Our Tropical Travel Blog

  • Wow ! What a fantastic year 2008 was for Sand & Sun Vacations!


    We've travelled all over the Caribbean visiting all of the Sandals resorts, even having two (of only 21) of our agents becoming Sandals Destination Wedding Certified! 


    We've also had the priveledge of being one of only 4 travel agencies in the entire USA to be nominated for Sandals Rising Star 2008! Attending the STAR Awards at Sandals Royal Bahamian was so much fun and being able to speak to Adam Stewart (Sandals CEO) about our plans and having his full support was wonderful!


    Then to top it all off we are now an official Preferred Sandals Agency! The time and training it took to reach that pinnacle was well worth it. Sandals continues to upgrade, rennovate and innovate all of it's properties. It's am exciting time to partner with them! Of course we will also make sure to keep you updated and in the best rooms and sandals properties for you!


    We also spent time down in Mexico this fall! took in a worldwind tour of 21 resorts- from luxury boutique properties such as Maroma ( featured on the Travel Channel!) to the charms of the adult only, all inclusive El Dorado Seaside Suites and even family properties such as Iberostars! I travelled the ENTIRE STRETCH of Riviera Maya  and Cancun. It was a fantastic time and I have so much to share with all of our brides on great places to honeymoon and have an amazinfg Destination Wedding!


    we've expanded our Destination Wedding department and now have 4 of us working with the reknown Best Destination Wedding Forum.(www.BestdestinationWedding.com/forum)  The forum is quickly becoming the go to place on the web for Destination Wedding brides! You'l be able to ask questions, read reviews, voice concerns and see photo's from Destination wedding brides and locations around the world!


    To find us on the Best Destination Wedding Forum look for


    TA Jennifer - Sandals, Couples, Excellence, Royal Resorts, Valentin Imperial Maya, Jamaica, St. Lucia Specialist


    TA Jill- Dreams &  Secrets Specialist (she was a Dreams Cancun brides!)


    TA Maureen- Riu Specialist for Mexico & Jamaica, Iberostar specialist


    TA Melinda - Europe & South Pacific Specialist


    Feel free to contact us for your Destination Wedding needs!


    That about sums it up! We look forward to working with all of you in 2009!


     


    Warmest Regards-


    Jennifer


    Sand & Sun Vacations


     


     

  • Sandals, Beaches & Royal Plantation Webinar- photo's, discounts, and Q&A session!

     Sandals Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Webinar

    Want to know exactly what is included in an all inclusive vacation?

    Interested in learning about Sandals Luxury all inclusive resorts? Seeing photo's of the resorts, destination wedding sites, Preston Bailey Packages?

    Ready to book your Sandals  Resorts Honeymoon/ Destination Wedding but would like to see what specials are available?

    How about a $150.00 discount* off of your Sandals Honeymoon/ Destination Wedding or Vacation ?

    Join us for a  Webinar presented by Sandals Resorts and Sand & Sun Vacations at:

     Sandals Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Webinar - July 31,2008 

    Register Now- slots are limited

    Noon -3pm - 7pm EST

    To Register email Jennifer@sandnsunvacations.com

    to recieve your access code 

  • Reviews For Sandals Destination Weddings, Sandals Resorts, Beaches BoscabelRoyal Plantation

    Looking for reviews of Sandals & Royal Plantation Destination Weddings?

    Visit our sister site http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/index.php?referrerid=2547

    Look under the Sandals & Couples tab and also wedding reviews for additional information! On the forum you can meet fellow Sandals, Beaches or Royal Plantation brides. Ask questions, get ideas and share experiences!

     

  • Sandals Destination Wedding Specialist

    Sand & Sun Vacations is proud to announce that Jennifer Prymula and David Prymula completed extensive Sandals Destination Wedding Training April 7-12, 2008 in Jamaica.

