Sandals anyone???

[staystrong]

My FH and I have always been interested in going to a Sandals resort for our honeymoon. I know that they can be a bit pricey, but it is our honeymoon and you only get one (I hope). Has anyone ever been there or are planning on going? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We would like to go right after our wedding around May 1, 2006.

[Cashy98]

Pricey? I got a quote for them for airfare, lodging, activities, and all of the extras that their packages include and it was less than $5000. Which isn't too bad considering just plane tickets can cost $1000 per person to fly where I am to the Carribean.

[chiefsgirl]

Pricey? I got a quote for them for airfare, lodging, activities, and all of the extras that their packages include and it was less than $5000. Which isn't too bad considering just plane tickets can cost $1000 per person to fly where I am to the Carribean.


are you serious!?! all of that's included!!! that's our dream honeymoon and we might actually be able to afford it!!!

My FH is deathly afraid of flying and he's willing to get in an airplane and fly all the way down there so we can have a really nice honeymoon if we can go there...we are definitely going to have to look into this a little more...THANK YOU!!!

[Lacey]

Sandals are very nice. We are thinking about the Royal Bahamian for our honeymoon. We have used the resorts before as have several of our friends. It has always been very nice. For a week at the Bahamian I was quoted almost $7000. But we did several room upgrades for the concierge and car service. (I hate those **** little shuttles) Plus you have to figure in that there is no real additional money spent of food, driniks, or most activities unless you decide to leave the resort.

[Elaine]

I haven't used them, but a friend of mine did and she had a great trip. It was her honeymoon, too.

We wont be using them sinnce they only have resorts in 4 places I think. And as Americans, we can't even go to one of those places (Cuba).

My only worry would be that you might spend too much time at the resort and not get to see the culture of the place you're visiting.... hehe, but that's a what a honeymoon is for, right?

[staystrong]

Well my travel agent just contacted me and let me know the price for 7 days in St. Lucia at the Halcion...$3260 + tax (yes I think it is a little pricey). We are Canadian and the exchange always hurts a little. My FH and I have travelled a lot over the past 8 years and have been to many different all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and cruises also. 7 days would total over $7000. I just wanted to know if anyone had ever been there before and thought that it was worth the money. We went to a 5 star resort in the Mayan last year for 11 days and spent $3500 total for two. This January when we got engaged we were on a 14 day Western/Eastern Caribbean cruise and that only cost $1770 for both of us. Not sure what is so special about Sandals...that's why I would like to know if anyone has been there and if they really enjoyed it.

[SOM Z28]

I've heard they are great, but I've never been. I tried getting a quote from them several months ago, but I never got a response. *shrug*

Anyways, watch your date. Check it with hurricane season just to be sure that you won't spend your trip holding on for dear life in the middle of a nasty storm. I read somewhere that hurricane season in the western carribean is May-Oct. Here it's June-Nov.

[SOM Z28]

Well my travel agent just contacted me and let me know the price for 7 days in St. Lucia at the Halcion...$3260 + tax (yes I think it is a little pricey). ...Not sure what is so special about Sandals...that's why I would like to know if anyone has been there and if they really enjoyed it.



They are all-inclusive, so keep that in mind. You'll pay a flat fee and get all you want to eat, drink, etc without having to whip out cash or a credit card the entire trip.

[kyzmit]

We're going to an all-inclusive resort in Cozumel. It's called Allegro Cozumel by Occidental. We're paying $1.3K total for 7 days, 6 nights. With the plane tickets it's under $2.5K for both of us. We're expecting to spend $1K or so of non-included extras (tours of Mayan ruins, shopping, etc.). Our friends set aside $2K, used $1K and did a bunch of stuff; we're actually planning on hanging out at the pool most of the time. I don't know anyone personally who's gone there, but my friends and cousin loved their resorts in Cozumel.

I'll let you know how our trip was when we get back. I would recommend a non-sandals resort simply because any place that well known is probably gonna be really pricey.

