Free WiFi in the Bahamas

Thanks to the new social networking site CruiseTube, cruisers who stop at the at Bahamas Festival Place ship terminal in Nassau can stay connected for free with complimentary Internet access. Just sign up for a free CruiseTube profile in advance of your sail and you'll also be able to interact with other cruisers and industry insiders to swap photos, videos and stories from your travels at sea. The site also works with your existing Facebook page, so you can stay in touch with all the cruisers you meet long after the voyage ends. For more information, check out www.cruisetube.com.

Free WiFi in the Bahamas

Free Condos in St. Maarten...Seriously

So let's say you have a multi-million dollar mega yacht (I mean, who doesn't?) – and let's also say you're a big fan of cruising around the Caribbean. You're reading this blog, so at least that second part is probably true. Now the obvious question is, where to dock the thing on your many jaunts to St. Maarten? Lucky for you, big spender, the folks over at the luxury Porto Cupecoy village have an idea – and it's a cool one. To celebrate the grand opening of the property's new marina complex in December, your purchase of one of the 11 mega yacht slips will also get you a free residence valued up to $500,000! Yes, a free half-million dollar condo. I wouldn't make that up.

To check out the available marina slips and take photo and video tours of the rest of the 182-unit Porto Cupecoy property, just surf over to the promotion page on their site. And since we know you love free stuff, don't forget to visit our own contest page, then enter our two new social media promotions – the Facebook Fan Frenzy and the Win a Stay at Coconut Bay Contest – for your chance to win free vacations in St. Lucia and Bermuda!

Free Condos in St. Maarten...Seriously

Cruising with JetBlue

JetBlue.com probably isn't the first place you look when you're searching for a great cruise deal, but the airline is trying to change that this month. Just select a 4-, 5- or 7-night cruise from those listed on the airline's web site - with rates starting at just $189 per person - and members of JetBlue's rewards program True Blue will enjoy a $50 voucher toward a future flight.

The fine print? You have to book your cruise by August 24, then take the cruise and use the air credit between September 10 and November 7 of this year. The window is a little tight, but for travelers searching for big savings on Fall travel, this may be just the promotion to try.

Cruising with JetBlue

Mexico Cruises

A quick update on traveling to Mexico: At least three cruise lines have just suspended operations at Mexican ports, with some ship itineraries diverted to other ports through the end of the week and others, indefinitely. Carnival plans to divert all ships away from the country through at least May 4, while Holland America has canceled its calls to Mazatlan, and Princess Cruises has canceled its stops at both Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Check with your specific travel agent or cruise line for the latest information about Mexican ports of call if you have an upcoming sail planned. I also just came across this article on USA Today's site detailing specific cruise itineraries and changes.

We'll continue to keep you posted on the situation as it develops.

Mexico Cruises

Jump Ship in the BVIs

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If you ever find yourself cruising around the BVIs, you probably won't be in a hurry to get off the boat. But the latest promotion from the five-star Biras Creek Resort on Virgin Gorda makes a pretty good argument for dry land: When chartering a sail with Horizon Yacht Charters, you can Jump Ship for a night and get a taste of the luxury resort's offerings - including Garden Suite accommodations with a private outdoor shower, gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and use of the spa, pool, tennis courts and other amenities - all for the discounted rate of $575 double occupancy per night. The same rooms go for $700 in low season - $950 in high - so it's a pretty convincing reason to dock for a night or two and check it out.

Contact Horizon Yacht Charters or Biras Creek to set up your trip between now and December 17, then check out our other recent blog about mooring at Royal Plantation in the Bahamas.

Jump Ship in the BVIs

SeaDream Yacht Savings

We must have San Juan on the brain this week (see posts below), but it's worth mentioning that SeaDream Yacht Club has just announced new low fares for five- to twelve-day voyages this spring when sailing from the old city. The fares - starting at $1,799 per person - could save you up to 63-percent off published brochure rates. The boutique cruise line offers a selection of Caribbean itineraries aboard a fleet of two luxury ships - SeaDream I and SeaDream II - both of which have a cozy, 50-odd cabin capacity and serve all-inclusive meal and cocktail plans. But get moving...the low rates are only good through May.

To read more about boutique cruises including SeaDream, check out our feature, Fantastic Voyages. Then surf over to the SeaDream site or call (800) 707-4911 to book your spring sail.

SeaDream Yacht Savings