We're back!!!

Hi, my name is Julio and I will be taking over the blog for Alex, who has left the company. I'm from Miami and I've been working with Discovery for the last six months. I also go to school and will be graduating this December with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Florida International University. I'm a newbie to blogging but I find it very interesting so I would like your comments and suggestions on how to improve this blog. I want to know about your experience with Discovery and tips on how to provide a better service. In general, I hope we have a good time!!!

We're back!!!

Companion Sails & Stays Free

Now that we're in the peak of the slow season, it's a great time for the budget-conscious traveler to go bargain hunting. The Flamingo Bay Resort and the Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club are currently offering a companion-free promotion; for only $169.98, you and a friend can get away to the Bahamas for 3 days & 2 nights without having to beat the crowds or fight for a spot on the beach. Also of note, we've done away with the coach package, meaning that meals are once again automatically included on your round trip cruise to and from Grand Bahama.

If you've never visited the island but are curious about the experience, now is the best time to sample everything it has to offer without breaking the bank.

Monday, Monday

Just to let you know - the Ritz at Taino Beach Resort is currently offering a 3rd night free promotion. The Marlin, the resort's newest facility, features beautiful studio rooms with kitchenettes, and personal jacuzzis - neat! Having been to the property myself not too long ago the property definitely leaves you with the impression of luxury with all the comforts of home.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance tends to be an oft-overlooked addition to any vacation package. In my experience over the years as a vacation specialist, I've even had people go so far as to laugh and call it a scam. "Why would I want to pay more money to protect me from something that isn't going to happen to me?" is the usual attitude.

Just this past week, we had a gentleman on vacation in Grand Bahama who suffered a devastating stroke. He had to be emergency evacuated from the island via helicopter and placed in intensive care. We're happy to say that he's doing fine and expected to make a full recovery.

The same service for anyone else who has an accident while on vacation would run an estimated thirty-thousand dollars. The gentleman paid only 7.3% of the cost of his trip, and was reimbursed for all other related expenses. 7.3% of the cost of your trip for the peace of mind the service buys is trivial. It also covers so much more than emergency medical conditions; It protects your travel (whether the trip is canceled or interrupted), baggage loss/delay and personal effects, and travel accidents.

The moral of the story is, everyone always thinks "it can't happen to me", until it does.

Snorkeling in the Bahamas

If you plan on doing any snorkeling in the Bahamas, it pays to take a guided snorkel tour rather than just setting out on your own, especially in Grand Bahama as the best reefs are located off-shore. Home to white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Grand Bahama Island offers vacationers the opportunity to experience beautiful underwater vistas, but only if you know where to go. Pat & Diane are one of Grand Bahama's most reputable dive and snorkel operators, located conveniently next door to the Port Lucaya Yacht Club in Port Lucaya. Pat and Diane employ the best local guides in order to show you the treasures of this underwater paradise. The snorkel tours offered are suitable for novices and experienced snorkelers alike - just make sure that you take an underwater camera, to capture those memories!

For more details, visit their site at http://www.snorkelingbahamas.com - or ask when you sail onboard Discovery Sun.

In addition to snorkeling, the island is also host to fantastic bonefishing, diving, parasailing, and just about any other watersport you can imagine. Truly an ocean lover's dream.

Widgets

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the Discovery Cruise Line website, we're currently investigating the use of widgets. For those of you unfamiliar, widgets act as client-side plugins which operate through your internet browser or right on your desktop as handy little tools. Some of the proposed ideas include Google maps of Grand Bahama Island, or a weather plugin to check the daily and extended forecasts.

If there's any other utility or functionality you'd like to see added to the website, drop us a line and let us know. Odds are there's a widget out there designed for just such a purpose!

Flamingo Bay 3rd Night Free

For the remainder of July and August the Flamingo Bay Yacht Club & Marina is offering travelers a 3rd night free when you book a Bahamas Vacation Package through Discovery. Located steps from beautiful Taino Beach and just a short ferry ride away from the Port Lucaya Marketplace and Isle of Capri Casino, the Flamingo Bay offers vacationers the convenience of having all the island's amenities right at your fingertips, all for an unbelievably low price.