    They are two out of 21 travel agents from the USA that have completed the training. Visiting all 12 of the Sandals, Beaches and Royal Plantation properties they observed first hand the upgrades and changes . They also toured the wedding locations, met with Sandals Wedding Coordinators, sampled food at mock recepetions and enjoyed entertainment that brides & grooms could hire for their Sandals Destination wedding ceremonies or receptions. The entertainment included a steel drum band withdancers, guitarist & saxophonist.

    The resorts visited include;

    Sandals Whitehouse

    Sandals Negril

    Negril Gardens- soon to be Negril Grand Pineapple

    Beaches Negril

    Beaches Sanday Bay

    Sandals Montego Bay

    Sandals Royal Caribbean

     Sandals Inn

    Sandals Dunns River Villagio

    Sandals Grande Ocho Rios

    Royal Plantation

    Beaches Boscabel.

     

    While visiting the properties they took over 750 photo's! 

    Jennifer & David also complted 5 hours of classroom training that focused on Sandals Destination Weddings including the islands of St. Lucia, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos,  Sandals photography and Preston Bailey Wedding Packages.

     

    Please feel free to contact us for your Sandals Destination Wedding!

     

     

     

     

  • Top 10 Ways To Find A Real Honeymoon Travel Deal!

    By Jennifer Prymula

    A Romantic Voyage by Sand, Sun & Savings

    www.sandsunandsavings.com

     

    Psssttt…. Do you want to know the best kept secrets for getting the best value for your honeymoon ?

     

    #10 Don’t travel over holidays or school breaks (generally spring break is considered from Presidents Day to the end of April!).

     

    #9 Travel arrangements purchased as a package- air & hotel and quite often car or sightseeing- is generally a better price than by purchasing each component separately. Sometimes you’ll be able to receive bonus amenities!

     

    #8 Get your passport early! Expediting fee’s can start at $60 per person and go up to $200 or more! Plus travel insurance will not cover you if your passport does not come in time.

     

    #7 Do not book your honeymoon or destination wedding at the last minute. If you wait you will pay premium price and find that the honeymoon suite you had your heart set on is sold out! Most hotels are reporting occupancy levels of 90%  or more. During peak travel times resorts are selling out!

     

     #6 Have your travel agent let your hotel know that your celebrating a special occasion -you may score a free upgrade or extra amenities like a bottle of champagne.

     

    #5 Purchase travel insurance. It may add to the upfront cost but if something goes wrong it can save you a lot of moolah and frustration!

     

     #4 Be careful –if you chose to book online you are acting as your own travel agent! If something goes wrong…….you may end up paying more in the long run. Plus the added frustration may put a real damper on your honeymoon ! Peace of mind -PRICELESS!

     

    #3 Using a travel agent can save you money, frustration and time! Not all travel agents/agencies are created equal- interview a few to find which one has your interest at heart. Finding a good agent is worth their weight in gold!

     

     

     

    Travel professionals have insider knowledge of resorts and cruise ships and can bundle travel arrangements to save you money. A good travel professional will get to know you and can recommend a specific resort or cruise ship to make sure that you are correctly matched- this can make or break your vacation! Enlisting the services of a professional travel agent- PRICELESS! 

     


    #2 Be flexible with your travel dates - a day or two may save you hundreds of dollars!

     

     And drum roll please…..the number one way to find a real honeymoon travel value is…

     

    #1 Booking your honeymoon at least 6-8 months in advance! Depending on how early & what type of air service ( charter vs. scheduled air) you may only have to pay a $100-$300 deposit on your honeymoon and can secure some incredible early booking discounts!

     

    Unfortunately, most couples plan the wedding details in the order that it chronologically occurs thus leaving the honeymoon as the one of the last details. This can literally cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more. By waiting you may have to compromise on one of the most enjoyable aspects of getting married!

