The Royal Sea Aquarium News

Charter service through April responds to Canadians’ demand for Curaçao

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – November 17, 2011 – Getting cold feet about winter?Curaçao is now closer for Canadians than ever with the launch of Sunquest’s seasonal, weekly charter. Sunquest is flying a Thomas Cook Boeing 757 from Toronto to Curaçao, Sundays from November through April. Sunquest offers 217 seats, all configured in economy class to Curaçao.

“Having Sunquest sign on for a seasonal charter for the 10th consecutive year demonstrates the increasing demand for Curaçao as the island continues to grow as a favorite Caribbean destination for Canadians,” said Curaçao Tourist Board CEO Ghatim Kabbara.

“Curaçao has seen a 15 percent increase in arrivals from Canada, year to date, and we anticipate this number will grow through April.”

Curaçao offers an array of hotel options, from all-inclusive resort options to boutique hotel properties.

When booking a trip to Curaçao with Sunquest, for only $79 per person, travelers may select the “RUBY” service upgrade, providing advance seat selection, Park n’ Fly discounts, priority check in, priority baggage handling, Premium Lounge access in Toronto, priority boarding, and several in-flight amenities, including a complimentary headset, two complimentary alcoholic drink and snack vouchers, a comfort kit, luggage tags and a $10 duty free voucher.

We are excited to share that Curaçao has been voted as a “Top 10 Destination for 2012” by Frommer’s!

Frommer’s serves as one of the most widely-read, top-respected travel and destination guides in the world. The online edition of Frommer’s reaches more than 747,000 unique visitors monthly, while the more than 300 different Frommer’s Travel Guide Books reach innumerable readers across the globe.

Curaçao is the only Caribbean destination featured on the Top 10 list, which includes other destinations such as Ghana; Chongqing, China; Beirut; and Kansas City, Missouri, among others.

The journalist writes, “Curacao is not your quintessential Caribbean island. Sure, it has curvaceous white beaches, cerulean seas, and a coral reef brimming with exotically hued marine life. But Curacao offers even more, with one of the region’s most cosmopolitan cultures and a standout capital in Willemstad, a child’s paintbox of giddy Caribbean colors and gabled colonial architecture.”

Read more here: www.frommers.com/micro/2011/top-destinations-2012/curacao.html.

The news was also featured today online with USA Today, which reaches more than 16 million unique visitors monthly. Please find the news at the following link: http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/10/the-top-destinations-to-visit-in-2012/557388/1.

Live underwater camera

Underwater live view of the Curasub

Willemstad, 06 September 2011 – Approximately a year ago, Curacao reminded the entire world of the uniqueness of this small island in the Caribbean, when Substation Curacao opened its doors to the public with the most unique attraction in the world, a 5-person submarine that takes you to depths beyond Scuba diving limits. Today we added a new piece of technology to enhance our operation − an underwater camera mounted permanently on the Sea Aquarium reef. Everyone can now become part of this adventure when the Curasub descends daily to the abyss. Through this camera our passengers will have the unique opportunity to send a live personal message to their family and friends around the world!

And for those that can’t afford a trip with the submarine, we are auctioning some of our special trips on Ebay, such as one that goes to 1,000 ft. deep.  For just $350, you could be a lucky winner for one of our unique trips.  With our auction we want to give everyone the opportunity to be able to experience one of our deep sea expeditions. On the 1,000-ft dive you will go beyond the average tourist dives and be part of our scientific hunts for new species.

NEDERLANDS

Live onderwater camera

Live beeld van de Curasub

Willemstad, 06 September 2011 – Ongeveer 1 jaar geleden herinnerde het eiland Curaçao de wereld aan de unieke dingen die het te bieden heeft, toen Substation Curaçao zijn deuren openende voor het publiek met de 5-persoons onderzeeër die voorbij de maximum duikerslimieten gaat. Vandaag hebben we een nieuw technologisch snufje toegevoegd aan onze dagelijkse programma’s – een onderwatercamera die permanent bevestigd is op het rif van Sea Aquarium. Iedereen kan nu deel uitmaken van onze dagelijkse expedities wanneer de Curasub afdaalt naar deze ongerepte dieptes van de zeebodem. Via deze onderwatercamera krijgen onze passagiers de mogelijkheid om een persoonlijke boodschap te sturen naar familie en vrienden over de hele wereld!

En voor diegene die een trip met de sub niet kunnen betalen, verloten we speciaal een aantal tickets via Ebay tegen een zeer gereduceerde prijs, zoals een duik naar 1,000voet (300meter). Via deze online veiling willen we iedereen de kans bieden om met een van onze expedities mee te kunnen. Met de 1,000voet (300 meter) duik ga je dieper dan de standaard programma’s en krijg je de mogelijkheid om deel te  nemen aan deze wetenschappelijke jacht naar nieuwe soorten onderwater.

NEW Saturday Flights Make Curaçao More Accessible to Canadians

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – September 19, 2011 –Air Canada will launch weekly, non-stop service to Curaçao International Airport (CUR) from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011.

Travelers can book now to take advantage of the inaugural Air Canada flight, departing Toronto at 10:05 a.m. and arriving in Curaçao at 4:20 p.m. starting on Dec. 24, 2011. The flight schedule is as follows:

“We are excited to announce the launch of Air Canada’s first non-stop flight from Toronto to Curaçao,” said André Rojer, Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America.

“The new non-stop flight brings huge potential for growth in arrivals from Canada, which remain consistently steady with tourism arrivals to date, year over year. We anticipate this new flight on Air Canada will increase demand for Curaçao in the Canadian marketplace and open the door to a new wave of first time visitors.”

Air Canada Vacations is offering special savings on travel to Curaçao in celebration of the new service. Book an air and hotel package to Curaçao by October 3, 2011 and save 50 percent on an executive class upgrade. The $299 package is now $149 roundtrip. In addition, Air Canada Vacations will include complimentary seat selection. Limited space is available. The promotion is valid for travel Dec. 24, 2011 to April 7, 2012.

One of the best experiences I ever had!!

After 3 days monitoring September 18th was spawning night. The nights before some pre-spawning. During the spawning we were surrounded by lots of fishes.

A group of researchers (SECORE) with special nets we collected egg and sperm cells (from the coral montastraea faveolata), so they can do the fertilization in the Curacao Sea Aquarium.

Later when the larves are settled they will be put back on the reef.

I feel so lucky that I was able to be a volunteer in such an important research, everything was posible thanks to CURious2dive, a local dive shop who’s working and helping SECORE on the research and preservation of this beatiful reef.

Thanks to all the volunteers who joined CURious2DIVE to help make this project a succes.