Sandals Resorts

[DrRosenRosen]

I've been to Breezes Runaway Bay and Hedonism III in Jamaica. Both were fine by me.

Been to Now Onyx and Breathless in Punta Cana DR. Both of those were fine by me was well.

The recommendation to take your own large plastic cups is a solid one. Did that most of the trips. And take some money. Some tips here and there are nice even if it's a no tipping resort. Food was usually fairly good and they usually have a hibachi restaurant which I like.

 

[hog88]

I've been to Breezes Runaway Bay and Hedonism III in Jamaica. Both were fine by me.

Been to Now Onyx and Breathless in Punta Cana DR. Both of those were fine by me was well.

The recommendation to take your own large plastic cups is a solid one. Did that most of the trips. And take some money. Some tips here and there are nice even if it's a no tipping resort. Food was usually fairly good and they usually have a hibachi restaurant which I like.

We went to Breathless DR in December, the resort and service were great the food was nothing to write home about.

 

[DrRosenRosen]

We went to Breathless DR in December, the resort and service were great the food was nothing to write home about.

I will agree it was probably my least favorite of all the resorts but I didn't think it was awful. Sit down joints at dinner were decent enough and the outside grill was good for snacks.

Not a lot of variety during the day.

 

[hog88]

I will agree it was probably my least favorite of all the joints but I didn't think it was awful. Sit down joints at dinner were decent enough and the outside grill was good for snacks.

Not a lot of variety during the day.

Other than the food I enjoyed the place. Learned quickly to go over to the sister resort to eat.

 

[WestTNVFL]

If you do go all inclusive make sure you get a Bubba Keg insulated mug that holds about 32 oz. they will fill it up for you.

Best info in this thread.

 

[Biopsyman]

Just spend your money at a nice resort and go to nice restaurants nearby... Never go on vacation on a budget... If so, you will come back disappointed

 

[GreveHaller]

Just spend your money at a nice resort and go to nice restaurants nearby... Never go on vacation on a budget... If so, you will come back disappointed

This.

And x10 for a honeymoon

 

[utvolpj]

Blowing an amount that you can't afford on a week of vacation is not a great plan. Find a place that is comfortable within your price range and vacation wishes

Many like the all inclusive since it takes much of the thinking and guesswork out of the vacation and relieves some stress.

 

[hog88]

Just spend your money at a nice resort and go to nice restaurants nearby... Never go on vacation on a budget... If so, you will come back disappointed

To a point but I'm also not going to go broke to go on vacation.

 

[Biopsyman]

To a point but I'm also not going to go broke to go on vacation.

I am not going to vacation an compromise on a hotel or great restaurants. I am not staying at a Holiday inn over a Hilton or Marriott or eating chain restaurants

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I am not going to vacation an compromise on a hotel or great restaurants. I am not staying at a Holiday inn over a Hilton or Marriott or eating chain restaurants

The TGIF in Cozumel is outstanding. The jalapeño poppers are even better because it’s Mexico.

 

[hog88]

I am not going to vacation an compromise on a hotel or great restaurants. I am not staying at a Holiday inn over a Hilton or Marriott or eating chain restaurants

Not exactly what I'm talking about. But our vacations have morphed over the years. We used to cruise at least once per year in the spring and do a beach house in FL or an all inclusive in the fall. Now that we bought a camper, glamping is our vacation for the most part and the food is great.

 

[CanadianVol]

Just spend your money at a nice resort and go to nice restaurants nearby... Never go on vacation on a budget... If so, you will come back disappointed

For me, that is one of the benefits of AI resorts. You know what you spend a significant amount of time in advance. Sandals also offers interest free payment plans, which I liked. Was significantly easier to budget for, and once I set foot in the resort, I didn't' spend a dime.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

For me, that is one of the benefits of AI resorts. You know what you spend a significant amount of time in advance. Sandals also offers interest free payment plans, which I liked. Was significantly easier to budget for, and once I set front in the resort, I didn't' spend a dime.

We do the same thing when we go on a cruise. We just go ahead and get the drink package so we don’t have to worry about spending $10 a pop for a daiquiri or a boat drink. Those add up pretty quick.

 

[GreveHaller]

I am not going to vacation an compromise on a hotel or great restaurants. I am not staying at a Holiday inn over a Hilton or Marriott or eating chain restaurants

Yep. If I'm going to the beach I'm not staying so far away I cant see the water to save a few hundred dollars.

Our family's rule of thumb on vacation is we do not each in any restaurants that we have at home. The most fun we had was when the kids were smaller we would let each one pick where we would go eat based on that criteria.

