JimBits: Holland America Deals for Canadians, Tahiti Culture and a Disney Appointment

Holland America Line is offering a Caribbean Air Credit promotion for Canadian residents through Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The air credit can be used from any Canadian gateway toward select 2018-19 Caribbean cruises that cover eastern, western, southern, tropical, holiday and partial Panama Canal itineraries, as well as sailings to Cuba.

To receive greater benefits, travelers taking advantage of the Caribbean Air Credit can combine the offer with 124 Caribbean cruise departures available under the Explore4 promotion. Through Explore4, guests booking any category stateroom will receive a Signature Beverage Package valued at US$1,400 per stateroom (based on a 14-day cruise), dinner at the Pinnacle Grill for two, free or reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom, and 50 percent reduced deposits.

To receive the air credit, guests must make arrangements through Flight Ease, the premium line's web airfare tool, to easily search competitive fares and book flights for a cruise. Air booked through Flight Ease features "late arrival protection" to cover any issues resulting from delayed or canceled flights.

The air credit offer is valid for the first and second guests only in the same stateroom. Interior, ocean-view and lanai/verandah guests receive $100-200 CAD per guest, and suite guests receive $200-300 CAD per guest, depending on cruise departure date. The air must be booked by Oct. 15, 2018.

Tahiti Tourisme launched a campaign in Canada this month to promote Tahitian Guesthouses in The Islands of Tahiti. Now through December 30, 2018, Tahiti Tourisme will share exciting reasons for Canadian travellers who prefer cultural and authentic experiences, and home-like accommodations, to visit the stunning destination. The nationwide campaign will highlight Tahitian Guesthouses' varied offerings, from dormitory-style lodging to those featuring individual bungalows and villas, and they are available in a wide range of prices. These accommodations allow for a true immersion into Polynesian life, with locals sharing warm Tahitian hospitality with all their guests. Canadians are able to learn how to book a trip for this unique way of travel through the campaign's targeted outlets including TripAdvisor.ca, La Presse, Dreamscapes Magazine and Facebook.com/TahitiTourismCA.

Tahitian Guesthouses provide a different way of experiencing The Islands of Tahiti. The Guesthouse owners offer a range of experiences on each property, and while each operate differently, these locals showcase their pride in their country and their envious lifestyle. Travellers will experience interacting with local hosts by sitting down to meals or having the host guide a local excursion, such as pearl diving, snorkeling, hiking and other island experiences in a personal setting that is different from a traditional hotel. Tahitian Guesthouses are incredibly boutique-style, typically with four or five bungalows on site, offering guests the chance to disconnect from the rest of the world and enjoy the destination's hidden gems. The shared experiences with local hosts will leave travellers feeling like they are part of an extended family and truly immersed in the Polynesian way of life.

Tanya Idzan has joined the Disney Destinations sales team as District Sales Manager, Western Canada, covering a one year maternity leave for Angela (Stecca) Cain. Tanya has over 20 years of experience in the Travel Industry as a District Sales Manager and in travel agency sales.

Tanya has both a wealth of knowledge and a passion for Disney Parks. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Tanya's responsibilities include all sales and marketing efforts with travel retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani and Adventures by Disney.

Tanya can be reached at [email protected]

One 99-year-old kicked off her milestone birthday celebrations early after British Airways surprised her with a very special trip.

Mary Parsons from Malvern in Worcestershire turns 100 years old on January 1, 2019, the same year that the airline also celebrates its centenary. British Airways ambassador, Derek Tennant, surprised Mary at her 'Friends of the Elderly' care home in Davenham and revealed that he was taking her to Belfast to see her family.

Born just 51 days after World War I ended, Mary grew up in Monaghan, 70 miles south of Belfast, yet left when she was 18-years-old to move to England and become a nurse.

See Mary's return to Belfast here.

Given the VIP treatment by Derek and accompanied every step of the way by her caregiver, Ellie Bannister, Mary was met at the airport by her nephew Ciaran and his wife Noelle, and niece Margaret and her husband Anthony, before spending the weekend in Belfast.

Mary said: "It was a great adventure and beyond my wildest dreams. I had a truly wonderful time. British Airways treated me like royalty throughout the whole journey and then meeting my family after all this time was the icing on the cake! It was fantastic to see them all again - we shared wonderful memories together and it was like a trip down memory lane. I never thought I would get to do this aged 99 but it just shows that anything is possible!"

Contiki (www.contiki.com), the original travel company designed exclusively for 18 to 35-year olds, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Weiler as its new Sales and Business Development Manager for the Greater Toronto Area and Northeastern Ontario regions effective immediately. Brad comes to his new role with extensive knowledge of the travel trade business from his time based in Australia at Unleashed Grad Trips, where he led the national sales team, that will allow him to further strengthen relationships with agents in his region.

Before joining Contiki, Brad gained extensive knowledge of the travel and tourism industry through over eight years of client focused work experience in Canada and abroad. He has so far travelled to 26 countries with a goal of exceeding 30 countries before his 30th birthday. In his new role, Brad will be responsible for managing existing and developing new relationships with agents in the GTA and Northeastern Ontario areas - two crucial regions for the brand.

"I have travelled and worked abroad for many years - most recently having lived in Australia - and I am happy to be home. There are so many things I love about Contiki, including its commitment to real, unique and local experiences and sustainability. I am extremely excited to be joining Contiki and representing such a well-known travel brand," said Weiler.

