Setbacks in the Bahamas: Baha Mar Saga Continues

With 48 hours to go before their long-heralded grand opening, Baha Mar has pulled the plug on the 'open' sign and has announced a delay of another 2 months.

Baha Mar has been billed as the "Riviera of the Caribbean" and is a 5star resort on Cable Beach in The Bahamas.

The lesson in this will be how it blows up on them in the social media, in the next 5 days.  It appears the announcement was made on Facebook. They have not yet made any reference to the delay on their website and are, in fact still inviting bookings. This, is a big mistake.

I feel terrible for their marketing team. It is indeed THE golden rule of marketing in this modern age. DO NOT HYPE WHAT YOU CAN NOT DELIVER.   And that is exactly what they have done, for months.

Since I have a deep love for The Bahamas, and have been following this project for about 2 years, I really hope they are able to make it work and come to terms with their suppliers and construction team in order to see the project through to opening. To see a project crumble, when it is so very close to achieving its goal would be absolutely devastating for the island and its economy.

Lots to read on this subject. Much of it is quite frightening. The politics and the money tied into the project is beyond my comprehension.

Jilted travellers with Spring Break plans will no doubt be knocking on the door at Atlantis in hopes of salvaging their vacation. This might just be what the Marriott's recent acquisition (Atlantis Hotel & Casino) needs to bolster their bottom line and keep on top of travellers' lists in The Bahamas.

Turks N' Caicos on a budget

If you can fly June 7th to 14th, you can nab a bargain with either Westjet or Air Canada. Both have this destination on sale.

It is not an all-inclusive destination, but it is surely one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. It is constantly on the Top 10 lists of the popular travel magazines. I went to the Turks N' Caicos in 2012 and would highly recommend it. It is a very "Canadian" destination in that you will be recognize many Canadian banks and brands there.

The people of Turks N' Caicos are very welcoming and will make you feel at ease.

It is typically a very expensive destination, but every now and again, you can grab a bargain like this.

www.tripcentral.ca or www.westjetvacations.com

Comparing the Bahamas

Here's a bargain if you can go in the next 5 weeks. Sure, the weather here at home is still nice, but it's not BAHAMAS nice!

The hotel is the Wyndham. I've stayed at the twin sister Sheraton on the same 1/2 mile stretch of beach. (Cable Beach and it is seriously gorgeous!) I've even wandered thru the Wyndham but I have never stayed in the rooms. The Sheraton Cable Beach is amazing and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. It is about 10% more expensive than the Wyndham here on average.

For comparison, I searched the same week and destination for each of the next 5 months. All are Westjet packages and are the same flights. So... apples to apples.  As always, I recommend NOT making a decision on price alone. Do check the recent Trip Advisor reports on the destination and specific hotel BEFORE you book.

Typically the price in the 5star column for the Bahamas is Atlantis Resort. Which, as you know, is my favourite place on earth.

One day (July 24) Airmiles deal to PLS

Airmiles.ca is offering 8 days of deals. If you are a gold collector and cash in on their selected day, you could really nab a bargain.

Today's deal is 40% off flights booked to The Turks and Caicos in the caribbean. The Turks and Caicos are amazing islands. I was there in 2012. Some of the most gorgeous beaches on earth.

If you would like to check it out this fall, you can go for 2550 (Gold collector) or just over 3000 points for a regular collector. Normal flights from Winnipeg at this time of year (in points) run 4250.

It's a VERY narrow market for this bargain. But if the Turks are on your Bucket List, like they were mine, this might make it possible.

(Tomorrow's Airmiles bargain looks to be Costa Rica.)

5 Reasons to Love a Caribbean Summer

Fast 5: Why go to the Caribbean in the summer

1. It's always 30C and gorgeous in the Caribbean. Even if it rains, it's just for a few minutes and is hardly any inconvenience at all. The locals wouldn't even let rain ruin lunch. All is dry again in 10 minutes anyway. It is NOT scorching hot like some people imagine. 30C and a breeze is the most perfect weather I've ever experienced and it's like that each and every day. People don't discuss the weather like we Canadians do. For them, it's always the same so why talk about it.

2. Low season means the beaches aren't crowded. They are however, equally beautiful to high season.

3. There are no mosquitos, no wood ticks and no weird snow storms. You don't have to gamble that the weather and wilderness will co-operate on your one week off.

4. It's easy-breezy-beautiful on island time. You just don't have the hustle and bustle of North America. That, in itself, is a refreshing change.

5. You don't have weather shock when you return. Grandma won't need to have the boots and parkas in the truck when she picks you up. You can wear your shorts on the plane and back. Heck, you barely have to pack anything at all. Flip flops, a cover up, shorts and a bathing suit. Pick up a t-shirt and straw hat at the market when you arrive! No need to check luggage at all.

Best of all, most Caribbean destinations can offer you a week for under $1000 taxes included from May through September.  Frankly, I would rather go to the Caribbean every second year in the summer, than once every 5 years in the Winter (based on my budget.)

Found at Redtag.ca May 26th.  They also are offering St. Lucia and Antigua just over $1000.

Caribbean Summer

Last year we took the kids to the Turks & Caicos on Air Canada's "Kids Fly & Stay Free" promotion.

It was the first time in 5 years in watching the Turks & Caicos prices that I managed to get it under $1000 per person for a week.  We went in July and it was stunning. We stayed at the Ocean Club right on the beach at Grace Bay.

Grace Bay is constantly named in the top 10 beaches on earth by every travel magazine and web site. And with good reason.

Air Canada's promotion is back. While it doesn't specifically mention flying out of Winnipeg, the offers are still applicable flying from Wpg thru Toronto.  Check with your favourite travel agent if you have difficulty.

We booked thru CAA and had a wonderful, wonderful trip at a great price.

True Blue Caribbean

Until you see it yourself, it's hard to believe that turquoise water and soft white sand actually exists in reality. I couldn't fathom perfection like that outside of photoshopped screen savers and travel brochures.

And then I experienced the Caribbean. You truly can see six feet deep into the clear water. It DOES come in every shade of blue and turquoise and perfect palm trees really do exist.

These photos are from the heavenly place called the Bahamas. I took these pictures in 2009.

To get to the Bahamas, you can fly either Westjet or Air Canada, round trip for between $550 and $650. Typically, there is a $300 airfare credit if you book two or more people for four hotel nights in the Bahamas as a package. This is one of those destinations that is not all inclusive. Hotel grades and locations are varied and are spread out all over the main island.  Meals, beverages and taxi will be some of your out of pocket expenses.

So if you are interested in the Bahamas I would encourage you to seek the guidance of a travel agent. They will help you take advantage of the airfare credits and find the hotel best suited to your interests.

To learn more about Paradise Island, or any of the out islands, visit www.bahamas.com

On my three visits to the Bahamas, I have found it to be safe, friendly and incredibly special. It's my heaven on earth. If I ever win the lotto, that's exactly where I'll be.