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Chicago Tribune
Rest Up In PR Before The Ship Sails
By Toni Stroud
January 20, 2002
Copyright © 2002 Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
You're halfway through your cruise before you even begin to relax. A bad thing, but easily explained because your nerves are still jangling from these pre-trip stressors: getting disentangled from work; making sure the bills are paid up; notifying friends, neighbors, parents and children of your impending trip and reassuring them that you will be OK; trying to lose those last 10 pounds; arguing over what to pack; getting to the airport on time; worrying that your flight might be delayed; the flight actually being delayed. Whew! You need a vacation before you go anywhere near your ship.
One way to do that might be with "The Escape" package at Westin Rio Mar Beach Hotel in Puerto Rico. (888-627-8556; or on the Internet at www.westinriomar.com)
THE DEAL, WINTER
$1,100 per couple
Includes: three nights in resort-view room, Westin Rio Mar Beach Hotel; round-trip airport/cruise terminal transfers; daily breakfast buffet in Marbella restaurant; $10 daily match-play casino coupon; room tax; resort fee.
WINTER ALTERNATIVE
Done on our own (prices are for two):
Hotel: $716 (three nights at $199/night, plus 11 percent tax and 9 percent resort fee) for lagoon-view room, Westin Rio Mar, March 14, 15, 16.
Transfers: $100 ($50/person) for round-trip airport/cruise terminal.
Breakfast: $102 (three mornings at $17/person) for full buffet in Marbella restaurant.
Casino coupons: $30 (three at $10/day)
Total: $948 on our own.
Difference: $152 more with the package.
THE DEAL, SPRING
$775 per couple
Includes: three nights in resort-view room, Westin Rio Mar Beach Hotel; round-trip airport/cruise terminal transfers; daily breakfast buffet in Marbella restaurant; $10 daily match-play casino coupon; room tax; resort fee.
SPRING ALTERNATIVE
Done on our own (prices are for two):
Hotel: $540 (three nights at $150/night, plus 11 percent tax and 9 percent resort fee) for garden-view room, Westin Rio Mar, May 2, 3, 4.
Transfers: $100 ($50/person) for round-trip airport/cruise terminal.
Breakfast: $102 (three mornings at $17/person) for full buffet in Marbella restaurant.
Casino coupons: $30 (three at $10/day)
Total: $772 on our own.
Difference: $3 more with the package.
BEYOND THE DOLLAR SIGNS
Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries often embark from San Juan, Puerto Rico. These are usually seven-night cruises and, though there are some exceptions, typically depart on a Saturday or Sunday. That's an important point, because the shuttle between the Westin and the cruise terminal operates only on Saturday and Sunday; and space must be reserved in advance.
The Westin Rio Mar has a lot to offer: landscaped beachfront, two golf courses, eight restaurants, four lounges, a casino, 13 tennis courts, a spa, water sports and a concierge desk that can arrange excursions. But no place is so great as to warrant being overcharged for the convenience of booking a package, no matter how much money their casino coupons might help you win.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Supposing you have lots of pre-cruise vacation time or just want to make a trip of Puerto Rico on its own merits, you might give the Westin Rio Mar another chance. It has another promotion in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company whereby you get two free round-trip airplane tickets from Chicago when you stay five nights at the resort. You'd have to book that through a travel agent by Feb. 22 and travel by April 14. And if you're smart, you'll compare whatever price you're quoted on the "free ticket deal" with a little research on your own before you buy anything.
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