Caribbean lures can be had for less

May 30, 2004|Real Deals, Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Staff

Ever considered a Caribbean vacation in the summer or fall? True, such a trip doesn't help you escape the oppression of a New England winter, but everything else people go to the Caribbean for is there: the beauty, the water, the friendliness, the food. You also save a satchel of cash because off-season prices can be dramatically lower. Some examples:

From June 1-Aug. 10, the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis is offering a Summer Beach Special for $150 a night, single or double occupancy. This is almost 62 percent off the winter rate of $385 for the same accommodations. The offer is for superior rooms only, and does not include meals, the 10 percent service charge, or the 8 percent government tax. It does include complimentary tennis and croquet, free use of snorkeling equipment, and the weekly manager's rum punch party as well as free laundry, local telephone calls, and postage.

Call 800-742-6008 or visit www.nisbetplantation.com.

Couples Resorts in Jamaica has a Sweethearts Special at 50 percent off published rates. Make a reservation by June 30 for a stay Aug. 21-Sept. 30 and bring your sweetheart free. Rates start at $250 a night and include all food and beverages, sea and land activities, and off-site excursions.

Call 800-COUPLES or visit www.couples.com.

Several big airlines have joined with Vacation Outlet in a Caribbean Fall Sale offering up to 35 percent savings on packages. The sale runs until June 11 for travel Aug. 16-Dec. 14. Example: five nights at the Coconut Court Beach Hotel in Barbados for $656, including air fare from Boston.

(The fine print: There may be some variation in dates by the airlines. Holiday blackout dates apply.)Visit www.vacationoutlet.com or call 800-690-2210.

Liberty Travel has similar deals for those same booking and traveling dates. Example: five nights at the Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort and Casino, including air fare from Boston, for $649. Liberty says travelers can book vacations at more than 250 resorts on over 25 islands with savings of up to $1,160.

Visit www.libertytravel.com or contact a Liberty travel agent.

Garber Travel, on the other hand, is advertising savings of up to 55 percent on charters through TNT Vacations if booked by June 11 for Caribbean travel Sept. 10-Dec. 14. Example: three nights at the Crane Ridge Resort in Jamaica, including air fare, starting at $349 a person.

Call 800-FLY-GARBER or visit www.garbertravel.com.

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