Norwegian Cruise Lines has $99 inside cabin staterooms available on their November 3rd and November 10th cruises only!

$99 - Inside Cabins
$159 - Outside Cabins
$429 - Balcony
$1129 - Suites

Cruises sail from Miami - Nassau - Great Stirrup Cay - Grand Bahama Island.

I’d like to take this time to say that, if I lived in Florida as opposed to the middle of the country I’d travel much more frequently. Who couldn’t use a $99 vacation?!!

I looked near and far - read all the email newsletters - checked out all the event sites - looked at EVERY ning community site we belong to - “Googled” my fingers off and I am now ready to present to you the Hottest List (self-proclaimed) of Summer and Fall 2008 Festivals.

Bahamas Junkanoo Summer Festival
Date: June 12th - August 19th
Place: Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, Bahamas

Reggae Sumfest 2008
Date: July 17th - 19th
Place: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Performers: Lil’ Wayne, Keisha Cole, T-Pain, Elephant Man, Beenie Man and more…

Party in Palm Springs
Date: July 25th - 27th
Place: Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs Wyndham Resort)

Adamari Caribbean Summer Festival 2008
Date: July 27th
Place: Long Island Queen Mary Park - Long Beach, California
Price: $50 in Advance, $60 at the gate, $100 VIP, 9 & under Free
Performers: Shabba Ranks, Lady Saw, Junior Reid, Cham, Felisa Marisol, Richie Kupone and more…

The 5th Annual Turks And Caicos Music and Cultural Festival
Date: July 28th - August 4th
Place: Turks and Caicos
Performers: Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Ne-Yo, Rickey Smiley and more…

Barbados Crop Over
Date: July 28th - August 4th
Place: Barbados

Caribana
Date: July 31st - August 4th
Place: Toronto, Canada

A.T.I - R.T.I Weekend (A.K.A Jamaica Independence Weekend)
Date: July 31st - August 4th
Place: Negril, Jamaica

Lollapalooza
When: Aug. 1-3
Where: Chicago, IL
It will cost you: $190-$205/three-day pass
Headliners: Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Radiohead, Lupe Fiasco, Rage Against the Machine and more…

Anguilla Summer Festival 2008
Date: August 2nd - 12th
Place: Northern Leeward Islands - Anguilla, BWI
11 days of carnival and boatracing activities

The London Notting Hill Carnival
Date: August 22-25, 2008
Place: London, England (Notting Hill)

Labor Day Getaway Weekend
Date: August 29 - Sept 1, 2008
Place: San Juan, Puerto Rico

BumberShoot
Seattle’s Music & Art Festival
Date: August 30 - September 1, 2008
Place: Seattle, WA - Seattle Center
Featuring: Keyshia Cole, T.I., Stone Temple Pilots, Neko, Estelle, Adele, Jakob Dylan, !!! and much much more….too much to list!

Mr. Caribbean International 2008
Date: October 6 -13, 2008
Place: Hedonism III

Bermuda Music Festival
Date: October 1-4, 2008
Place: Bermuda
Performers: Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Steve Harvey, Bill Bellamy, Aaron Nevile and more…

That’s all I got! If you venture out let us know about. Upload your pictures to the Jet Set Community www.TwoJetSetDivas.ning.com

Contributing Source: Black Beach Week.com
They know about every happening event! Sign up for their newsletter here…make your life easier!

Tip #1: Book a flight-and-hotel package together. You can save as much as 40% over booking each individually on sites like Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, and Hotels.com.

Tip #2: Try your luck on a last-minute trip. If you’re flexible on your destination, you can find good deals as late as 2 weeks or even 1 week out.

Tip #3: Take off on a Thursday and/or come back on a Monday - Friday and Sunday flights are usually more expensive.

Tip #4: Look for early-morning flights (you can sleep on the plane) for the best rates.

Tip #5: Stay close to home. Shorter jaunts mean lower fuel costs and less-expensive flights.

Tip #6: Head to off-season destinations like Phoenix, Miami, Jamaica, Cancun, and more, to capitalize on substantial hotel discounts.

Anywho, Essence staff go above and beyond to make this not only an entertaining weekend but also an educational one. So you can receive all your community information in the day and get groovy at night. Below is a schedule of events.

