U.S. Virgin Islands, from $138 per room per night
The Real Deal: The Sizzlin' Sampler promotion includes a $300 airfare voucher per reservation, a fourth night free at participating hotels, a $50 dining coupon, $50 off one island attraction, and a coupon booklet worth $500 in savings.
How it works: Book three nights at participating hotels on St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John, and you're eligible for all the perks. You must book through one of the tour operators listed here.
When: Through Oct. 31, 2009.
The fine print: Does not include hotel taxes of 8 percent, plus some additional fees sometimes tacked on by the hotels. Use promo code USVISS09. The sampler is available for solo travelers; rates will vary depending on hotel and tour operator. The $300 airline voucher is applied as a discount after you've book the entire air/hotel package. A three-night stay is required.
Book by: Oct. 15, 2009.
Why it's a deal: You can use the coupon book for discounts, like 10 percent off at Tutto Bene Restaurant on St. Croix. The included $50 off one attraction can be used at places like Big Beard's Adventure Tours, also in St. Croix, which does full and half-day sailing tours of the island (prices start at $68 per person before the discount). Plus, you'll get a $300 air voucher per reservation to cover the cost of airfare.
Lodging: The $138 rate is available at the Hotel Caravelle on St. Croix, which has a pool and is located on the waterfront—enjoy views of the boats in Christiansted Harbor. There are more than 20 hotels participating on the three islands. Two more examples: We found a $169 per room per night rate at the Best Western Emerald Beach Resort on St. Thomas, and a $333 per room per night rate at The Westin St. John Resort & Villa.
Cayman Islands, from $162 per room per night
The Real Deal: The Cayman Islands Summer Splash includes free airfare for kids on Cayman Airways, a fifth night free at participating hotels, and 20 percent off car rentals; plus, kids stay, dive, and eat free at participating outlets.
How it works: Book a four-night package through one of these tour operators, and you'll be eligible for all the perks.
When: June 1–Sept. 7, 2009.
The fine print: Kids are defined as 11 and younger. The free diving is for kids 12 to 17. The kids-fly-free offer is valid only on Cayman Airways. The islands' hotel tax rate is 10 percent. The sampler is available for solo travelers; rates will vary depending on hotel and tour operator. A four-night stay is required.
Book by: Sept. 2, 2009.
Why it's a deal: Kids get in free at attractions like Boatswain's Beach and Turtle Farm and the Atlantis Submarine Tour and eat free at restaurants like the Brickhouse and the Lobster Pot. In addition, parents can rent a car for Coconut Car Rentals at 20 percent off. See all the participating venues.
Lodging:The starting rate of $162 is available at the Sunshine Suite Resort on Grand Cayman and includes all taxes and fees. The hotel is along the island's seven-mile-long beach, and all suites have a full kitchen (breakfast is also included). There are nine hotels and 24 condo and villa properties participating, so take your pick.
Special events: New this summer on the Cayman Islands is Skate Cayman, a skateboard camp at Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park. Top international skateboarders will demonstrate stunts and then lead classes for kids. An all-day skate pass at the park starts at $20; the camp starts at $63 per day.
Getting there: Airfare for adults isn't included; it must be booked through Cayman Airways. We priced out these round-trip flights in mid-June, before taxes: $362 from New York City and $406 from Miami and Tampa. If you're flying out of another city, remember that your chosen tour operator will coordinate the flights for you.
Read before you book any Real Deal.
Before you go: U.S. citizens won't need a passport for travel to the U.S.V.I. For the Cayman Islands, U.S. citizens will need a passport.