[Marsha]

OK HERE IS MY DEAL! im going to put this as easy as possible and since i have a hotel degree behind me, i kinda know what im talking about here(plus common sense)

if your package is 3000 for 2 people for 7 nights all inclusive:
that means you will aprox. spend 428.57 per day! (214.28 per person per day)just divide. and ask yourself if its worth it?

your first day, what time you are getting there tells u what time u can eat.(breakfast lunch and dinner) if u get there late afternoon then u are only getting dinner. and the last day are u flying out late to get all 3 meals?

ok, then maybe look at the hotels web sight for a few other things, find out what there prices are or estimate what u you would spend on certain meals. even if u pick the most expensive thing, would it equal to what you have spent? Is the dining room open 24/7 is it open for brunch, basically can u get something to eat when ever you want to?

ok. drinks, how many of us are going to drink all day and night?(reecy put your hand down lol) how many drinks do u normally drink? What are the normal prices of those drinks? Can you go to ANY bar and get them "free" is it limited to any ONE bar? What about when you guys "go into town" and eat and drink at a cantina? (out of pocket money because you know its not included in the resort)

activities: make sure there is something you want to do at least everyday, and get the indivudial prices of these things. Is it cheaper to bring your own snorkle gear? Sitting on the beach all day long will get boring, and very hot no matter how much water there is. Make sure you dont have to sign up before they have open call(when others who arent on a package can just show up morning of and boot u out since u didnt sign up months ago) You will probably want to go on a party boat but unless its your resorts boat it will be $20+ to on it, plus drinks.

as far as your hotel, find out what there rack rate is jsut by going to there web sight. that will tell u what the package price is per day. Normal hotel rates do vary but u can do a quick search on expedia and find out what some of the hotels are charging in that country at that time.

And now air fair, yes its best to book early, but sometimes u cant. You can also go to expedia and find out what rates are this year for next year(calander on expedia is 51 weeks out usually) Plan for a little difference in money closer to time but really air fair shouldnt cost u an arm and a leg. And if it costs you more then 500 a person think about going to the U.K. or australlia or somewhere even better because most of the time thats the air fair that is expensive.


so basically what im trying to say is this, are u going to eat sleep travel drink and have fun for 200+ per person per day????

* if somone wants me to do all the work of finding out about a certain place for them i will. Just tell me where u want to go and ill gather the info ive talked about. It may not be less.. it might be. but u would at least know. right?
(also dont mean to offend anyone who thinks im wrong, but ive been in travel industry for 13 years and focused on vacation planning, i do know tricks that vacation places use, expically sandals.)

[reecey]

ROFL! Marcia girl! you know me too well! are you my long lost sister?!?

[SarahK]

ROFL! Marcia girl! you know me too well! are you my long lost sister?!?

I'm jealous. I plan on drinking all day and night too! Why was I not included???

LOL

:p

[Marsha]

I'm jealous. I plan on drinking all day and night too! Why was I not included???

LOL

:p


BEACUSE for what ever reason reecy came to mind first lolrofl

i sworry sarah will u ever forgive me? You know i love you sis! lol

[SarahK]

BEACUSE for what ever reason reecy came to mind first lolrofl

i sworry sarah will u ever forgive me? You know i love you sis! lol

yeah, I guess I'll get over it. ;)

And I don't mind that you think that Reecey is a bigger lush than me. LOL

[Marsha]

yeah, I guess I'll get over it. ;)

And I don't mind that you think that Reecey is a bigger lush than me. LOL
really its not that at all honest lol,

[SOM Z28]

ok. drinks, how many of us are going to drink all day and night?
ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[Marsha]

me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :d :d :d
I Know We All Think We Are Going To Drink Non Stop However Hang Over Sets In And Drinking In 100 Degree Weather Will Make U Even More Sick Then Drinking A Whole Bottle Of Tequila. Anyway, I Was Just Getting At We Arent Going To Dink 100 In Booze A Day.. Highly Doubted

[Vixen]

www.sandals.com


see for yourself.