 

[hog88]

We do the same thing when we go on a cruise. We just go ahead and get the drink package so we don’t have to worry about spending $10 a pop for a daiquiri or a boat drink. Those add up pretty quick.

I like the promotion NCL has been running for awhile, depending on room category you can get the drink package and specialty dining included. When we took the kids and their significant others last year it was cheaper to get 3 balcony rooms than put them in interior rooms and pay for their drinks.

 

[GreveHaller]

We do the same thing when we go on a cruise. We just go ahead and get the drink package so we don’t have to worry about spending $10 a pop for a daiquiri or a boat drink. Those add up pretty quick.

Agree. We did a cruise with three other families so we tended to consume a bit more than we would by our self specifically me. Towards the end of the trip, the wife went and played bingo and hit the big prize. They dont give you cash but boat credit. She goes to the main desk to apply it towards our bill and ends up getting the itemized bill. Next thing I know she shows up to the pool and says "you've drank $600 worth of liquor...." oops. Next cruise we took was on Norweign so the bar was included. Lesson learned.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I like the promotion NCL has been running for awhile, depending on room category you can get the drink package and specialty dining included. When we took the kids and their significant others last year it was cheaper to get 3 balcony rooms than put them in interior rooms and pay for their drinks.

I didn’t know that. We’ll have to look into that.

 

[GreveHaller]

I like the promotion NCL has been running for awhile, depending on room category you can get the drink package and specialty dining included. When we took the kids and their significant others last year it was cheaper to get 3 balcony rooms than put them in interior rooms and pay for their drinks.

Interesting thing I found on NCL was that I went in thinking that the line for the bars would be huge cause it was included and what I found was that even with unlimited drinks it wasnt a 'booze cruise' at all. Sure people consuming but not in mass quantities.

IMO, the food on NCL wasnt as good as on Carnival but I didnt go to the upscale/extra pay restaurants

 

[hog88]

Interesting thing I found on NCL was that I went in thinking that the line for the bars would be huge cause it was included and what I found was that even with unlimited drinks it wasnt a 'booze cruise' at all. Sure people consuming but not in mass quantities.

IMO, the food on NCL wasnt as good as on Carnival but I didnt go to the upscale/extra pay restaurants

I agree that the buffet and regular restaurants are not as good as Carnival but their specialty dinning is just as good, maybe a tad better. More options at least.

 

[hog88]

I didn’t know that. We’ll have to look into that.

When you add it up I think you get a better deal on NCL than Carnival, way better than RCL and Princess. But I'm not a fan of the RCLs mega ships at all and Princess felt like an old folks home.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Interesting thing I found on NCL was that I went in thinking that the line for the bars would be huge cause it was included and what I found was that even with unlimited drinks it wasnt a 'booze cruise' at all. Sure people consuming but not in mass quantities.

IMO, the food on NCL wasnt as good as on Carnival but I didnt go to the upscale/extra pay restaurants

Are the drinks high level on NCL? On carnival it's pretty top shelf. They let you have a rare brand of Macallan that's over 18 years included in your drink package. Not a bad deal.

 

[GreveHaller]

Are the drinks high level on NCL? On carnival it's pretty top shelf. They let you have a rare brand of Macallan that's over 18 years included in your drink package. Not a bad deal.

I'll defer to hog but I dont think they are.

edit: here's what ncl says

The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15 USD. Two (2) beverages per person per transaction

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I'll defer to hog but I dont think they are.

edit: here's what ncl says

The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15 USD. Two (2) beverages per person per transaction

Thanks for the info. I think on Carnival it’s now $54 a day, with a maximum of 15 drinks a day per person, anything under $48 is included, no buckets of beer, no bottles of wine, but you can bring 2 bottles on board and a 12 pack of soda. I enjoy good Scotch like McAllan or Bourbon like Woodford or Makers and decent red wines too and it’s all included which is worth it to me. We’re going in a week in a half and are planning on doing their steakhouse again. It was outstanding last time we were on a cruise. $50 onboard credit doesn’t hurt either.

 

[GreveHaller]

Thanks for the info. I think on Carnival it’s now $54 a day, with a maximum of 15 drinks a day per person, anything under $48 is included, no buckets of beer, no bottles of wine, but you can bring 2 bottles on board and a 12 pack of soda. I enjoy good Scotch like McAllan or Bourbon like Woodford or Makers and decent red wines too and it’s all included which is worth it to me. We’re going in a week in a half and are planning on doing their steakhouse again. It was outstanding last time we were on a cruise. $50 onboard credit doesn’t hurt either.

As I've always said, its $54 a fee or a wager?

Carnival: I bet you cant drink $54 worth of drinks a day

Me: ok, challenge accepted...


Have fun. I'm jealous. Wish I was cruising soon