The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on a major carrier, five nights' accommodations at Our Lucaya Reef Village, and hotel taxes, from $229 per person—plus about $109 in airport taxes.
When: Nov. 24–Dec. 19, 2009, Jan. 3–31, 2010; add $170 for Feb. 1–28.
Gateways: Fort Lauderdale; add $120 for D.C., New York City; $130 for Chicago; $150 for Boston; additional gateways available.
The fine print: Does not include about $109 per person in airport taxes. Based on double occupancy; no single bookings. Use promo code 500GBI. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Nov. 25, 2009.
Contact: Cheap Caribbean, 800/915-2322, cheapcaribbean.com.
Why it's a deal: In a recent Kayak search, we found a $218 round-trip fare between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, Bahamas, for travel in early December (Bahamasair). A five-night stay costs about $460 per person including all taxes. Booking independently, you would expect to pay about $678 per person. This package costs $338 all taxes included—a savings of $340.
More: Add nights for $51 per person. There's an all-inclusive plan available at Our Lucaya Reef Village for an additional cost (price depends on travel dates). Add $10 for a five-night package at the Flamingo Bay Hotel, or choose the all-inclusive Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, Radisson Our Lucaya Resort, or Pelican Bay Lucaya for packages at varying lengths.