Tag: Caribbean

Sandals Resorts has launched a new incentive programme and competition for qualified travel agents to boost the sales of upgraded wedding packages at its Caribbean resorts.

The Sell and Celebrate incentive will see agents receive a 50 high street voucher for every upgraded package sold for destination weddings at Sandals Resorts.

Agents who sell the upgraded packages can send the information to their local Sandals Business Development Manager with details on the booking and any tips and advice for other travel agents. These entries will then be entered into a national draw with a fantastic prize of a seven-night break at any Sandals Resort up for grabs.

Sandals Resorts are a popular choice for couples getting married abroad and the company has a wide choice of properties that offer all inclusive, upscale accommodation and picturesque Caribbean settings.

Beach weddings are a favourite and these can be enjoyed at any Sandals Resorts across Jamaica, St. Lucia, The Bahamas and Antigua.

Brides and grooms who are looking to splash out for their weddings abroad can choose from a range of themed Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart including Flutter of Romance, Seaside Serenade, Island Paradise, Vision in White and Chic & Natural.

Couples can also choose the customisable Sandals’ standard WeddingMoon package which offers the perfect excuse to extend the celebrations of Caribbean weddings and stay on for a romantic honeymoon while enjoying all inclusive programmes, luxury facilities and fu activities at Sandals Resorts.

Destination weddings can be tailor-made to suit the individual requirements of the bride and groom and with the help of the wedding guru Martha Stewart, they can choose everything from the resort destination, the idyllic setting for their ceremony, accommodation, wedding dcor, cake, flowers, and the colour scheme.

Travel agents have until 31st May, 2012 to take advantage of the incentive and in addition, Sandals Resorts will be launching the Catch the Bouquet competition where one beautiful floral arrangement will be given away each week between 29th March and 31st May, 2012.

All agents have to do is spot the wedding bouquet, which is hidden in a picture in the I DO magazine supplement that will be delivered to travel agencies from 2nd April, 2012.

Are you interested in taking a vacation to the Caribbean? Whether you are looking to visit Jamaica, the Bahamas, or another popular vacation destination, you may be pleased to know that you should have access to all-inclusive vacation resorts. All-inclusive vacation resorts are resorts in which you are given access to number of onsite services and amenities, which have basically been paid for in advance.

When looking to vacation at an all-inclusive vacation resort, you are urged to do more than just examine resorts. A number of popular vacation resorts and travel companies offer vacation packages that are commonly referred to as all-inclusive vacation packages. All-inclusive vacation packages typically include more than just a stay at a popular vacation resort, but also your airline reservations, as well as your food and your drinks. If you are looking to simplify the process of planning a vacation, all-inclusive vacation packages are something that may be of assistance to you.

Whether you choose to buy an all-inclusive vacation package from a local travel agent, directly from the resort, or from an online travel company that partners directly with the resorts, you will find that you have a number of different options. One of the many decisions that you will have to make are focused on the resort that you get to stay at. Vacation resorts come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. Your two main options involve inland vacation resorts and beachfront vacation resorts, both of which are usually available in the form of all-inclusive vacation packages.

If this is your first time vacationing in the Caribbean, you may be unsure as to which type of resort you should stay at. Of course, it is important to take into account your own wants and needs while on a Caribbean vacation. With that in mind, one thing that you can do is examine the advantages and disadvantages of inland vacation resorts and beachfront vacation resorts and then compare your findings. A few of the most influential advantages and disadvantages to both inland vacation resorts and beachfront vacation resorts are outlined below.

Perhaps, the biggest advantage to choosing to stay at an all-inclusive beachfront vacation resort is the activities that you should have access to. As previously stated, all-inclusive vacation resorts often include overnight accommodations, airline reservations, food, drinks, and entertainment. It is no secret that beachfront vacation resorts give you more activities to choose from. It is also important to mention that many of those activities, like scuba diving tours or scuba diving lessons, may be included in the cost of your all-inclusive beachfront resort stay.

It is also important to mention the beauty of all-inclusive beachfront vacation resorts. When staying at an all-inclusive beachfront resort, you are, literally, right along the beach. This is not only ideal for gaining access to fun and exciting beachfront activities, but is also ideal for creating a romantic environment. This romantic environment is ideal if you are vacationing in the Caribbean with your spouse or your romantic partner. Although inland all-inclusive vacation resorts as beautiful as well, nothing really compares the beauty of most Caribbean beaches.

