Archive for February, 2010

Ali Campbell & UB40 Concert in the Curacao Festival Center.

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Carnival!

CURAÇAO’S BIGGEST PARTY OF THE YEAR EXPLODES THIS MONTH

Curaçao invites everyone to dance to the beat of Tumba, be a part of energetic, colorful street parades and enjoy the best of the island’s cuisine and culture as they celebrate Carnival.

It’s Carnival! Curaçao’s biggest festival, Carnival, blasts off this month bringing dance, costumes, food and entertainment to the entire island. Carnival events kicked into full gear on February 2nd and builds to a pinnacle with the Grand Carnival Parade or “Gran Marcha” on February 14; the festival concludes with the Grand Farewell Parade on February 16th.

Thousands of spectators line up along the road to witness an impressive array of multi-costumed groups dancing to the beat of Tumba, an Afro-Caribbean-Latin music hybrid that is the island’s official Carnival music. It also serves as the background beat for musical competitions held around the island.

“Carnival combines multiple ethnic traditions and is a pure celebration of our culture,” says Brenda Benjamin, Director of Marketing, Curaçao Tourist Board. “Curaçao’s unique blend of ethnicities, religions and cultural traditions really do come together in a burst of color, imagination, light, sound and energy during Carnival. It’s one of the best times of the year to be here.”

The Curaçao Carnival festival season actually begins in early January with the election of the adult and teen Carnival Queen, Prince and Pancho in talent competitions. What follows are days of “jump-ins” (indoor parties) and “jump-ups” (outdoor parties), including the four day Tumba music festival where bands vie to have their song chosen as the official parade anthem.

Carnival teams show off their dazzling costumes as they travel the Parade Route vying for the honor of best dressed. The grand finale of Carnival literally explodes as King Momo—a giant effigy stuffed with fireworks—is ritually set aflame after dark.

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Curacao News

Curacao Culture, Cuisine & Heritage Experience
From August 15 to November 15, this popular annual festival features varied cultural events in Willemstad and around the island.  Enjoy a “living history” show that brings 18th-century Curacao to life, musical and dance performances, art gallery and restaurant promotions, discounted admission to the island’s museums and more.

Curacao Culture

Carnival Season 2010
Dust off your party gear and join us from January 1 to February 15 for the famous Curacao Carnival, an island-wide celebration of pageantry, music, dance and song, now in its fortieth year. For more information on the Carnival program, visit www.curacaocarnival.info

Curacao Carnival

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Activities

Meet the Concierge Team
Marcela and Dulce
Your concierge will take care of all the little details, handle restaurant and tour reservations for you, and provide all the information you need to have an unforgettable Curacao vacation.
We also recommend attending the weekly Orientation Meeting on your next vacation. Meet your neighbors, hear about what’s new and what is planned at the resort, and receive fantastic Curacao activity, dining and sightseeing tips to help you make the most of your stay.  Orientation held every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Membership Office.

Dushi Happy Hour
On your next trip to The Royal Sea Aquarium, don’t miss the almost daily Dushi Happy Hour by the beach. Ask your Concierge for times.

Learn Papiamentu
You can now learn the island language at The Royal Sea Aquarium by taking our Monday Papiamentu classes. Sign up at the Front Desk and you will soon be chatting away with the locals.

A Week of Fun

You’ll enjoy the activities we have lined up for you and your family during your next stay. The Activity Program changes on a weekly basis and may include Papiamento lessons, bingo, domino’s turnament, aquarobics, pool volleyball, discounted priced tours to the Hato Caves, and Latin dance steps such as Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. If you are coming down with your children and would like us to schedule activities for them, send us an email request prior to travel. Don’t miss the boat trip and karaoke by the pool.

Take to the Waves
The resort now has its own fleet of kayaks for your enjoyment. Owners may sign out a kayak at no cost.  For non-owners a fee of $10 US per hour applies.

Discover the Underwater World
See Curacao’s reefs up close by taking a dive trip from “Curious 2 Dive” who has recently teamed up with Animal Encounters at the Curacao Sea Aquarium to offer PADI, WOSD and IAHD (a special dive certification for people with disabilities) dive courses.  Choose from trips to the island’s most famous reefs and shore diving to the nearby Sea Aquarium Reef.

For a once in a lifetime experience, you may also try the popular Animal Encounters and go snorkeling or diving with colorful tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles and stingrays and even feed the sharks.   In keeping with the Curacao Sea Aquarium’s many children’s activities, the Animal Encounters Dive Center also offers dive classes for the very young and uses the Bubble maker to introduce them to the technique of underwater breathing.   Remember, as an owner at the Resort you also have free unlimited access to the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and Royal Sea Aquarium Resort owners receive a 10% discount when they book dolphin swims or encounters at the Aquarium.

Voyage to the Depths
Coming soon to Curacao, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to board a submarine and submerge to a depth of 1,000 feet. This amazing journey will take you along the outer wall or drop off of the coral reef, home to myriad marine creatures, large and small.
The brand-new submarine is certified by Lloyds of London.

Curacao Dining News
The Royal Sea Aquarium guests can now take advantage of new complimentary shuttle service to the popular Il Forno Pizzeria, El Gaucho and Wine Seller restaurants.

Explore the West Coast of Curacao
Spend a day exploring the island and discover the sights of interest along the west coast of the island. Our new tour departs on Wednesdays, for more information ask your Concierge.

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News from the Resort

Satellite Reception & Internet

The resort recently invested in a new 2.4 meter satellite dish for improved reception and communication. Owners and guests can now enjoy resort wide complimentary Wi-Fi connection and stay connected while in your room, in the lobby, Augusto’s Restaurant or by the pools.

Villa Enhancements

Maintenance staff has been hard at work around the resort and in the villas and we think that you will enjoy the improvements we have been making.  Work includes reupholstering the sofas, replacing patio furniture, painting and improving the kitchen and bathroom ceilings. Hurry back to your Caribbean home to see and experience the progress.

Hurricane Repairs
The damage caused by Hurricane Omar in 2008 has now been completely repaired.  Although the damage was primarily cosmetic, we took the opportunity to increase our fortification for future storms.

Front Desk Services
A new automated beverage dispenser has also been installed in the reception.

Guest Laundry
As an added benefit for Royal Resort owners, laundry tokens for the washing machines and dryers are now available free of charge at the Front Desk.

Augusto’s Restaurant
Plan a visit to Augusto’s, our popular waterfront Italian and International restaurant, during your next trip. We think that you will enjoy the changes Agusto has been making to the menu, the decor and the outside terrace.

Star Employee
Staff training is of the utmost importance at The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort and we have implemented a Star Employee recognition program.  Please help us to reinforce and reward excellence on your next trip by filling out the In Search of Excellence survey and  telling us about the staff members who have made your stay a memorable one.

Security at the Resort
To ensure the safety of owners and guests, the floodlights have been improved and security patrols stepped up throughout the resort.

Keep in Touch with your Island Hideaway
Are you feeling homesick and are you counting the days to your next trip? Click on the webcams on www.royalseaquariumresort.com for a glimpse of life at The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort.

Member Services
Booking your next getaway to Royal Sea Aquarium is now easier than ever.  The website provides weekly rentals and extra nights, and even internal exchanges.  Check out www.royalseaquariumresort.com or call toll free 1-877-736-4568 (US & Canada) or 1-954-736-5802 (Rest of the world), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Central Time.  Owners interested in visiting Aruba (only a 15 minute flight from Curacao) may now internally exchange online to the newest addition to Royal Resorts family, the Costa Linda Beach Resort.

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