AirTran Extends Tender Offer for Midwest Air

AirTran Extends Tender Offer for Midwest Air
Published on: June 12, 2007

AirTran Holdings, Inc. is extending its latest tender offer of $15 per share of Midwest Air Group, until midnight Aug. 10. As of the close of business on June 8, 2007, shareholders had agreed to tender more than 14.6 million shares of Midwest to Galena Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of AirTran, which represents 59.5 percent of all outstanding shares of Midwest Air Group, or 64.1 percent of outstanding shares that are not held by the Midwest board or management. “We are gratified by the response we are receiving from Midwest’s shareholders regarding both the tender offer and the slate of directors that we have nominated for the Midwest Board,” said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways’ chairman and chief executive officer.

But Midwest’s management, which can block the takeover, continues to resist its unwanted suitor. Its board of directors said it continues to believe there is greater value for shareholders in the company’s long-term strategic plan than in the offer proposed by AirTran, according to Timothy Hoeksema, chairman of the board and CEO. “It is all about value,” said Hoeksema. “We believe the strategic initiatives, particularly those recently announced, will unlock value not reflected in the current share price or in the AirTran offer.” Coupled with Midwest’s product, service offering and loyal customer base, he predicted these initiatives will allow shareholders to benefit as the plan is executed.

Regarding the tender offer results, Midwest reiterated remarks previously issued, noting that the results do not have any material effect on Midwest in that no shares of Midwest have actually been purchased by AirTran as a result of the tender. Wisconsin law allows Midwest to use a poison-pill defense to stop the takeover. AirTran said it hopes that Midwest shareholders will elect new members to the board later this week who can push other members of the board to reconsider its decision. Midwest, which is distinguished by its high levels of service, has successfully rallied employees and customers to lobby against the takeover.

Apple Rolls Out Summer of Love Promotion

Apple Rolls Out Summer of Love Promotion
Published on: June 6, 2007

Apple Vacations is rolling out its Summer of Love promotion for honeymooners. Newlyweds who book a honeymoon by June 30 will receive two free charter air tickets for the same time the following year. Apple’s partner properties are offering honeymoon extra values. At Secrets Resorts, Apple’s honeymooners will receive a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit plate, fresh flowers and rose petals in their room upon arrival, special turndown service, 15 percent discount on all spa treatments, late check-out (based on availability) and champagne breakfast in bed. At Palace Resorts, honeymooners will receive a candlelight dinner, a bottle of domestic wine, a fruit basket and two t-shirts. Princess Hotels & Resorts is offering honeymooners a bottle of rum, a fruit basket and flowers upon arrival, turndown service, romantic dinner and late check-out.

Apple’s Summer of Love destinations include Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Jamaica and Punta Cana, and travel is valid Aug. 15-Oct. 21 with proof of marriage certificate. Once a destination is chosen, Apple offers a wide array of resorts to suit any budget.

For the honeymoon of your dreams, contact Amy at A Room With A View.

Dominican Republic’s Westin Roco Ki to Open May 2008

Dominican Republic’s Westin Roco Ki to Open May 2008
Published on: June 6, 2007

The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort is on schedule to open in May 2008. The 337-room resort will be located directly on a dedicated four-mile stretch of white sand beach in Punta Macao, Dominican Republic. In addition to offering more beachfront than any other resort in the region, The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort is housed on a 2,700-acre property. It is the first U.S.-branded resort in the region, providing premium golf, spectacular spa, superb cuisine at international specialty restaurants and breathtaking views of turquoise blue water. Highlights of The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort include a Nick Faldo signature golf course, a spa, a choice of restaurants, and several entertainment options. Accommodations will include 32 sensational Jungle Luxe bungalows, two- and three-bedroom resort condominiums, 20 cliff-side villas and 157 spacious hotel guest rooms and suites, most with magnificent ocean views. Recharging and relaxing guests during their stay, the resort will equip all its rooms with the Westin Heavenly Bed and the Westin Heavenly Bath, flat screen televisions and the latest communications technology.

Contact Amy at A Room With A Viewto make your reservation.

Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries

Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries
Published on: June 6, 2007

Uniworld Grand River Cruises is offering 10-day “Rhine Rhapsody” cruise from Amsterdam to Speyer on the River Queen. The company also is promoting its “Delightful Danube and Main” program, which operates as an eight-day sailing from Vienna to Wurzburg (Frankfurt) or nine days from Wurzburg (Frankfurt) to Vienna, on the River Countess. The Rhine cruise explores such ports as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Luxembourg and Speyer. The “Delightful Danube and Main” cruise sails from Vienna to Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Bamberg and Wurzburg (Frankfurt). The “Rhine Rhapsody” is priced from $1,599 per person, cruise only. The “Delightful Danube and Main,” is priced from $1,399 per person, cruise only. Uniworld cruises include river-view staterooms, all meals and entertainment onboard, the services of a Uniworld cruise manager, and shore excursions lead by English-speaking guides.

For more information or to make your reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View.

