Travel News

Dreams Cancun Resort to Develop New Dolphinarium. Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa partners with Via Delphi, founder of the new generation dolphin swim programs in Mexico, will open the first resort dolphinarium (dolphin aquarium) in North America. Delphinus Dreams Cancun, scheduled to open in April 2007, will feature an interactive program allowing resort guests to observe the dolphins up close. New room categories will also be available, including deluxe dolphin view rooms with private balconies to watch the show. Guests of Dreams Cancun will be given priority to participate in this event as only a limited few are allowed to interact each day.

Couples Resorts Sets Annual Savings Promotion. Couples Resorts announced its third annual "Fall in Love Again" promotion, offering savings of up to 50 percent off published rates. Travelers who book their fall vacation before April 30, 2007 can bring their loved one for free. Savings for the "Fall in Love Again" promotion start on March 1, with maximum savings of 50 percent available in select room categories and travel dates starting July 9 through Dec. 24, 2007. Substantial savings are also still available for travel March to June. Savings do not include airfare and are based on the dates and resort category selected.

Royal Caribbean Adds Burger Joint to Majesty. Royal Caribbean International's newly revitalized Majesty of the Seas now has a Johnny Rockets restaurant onboard. This is the eighth Johnny Rockets to open on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The Johnny Rockets menu features hamburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes. Majesty of the Seas recently underwent a 28-day makeover. Majesty of the Seas sails three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries out of Miami. The three-night itinerary visits Nassau in the Bahamas as well as Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay, Bahamas. The four-night itinerary will feature an additional stop in Key West, Fla.

Puerto Rico's Smoke-Free Regulations Start March 2. Puerto Rico will take an important step forward in safeguarding the health of its visitors, employees and residents today when the new smoke-free regulations take effect. The new regulations place Puerto Rico at the forefront of Caribbean destinations with a comprehensive smoke-free policy. The new law prohibits smoking at all food establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops and fast food) cultural centers (museums, theatres), casinos, liquor establishments (bar/pubs, nightclubs and liquor stores), convention centers, shopping centers and retail stores, recreation centers, public and government buildings, hospitals and health care centers, public transportation vehicles, judicial courts, all academic institutions, day care centers, retirement homes, funeral homes and private vehicles transporting children under 13 years of age.

U.S. Issues Updated Public Announcement on Fiji. The U.S. State Department issued an updated Public Announcement to reflect the current situation in Fiji following the Dec. 5, 2006 military coup. The declared state of emergency remains in effect. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Republic of Fiji until the security situation is clarified. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on Jan. 28, 2007, and expires on May 28, 2007.

Royal Caribbean names newest ship. Independence of the Seas will be the name of Royal Caribbean's third and final Freedom class ship when it debuts in May 2008. The 3,6346-guest ship is currently under construction in Finland and follows Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, and Liberty of the Seas, which will come online in May 2007 and begin alternating seven-day eastern and western Caribbean year-round itineraries.