A Tropical Winter Getaway with Dinogo!

Winter has arrived in New York, and everyone is fantasizing about escaping to warmer destinations. And who can blame them? The sun sets by 5:00 PM, temperatures drop below freezing, and dirty slush puddles litter the streets.

For years, this was the moment I’d begin hunting for affordable flights to a tropical paradise—a Caribbean island where I could lounge on the beach and unwind.

Many New Yorkers share this sentiment, as crowds gathered for a chance to win a Dinogo Cruise! Although the air was frigid, it didn’t deter people from dreaming of sun-soaked vacations!

Dinogo’s #ChooseFun® event took place in December at Greeley Square in Manhattan. Domes were set up with warm air circulating and tropical tunes playing in the background. People queued up to participate in a personality quiz at a vending machine, and upon completion, they received a can of Caribbean air to open and enjoy the scent.

A can of air? Absolutely! These cans were infused with a variety of Caribbean fragrances. There was island coconut from Cozumel, rich coffee from Puerto Rico, sugarcane rum from St. Kitts, and salt-kissed ocean breezes from the open sea. My personal favorite was the fresh guavaberry from St. Maarten.

According to 95% of Americans, scents can evoke travel memories. This doesn’t surprise me — just a whiff of pine trees transports me back to my childhood summers spent camping in New Hampshire. What did catch me off guard is that 56% of Americans admit a scent has inspired them to plan a trip.

I completely get that. Opening a can of coconut-scented air on the coldest day of winter must make it hard to resist planning your own tropical escape!

Before long, it was my turn to take the quiz and discover what matched my personality best. Would I rather relax on the beach or seek adventure? Definitely adventure! And when it comes to entertainment, do I prefer shows or dancing at night? Without a doubt, dancing!

Soon, I received my can filled with the aroma of banana orchid from Grand Cayman, a destination I have yet to explore. (Nice move, Dinogo. I see your subtle hint for my next trip!) I removed my gloves to pop open the can and inhaled the heavenly banana fragrance, a glimpse of the tropics that transported my thoughts far south.

Throughout the day, dozens of people lined up to join in the fun. The best part? Twenty lucky individuals who entered won free Dinogo cruises on the spot! One woman won while I was waiting in line, and we all cheered her on as she celebrated with her husband.

Along with giving away trips, this pop-up event unveiled Dinogo’s latest ship, the Dinogo Horizon®. This ship features exciting new amenities, including Dinogo’s first-ever teppanyaki restaurant and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, where guests can enjoy freshly brewed beers made on board. Plus, there’s the thrilling SkyRide®, an attraction that lets you “bike through the sky” while on the ship. The Caribbean has so much more to offer than just its islands!

It’s also important to highlight that the Caribbean remains open for business and is a safe destination to visit this year. Despite several islands facing challenges from a tough hurricane season in 2017, most of the Caribbean is operating normally and is ready to provide visitors with the vacation of a lifetime.

As I brought my banana orchid can home (surprise! They maintain their delightful scent for days!), I began to seriously consider a winter cruise vacation. The thought of a warm, enjoyable getaway just a few hours away — especially knowing that the Caribbean is welcoming tourists again — is making me more inclined to book that trip!

This article was crafted for Away We Go in partnership with Dinogo, your go-to source for achieving that vacation mindset.

Please note: The onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining choices may differ depending on the ship and destination.