[SOM Z28]

I Know We All Think We Are Going To Drink Non Stop However Hang Over Sets In And Drinking In 100 Degree Weather Will Make U Even More Sick Then Drinking A Whole Bottle Of Tequila. Anyway, I Was Just Getting At We Arent Going To Dink 100 In Booze A Day.. Highly Doubted

lol...around here my drink of choice runs around $8 a pop. And while I might not drink 12 of them in a day, I can guarantee you that Gene and I could put away 6 each every day if we were on vacation!

[staystrong]

OK HERE IS MY DEAL! im going to put this as easy as possible and since i have a hotel degree behind me, i kinda know what im talking about here(plus common sense)

if your package is 3000 for 2 people for 7 nights all inclusive:
that means you will aprox. spend 428.57 per day! (214.28 per person per day)just divide. and ask yourself if its worth it?

your first day, what time you are getting there tells u what time u can eat.(breakfast lunch and dinner) if u get there late afternoon then u are only getting dinner. and the last day are u flying out late to get all 3 meals?

ok, then maybe look at the hotels web sight for a few other things, find out what there prices are or estimate what u you would spend on certain meals. even if u pick the most expensive thing, would it equal to what you have spent? Is the dining room open 24/7 is it open for brunch, basically can u get something to eat when ever you want to?

ok. drinks, how many of us are going to drink all day and night?(reecy put your hand down lol) how many drinks do u normally drink? What are the normal prices of those drinks? Can you go to ANY bar and get them "free" is it limited to any ONE bar? What about when you guys "go into town" and eat and drink at a cantina? (out of pocket money because you know its not included in the resort)

activities: make sure there is something you want to do at least everyday, and get the indivudial prices of these things. Is it cheaper to bring your own snorkle gear? Sitting on the beach all day long will get boring, and very hot no matter how much water there is. Make sure you dont have to sign up before they have open call(when others who arent on a package can just show up morning of and boot u out since u didnt sign up months ago) You will probably want to go on a party boat but unless its your resorts boat it will be $20+ to on it, plus drinks.

as far as your hotel, find out what there rack rate is jsut by going to there web sight. that will tell u what the package price is per day. Normal hotel rates do vary but u can do a quick search on expedia and find out what some of the hotels are charging in that country at that time.

And now air fair, yes its best to book early, but sometimes u cant. You can also go to expedia and find out what rates are this year for next year(calander on expedia is 51 weeks out usually) Plan for a little difference in money closer to time but really air fair shouldnt cost u an arm and a leg. And if it costs you more then 500 a person think about going to the U.K. or australlia or somewhere even better because most of the time thats the air fair that is expensive.


so basically what im trying to say is this, are u going to eat sleep travel drink and have fun for 200+ per person per day????

* if somone wants me to do all the work of finding out about a certain place for them i will. Just tell me where u want to go and ill gather the info ive talked about. It may not be less.. it might be. but u would at least know. right?
(also dont mean to offend anyone who thinks im wrong, but ive been in travel industry for 13 years and focused on vacation planning, i do know tricks that vacation places use, expically sandals.)
I guess I didn't specify...the quote I got to go to Sandals was $3260 per person for 7 days. Basically all I wanted to know was if anyone had ever been before. Thanks for the info!

[Marsha]

RESORT INFORMATION
Resort: Sandals Regency St. Lucia
Country: ST. LUCIA
Promotion: 40% SALE AT SLU
Adults: 2
Nights: 7
Check-in: Oct 16, 2005
Check-out: Oct 23, 2005
TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE* $6153.30
************************************************** *******
Total price for this trip: $593.65 PP (chicago-st lucia)
Total room cost: $1,300.95
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort
TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE $2487.


Catamaran Day Sail $85.00 each
Scuba Diving near the Pitons $99.00 each
Jungle Reef Adventure $85.00 each
Rainbow Reef Safari: Cruise & Snorkel Combo Tour $69.00 each

^ THINGS YOU CAN ADD.

budget 100.00 per day for meals and drinks(give or take a little)

honestly i came out cheaper at about $3187.00 per day. and that wasnt the cheapest things either. this way not booking all your daily activites we are free to wing it as most people do(incase we want to stay in bed all day hehehehe) Plus remember all hotels usually have pools and jacuzzi's, tennis volley ball and basics, if u shop for a great hotel you can get all the things you hope to do.

