Calling MTGH!

[Complicated Woman]

Okay, it's very premature for me to be thinking about this, but -- in with my wedding junk mail was a Sandals brochure and HOLY COW! I had no clue how affordable it could be to go down there if you book it early enough. Tom and I had figured we'd take a honeymoon in the Adirondacks because we could afford it without breaking the bank once his job is stable, but we could afford this, too, and I'd much rather be partying in Jamaica.

MTGH, I know you're getting married at Beaches Turks and Caicos, I was wondering if you or Dave have ever been down there before and if there's some kind of catch. I'm figuring there isn't b/c you are getting married there, but I just wondered what info you had on it, b/c Tom and I don't know anyone who's been.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

I heard you on the Bliss-dar! (Like radar!) Yep, Beaches is a sister company of Sandals, so same deal. The "catch" is that you have to be there FIVE NIGHTS BEFORE you get a "free wedding" ceremony. Also, they're hoping you'd bring OTHER people with you--again, more money for them. If you want a separate wedding reception there, that does cost extra. And if guests are not staying at the resort but want to come to the wedding, you have to pay an extra fee for them. But for a couple who's just going alone (or with their kids), like us, it's a great deal! We're just basically having the honeymoon BEFORE the ceremony to fill the minimum stay requirements.

Here's the link of what's included, if anyone's interested:
http://www.beaches.com/general/wedding-basic.cfm

Oh, I see they upped the minimum stay to SEVEN nights for a free wedding--my travel agent did mention that. However, since we booked before the change went into affect, we only need to stay 5 nights--which is all we can afford for the four of us!

Ok, but you're just asking about a honeymoon, not the wedding. I haven't stayed at a Sandals before. But, no. No catch. Everything IS included. I've been to Jamaica twice. I'm not really a big fan. I've been to Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, St. Thomas, St. Marteen, and Grand Cayman. I've liked all of those places better than Jamaica. And my travel agent says that Turks and Caicos is nicer than all of them--so very much looking forward to it! I guess I'd say Jamaica is nice if you don't leave the resort--which you wouldn't need to since there's SO much at the resort. Or just if you go to Dunns River Falls (in Ochos Rios) or another guided trip, but not really the kind of place you'd want to be "unsupervised" at. But, all-inclusives are DEFINITELY the way to go! It is amazing how CHEAP a vacation can be there. It's just the airfare that brings up the price, but I find otherwise it's cheaper than what you'd pay for a nice resort hotel and food, drinks, etc. per day in the states.

[Complicated Woman]

Thank you!

Yeah, I was looking at the price going, "Are you KIDDING me?" We could stay for 5 nights in Ochos Rios for like $2500 and I'm factoring in airfare. It's a very distinct possibility that we will. That's crazy for a nice vacation -- we'd spend as much if not more staying in Rhode Island! (Not that I don't like Rhode Island -- but that's where our families are both from and we were readily able to compare the prices.)

That's what Tom was saying, that we wouldn't want to leave the resort because Jamaica isn't very nice, but I can't think of why we'd want to leave the resort. There's a ton to do and lots of places to eat -- it looks great. He and I have both never been very far away, so it'd be a big deal for us to go away.

Are you getting one of the wedding packages or the included wedding? Now I'm looking at the site going "Ohhhhh, Jen and Dave's wedding is going to be sooooo beautiful!"

I'm totally jealous -- I wish Tom and I could run off with just a couple people we really want with us.

[Marge129]

Question about these all-inclusive deals.... Is EVERYTHING really included? I mean food, alcohol, entertainment, etc? The only extra thing you pay for is getting there?

Are most of the these places kid friendly? Am I doomed to never go on a nice vacation again because I'm becoming a parent? lol

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

Oh, yeah, it's ALL included: Food, drinks, activities. Some activities are extra, like scubs diving typically is, but Sandals/Beaches actually includes that, too. This will be my third all-inclusive resort--they're AWESOME!! We went on a cruise this past spring, and drinks are not included on cruises. Dave and I don't drink (typically), so we didn't have that tab to worry about. But we met some couples who went broke buying drinks--and they all said they would totally just stick with all-inclusives because it's so much of a better deal. And the Sandals company is one of the most reputable ones. I stayed in two different rinky-dink places before. Still nice--but CHEAP--and Sandals/Beaches will be SO much nicer.