Seminars @ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Friday - July 4th featuring: Tyler Perry, Mayor Ray Nagin, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Lynn Whitfield, and the cast of House of Payne
Price: FREE

Saturday - July 5th featuring: Al Sharpton, Dr. Bill Cosby, Dr. Poussaint, Tom Joyner, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bishop TD Jakes, Ed Jordan
Price: FREE

Sunday - July 6th featuring: Mikki Taylor & Dr. Jaunita Bynum
Price: FREE

Concerts @ New Orleans Superdome
Each night is hosted by: Jonathan Slocumb
Friday - July 4th
Main Stage: J. Holiday, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kanye West
Coca Cola Superlounge: Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Terence Blanchard, Peabo Bryson, Grandmaster Flash, Mint Condition, rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110

Saturday - July 5th
Main Stage: Musiq, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Patti Labelle (Labelle reunion with Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, Angie Stone, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele. Irma Thomas & Ruby Amanfu)
Coca Cola Superlounge: Irvin Mayfiels, Lyfe Jennings, Kermit Ruffins Band, Solange Knowles, Ledisi, Cupid
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110

Sunday - July 6th
Main Stage: Morris Day, Keyshia Cole, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige, Frnakie Beverly and Maze
Coca Cola Superlounge: Raheem Devaughn, Chrisette Michele, Micholas Payton, Preservation Jazz Hall’s Gospel Revival, Irma Thomas, Gil Scott-Heron
Price: $56, $67, $72 Floor Seats: $83, $110




This post would be so incomplete without offering you the Late Night party information. These are the events I have so far. (If you have anything to list, we’d be happy to post it. Our readers are coming a long way to party…they need options!)

The Chocolate Bar
July 4th 8p. - until
540 S. Broad (5 blocks from the Superdome)
“The All White Experience” Another Adonis Expose and Jeff Williams Event






10th Annual All White Affair
July 5th 10p.m. - 5a.m.
Ray’s Over the River - #1 Canal St
Hosted by: Boris Kodjoe
General Admission - $35 VIP - $50
*Dress to Impress*




Grown and Sexy Mid Day Cruise
July 5th 1p.m. - 5p.m.
Creole Queen Dock behind Riverwalk Mall
Boat leaves at 1:30p.m.
$39.99 plus tax
*Attire: Grown & Sexy! You will be on t.v.!

DJ Captain Charles @ Harrah’s Casino
July 4, July 5, & July 6
Corner of Canal St. and Poydras
Doors are always OPEN
Party starts @ 10p.
**FREE** <-- Because its free it will be packed! I learned that NBA All-Star weekend.

The Amazemint Lounge
Presented by Alize and Covergirl
July 5 4p.m. - 8p.m. @ The W Hotel on Poydras
Featuring Biz Markie
RSVP to: amazemintrsvp@gmail.com




If you venture down and attend the festival…leave us a comment and let us know how it was!

You can search for:
Cheap Airline Tickets
Hotel Discounts
Car Rentals
Package Vacation Deals

Also listed are the best deals for the week. So whether you are looking to cruise the Caribbean, gamble on the Vegas Strip, or get a hotel with a skyline view of Bangkok you can find it here.

As an added bonus The Lowfares Travel News Daily recaps the previous days most important travel news. Offering tips in many areas, such as how to reduce stress while traveling. (Believe me that’s important! The more details you can take care of in advance the least amount of worry once you’re away.)

So how do you cut your research time in half? Easy. Search Lowfares.com!

It’s almost here…Spring. A time of renewal, spring cleaning, and the pre-summer get-a-ways! So renew your travel vows, spring clean that suitcase, and get outta here! Here’s some ideas to get you there.

Expedia Spring Sale
Deals including 4 nights + air:
Bahamas - from $734
Cancun - from $764
Jamaica - from $487
Las Vegas - from $442
Los Cabos - from $579
Miami - from $484
Puerto Rico - from $529
Riviera Maya - from $737

Want to make sure you avoid any wet t-shirts this spring? Forbes Traveler features great places for grown-ups to break such as:
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Costa Rica
Barbados
Turks & Caicos Islands
Kauai, Hawaii
Lisbon, Portugal






According to the NY Times spring travel, especially this month should be carefully planned and timed in order to catch the best deals. Easter falls earlier this year and spring vacations for school-aged children and college students may also fall earlier as well. Thus, causing a crunch in vacation time and increases in prices at some destinations.

I don’t know about you, but I’m so over winter…and ready to spring off to somewhere sunny and relaxing. So check out these deals and start planning your spring-time getaway. Don’t forget to send us a postcard!!

For an inside look at the Springtime sakura zensen (the cherry blossom front) in Japan, check out our discussion board.

It’s NBA All Star Weekend 2008 and I have personally been waiting for them to bring this to New Orleans since they announced it 4 years ago…and I don’t even live there anymore!

