Sunwing Vacations adds a new Dominican Republic paradise to its vast lineup this winter: Samaná
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian customers can get a jump start on their winter vacations with the introduction of Samaná to Sunwing Vacations' destination portfolio, one of the Dominican Republic's best-kept secrets. Nestled on the island's northeastern peninsula, this peaceful, off-the-beaten-path destination is a desirable destination for families, groups and couples with a penchant for all inclusive comfort and the Dominican's unique blend of eco-experiences and unforgettable moments.
Samaná offers the ultimate combination of adventure and serenity, including:
A variety of landscapes from beaches to rainforests, waterfalls, coconut plantations, bays, mountains and valleys, and coral reefs to explore
Prime whale watching between January and April, where travellers can witness up to 2,500 humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay, one of three places in the world where visitors can swim and snorkel among them.
World-class snorkelling, diving and water sports amid colourful marine life
Thrilling excursions with Sunwing's trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, like horseback riding to El Limón waterfall and boat tours through Los Haitises National Park
Eurostars Grand Cayacoa, formerly the beloved Bahia Principe Grand Cayacoa is a four-star revamped property under the Eurostars Hotels brand and a long-time favourite among European travellers. Blending comfortable amenities, local culture and unbeatable bay views, with Pueblo Village accessibly nearby, this resort offers an authentic Dominican experience and marks an exciting new era in Samaná hospitality.
Sunwing customers also have more all inclusive options in Samaná, from Xeliter Balcones del Atlantico's all-ages resort ideal for long-stay vacations, to Viva V Samana by Wyndham's adults only oasis allowing for endless opportunities to explore the region or simply relax poolside.
Canadians travelling out of Montreal and Toronto this winter can also enjoy the fruits of this new destination when booking with WestJet Vacations Québec, and two new hotels from Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts that will soon be available to book:
Bahia Principe Grand Samaná, an adults only property perched cliffside that offers panoramic ocean views and romantic seclusion.
Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo, a family-friendly beachfront escape known for its wide range of all-ages amenities, culinary variety and access to calm turquoise waters.
With untouched natural beauty, enriching local culture, new resort options and the ease of direct flights, Samaná is poised to become a top choice for Canadians seeking something truly unique this winter when booking the Dominican Republic with Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Québec online at sunwing.ca or vacanceswestjetquebec.com, or through their local travel advisor.
About Sunwing Vacations
As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit sunwing.ca.
About WestJet Vacations Québec
At WestJet Vacations Québec, we are committed to offering our Québec customers exceptional value on all inclusive vacations and a seamless travel journey, from the research and booking phase to the flight experience, your time in destination and after your return home. We are proud to offer great travel deals and featured offers on vacation packages to a wide variety of destinations and carefully curated resorts across the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, with convenient flight options from several Québec airports. We look forward to helping make your next tropical escape one to remember! For more information, please visit vacanceswestjetquebec.com
SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc.