Princess Expands Canada & New England Capacity

Princess Expands Canada & New England Capacity
Published on: June 6, 2007

Princess will debut its most extensive Canada/New England season ever in 2008 with an expanded schedule of northeast coast sailings beginning in August, and offering more than 50 percent additional capacity. Caribbean Princess will make her debut in the region, and the program will return to Montreal with a new, longer Connoisseur itinerary that offers more opportunities than ever to experience the dramatic fall foliage, quaint towns and rich history of this colorful destination.

The extended Canada/New England season runs from Aug. 24 and Oct. 29, 2008, featuring 18 voyages on three ships. Itinerary choices include new 11-day Connoisseur sailings on Royal Princess between Montreal and New York, Classic 10-day cruises on Sea Princess between Quebec City and New York and seven-day roundtrip voyages from New York on Caribbean Princess. Royal Princess also offers a 17-day Colonial America sailing. The Connoisseur route also debuts a new port for Princess with calls at New London, Connecticut, the gateway for Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. This itinerary also offers a cruise up the Saguenay River and the opportunity to begin or end the voyage in Montreal. All cruises include Nova Scotia’s capital of Halifax, Saint John and New Brunswick, quaint Bar Harbor and Maine’s Acadia National Park, and the historic treasures of Boston. Certain itineraries also offer the opportunity to visit the majestic mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, or further explore Canada with visits to the Nova Scotia town of Sydney as well as Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, the home of “Anne of Green Gables.”
The 710-pasenger Royal Princess sails between Montreal and New York on the new Connoisseur’s Canada/New England, an 11-day itinerary featuring Quebec City, Saguenay River Scenic Cruising, Ville Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston, and the new port of New London. The ship offers four departures between Sept. 15 and Oct. 18. In addition, Royal Princess will also offer a special 17-day Canada & Colonial America voyage from Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale. This journey departs on Oct. 29 and features calls at Quebec City, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Portland, Boston, New London, New York City, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Charleston.

Princess’ Classic Canada New England on Sea Princess sails between New York City and Québec City. The itinerary offers calls at Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney and Charlottetown, plus an overnight stay in quaint Québec City. Four sailings on the 1,950-passenger Sea Princess depart between Sept. 13 and Oct. 13. Sea Princess also offers the opportunity to sail on an extended 19-day Canada & Caribbean Adventure to Barbados. This option extends the Oct. 13 cruise to include additional calls in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada.

A new roundtrip Canada/New England on Caribbean Princess features a seven-day roundtrip itinerary that includes the best of the northeast. This route offers regular New York departures from Brooklyn, with visits to Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport. The 3,100-passenger Caribbean Princess debuts in the region with nine sailings between Aug. 24 and Oct. 19. Princess offers escorted pre- or post-cruise land tours in conjunction with these sailings, in which passengers can travel back through historic America or spend further time in Canada with a complete cruisetour.

Early booking fares for seven-day Canada & New England sailings begin at $945 per person, while 10-day cruises start at $1,545 and 11-day voyages begin at $2,095, based on double occupancy. Caribbean Princess voyages are currently open for sale, and Sea Princess and Royal Princess cruises open for sale on June 7, 2007.

To make your reservation, call Amy at A Room With A View.

Travel To Mexico

THE HILTON LOS CABOS Beach & Golf Resort added several free amenities to its poolside services. Guests lounging by the pool will be able to request fresh fruit kabobs in the morning, cool themselves with chilled aromatherapy hand towels or chilled Evian spray bottles midday or quench their thirst with frozen iced treats in the early evening. Guests also can rent an iPod and check out books and magazines, also for free. The amenities are available from the resort’s poolside concierge.

PALACE RESORTS launched new wedding packages, including a free wedding package at select resorts and a Blessing of the Mayan Gods package at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun and the Aventura Spa Palace in the Riviera Maya. The latter costs $1,000 and includes a beach ceremony that embraces local Mayan traditions. Meanwhile, the free wedding package is available to couples who stay at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Aventura Spa Palace in the Riviera Maya, Playacar Palace in Playa del Carmen and Vallarta Palace in Nuevo Vallarta. Features of the free wedding package include the marriage license and certificate, justice of the peace and a wedding location, among other things.

UNITED VACATIONS launched a Sizzling Summer Savings promotion, offering up to 40% off air-hotel packages purchased by July 15. The promotion is in effect for travel through Dec. 15. A sample package to Cancun from Denver costs $949 per person, double (down from $1,499), for seven nights at the all-inclusive Gran Caribe Real Cancun. All packages include roundtrip air fare on United Airlines and hotel accommodations.

THE CASAMAGNA MARRIOTT PUERTO VALLARTA Resort and Spa is extending its Passport to Paradise promotion through Dec. 15. Under the promotion, guests who present a new passport showing Puerto Vallarta as the first port of entry in Mexico will receive a $100 resort credit. The promotion is valid when guests stay a minimum of five nights.

Contact Amy at A Room With A View, to make reservations for any of these resorts.