June 1, 2004 -- The Caribbean in autumn can be full of surprises, the best of which are the lower prices, when the slow off season gets even slower as families' free time vanishes as schools start back in session. Look to these deals for some extra savings in Puerto Rico, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
Puerto Rico
At the plush Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort in Puerto Rico this autumn, you can stay on a five-night holiday from just $765 per person, which the firm says is a savings of $763 per couple over the regular rate. The land-only deal is valid for visits from September 10 through December 14, 2004, but you must make reservations by June 11 to qualify, so hurry! The Rio Mar is set on 481 acres of tropical beauty, with great views, all sorts of water activities, golf, spa and fitness center and a full-service casino. Pleasant Holidays will arrange your airfare, too, if you wish, or you can show your savvy by booking through any of the number of sales we've reported in our Airfare Deals Index at www.frommers.com/book_a_trip/deal_airfare. Contact Pleasand Holidays at www.pleasantholidays.com or at 800/448-3333.
Jamaica, Anyone?
Northwest Airlines, through it affiliated World Vacations, has a deal going with the SuperClubs (www.superclubs.com) saving you up to $200 per booking for a Grand Lido resort in Jamaica, or up to $150 when you stay at a Breezes or Hedonism resort (the three brands are all-inclusive resorts). You have until June 15 to book travel through December 15. Use promotional code WV4791GL for the Grand Lido or WV4791 for Breezes and Hedonism. You can combine this with a SuperClubs' offer of a 40% saving, as well. A sample pricing for air and three nights of hotel (excluding taxes) at the Breezes in Montego Bay runs to $705 from Minneapolis, $715 from Detroit, $717 from Memphis or $726 from Omaha. There is a lot of fine print associated with these offers so be sure to read that carefully. Go to www.nwaworldvacations.com for more information and to book, or phone 800/800-1504.
St. Lucia
If you fancy St. Lucia, itself a pretty fancy island, consider a deal from US Airways Vacations, which will take you to this rather exclusive place for a moderate price. They say you can save $100 per room on their six-night vacations to St. Lucia when you book online. You have through June 30 to book travel valid from June 4 through September 30. A sample trip: Six nights at the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa out of New York from $1,045, from Boston starting at $1,048; from Charlotte or Indianapolis $1,069 and from Pittsburgh $1,136. There is a bunch of fine print associated with this offer, too, so be sure to read it online at www.usairwaysvacations.com. You could also phone them at 800/352-8747.
