ROSEAU, Dominica – In response to the overwhelming public interest in the hit Disney movie “Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest,” several hotels and attractions on Dominica have created special packages tailored to travelers who would like to visit the place where several scenes from the movie were filmed.
Among the packages and deals available to travelers are:
~Garraway Hotel: For parents who want to experience a pirate adventure with their kids, Garraway Hotel is offering the “Pirate Pearl Family Package,” valid now through October 23, 2006 and from November 8 to December 23, 2006. The package includes five nights accommodation in a deluxe room with two double beds, a Real Pirate Rum Drink or welcome cocktail, private airport transfers and all taxes and service charges for a rate of $1,100. Package rate is subject to availability and based on two adults and two children. Those who wish to extend their stay can book extra nights and receive ten percent off the room rate.
~3 Rivers Eco Lodge: See the sets where the movie was filmed and walk in the footsteps of the stars with 3 Rivers’ “Pirates of the Caribbean Package.” Priced at $1,300 per person and $600 per additional person, this seven night packages includes a tour of the Carib Indian Territory, Southeast tour, Northern tour, food, airport transfers to and from 3 Rivers and the ferry terminal, transport to and from all tours and tour costs as well as taxes. Accommodation is not included. Package is valid from now through December 31, 2006 depending on availability. 3 Rivers is closed during the month of September.
~Anchorage Hotel and Dive Center: This five-night “Pirates Special” package brings the pirate experience alive! Valid from now through December 15, 2006, the package includes accommodations for five nights at double occupancy in the Sparrow’s Nest superior room, daily breakfast, welcome drink, half-day tour to Carib’s Leap and Cannibal camp, Marine Park entry fees, bottle of complimentary rum punch, a Champagne Snorkel (snorkel equipment included), return transfer to the airport and all taxes and service charges for a rate of $467 per person.
~Jungle Trekking Adventures and Safaris, Inc. (JTAS): Telling the tales of the era of pirates and their influence on the Kalinago (Carib Indian) people of Dominica, enjoying a Kalinago bonfire experience, eating a special barbeque, site seeing, river bathing and visiting filming locations, sites and local communities are all part of the “Trailing the Pirates Treasures” tour, valid now through December 31, 2006. Of particular appeal to families with children, the tour cost is $130 for adults and $60 for kids under 12 with a minimum group size of six people.
~Fort Young Hotel: Stay in the hotel where Actor Geoffrey Rush stayed while filming the movie and more with the “Pirates Summer Special” from Fort Young. For a rate of $100 per person, per night based on double occupancy for five nights, included are accommodations in a deluxe oceanfront room, full breakfast, welcome rum or fruit punch, pirates bandannas, a bottle of Dominica Dark Rum, a whale watching expedition, service charges and VAT as well as $20 Jewelers Dollars valid toward purchases of gold jewelry of $100 or more. Valid now through September 30, 2006, the package is based on availability of deluxe oceanfront room, black out periods apply, there are no refunds on unused components of the package and reservations must be paid in full at the time of booking. Rates and availability are subject to change without notice.
~Tamarind Tree Hotel & Restaurant: Visit all filming locations for “Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest” with the person who is not only a local tour operator, but who served as the driver for the movie’s director, Gore Verbinski, with the “Pirates Package” from Tamarind Tree. Beginning at $1,645 per person based on double occupancy, this exciting seven-day package includes accommodations in a double room, all meals, round-trip airport transfers, services charges, VAT and five full days of tours and excursions visiting some of Dominica’s most beautiful sites in addition to filming locations.
~Cabrits Dive Center: With Cabrits’ “Pirates of the Caribbean Fifth Day Free Bounty Dive Special,” adventurous travelers can dive the waters of historic Prince Rupert Bay, where the Black Pearl was anchored during the filming of the movie. Enjoy the colorful marine life or search for pirate gold from a Spanish shipwreck from the 1500’s rumored to still be hidden in the Bay’s depths. With the package, the fifth day of diving is free when purchasing a tour two-tank dive package for a special rate of $265. Alternately, try Cabrits’ “Pirates on Location Tour Special Package” including five days of diving and a day tour to see the filming locations at Indian River, Hampstead Beach and Vielle Casse for $385 plus VAT. Both packages are valid from now through October 31, 2006 and must be purchased prior to arrival in Dominica.
~Wacky Rollers Adventure Park: Starting in October 2006, Wacky Rollers will feature the rope-style bridge that was used in filming “Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest.” The bridge will be re-erected to span the Layou River, returning guests to the Park’s picnic area after first crossing the river on a 200 ft. zip line. To celebrate the bridge opening, patrons taking the zip line, which is part of the Adventure Park Tour, will have the opportunity to dress up in Pirate gear for a fun and memorable souvenir photo provided via e-mail or on CD, which is FREE from November 1 to November 30, 2006. This offer is extended to guests staying on island only. A “Pirates of the Caribbean Special Stayover Offer”, valid from October 1 to October 31, 2006 will provide guests staying at any Dominica lodging with a 50% discount on a River Tubing tour when taken on the same day as either a Jeep Safari or an Adventure Park tour. Reservations for a minimum of four people must be made directly with Wacky Rollers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Dominica was an ideal filming location for the movie due to its natural heritage, unspoiled scenic beauty, people and culture. Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean” and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced “Dom-in-eek-a”) is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles. Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet, rainforests that are considered among the last true oceanic rainforests in the world, more than 365 rivers, waterfalls, boiling lakes and pristine coral reefs, Dominica’s natural diversity is truly unique. Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians. A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island’s eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.
Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and sustainable tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21 and ranking as the only Caribbean destination in the top five happiest countries on earth in the Happy Planet Index (compiled by Britain’s New Economics Foundation).
Beginning December 31, 2006 The U.S. State Department and the Department Homeland Security will require that all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. from the Caribbean, including Dominica.
