Unless you've been buried under warm sand for the last few weeks (not a bad thought as long as you trust the one wielding the shovel),you've probably heard the news that the US Navy, in two years, will no longer attack Vieques, Puerto Rico's sleepy sibling to the east. As a reminder, the center third of the island has been home to military training exercises that involved live ordnance and resulted in a civilian casualty in 1999. Intense lobbying by Puerto Rico's elected officials and vituperative protests by the mainland Hispanic community lead the Bush administration to conclude that Vieques was becoming a liability to 2004 reelection prospects. The military will halt all exercises in 2003.

Although pressure to end the Navy's involvement in Vieques came from several corners, should we be surprised that Dallas-based Rosewood Hotels & Resorts probably played a part? According to Newsweek, the company gave $100,000 in soft money to the Republican National Committee, and Rosewood half-owner Caroline Rose Hunt is half-sister to Bush's Texas Finance Chairman. As you've read here – and excuse us while we beat this dead horse one more time – Rosewood is the management company behind the yet-to-open Martineau Bay Resort on Vieques (and when we say “yet-to,” we mean, was scheduled to debut 18 months ago). Rosewood denies speaking to the administration about the project, but we can't help but wonder if the long-stalled opening of the nearly complete Martineau Bay may suddenly move onto the front burner in the very near future.

n general, we don't think travel insurance is a good investment unless you carry a risk of ill health, or regularly tour Naval bombing sites. But we recently stumbled across an interesting alternative. Island Destinations (800-729-9599), a tour operator that sells upscale resorts, has created a “cancellation waiver” called Peace of Mind. No, despite the name it's not something that involves morticians, but it allows clients to cancel their hotel reservation up until 24 hours before departure, without penalty. The policy starts at $59 per person, for a trip valued up to $2,000. Pascale Gherardi, Vice President of Sales, says her company created the plan because most clients had their own medical or other insurance that covered them sufficiently once a vacation started, but wanted an “out” if business conflicts arose at the last-minute. “You don't even have to tell us why you're canceling,” says Gherardi.

hen summer rolls into the Caribbean, temperatures don't increase much, but deals sure do proliferate. Although most island resorts discount their rooms 30 to 50 percent off the winter rack rates normally, many properties still struggle to fill beds, so package deals multiply like crazy. A few of the more interesting ones we've spotted include a pair of Golf packages linked to Hyatt's two Puerto Rico properties. They include three nights' accommodation, unlimited greens fees and golf cart, golf clinics and transfers from the San Juan airport. The rate is $589 per person for the Hyatt Regency Cerromar, and $619 at the Hyatt Dorado, through September 30 (the packages are $685 and $710 respectively October 1 through November 19). Reservations: 800-55-HYATT.

Amigos Tours, a New York-based, gay-friendly tour operator working in the Dominican Republic, is offering a Labor Day weekend package that provides four nights at the Hotel Mercure Commercial in Santo Domingo. The $290 per person rate ($380 single occupancy) includes buffet breakfast daily, a daytrip to Saona Island, nightclubbing at Café Atlantico, a gay tour guide and airport transfers. Reservations: 212-568-1354, or check the website: www.amigostours.com.

And deals can work the other way, too. Airlines often offer bonus miles to their frequent fliers to boost off-season travel or promote new routes. Currently, through August 15, Delta SkyMiles members earn a 50 percent mileage bonus for travel on Air Jamaica from Boston to the Caribbean; the bonus applies on nonstop travel to Montego Bay, and to any of the carrier's other island destinations via the Mo Bay hub. Also from Boston, fly on TWA's new nonstop service to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and earn double miles through August 31. The miles accrue to either your a TWA Aviators or American Advantage accounts (American just purchased TWA and is merging frequent flier programs), but you must register for the bonus by calling 800-882-8880 and using promotion code SDQDB. American Advantage members can also benefit from the airline's new Bonaire service, with double miles earned on the San Juan-Bonaire flights. Again, call 800-882-8880 and use promotion code DBBON.

hile we're on the subject of airlines, there's a new one to reveal. Newish, actually, for Caribbean Star has been flying for some months, if with little fanfare outside the islands. Outside Antigua, anyway, the airline's hub. Not coincidentally, Antigua is also LIAT's hub, the region's long-time island-hopping service, and what with the appearance and then demise of EC Xpress a few months back, and American Eagle's recent foray into the island-hopping world (versus its existing hub-and-spoke service out of San Juan), we've delayed reporting on the new carrier for fear it might be a fly-by-night. Surely there can't be enough business for all of these island-hoppers to survive? But, indeed, Caribbean Star is still here, and providing flights between Antigua and Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tortola and Trinidad. The airline has a fleet of five Dash 8 aircraft, with ambitious plans for expansion during the next year – Caribbean Star has also developed interline agreements with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Air Canada (but curiously no American carriers). Who knows, maybe Caribbean Star is here for the long term, and if so – what does that say about LIAT's future? Reservations office in Antigua: 268-480-2501, or check the airline’s website: www.flycaribbeanstar.com.

e're off to St. Maarten/St. Martin and will have a full report on our latest discoveries in August.