New Orleans is the ultimate party town from the French Quarter Festival, to The Jazz and Hertiage Festival, to the infamous Mardi Gras. However, no other city can do a rotating celebration (Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, NBA All Star) like the Big Easy.
Here’s the skinny on NBA All Star Weekend.

Airline tickets are RIDICULOUS…say it again…RIDICULOUS. So if you havent already made flight arrangements I suggest you take off Friday the 15th and Monday the 18th and prepare for one helluva drive.
*UPDATE* American Airlines has New Orleans on their net fares this weekend. From St. Louis to New Orleans (Feb 16 - Feb. 18) round trip is $199. Check it out!

Hotel Rooms in the coveted French Quarter area are near non-existent. However, if you’ve saved plenty on airfare the brand new Harrah’s Hotel which is about a year old has rooms for $850 per night. HA! (I think Jay-Z and Diddy must be staying up in there or something.) Since thats not the spot for me I searched and searched and found the:

Baronne Plaza Hotel
201 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
1-888-756-0083
They are newly renovated (Request the 3rd or 5th floor.) and are one block down and one block over (thats 2 blocks) from Bourbon Street.
Their rooms are going for $169/night. Any other time I would say WHAT? But for this weekend I say that is not too shabby! If you book directly through the hotel the rooms are $189. If you boook through TravelNow, they are $169. Your call!

In a city structured like New Orleans, where the majority of the entertainment is downtown, I don’t suggest getting a rental car. I suggest taking the Airport Shuttle New Orleans. They are $30 round trip or $15 one-way.

Now for the Entertainment….
There are many many affordable and non-affordable…translation…celebrity and regular folk events going on in town. I apologize up front for not listing them all, but that is damn near impossible. I list all the ones I receive and if you have any to add please send them to ebonee@twojetsetdivas.com . A good place to check out the majority of the events all in one place is All Star Weekend New Orleans.

Lil’ Wayne & Friends Friday, Saturday & Sunday night @ Dreams and Ray’s & 360
Gen Admn $50 VIP $100. They have a package deal right now General Admission all 3 nights $100 and VIP all 3 nights $250.

All Star Afternoon with the Kid (YEP, DJ Kid Capri) at Club 360
#2 Canal Street on the 33rd floor directly across from Harrah’s Casino.
3p. - 8p.
Featuring: 2 for 1 Belvedere and FREE Admission if you RSVP to redcarpetevents@bellsouth.net by 10a.m. 2/16/08 <-- Please follow instructions!

VIBE Hoops and Hip Hop Boat Party $70 + tax
Saturday, February 16th
For More Info: TEXT: VIBE TO: 347-420-7250 OR CALL 615-828-2380.
Once in New Orleans. HOTEL DELIVERY AVAILABLE
comments@whatspoppingcentral.com

American Swagger @ The Chocolate Bar
540 S. Broad St. New Orleans, LA 70119
Gen Admn. $50 VIP $100
Special Guests:
Thursday - Birdman & Ca$h Money All Stars
Friday - Doug E. Fresh and DJ Kid Capri
Saturday - Cassidy and Ruff Ryders
Sunday - Deuce McAllister & DJ Captain Charles
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
For more info call: (504) 914-4903

The Best of Both Worlds - Presented by Prophecy Events
Friday, Febryary 15th @ The Sugar Mills 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
Featuring: Ne-Yo & Rick Ross
Gen. Admn $40 VIP $80
Attire: RED CARPET FLY…don’t get caught tripping!

Coast to Coast All Star Weekend Celebrity Bash w/ A.I. & Dwayne Wade Party at the Sugar Mill
$75 Gen. Admn. $100 VIP
Saturday, February 16th
1021 Convention Center Blvd.

The Final Round - All Star Weekend Finale w/ A.I. & Floyd Mayweather Party at the Sugar Mill
$75 Gen. Admn $100 VIP
Sunday, February 17th
1021 Convention Center Blvd.

2008 Glamour VooDoo
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12a. 6a.m.
Bourbon Vieux
501 Bourbon St.
Featuring: Premiun Open Bar, Complimentary Gourmet Buffet, DJ’s, Screenings of New Releases, Massage Therapists, Lounge Chairs and more!
$50 per night or $100 for a 3-night pass
For more info contact: 412-GLA-MOUR or vip@glamourlife.com or www.glamourlife.com

MVP 2008 All Star Party w/ Idirs Elba (I LOVE HIM) and Carmelo Anthony
Sunday February 17th @ The Metropolitan
310 Andrew Higgins Dr.
$100 Gen Admn $150 VIP
(**WARNING you can be 18 to ENTER….beware)

Homegrown in the Bayou All-Star Bash @ Club 300
$50 Gen Admn $100 VIP
Friday and Saturday Feb 15th and 16th

