically Caribbean places to stay. We highlight these Rare Finds in most issues, and we reveal many of our other favorites in features and blogs throughout the year.

But we also know that when travel budgets are tight, it's great to have a few chain hotel brands to throw in the mix as well. And one brand that does mid-priced lodging right is Choice Hotels, with budget-friendly properties scattered throughout the Caribbean in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Turks & Caicos.

Through August 13, guests who visit select Choice properties – including the brands Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion and more – can sign up to receive Choice Privileges points for their stay. For every third qualifying stay, guests will have earned enough of these points for a prepaid $50 cash card with no strings attached – and there's no limit to how many of the cards you can earn. That's all in addition to their affordable summer rates and other incentives like an airline mileage rewards program and free-nights promotions.

Just log on to the Choice Hotels web site to check out their vacation packages and to sign up for the rewards program. Then book online or by calling 800-4-CHOICE.

Cayman Summer Splash

The folks over in the Cayman Islands are offering a new promotion with huge savings for travel through September 7, so if you've been dreaming of an affordable summer getaway, this could be it. For vacations booked between now and September 2, the Cayman Summer Splash gives you a discount on almost everything you could possibly purchase:

- Kids stay, eat and even fly for free when traveling with a paying adult on Cayman Airways from either Miami, New York or Tampa

- Kids enjoy free admission to a slew of attractions when accompanied by a paying adult...places like the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Atlantis Submarines

- On five-night minimum stays, the 5th night is free at participating hotels...click here to see which ones

- Rental car deals include 20% off at Coconut Rentals or free days with AVIS

Check out the official site to learn more, then surf our travel specials to see what other Cayman Island resort deals we've got...some may be combined with this offer.