As for vacationing at an all-inclusive inland resort, you will also find that there are a number of benefits to doing so as well. One of those benefits is the cost. When examining the cost of vacationing at an inland all-inclusive vacation resort, you may find the cost a little bit lower. With that in mind, the savings are typically not huge in nature. In fact, that is why many individuals decide to pay the extra money, no matter how large or small it is, to stay at an all-inclusive beachfront resort.

In all honestly, the decision as to which type of all-inclusive resort you would like to stay at, when visiting the Caribbean is your decision to make. Although all-inclusive beachfront resorts come highly rated and recommended, it is important to keep your own wants and needs in mind. Should you decide that an all-inclusive beachfront resort is where you would like to stay while on your next Caribbean vacation, you will want to examine Superclubs.com. Superclubs.com has a large selection of affordable, yet quality all-inclusive vacation packages for most of the Caribbean islands.

When you’re going to the Dominican Republic, you can travel in style.

The DR has many options for the traveler, permitting folk to get away and live like a major player during their trip. Those that love exclusive resorts will have a couple of to make a choice from when they land in the Dominican Republic. By staying in a luxury resort, holiday makers have many options they wouldn’t get at the standard hotel. l.

A high-end resort is a must for people that need to be spoiled while on holiday. From golf courses to personal beaches, top-end resorts look after their clients. They put the purchaser first, and it shows in the lodging and facilities offered by these kinds of resorts.

One of the very finest resorts in the area is the Refuge Cap Cana Golfing and Spa in Punta Cana. This resort has it all. You may have fun at the casino, enjoy chic eateries, and play on the Jack Nicklaus signature golfing course.

The golfing course is bound to challenge you, and anyone that enjoys hitting the links is inspired to try it out. It is among the best in the area. That’s not all of the resort offers. There’s also a non-public beach that folk can use as well as amazing sea life and yachting possibilities.

As one of the most exclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, it manages to impress upon each level. Visitors are ready to fill up their days and nights with the fun the resort offers. While the Refuge Cap Cana Golfing Casino is among the grandest, it’s not the sole choice if you’d like to stay in luxuriousness while in the Dominican Republic. The Ria Palace Macao, also in Punta Cana, is famous for its delightful luxury. When you stay at this resort, you’ll have access to 16 miles of white sand beaches, with a casino and Jacuzzi apartments. Free-flowing in bliss and found on only the prettiest beaches of the Caribbean, Dreams Resorts & Spas welcomes travelers from all parts of to all-inclusive exhilaration. Providing a high level of luxury for couples and couples with kids alike, visitors will wonder at the spotless guestrooms that populate the soft white wonderful beaches and provide a long line of captivating activities.

You’ll experience prize winning cuisine which has led on to Dreams Resorts being nominated for Best comprehensive Dinning in 2006 by TravelAge West, all while be encircled by unparallel tropical weather. With its luxury comprehensive feel, guests can enjoy adventuresome water based sports, twenty four hour waiter service ( included in the package price ) and some of the finest nightlife anywhere in the Caribbean. Located on one of the most impressive palm studded beaches in the Dominican Republic, Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana is only a short twenty minutes from Punta Cana airfield, so your holiday can start virtually straight after leaving your plane. Your luxury rooms have everything to make your holiday, including king-size beds to mini-bars even hairdryers in order that you can keep yours at home and bring that additional sun-screen. A past guest commented, Superb for everyoneI must not say enough about the hotel, the setting, the service, the foodYou’d need to be funny not to like this place. As discussed above, Dreams Resort has been known for their fine dinning, and some of the restaurants here will make your mouth water just while reading the menus. There’s just one meal plan here, and that meal plan includes all meals, drinks and tips at 8 delectable restaurants . Cuisines from all parts of melt into one spot. Enjoy French gastronome at the Bordeux where only adults eat in a chic atmosphere or taste a small Asian flavour where the dress code is casual or grab the best standby food ; hot dogs and burgers!

Michy Reports write articles about the Dominican Republic :
dominican republic resorts

Gummi Blog Writers make articles about Jamaica

The Sandals Resorts brand has built itself a sterling reputation over the years and has long been synonymous with luxurious Caribbean holidays. Management at Sandals have proven that they are not satisfied to rest on their laurels as they continue to raise the standards they have set for themselves. Most notably, over the course of the past 12 months Sandals have been hard at work building an equally stellar reputation in the field of eco-friendly tourism.

A year ago Sandals announced the launch of their environmental management programme across all their Caribbean hotels and resorts with the Sandals Earthguard powered by EarthCheck.