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2025/17/c5246.html
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Explore Greater Miami and Miami Beach's Most Unique Neighborhoods by Starlight
It's no secret that Miami shines under the sun, but it also comes alive after dark. When gorgeous hues of a South Florida sunset fade and the lights flicker on, Miami's array of vibrant neighborhoods transform into buzzing hubs of music, food, culture and connection. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a spontaneous night out, there's something unforgettable to be discovered during every star-studded evening in Miami. Start in Historic Overtown, where the smooth notes of soul and jazz echo through the streets. The Historic Lyric Theater, which was once a cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance, is now home to live shows and performances that celebrate Black culture and history. Just a few blocks away, Downtown Miami shows off a different kind of electricity. At the Kaseya Center or the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County you might catch a popular concert, a Broadway touring show or a playoff game, depending on the night. Art doesn't sleep in Miami — and neither does Wynwood. By day, it's known for its colorful murals and buzzing cafés, but by night, the district turns into a mecca for creative cocktails, late-night galleries and performances by world-class DJs. Continue the artsy vibe in the nearby Miami Design District, where high-end fashion boutiques share the streets with outdoor installations and contemporary art museums. After hours, the district's luxurious dining rooms and stylish rooftop lounges are perfect for a sophisticated evening out on the town. No night tour of Miami would be complete without exploring Miami's rich Latin roots. In Little Havana, the sounds of live salsa spill out of open doorways as locals sip cafecito late into the evening. The nearby stretch of Calle Ocho is a hallmark of cultural pride every night, but especially so during festivals. For a more Caribbean-inspired evening, Little Haiti has many unique music venues and dance clubs that celebrate Haitian Kompa and other Afro-Caribbean genres. Across the bay, Miami Beach needs no introduction — its sun-kissed shores and Art Deco skyline set the stage for both vibrant energy and refined elegance. Beyond the palm-fringed boardwalk and oceanfront resorts, Lincoln Road is home to a world-class pedestrian promenade where high-fashion boutiques and curated cafés mingle with impromptu music and avant-garde art installations. As day turns to night, lantern-lit terraces and stylish lounges welcome you for cocktails infused with local flavors, inviting you to get a taste of Miami Beach's signature blend of glamour and sophistication. Just a short drive inland, Coral Gables showcases its own brand of polished charm. Here, bougainvillea-draped avenues lead to tucked-away speakeasies and grand Spanish-Revival landmarks that twinkle under soft, ambient lighting. Spend your evening catching a captivating performance at GableStage, then wander through courtyards framed by arched colonnades to discover opulent hotel bars steeped in history. In Coconut Grove, the pace slows down. Locals love this waterfront neighborhood for its laid-back nightlife, with wine bars, indie movie theaters and intimate live music venues tucked beneath swaying palms. Further west, Doral has quickly become a destination for top-notch shopping and upscale dining. It's ideal for those who want a chic, relaxed evening without heading into Miami's core. For a true off-the-beaten-path experience, head south to Homestead, where you can catch a race under the lights at the Homestead-Miami Speedway or stop by late-night food trucks serving authentic Cuban and Mexican eats. Meanwhile, Miami Springs and Miami Gardens — home to the iconic Hard Rock Stadium — are quietly carving out space in the local nightlife scene with community theaters, jazz lounges and delicious family-owned restaurants that stay open late. Every part of Greater Miami and Miami Beach showcases something different. You could find yourself front row at a 5-star show, dancing to incredible live music, exploring a local food scene or indulging in some retail therapy under the stars. But no matter what you choose, you won't be disappointed with the offerings in any of these iconic neighborhoods. So on your next visit, don't forget — the magic of Miami isn't limited to the daylight hours. A whole new experience is in store after sundown. Discover your ideal Miami experience at
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cruises Profit as Cost-Conscious Travelers Set Sail This Summer
(Bloomberg) -- America's Independence Day holiday is fast approaching, but instead of the usual beach barbecues and fireworks displays, many US travelers are setting sail for some exotic port. Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds NYC Commutes Resume After Midtown Bus Terminal Crash Chaos What Gothenburg Got Out of Congestion Pricing California Exempts Building Projects From Environmental Law The cruise industry has emerged as the popular option for cost-conscious vacationers looking for something more affordable than a typical trip. From January through May, Americans across income levels cut their spending on airlines, lodging and other forms of leisure as economic uncertainty rose and the US dollar weakened, but cruises kept growing, a Bank of America Institute study found. 