NBA All Star Saturday Night @ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center -
Tickets price range from Expensive to Hella
Saturday, February 16th

DEF JAM RECORDS LABEL PARTY @ Creole Quenn River Walk Mall - Mississippi Dock w/ Rick Ross and other Def Jam Artists
Friday Feb 15th 10p-2a $125 Gen Admn

106 and Park Party @ Creole Queen River Boat w/ Terence & Rocsi $100 Gen Admn
Saturday Feb. 16th 10p-6a

Luxury Yacht - (NEVER LEAVES DOCK) ft. Lil Wayne, Chris Paul and Reggie Bush $125 Gen Admn
Sunday Feb. 17th 10p. - 6a.

NFL Players - Ball Till You Fall Blowout @ Club 300 (300 Decatur, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Sunday February 17th
Doors open @ 10p.
Gen. Admn $40 VIP w/ Express Entry $80
For more info call: (504) 329-2342 Ballers Packages Available

Ballin’ Ultra Sundays @ Ray’s over the River and Club 360
Sunday Feb 17th 9p. - 5a.
Special Guests: Corey Webster (NY Giants), Jim Jones, Mike Jones, Glen Davis, DJ Kid Capri and many many more.

You can check out these sites for other party lisitings:
All Star New Orleans
All Star NOLA
What’s Poppin Central
The Chocolate Bar
Social Step
MVP New Orleans
EVIPList
Platinum Enterprise
So So Derrty
Brothers and Sisters Online
New Orleans Jazz Bistro - Club 300
Ray’s Over the River
Club Vibes

If you try to follow me, and find me…say hi and buy me a beignet…shouts out to Cafe DuMonde!

It’s never too late to make a weekend getaway. Phoenix, AZ may be on the other side of the world OR right outside your front door, who knows! But if I were planning to attend the festivites in Phoenix THIS weekend…this is what I would do… (This will NOT be a cheap last minute trip, but I can get you there.)

AIRLINE TICKETS
Hotwire has a special from the Midwest for $384
That price is for travel Friday, February 1st - Sunday, February 3rd
Kayak also has some plane tickets starting at $598 if you want to stay through the Sunday night celebrations.

ACCOMODATIONS
The Game will be at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, AZ. Hotels in that area are starting around $216 and thats the Comfort Suites (2 1/2 stars). Remembering that we focus on traveling inexpensively but comfortably my suggestion is:
Comfort Suites Peoria (2 1/2 stars about 8 miles from the action)
8473 Parasides Ln.
Peoria, AZ 85382
Total: $382.52 if you book through TravelNow

GROUND TRANSPORTATION
This is not NYC, New Orleans, or Chicago you WILL need a rental…and sorry, but no matter what site you go to Economy Class is starting at about $72 per day.

If you are a member of AAA you can get that rental for about $62 per day.

THINGS TO DO
Check out the Super Bowl XLII Event Guide
-Club Planet - Phoenix Super Bowl XLII Parties -

Pepsi Smash SuperBowl Bash
Thursday, January 31st - Friday, February 1st (Aired on VH1 Saturday, February 2nd)
Featured artists: Queen of Soul Mary J. Blige, Hip Hop King Kanye West and Latin Sensation RBD
Prices: $40 per show
Location: Jobing.com Arena (Glendale, AZ) 9400 Maryland Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305

Downtown End Zone Party Hosted by Dan Majerle
Thursday, January 31st - Saturday, February 2nd
Live Entertainment, DJ’s, Tailgate Food, Spirits and More Sponsored by Coors Light to benefit The Valley Youth Theatre
Price: $20
Location: Downtown Phoenix @ 2nd Street between Washington and Jefferson

P. Diddy SuperBowl Party
Sunday, February 3rd
Glendale Civic Center
It wouldn’t be a national event without a Puffy All White Affair!
Price: Out-Freakin’-Rageous but you’re sure to run into a celeb

The 944 Village at Scottsdale Waterfront
Thursday, January 31st - Sunday, February 3rd
The village will consist of a mini-Las Vegas Strip, live music, DJ’s, Food Vendors, Charity Organizations, Art Displays and Fashion Shows.
Featuring: Fall Out Boy, 50Cent, Paris Hilton, Wyclef, Benji of Madden and Others!
Prices: General Admission $30 - $100
VIP Hospitality $100 - $750

GAME TIME
Of course the game is sold out however…
Kick off is at 4:18 p.m.
Univsersity of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, AZ

There you are a last minute Super Bowl trip for about $1000! Hey ballin’ is expensive baby!