     

    About the author: Jennifer Prymula, owner of A Romantic Voyage by Sand, Sun & Savings is   certified as a Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist by The Travel Institute. A few of Jennifer’s other certifications include Certified Sandals Specialist by Sandals Resorts, Hawaii Destination Specialist by the HVBC and an Accredited Cruise Counselor with CLIA. Jennifer is also a member of the West Michigan Wedding Association, Kalamazoo Bridal Association and Allegan Chamber of Commerce.. You can contact Jennifer at 269.686.0595 or visit her website at www.sandsunandsavings.com

     

     

  • All Inclusive FAQ's

    All-Inclusive Resort Vacations- What’s to Know ?

     

    Jennifer Prymula 

    A Romantic Voyage by Sand, Sun & Savings 

    The buzz word these days is All-Inclusive vacations. This is a wonderful option for honeymoons and destination weddings for a myriad of reasons. An All-Inclusive resort package has several advantages over a typical vacation package.  But exactly what does All-Inclusive mean? Simply put, All-Inclusive is a term used to describe vacation packages where for one price upfront, virtually everything on your trip is paid. This includes airfare, accommodations, food, beverages-including alcohol, entertainment and activities. One of the best features of an All-Inclusive vacation is the ability to know exactly how much your honeymoon will cost before you arrive!

    But what are the pitfalls to booking an All- Inclusive vacation? Misinformation tops the list! Whether it’s from well meaning friends and relatives or from websites that don’t tell the whole story, a couple can arrive at their all inclusive resort to find that many of the items that they assumed would be included- aren’t! The "All" part of the All-Inclusive can vary widely from one resort and supplier to another. Each resort and supplier determines the features included in its packages. Many websites will advertise that a package is All- Inclusive when in actuality the vacation package only includes flights, transfers and accommodations.

    So what can you expect from a typical All-Inclusive package? 

    Accommodations-The location of the room- garden, ocean view or beachfront, size and any special features such as a hot tub, plunge pool or butler service may affect the price. Things to be careful of with booking your room include whether the resort utilizes a towel card system (lost towels can incur hefty charges), a fee for use of the in room safe, resort fee’s and if there is a complimentary mini bar, how often it is stocked and with what beverages for the All- Inclusive price. Some resorts may charge extra for special requests.

    Dining & Entertainment- Most All- Inclusive resorts include meals. Some will have a buffet for all meals and others have several different a la carte restaurants and/or snack bars. The venues usually include Asian, Mexican, Gourmet and Italian. Generally the larger the resort the more options are available for dinning. One other feature to look for is whether your chosen resort allows a la carte dinning at any of their restaurants or if they limit visits according to how many days you are staying or what room category you are booked into. Some All-Inclusive resorts will include room service. Check if it is 24 hours or only during set hours!

    The food quality is usually what will make or break a vacation – if a couple prefers American comfort food and all that is available is fine dining, they may come away from the honeymoon extremely disappointed. Food offerings can vary greatly depending on what nationality the majority of the guests are. If a couple is expecting gourmet or local flavors and the food choices are buffet only or cater to European tastes, disappointment can ensue. Other resorts may only offer gourmet food at a surcharge.

    Bar Service-  All beverages, from soft drinks to adult beverages are usually available free of charge. Some resorts will serve a limited selection of domestic beverages; others may offer premium brands with the package or for an additional cost. Check to see if they offer your favorite beverage or if the resort offers premium or house/local liquors.

    Sports Activities- Most All-Inclusive beach resorts offer non motorized water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, water trykes and sailing for their guests. Quite often the non motorized watersports offered depends upon the resorts beachfront. If a resort is located in an area that typically has rough water there may be no water sports or often it is red flagged, which means that they will not allow guests to use the equipment. Some resorts require an orientation before they allow you to use the equipment, others have a time  limit. Some even require a cash refundable deposit. Tennis, volleyball and fitness centers are almost always offered and included. Often motorized sports are available for a fee.

    Entertainment – Many All-Inclusive resorts include entertainment. This can range from high energy staff members that organize games during the day and then perform in shows during the evening. Or a more laid back approach such as a solo saxophonist, harpist or guitar player during dinner. Many of the all-inclusive resorts have an onsite disco- admission is usually free and most include drinks. Depending on the destination there are All-Inclusives that have a casino onsite- drinks may or may not be included.