"Contiki Canada is very excited to welcome Brad Weiler to the team," said Sheralyn Berry, President of Contiki Canada. "Brad comes to his new role with a wealth of experience in the travel agent industry and is eager to grow sales for our valued partners in two of our top selling regions."

Brad can be reached at [email protected], via phone on (416) 915-7025 or on Twitter at @BradContiki.

Heralded as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and home to Trip Advisor's #5 best beach in the world, the Cayman Islands provide plenty of reasons to visit during the fall season, including spectacular savings of up to 45 per cent. Visitors can book a FALL ONLY IN CAYMAN vacation by Nov. 15, 2018 to receive limited-time offers on accommodations, attractions, watersports and more.

Paradise is just four hours away with Air Canada offering convenient access to Grand Cayman with year round, nonstop flights from Toronto, plus easy connections through Toronto from seven Canadian gateways. Visit www.aircanada.com or contact your travel agent.

With its world-renowned beaches, diving and watersports, and some of the finest hotels, condominium and villas in the Caribbean, visitors can enjoy all that the destination has to offer. The Cayman Islands features exceptional dining options and culinary events, exciting recreational opportunities, and above all, the warmest Caymankind service. Packages are available through Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations and tripcentral.ca. Among the accommodations offering resort credits and reduced rates of up to 45 per cent off are The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach, Holiday Inn Resort and Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman.

Packages are available with Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations. Tripcentral.ca and Celebrations Weddings and Events.

You also can get discounts on shopping, attractions and restaurants.

As of August 18, Emirates Airline introduced two additional flights to its Toronto-Dubai service on Saturdays and Sundays. This brings Emirates total of weekly frequencies from three to five daily (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) with an additional 65 per cent capacity increase on the route. Both flights will be operated by the iconic Emirates A380 with private suites in First Class, lie flat seats in Business Class and spacious seats in Economy Class.

To celebrate the additional flights to the YYZ route, Emirates is sharing a special offer from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3 where travellers can book flights between Sept. 1 and Dec. 2 on Emirates.com by using code CA2WRLD to receive an extra $50 CAD off in Economy and $70 off in Business.

ECONOMY SPECIAL OFFER FARES (taxes included)

Toronto (YYZ) - Dubai (DXB): $1,049

Toronto (YYZ) - Nairobi (NBO): $1,219

BUSINESS SPECIAL OFFER FARES (taxes included)

Toronto (YYZ) - Delhi (DEL): $4,799

Toronto (YYZ) - Cape Town (CPT): $5,499

The additional Toronto (YYZ) flights will depart on Saturdays, leaving Toronto at 2:25 p.m. and arrive in Dubai at 11:40 a.m. the next day. On Sundays, flights will leave Toronto at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Dubai at 11:25 a.m. Departure flights on both Saturday and Sunday leave from Dubai at 3:30 a.m. and will arrive in Toronto at 9:30 a.m.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino, a luxurious resort located on 12 acres of magnificent beachfront property on Aruba's world-renowned Palm Beach, is excited to announce a top-to-bottom enhancement of its 357 guest rooms and suites as well as its Regency Club.

"Hyatt Regency Aruba consistently raises the bar when it comes to service, experience and amenities in Aruba," said Carlos Cabrera, General Manager and Area Vice President of Hyatt Regency Aruba. "Our new room product is incomparable to any other resort on the island and will be a welcome enhancement to our valued guests."

Spearheaded by Kansas City-based BLUR Workshop Designs, the $21 million redesign introduces chic, modern accommodations while still paying homage to the island's Dutch Colonial architecture and colorful Caribbean accents.

"Looking out through the layers of waterfalls, swaying palm trees and onto the brilliant blue ocean outside of Hyatt Regency Aruba's property, there is no question that you are at a stunning tropical resort and a sense of calm relaxation takes over," said Kelly O'Donnell, Designer at BLUR Designs. "We wanted to recreate that same experience as guests travel up to their rooms and open the door. Upon entry, the guests will have that same sense of excitement, relaxation and a sense of place that is distinctly Aruba."

AMResorts is eliminating the use of plastic straws across its seven luxury resort brands, as part of its continued responsible travel efforts.

Effective immediately, staff at all 55 AMResorts properties are no longer serving drinks with straws and will provide alternative, biodegradable options for guests upon request. Given AMResorts' large footprint in popular beach destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, eliminating straws is another step forward in its wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability initiatives.

"AMResorts welcomes thousands of guests annually and knows the power a seemingly simple act can have on protecting the oceans and beaches our resorts call home," said Jan LaPointe, Vice President of Strategic Retail Sales North America for AMResorts. "Our priority is to provide guests with an unmatched resort experience while maintaining eco-friendly practices in the process."

Since launching in 2001, responsible travel has been a cornerstone in AMResorts' standard operating procedures and resort programs. The efforts take on many forms across all resorts to leave a positive mark on each destination, from actively supporting wildlife conservation programs to developing initiatives to benefit local communities. The majority of AMResorts properties are Rainforest Alliance Certified™, and several are part of Amigos de Sian Ka'an, an organization dedicated to the sustainability and conservation of the local communities in the Sian Ka'an biosphere throughout Quintana Roo, Mexico.

For more information on AMResorts' corporate values and practices, visit AMResorts.com and its resort sites.