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!

Last-Minute Grand Cayman Deal for Snowbirds

Ahhh, winter. The weekend forecast here is calling for freezing rain and snow – and our offices are in Florida. And judging from the posts on our Facebook wall, most of our readers around the country are having trouble staying any warmer lately. In blustery times like these, I think we could all use an affordable tropical vacation package, no?

The Deal: Book a stay at the Ritz- Carlton Grand Cayman this weekend – between January 8 to 12 – and you can enjoy the resort's lowest rates of $399, plus you can fly round trip between Miami and Grand Cayman on American Airlines for just $281 including tax.

Why We Love It: On the coldest weekend of the year so far, who wouldn't love an affordable last-minute getaway to sunny Seven Mile Beach? The rate for the five-star Ritz is the lowest available all high season, and the eSaver fares on AA are some of the lowest all year for that route.

How to Book It: This one is for you last-minute snowbirds, since you do need to book and travel by January 12, 2010. Just log on to aa.com to book the flight, then reserve your luxury room at ritzcarlton.com. And hey, feel free to rub it in to the rest of us who'll be freezing our buns off back home by sharing your trip report and photos on our Facebook page once you get back.

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.

Last Minute Family Fun

It's back-to-school time again, but families with a little bit of vacation time to spare can still take their pick of adventures around the Caribbean this summer. In Grand Cayman, the Black Pearl Skate & Surf boasts the largest outdoor, concrete skateboarding park in the world at nearly 60,000 square feet. Drop in for the day for around $20 or snag a week-long pass for around $62...you can even rent boards, helmets and pads by the day.

Over in Aruba, check out the newest and biggest water park in the Caribbean basin - Morgan's Island - serving up over 28,000 square feet of rides, slides and pools. If you're feeling brave, test your nerve against the nearly 70-foot vertical drop, one of the tallest free-fall water slides in the world. Entrance is $47 for adults and $37 for kids 12 and under. And Aruba is still offering its One Cool Family Vacation promotion through September 30, so kids stay and eat free at a ton of participating resorts and restaurants around the island.

Keep checking our blog for more family-friendly activities and deals to cap off the summer.

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!