    Weddings— As part of an All-Inclusive package a wedding may be free and include a coordinator, a few photos, flowers, champagne, music and a wedding cake. These packages usually require that you pay the government /administrative fees. Of course you can always upgrade the package to make it more personalized!

    What else should you look for ? The resorts ambience can also make or break a honeymoon or destination wedding. Does the resort cater to families, spring breakers or people within your age group? Is the resort for adults only? Other items that may or may not be included : transportation to or from the resort, local sightseeing or excursions outside of the resorts, internet service or wireless internet, gratuities, use of spa facilities for free or with a surcharge. Spa treatments are usually available for an additional fee. Some will include transportation to their sister properties and use of all facilities including food and beverage. A few resorts may offer excursions outside the resort or greens fees at local golf courses in their package!  

    So with all of these choices what is a honeymooner to do?  Sit down with your fiancee and discuss what each of you envision for your honeymoon, the features that are important to each of you and what isn’t important. Be very thorough with your research of each property you are considering and remember the old adage “You Get What You Pay For”.

    Consider a travel agent that specializes in honeymoons or destination weddings. Generally, using a travel agent will not cost you any more than booking on the internet (and quite often can offer a better value), however you will gain the expertise and knowledge of someone whose profession is to be able to sort the information, avoid common pitfalls and know who the best supplier is for a particular destination. A good travel agent will know the strengths and weaknesses of each All-Inclusive resort either from personal experience or from the training they receive. They will know the amenities available, food quality, what the resorts ambience is and who your fellow guests will be. The travel agent should engage you in a dialogue of your expectations, what amenities and features you & your fiancee want, your budget and then assist in booking your dream honeymoon! Another bonus to using a travel agent is, if something should go wrong, you have a consumer advocate on your side who has a great deal of negotiating power.

    When booking your All-Inclusive honeymoon/destination wedding remember to double check the details of exactly what is included. Do your homework before placing your deposit so you have the vacation of your dreams. 

  • Hello all!

    Well it's been awhile since I've had the opportunity to post some of the fantastic specials that have come across my desk!

    In October I spent 6 days at the Riviera Maya in Mexico. The first 3 were spent at Adventura Spa Palace ( an incredible resort - wonderful for those seeking an active adult only vacation, please give me a call as I'd love to tell you all about it!) attending the Luxury Mexico Expo.

    I attended classes to learn about what the Riviera Maya offers to those seeking a fantastic adventure, romantic or ocean oriented vacation! I also spent a few days meeting  with and getting to know the general managers of some of the greatest resorts in the Riviera Maya. I also had the opportunity to do site inspections at several resorts!

    Then I spent the next 3 days  at Secrets Capri ( another fantastic resort - small, intimate and definately high on the list for romance!). I sampled some of the highlights to visiting the area including Swimming with the Dolphins , an Eco adventure ( zip lining, kayaking and swimming in a cenote) and visiting the ancient and historical city of Tulum.

    I'll post a longer review in a few dayson my Riviera Maya experience! 

    Later in October I went to the Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway show  for 4 days in San Jose, California. Once again I had the opportunity to visit with suppliers and get update on what is new and emerging trends in the Honeymoon & Destination Wedding arena! What a beautiful city !

    Last but not least I was able to go with my family to Maui for 9 days at the end of November! It was a wonderful time to travel, the weather was perfect, the crowds were very light and the snorkeling amazing! My children were able to swim right next to sea turtles. As always I turned my family vacation into a bit of work for me and visited 3 hotels to do site inspections!  I saw the Maui Prince, the Grand Wailea and the Sheraton Maui.

    Nine days on this Magical isle just wansn't enough! My family and I fell in love with the island and their truly is such a peace about the place. I loved it so much that I now have reserved a block of rooms on NCL's Pride of Hawaii to cruise the islands! Prices start at $845.98 p.p. If you'd like to join us or get more inmformation about Maui please call for additional information! 

    Aloha,

    Jennifer

     

     

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