Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - (Page 66) DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN, THE BAHAMAS & BERMUDA The Slot Spot: Caribbean Casino Insider AS A FREQUENT VISITOR TO MANY CARIBBEAN CASINOS WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS, we can tell you that the Marriott St. Kitts Resort & Royal Beach Casino was perhaps one of the best—and most surprising—of all we have written about since we first launched this column. Why surprising? For some reason, most people just don’t think of an island like St. Kitts as having a top-of-the-line casino. At least, we didn’t. Now, being attached to the Marriott brand, we knew we were going to be satisfied with the casino, but we must admit we didn’t expect the service and quality to be as great as it was. As usual, we scoped out the tables before we sat down to play some blackjack, and this casino offered tables with minimums as low as $10 to $25 with others exceeding the $100 mark. Now, usually the $10 and $25 tables are full to capacity, and a 30- to 45-minute wait can be expected. Not here. Perhaps it was the time of the month or just the vast amount of space and other forms of entertainment the casino offered, but as soon as we entered every night, we found a quick spot at an affordable table. Waitress service was another major plus as we were served—or at least offered—a beverage about every 10 to 15 minutes. The Little Things Matter The ATM surcharge in the casino was about $3, which is unusually low. Casinos tend to vastly overcharge when you want to take cash out simply because they know you are in dire need and have no other options, so we’ve seen surcharges from $8 to as much as $10 at other venues. The professionalism of the staff, as in the hotel, is top-notch. The dealers were well trained, offered advice to newcomers to the game and very rarely made mistakes dealing the cards. The supervisors weren’t stingy when handing out comps either. We saw evidence of this when we were offered a top-notch cigar for playing for just a few hours. We don’t get to write much about sports books at casinos very often simply because you don’t really see that many in the Caribbean. The one at this resort could rival some that we have seen in Las Vegas. The odds for just about every game from baseball to college football to the National Football League were posted clearly near the entrance of the casino. To the left of the board was a small bar offering drinks for a very affordable price. (If you sit down at a blackjack or poker table, drinks are free, but at the sports book, you have to pay.) Again, at a casino, a pack of cigarettes can cost you as much as $10, but here they were about $4 and a beer cost only $2. These are normal prices at local bars in St. Kitts, but naturally, we expected everything to be much higher at a casino. The lounge area of the sports book had about 10 tables, all with plenty of space between one another and located in front of a wall of about 10 flat-screen TVs displaying different games. It is the perfect setting to sit, relax, wager on a game and get away from the table scene if you need a quick breather. Tell your clients there is plenty to do in St. Kitts, so they should try to leave the resort when possible, but on a rainy night, this casino is a safe bet. I Joe Pike, senior editor, knows a good casino when he sees one—he just wasn’t expecting to find one of the best in St. Kitts JOE PIKE SENIOR EDITOR 66 | TravelAgent November 10, 2008 CONNECTING YOU To learn about other casinos in the Caribbean, visit www.travel agentcentral.com/caribbean http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Reality Check Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts The Slot Spot River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value Cover Story: Selling Mexico Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools Luxury Travel Expo WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page Cover) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 2) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 4) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 5) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Online Now (Page 6) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Online Now (Page 7) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 9) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 10) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 11) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contributors (Page 12) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contributors (Page 13) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 16) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S2) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S4) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S5) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S6) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S7) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S8) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 25) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 26) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 27) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 28) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 29) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 30) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 31) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 32) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 33) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 34) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 35) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 36) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 37) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 38) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 39) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 40) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 41) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 42) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 43) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau (Page 44) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau (Page 45) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 46) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 47) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 48) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 49) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 50) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 51) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 52) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 53) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 54) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 55) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 56) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 57) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 58) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 59) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 60) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 61) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 62) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 63) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 64) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 65) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - The Slot Spot (Page 66) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - The Slot Spot (Page 67) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 68) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 69) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 70) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 71) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 72) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 73) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 74) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 75) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 76) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 77) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source (Page 78) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source (Page 79) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools (Page 80) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools (Page 81) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 82) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents (Page 83) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents (Page 84) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service (Page 85) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service (Page 86) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans (Page 87) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 88) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 89) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 90) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 91) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 92) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 93) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 94) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 95) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 96) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4)
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