Ziggy1647545504 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 My wife and I will be having our 10th wedding anniversary in January '09, and we've been tossing the idea around about leaving the kids with family for a week or so and going someplace tropical. We've talked about doing a cruise, but she's kinda spooked about that. I really like the idea of an all inclusive vacation like Sandals has to offer. Experiences, ideas, or any input? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I haven't been there, but, I would suggest convincing your wife to take a cruise. I loved the last one I went on. That will be my honeymoon next December as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy1647545504 Posted January 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 She's all weirded out about being that far from land, and you know the only time you hear anything about cruise ships is when people get sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Quik7 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 i don't know personally, but a friends parents have been to Sandals numerous times and seemed to enjoy it...then couple years ago they went to Atlantis and said it was paradise and that's the only place they'd ever go again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 If you're not all about warm temps (I doubt it would be too warm in Jan) I highly recommend The Don Cesar in St. Petersburg Florida. It's my favorite place I've ever been. I think I've been 5 times now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 sandals grand at St. lucia--best trip i've been on BY FAR. you generally cannot go wrong with sandals--pretty much guaranteed a great trip. and St. lucia is absolutely stunning--blue water, great weather, excellent food, and liquor. just thinking about that trip makes me want to fucking cry right now, stuck in columbus, knowing it will be at least a year and a half before i can take a trip like that again. give me a second to find some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 here they are. we also enjoyed barbados, for our honeymoon, but it wasn't a sandals resort. i would recommend st. lucia--the sandals grand (not sandals halcion). tons of stuff to do--we went on a snorkling trip/catamaran, and a safari tour of the island http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7178/p42400351un.jpg going inner tubing http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/3844/p42300169dr.jpg the food was incredible http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/9673/p42400658jf.jpg so was the swim up bar. http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1836/p42801367go.jpg http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/457/p42801378yf.jpg http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6872/p42601062lp.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin5s Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I haven't been there, but, I would suggest convincing your wife to take a cruise. I loved the last one I went on. That will be my honeymoon next December as well. cruises are ok, but you run the risk of getting sick as well as you are not at any location for any period of time. You pretty much get 6 or so hours at each place which isn't really enough to enjoy each port... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 if you're set on going to the bahamas and can afford it, stay at Atlantis. It's clearly FAR above in terms of quality and presentation to anything else there. Sandals there didn't look bad (didn't stay there), but once you actually see Atlantis you'll understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black00ws6 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I don't see what the big deal with Atlantis is.. I wasn't that impressed when we were there, it's nothing more than an overpriced Vegas hotel. I'd rather stay at the Bellagio than Atlantis. And whoever said the Don Cesar.. nice place. I've walked through it but we stayed at the TradeWinds which is a few hotels down. If I were to go to Sandals, I would def pick the Grande St. Lucia or the Grande Anitgua resort. A cruise is a good idea too, it will give you the opportunity to visit all the smaller Caribbean island (st. thomas, st lucia, st marteen, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Ive been to Club Viva-Fortuna on Grand Bahama island. It was all inclusive. I went with the fam the first time but ive looked back and it seems that it has some decent prices as well. Was a nice place and somewhere in the middle of huge resort and small secluded island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supplicium Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 x2 for Atlantis. One of the best vacations I have had was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Let me give my $.02 on Sandals vs Cruise. Short story, SANDALS. Here is why You are not hearded by the thousands onto the boat at Sandals. You can dive for free (diver, it matters). You can drink all you want (what is that you say, drink all I want, yes) and it doesn't cost any extra. I did a 4 day cruise and racked up $800 in booze (having $5 beers adds up fast especially if you are buying). The food at Sandals is very very good. The down side, the service at Sandals is top notch for the region. It can take 10 minutes to get a glass of water, but the lines on a cruise ship take 10 minutes so it is a trade off. Do you want to go to a beach, you get like 4 hours of that on a ship, you get that constantly at Sandals. There is probably more Julie the cruise director type fun (everyone lets bunnyhop to the buffet) on a cruise but there is a good deal of that at Sandals too. I love Sandals, I wish I could go back. (The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of CR, just some random loser that travels wayyyy too much) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 i agree^^^ 1000%. the wife and i WILL eventually do a cruise, but every sandals trip we've been on has been awesome. the liquor is not 'top shelf', but it is