Since then, the Sandals chain of resorts have reportedly come a long way with their flagship hotel the Sandals Royal Bahamian recently receiving a silver rating by EarthCheck while the Sandals Negril, one of the most popular with travellers booking luxury Caribbean holidays, has proudly maintained its platinum status previously acquired in 2008 under the groups former certification body, Green Globe.

Under the EarthCheck programme, Sandals have identified six key pillars necessary to reduce their environmental impact and improve their green credentials:

Staff Awareness
Energy Management
Waste Management
Control of Hazardous Substances
Social and Cultural Development
Water Conservation

Sandals work in the area of water management and water conservation has been particularly impressive given the number of travellers who stay at the many Sandals resorts during their holidays in the Caribbean and the demands that such a high level of occupancy places on water supplies. Across all Sandals Resorts water from ice machines are recycled and used for irrigation, while the Sandals resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica has been harvesting well water to reduce its reliance on municipal supplies.

EarthCheck CEO Steward Moore stated the following of Sandals achievements, This achievement highlights the long term commitment that Sandals Resorts has shown to the communities and environment of the Caribbean. Theyre well ahead of most governments and industry players globally as a result of their efforts, and serve as a leader in the field of sustainable practices.”

The official Caribbean hurricane season stretches from June 1 – November 30. It’s rare to see a large storm in either June or November and most major hurricanes occur between August and October, with the peak season usually being September.

The upside is that prices are lower for the Caribbean during this time and resorts are less crowded. So what do you do if you want to get away during hurricane season?

Buy Travel Insurance
You must buy the trip cancellation insurance before the storm is announced, otherwise it will be deemed a pre-existing condition, so always purchase insurance the same day you book your trip to be safe. Most travel insurance policies will cover a trip disrupted because of a hurricane when you are forced to arrive late or leave early for your trip, but you’ll be reimbursed only for the affected days until the airport or resort reopens. You will usually be reimbursed for the days you are forced to stay at a resort during a hurricane, but be sure to always read the fine print on your policy to make sure you know what they will actually cover.

Try to Avoid the Storms
Track hurricanes online with weather websites during the season. Some good sites include:

The National Weather Service – National Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricane & Storm Tracking for the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans
http://hurricane.terrapin.com

Hurricane News and Information
http://www.hurricanetrack.com

Weather.com Tropical Storm Center
http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/

Pick Your Location Well
When planning a trip to the Caribbean during hurricane season, it is good to know that hurricanes are less likely the further south you go. The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St. Vincent, including the islands below them, are the least hit by hurricanes. However, as Grenada discovered in 2004 with Hurricane Ivan, never say never and keep in mind that hurricanes are unpredictable.

Go on a Cruise
The good thing about cruises is that they can usually sail around the worst of a storm. And today’s ships are extraordinarily safe and with the advanced weather tracking available today, bad weather is something they can avoid. The downside is that the cruise line always reserves the right to reschedule port calls and change itineraries for weather-related reasons and therefore you may not get to visit the places you had hoped to.

Pick a Resort That Offers a Hurricane Guarantee
Recently, many of the largest resorts and resort chains, have started instituting a hurricane guarantee, offering guests their money back for days lost to bad weather. For example, in the unlikely event that hurricane force winds (as defined by the U.S. National Weather Service) directly hit the Sandals or Beaches resorts while you are a guest, interrupting the use of all the included activities, Sandals or Beaches Resorts will offer a free replacement vacation to be taken at any Sandals or Beaches Resort of your choice. Go to http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com/caribbean-hurricane-season.html for more resorts that offer hurricane guarantees.

Make the Best of It.
If you do get caught on vacation during a hurricane, try to make the best of it. As long as there is no danger present, relax indoors and focus on other activities.

My husband and I got caught in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico during hurricane Keith in 2000. He was still my boyfriend at that time and unbeknownst to me, he planned to propose on our second evening there. We got dressed for dinner and arrived at the hotel restaurant to find it boarded up. We saw the line up in the hotel lobby, everyone was being evacuated from the hotel to one farther up the coast. We ran back to our room, packed and got on the next bus out – not the evening my husband had planned!

When we checked into our room at the new hotel a few hours later, he still had the engagement ring burning a hole in his pocket. The winds were blowing and it was raining so the romantic walk on the beach he had been hoping for was out. He couldnt put it off any longer so he dropped to one knee and proposed then and there. It was definitely a memorable evening, hurricane and all!