Here's a helpful new article on Caribbean deals from our sister publication, the New York Times: Practical Traveler - In the Caribbean, Good Deals but Not a Fire Sale - NYTimes.com.

Tropical Storm Ida slipped into the Gulf of Mexico between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba this weekend without touching land, and while the storm could hit the Gulf Coast of the U.S. it no longer poses a threat to the islands of the Caribbean. All storm watches and warnings have been dropped.

Tropical Storm Ida continues to gain strength in the western Caribbean and is now threatening the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Grand Cayman, and parts of Cuba.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the Yucatan between Tulum and Cabo Catoche, while tropical storm warnings have been posted for Grand Cayman and the western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Cuba's Isle of Youth.

Ida currently is located about 230 miles southeast of Cozumel and south of Cuba. The storm is moving north and currently is forecast to move over of just east of the Yucatan tomorrow. Ida could become a Category 1 hurricane today.

Weather Information for Your Caribbean Vacation

The U.S. State Department has issued a new Travel Alert on Honduras, advising Americans to exercise extreme caution when traveling in the country and defer nonessential travel to the capital of Tegulcigalpa during the current power struggle there.

The alert notes that a series of (nonviolent) demonstrations have hit the country since the June 28 coup against President Manuel Zelaya. A political accord between the coup leaders in the military and Zelaya has been drafted, but the State Department warns that demonstrations could increase leading up to the Nov. 29 elections in Honduras.

Roatan and the Bay Islands of Honduras have so far been generally unaffected by the turmoil on the mainland.

How To Stay Safe and Secure on Your Caribbean Vacation