No, Margie, you're not doomed! Many all-inclusives are family friendly. That's what Beaches is exlusively--a family resort. It caters TOTALLY to the kids, and you could pretty much go the entire vacation if you wanted to with the kids camp and activities and after-hours nanny care, and not even see your kids! LOL! Dave and I are almost afraid they won't want to spend ANY time with us, and we'll have a hard time tearing them away from the kids camp! But it will be nice to have some "alone time" too, along with the "family bonding" time. Sandals, on the other hand, is the sister company that's for couples only. I think Club Med and those other types of places are Couples only, as well. But a travel agent could definitely hook you up with other family resorts. I think, supposedly, Beaches is the best family resort there is. At least I believe my travel agent on that one--let's hope!

And, no, I'm not getting one of the "extra" wedding packages, as that's planning an entire reception. Won't be having one of those. But they'll totally personalize my wedding however I want it. I get to choose the location on the resort and go as far as saying if I like some flower, they'll cut it righ on the spot and make my bouquet. So even though I guess it is like a "wedding factory," it won't be totally cookie-cutter. I'll get a wedding coordinator when I arrive that will help me arrange all the details.

[Marge129]

Is the child care included in the all-inclusive deal, too?

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

Yep. At Beaches, the kids camp is free. It begins at 9 am and goes until 6pm for ages 0-5, 8 pm for ages 6-7, and 9 pm for ages 8-12. Then there is after hours care that's $12 per hour if you wanted a late night without the kids. However, there's also a night where they have a SLEEPOVER, so they have them all night for free. They also have kids' dinners and adults-only restaurants, so you can dine without the children. They have some other fun party types of things at night for them, too. But Dave and I aren't big late-nighters anyway. And the night-time entertainment is appropriate for children if we did want to see some shows, or whatever. And, we're getting a suite, so we'll still have privacy at night even when the kids are there. Man, thanks for bringing this up, Bryanne! I'm getting SO psyched "talking" about this!! You and Tom should definitely look into Sandals.

[feb-bride]

If you don't mind me asking, MTGH, how much is it costing for you, Dave, and the kids to go? This is totally something I could see myself wanting to do someday.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

It's costing the four of us roughly $5600 for 5 nights. Approximately $2000 of that is just airfare, so the resort itself is only just over $3500. Not bad at all. Remember--FREE WEDDING, too! IMO, I think it's a great deal! Note: We're going in October, so prices are 40%-50% off what it costs in peak season. So, basically, that trip in the winter would cost $9000 (with airfare)! The web site lists their "seasons" and how much percentage off you get at each month, though. But it's unbelievable that we get the SAME trip for $5600 versus $9000--just based on what time of year you go!

[Complicated Woman]

I am so excited just thinking about it, too, Jen -- I think we definitely will end up booking our honeymoon there -- it looks so beautiful and fun and relaxing. And OMG, did you see the suites with the private pools? Absolutely crazy -- like I said, we could stay in one of those for 5 nights for $2500 with airfare. This is definitely where I need to be.

[Marge129]

I want a vacation!

I think we're planning a trip to Sunset Beach, NC for the summer of 2007. We'll rent an oceanfront house for a week and split the cost with my Mom and Sister. By then the baby will be old enough to spend some time outside on the beach.

The exotic vacations will have to wait a few more years.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

I think the private pool suites would be a LOT more than that. But if you go to Sandals.com, you can get an estimate for pricing (including airfare). Just go through the steps as if you were booking it--just stop before you get to the credit card info (LOL!).

[Marge129]

Wow... 2 people on a 7 night all-inclusive trip in September is just under $3000... not too shabby.

[Complicated Woman]

MTGH, in Ochos Rios the cheapest suite w/ the pool is only $2100 -- it's more for other ones that have a jacuzzi & butler service -- airfare is a *little* more, about 660 bucks for both of us to fly in...so say $2700...still cheap. Really want to go.

[PlanetClaire]

CW- check out the Grand Lido properties offered by Superclubs too. I have worked in travel for 20 years and over the past 3-4 or so the Sandals properties are losing their rankings while the Lidos are gaining. Don't get me wrong Sandals are lovely properties! Except for the one in Montego Bay- the big joke is to wave at the airplanes overhead as they are so close to the airport! My least fave of them! I liked the Royal Jamaican best. And check into the "Lottery" programs- if you aren't fussy which one you go to, they will assign you a resort about a week before you go! Not for everyone but they offer significant savings!

Negril is my fave spot in Jamaica!! Couples and Swept Away are awesome!

Get a good travel agent and tell them what it is you are looking for as well as the price: do you want a couples only resort? Lots of activities ( trivia games etc..)? Sports? Is it important to have tv/radio ?( some places like Swept Away don't to add to the getting away from it all feel)And make sure to tell them you will be on your honeymoon as LOTS of hotels and resorts have Honeymoon amenities- some included, some are extra$$

I'm not familiar with U.S. tour operators and such being in the great white north but check with an agent- it is well worth it!