[Shayna]

We're going to an all-inclusive resort in Cozumel. It's called Allegro Cozumel by Occidental. We're paying $1.3K total for 7 days, 6 nights. With the plane tickets it's under $2.5K for both of us. We're expecting to spend $1K or so of non-included extras (tours of Mayan ruins, shopping, etc.). Our friends set aside $2K, used $1K and did a bunch of stuff; we're actually planning on hanging out at the pool most of the time. I don't know anyone personally who's gone there, but my friends and cousin loved their resorts in Cozumel.

I'll let you know how our trip was when we get back. I would recommend a non-sandals resort simply because any place that well known is probably gonna be really pricey.

Cozumel is beautiful!!! Be sure to go check out "the other" side of the island.....There is no electric on that side but is it amazing!!! Also be sure and get a pineapple man frozen drink they r so cute! :p (I have a picture of one if you would like to see it :D )

[Cashy98]

I guess I didn't specify...the quote I got to go to Sandals was $3260 per person for 7 days. Basically all I wanted to know was if anyone had ever been before. Thanks for the info!
You got a quote for $3260 per person? I just did the quote thingie on their website right now and it said $4,903 for 2 people (and that's room and airfare). Could it be where you're flying from? Or am I doing something wrong?
:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Cashy98]

Anyways, I thought Sandals was pretty cheap and I heard it was great from a girl I work with. She didn't go to St. Lucia though... it was... um... Jamacia I think she said? Oh well. I guess I'm not that much help.

[Shayna]

We are planning on going to Sandals in montego Bay.......We live in Fla so I have found RT flights for less than $400 a person.....and we are figuring that we will for sure get our $$$ worth. Not only are ALL ammenties and gratuity including at the resort you are staying at you can use all the amenities and restraunts at the surrounding Sandles!!! And they provide the transportation within a certan area. Also we though that if we went somewhere else we would not only pay $100- $150 a night for a hotel, at least $100 dollars a day in food, and whatever else we wanted to do it would really add up!!! :eek:

So for us it is a great deal and well worth it!!! :D ;)

[Cashy98]

are you serious!?! all of that's included!!! that's our dream honeymoon and we might actually be able to afford it!!!

My FH is deathly afraid of flying and he's willing to get in an airplane and fly all the way down there so we can have a really nice honeymoon if we can go there...we are definitely going to have to look into this a little more...THANK YOU!!!

Yes, I'm serious. It depends on which resort you want to stay at... but I just did a price quote on their website and it was less than $5000 for 2 people for 7 days. :) It may depend on where you're leaving from too. I live in Nebraska. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. But my quote was $4,903 just now. :)

(Oh, that price if for pretty basic rooms and airfare though... that might have something to do with it if you're wanting the REALLY fancy stuff :) )

[romanticwed4ever]

You shouldn't care about the price... It shouldn't be a problem. Just like you said... You only get one honeymoon... :)

[morisa7]

You shouldn't care about the price... It shouldn't be a problem. Just like you said... You only get one honeymoon... :)


You should care about price unless your loaded....we would rather save some money for a down payment on a house than sitting on a beach and rotting for a week. If we didn't have to budget, I would go though...the commercials look nice. Enjoy!

[Kevinjen2]

I went to Jamaica a year ago and stayed at Sandals, but it was called Beaches and is for families (I went with FI and his family) and we had such a great time. The Sandals everyone thinks about was a couple hotels down and looked beautiful! I think thats where we are going to go, it is so awesome to not worry about money once you get there. We have done 2 all inclusive vacations and I don't think I could ever do anything else. I think we are going to try to stay under 7000 for 10 nights, I just hope thats possible. Two years ago we went to Cancun for 10 nights and it was about 5000, the only problem was we were stuck inside for 5 days due to a tropical storm! So watch out for that!