absolut/jack daniels/jose cuervo/etc. which is totally fine by me, when you can sit at the swim up bar and drink all day long. the food is awesome--plain and simple. there's tons to do, and they have people who sit down with you to plan different activities (which cost more, but not much more--$120--for two people, all-day catamaran trip with food/booze/snorkling included). plan a trip on your own, and it IS likely that you will have a good time, maybe you'll have a GREAT time, but maybe you'll be disappointed too. with a sandals trip, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a GOOD time, and most likely a great time. there's also something to be said about paying for EVERYTHING in advance, and not having to carry a wallet around at all--not even to tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TA In Progress Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 My wife and I went to the Sandals Royal Bahamian last year, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Our first room was filthy, disgusting, very shabby and the toilet leaked all over the bathroom floor. Our second room wasn't any better, but at least only the mildew-infested shower leaked and not the toilet. We didn't ask for another because we didn't feel like moving all of our shit again. Out of about 30 light fixtures in our hallway, only 3 worked. All of the buildings and facilities felt very run down. The food wasn't any good either, I've had better from a mall food court. I didn't expect perfection, but for what you pay, the place should be nice. I know they aren't spending all of your money to provide you with the very best booze/food. The only redeeming quality was that MOST of the staff was very friendly. We were originally going to go to the one in St. Lucia, but we didn't want to spend the extra money. I'm glad we didn't, if the one in the Bahamas is any indication of Sandals quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 My GF and I went last year...We had a great time. I did not stay at Sandals, but a Wyndam(sp?) over on Paradise Island....few pics From a boat ride... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture022.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture019.jpg View from room http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture059.jpg Baller stay.... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture044.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewhop Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Are they dumping concrete to form something in that last picture. It looked like they were just dumping it off the edge down a hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin R. Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Are they dumping concrete to form something in that last picture. It looked like they were just dumping it off the edge down a hill. Making beaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Are they dumping concrete to form something in that last picture. It looked like they were just dumping it off the edge down a hill. I think Atlantis was expanding. If you look to the right you can see the tail wing of a plane. Rich people land their planes in the water you see and walk right up to the Atlantis. These are outside of it everywhere, too... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture045.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 This was pretty cool. Once you get up to the Atlantis....it's surrounded by water, that is actually the aquarium that's visible in the restaurant inside. From the outside you can see all the cool fish that are in it and go in to see like any other aquarium....Check it.. This is the top of the aquarium http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture060.jpg Stingray in the aquarium http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture056.jpg From the inside. That's the aquarium under the ledge across the room. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/CLovaR1/Picture005-1.jpg The whole system runs/fiters through the actual ocean water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boosted98gst Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 man that is one place ive yet to go, seems like its a kick ass place to enjoy your company with. not to be nosey whats the prices like for a trip for 2? how much did you guys spend total?? did they offer any big package deals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 man that is one place ive yet to go, seems like its a kick ass place to enjoy your company with. not to be nosey whats the prices like for a trip for 2? how much did you guys spend total?? did they offer any big package deals? Just over $2600. I booked for us and another couple though. That included air/hotel only. With food, casinos, clubs, and shopping....It was easily a $2000 trip for her and I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 $5500-ish for 2 people, 8 days, 7 nights, EVERYTHING included--upgraded room--to sandals grand, at st. lucia. like i said, best trip i've ever been on---mostly honeymooners and young couples. we'll end up going back there in a few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boosted98gst Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 $5500-ish for 2 people, 8 days, 7 nights, EVERYTHING included--upgraded room--to sandals grand, at st. lucia. like i said, best trip i've ever been on---mostly honeymooners and young couples. we'll end up going back there in a few years wow that sounds like a deal,, man If i could surprize her with a trip like this, she would love me forver lol, are there any online places with these deals? if so help me out, id love to start looking around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 my wife used to get our trips on discountallinclusive.com, but now they don't participate in the sandals resorts. i'll ask her what site we went through for the st. lucia trip. some things depend on what time of year you go as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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