July 9, 2003 -- Club Med is loosening up a bit, offering more deals to the general public, and behaving less like an exclusive club than it used to pretend to be. Among their many new promotions, one for women stands out, namely a seven-night total all-inclusive vacation (with airfare) starting at $910. For this package, which you must book by July 22, 2003, and complete travel by November 1, 2003, you are promised a week of fun in the sun, endless sports and leisure activities, "gourmet" buffets and live nightly entertainment.
That's the price if you want to go to the Turkoise property (Turks & Caicos Islands). The same deal is available for other Club Med properties, with prices indicated: Sandpiper (Florida) $1019; Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) $1071; Caravelle (Guadeloupe) $1140; Paradise Island (Bahamas) $1335; Ixtapa (Mexico) $1345; and Columbus Isle (Bahamas) $1490. For these other destinations, Club Med says you will save up to $595 per person on this offer. A Cancun program is a land-only deal at $910 for travel September 6 to October 25, 1003.
Prices are per person sharing a double room. You still have to join Club Med for $55 per adult, which is extra, as are government and airport fees from $3 up to $145, depending on destination. One hitch about airfare: if it exceeds $400, you may have to pay the difference.
Other Deals
Club Med is currently offering dozens of bargains. Here are three other stand-outs:
"The Family Escape," in which you pick the week you want to travel, and Club Med will pick your destination. The following villages with Children's Clubs are available for the period from September 6 through October 31, 2003: Ixtapa (Mexico) or Punta Cana (Dominican Republic).
"Kids Stay Free" lets children 12 and under stay free at the Punta Cana and Sandpiper properties, while children 5 and under stay free at Ixtapa. Applicable dates are September 6 through October 31, 2003.
Finally, we come to "Wild Card Specials." Again, you pick the week and the Club will arrange your weeklong vacation at one of these destinations: Cancun, Paradise Island, Turkoise or Columbus Isle. For ages 18 and up, only. Applicable dates are now through October 31, 2003.
For more information, go to www.clubmed.com; to book, phone 800/536-3046 between 9 and 9 on weekdays, 9:30 and 6 on weekends, all times EST.