All Inclusive Vacations like Sandals Resorts, etc (1 Viewer)

[Kelley_B]

Me and my fiance are trying to find a place to go to get married/have our honeymoon. We were looking at the Sandals all inclusive resorts, has anyone taken one of these or something like that? Would you recommend using a travel agent or going strictly via the internet. This is the first time either of us have planned a trip this big, biggest we have ever taken was a weekend trip to Dallas, TX.

 

[Leila Dougan]

I've met quite a few people that booked their trip over the internet by themselves. A lot of people have had good experiences with that and saved some money. I, unfortunately, don't have many details regarding their trips.
I suggest you check out Link Removed. There's tons of information and I'm sure you'll get lots of responses if you post asking for opinions. The forum has been around a long time though it just got recently revamped so it may look a little bare. Check out the first forum on my link and that's where all the older posts were put before the new sections were added.
good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Kirk Gunn]

First- Congratulations

Second - What are you thinking ??? RUN - NOW - Like the wind !!!!

Third - if you've made it this far, she's either pregnant, or you really think you're in love. Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Now onto the All-Inclusive stuff: The only good tip I can give you is to make sure you tip the staff. Even though they claim "all gratuities included", you won't believe the service you will get for a few US dollars.

We booked the Omni in Cancun over the phone a few years back, but got an employee discount since my wife works for the airlines. Sorry I can't be of more help on that side.

Again - Congrats !!!

 

[Jeff Burke]

My wife and I went to the Ryu Yucutan in the Mayan Coast, about a hour south of Cancun, a bit quieter then Cancun if that is what you like. All Inclusive is definitely the way to go, all the food and drink you want. 3 restaurants and 5 bars open all the time. The pool even had a swim up bar, don't know how safe that it though!

 

[Mary M S]

The only all-inclusive I have been on, was Club Med Cancun (if its still there), about 9 yrs ago. It was an adult only club med. The food good, the rooms spartan, and their beach was the best as far as you could see both directions.
The resort beach followed a curve around a jutting peninsula shape and being very spread out, with bungalows, was a very long beach. The posher hotels next door, going straight up for 30 stories had a tiny strip of beach in front of each, which looked like the pool area on a cruise ship on a ‘at sea’ day. Chairs elbow to elbow. The Club Med beach was much more private and romantic. Worth the tradeoff for the spartan rooms, for the beach facilities and snorkeling, which were beautiful. The staff was a little goofy when you first arrived, pumping you up for the week. So goofy that they stated to the group, you can swim in the ocean, but not in the water skiing lagoon behind the rooms because of alligators. They were so perky; everyone laughed thinking it was a joke, because Club Med did provide skiing in this lagoon. The next morning I’m watching the dawn off my lanai and a HUGE alligator goes silently by!
Speaking of cruises, I'd look at these all-inclusives trips also. You’d be shocked at how young the crowd is getting, particularly the Caribbean cruises. Every one I’ve been on had lots of honeymooners, who got married on board, or married and left for the cruise the next day.
Since your in OK, if your interested in that kind of trip, I’d look for the cruise lines that depart from Houston, these cruises can sometimes be much more reasonable than those leaving from Miami. We went on a Norwegian cruise out of Houston to Cancun, etc. It was the smallest ship we have ever booked on, and one of my favorites. I think it had a gimmicky name like the Norwegian Texacarribian cruise.
There seem to be many web deals on cruise bookings, ours are semi business trips every year, the compnay that takes us have always used, Diane Harris @ Adventures at Sea travel agent located in Dallas, for years. (214) 341-7245.
Our bookings with this agency, have always included, flight to cruise departure city from DFW. Transfers from the destination airport to the ship and back again.
On the ship, your expenses not included in the cruise tickets would be. Tips that they ‘suggest’ you give in cash at the end of the week to your room steward and waiters. I believe if you do the minimum suggested. 80 dollars per traveler covers this. All cold drinks not at meals. (In other words everything you order at the pool) And all mixed drinks (if you drink lots this bill could hurt, but they have happy hours and specials). If you want to eat in your room lots having your meals delivered room-service, is included in the price. I just tip the steward bringing it. If you want to get off at each ‘stop’ and just roam, you can do this, or buy excursions the ship arranges for you while on shore. Excursions can range from literally 8 dollars a person, (a historical town tour) to 60 to 250 for things like scuba dives or swimming with dolphins. Lots of excursions average 30 a person.
The ship takes a charge card number when you board and everything you might purchase on board - drinks, excursions, ship gift shop, are charged to your room, and you settle at the end of the week. (You need cash for casinos) If you don’t use charge cards, there is some method to set up a cash account, ask a travel agent.
My husband and I had no choice on these trips, and he was very concerned the first time we were booked, as we are extremely physical and active and thought it was a sedate affair, (you can literally go till you drop if you want to) He thought we’d feel trapped and bored. He loves these trips even more than I do now. We’re leaving in a week for the next one.
If you consider a cruise get a balcony if you can swing the price, very romantic!
Congratulations on your marriage.

 

[Jason Hamilton]

Firstly, congratulations! The year of your wedding is crazy nuts, but will provide TONS of fond memories!
You're looking for a nice place to have both the wedding and the honeymoon? Check out Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica: www.sweptaway.com We went there for our honeymoon, and it was complete paradise. It was the end of September, right before the big "in season" rush, and the resort was probably 50% full. Talk about service!! Whatever you want, you got it. Opt for the spa package, and you will be pampered with massages, hot tubs, body wraps, the works.
We organized the trip through a travel agent, but you can probably make reservations directly online. You can save yourself some dough by booking through a group like Apple Tours or Go-Go Tours.
Check out the website, you won't be disappointed! And again, congratulations!

 

[Philip Hamm]

I would recommend using a travel agent instead of booking everything yourself. You've got enough to worry about planning the wedding, having a "one stop shopping" honeymoon is well worth the (little) extra investment if you ask me.

 

[Andrew Raubuck]

Hello:
My wife and I got married two years ago at Breezes Montego Bay, Jamiaca. It is an all inclusive hotel (food, alcohol, entertainment). We got married on the beach. I think the total package was around $3000 for both of us for one week. This included our plane tickets from Indianapolis and our room and board. It was a very nice hotel with very friendly staff. It was like a Summer Camp for adults. My wife booked the trip over the internet with no problems.
Here is a link to the site:
Link Removed
Good luck and Congradulations.
Andy

 

[ToddMS]

I've been to 3 Club Meds throughout the Caribbean and greatly recommend them. They always have the best beaches, great food, and provide plenty of things to do. The staff are also great fun and become part of your vacation...I haven't been to Sandals or any of the other resorts, but if they are anything like Club med you will surely have a great time...

Todd

 

[Philip Hamm]

Hey you could always go on the Home Theater Cruise.

 

[Kelley_B]

Philip I wanted to do that, but my fiance said that on her honeymoon she does not want to hear about DVDs, computers, videogames, HDTV, electronics, etc...i then told her that I could go and she could stay home, that didn't work either.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations, I work in the travel industry so I should get a bit of a discount at a Travel Agent, plus we have a company travel agent that I am going to talk to this week.