'If you want to go visit a Caribbean island, the best value by far is doing it on a cruise ship,' Truist Securities analyst C. Patrick Scholes said. A record 19 million Americans are expected to go on a cruise this year, up 4.5% from 2024 and the third straight year of all-time high volume, according to projections from the American Automobile Association. Cruise Lines International Association projects that passenger numbers worldwide will increase 9% in 2025 and continue to climb through 2028. The growth is showing up in the bottom lines of cruise operators, with Carnival Corp. posting better than expected second-quarter earnings and raised its outlook for the second half last week. Since then, Carnival's shares are up 23% compared with a 3% gain in the S&P 500, and are trading at the highest level in four years. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s stock has soared 18% and is at an all-time high, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is up 14% and Viking Holdings Ltd. has gained 8.8%. 'Cruise companies were hit hard earlier in the year by perceived recession risk, and now represent maybe the most clear-cut buying opportunity given a more resilient macro environment,' Citigroup analyst James Hardiman wrote in a note to clients last month. Low Inflation Risk In addition, the industry isn't being hit hard by inflation, at least not yet. Cruises operate with a long reservation calendar, so many of these trips were books in 2024, according to Don Bucolo, co-founder of the travel blog 'Eat Sleep Cruise.' 'They have a very long booking curve, so they have a lot of visibility into next year,' Melius Research analyst Conor Cunningham said. In times of economic unease, cruises become attractive travel options because they're far cheaper than flying to your destination and staying at a hotel or Airbnb. For example, a three-day Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas this January costs $469 per person, while a three-night stay at the Atlantis resort at Paradise Island Bahamas costs $894. Passengers lined up on a Brooklyn dock on June 29 preparing to board a ship headed to the Bahamas agreed with the value proposition. 'It's not only your hotel, it's your transportation and your restaurants,' said Nicholas Picard. 'So it's just something that brings us back for more.' Picard, a nurse, said that the need to be careful financially weighed more on his travel plans this year than in the past. Another passenger, Amy Gravell, said that her seven-day stay at a resort in the Bahamas last year cost twice as much as the week-long cruise she was about to embark on. One appealing aspect is the up-front cost of traveling by boat. Passengers on a cruise have a clearer idea of how much they're going to spend since so much is included in the price, according to Gabriel Podbereski, a pilot from Miami who also creates content about cruises on Instagram and YouTube under the handle @thecruisevibe. Young Cruisers 'Many travelers find the pricing strategy on a cruise to return a higher value for their dollar, especially as the USD and CAD have seen a continued weakening,' said Gina Gabbard, chief strategy officer at First In Service, a travel experience company with advisers worldwide. The company has seen 'ongoing growth' in its cruise business, Gabbard said, and the trend is continuing. Part of the enthusiasm for the industry is being driven by increasing numbers of younger travelers who are opting for cruises. In addition, the business has recovered from the debacles of a decade ago that gave cruising a bad reputation, as captured in the recent Netflix documentary 'Trainwreck: Poop Cruise,' about a 2013 voyage on a Carnival ship where passengers went four days on a without power. 'If we go back 10 years ago, we see this industry went from self-hurt to self-help,' Truist's Scholes said. One corner of the market that isn't seeing a boost from the growth of cruise vacations is fuel demand. In part that's because cruise ships represent a small fraction of the marine fuel market, said Iain Mowat, principal analyst for refining and oil product markets at Wood Mackenzie. Cruise ships are also becoming more fuel efficient. Fuel consumption per available lower berth day decreased 6.3% compared to the prior year, Carnival reported in its 2025 Q2 earnings release. Improved fuel efficiency mitigates some of the increased demand for fuel, according to Alex Hodes, director of energy market strategy at StoneX. While the cruise industry is thriving in a tough economic environment, with the big operators trading at records, for investors the question is how long they can keep it up. With each quarter of growth, the comparisons get more difficult to beat, so they need to continue enticing new travelers for the trend to stick. 'Really, this was a stock sector, if we go back to last year, that really did extremely well,' Scholes said. 'They would beat every quarter and have big earnings raises. I think that the ability to have really large beat and raises is going to be pressured.' SNAP Cuts in Big Tax Bill Will Hit a Lot of Trump Voters Too America's Top Consumer-Sentiment Economist Is Worried How to Steal a House China's Homegrown Jewelry Superstar Pistachios Are Everywhere Right Now, Not Just in Dubai Chocolate ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Travel Weekly
a day ago
- Travel Weekly
Royal opens bookings for its upcoming Bahamas beach club
Royal Caribbean International has opened day pass bookings for its new Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau. The private beach club opens in December and will feature two beaches, three pools and 10 bars. Day pass options include unlimited food and drink for those 21 and older, starting at $169.99. Passes exclusive of alcohol start at $129.99 for guests 13 and older and $109.99 for those ages 4 through 12. Children 3 and under can enter the beach club for free. There are also bundle options with onboard beverage packages or Perfect Day at CocoCay. Passes are available for purchase online for any guest booked on a sailing visiting Nassau from late December onward.
