Prices for trip?

Thanks, Jennifer for posting the article! $5200 sounds like a lot, but if it includes everything you are looking for (the room type, location, etc.) then go for it. We want to get the higher level suite, and our 7 day trip will probably cost the same, even though we can easily go for the lower priced rooms, but we're looking forward to the luxurious accomodations of the more expensive suite... just don't break the bank!

We are paying $3800 for the two of us for 7 nights. flight, insurance, AI. And that is Chicago to Mexico. Riviera Maya - Aventura Spa Palace. I don't think we got ripped off by going with a TA, but I wish we had booked right with the resort because now we don't get any of the perks if we book a certain number of rooms/people. Our TA is giving us $50 off the total for every double occu. room that books tho. So that's kinda nice, but I wish we had more ppl going!!!! =)

From Lancaster UK or Penn?
Personally, i think that's bananas.
either leave from NYC or Philly or venture to another agent.

If you're leaving from Penn, then a package to sandals should be no more than 3K for both of you....... we're paying 1300 and we're leaving from Canada.... shop around!
what are your dates?

colly j- you are getting married at an iberostar- although both are Ai there are significant differences between Iberostar and Sandals.

Do not take this as a bashing of Iberostar- it is a great resort- I sell and recommend them quite often but it all depends on what is important to my client .

Some differences-
Iberostar -you are limited in how many a la carte (sit down being served) vists you can have during your stay-based on number of nights
Sandals -unlimited a la carte dinners during stay
Iberostar- only premium brands are available in the lobby bar-limited selection
Sandals- premium brands available at all bars-very wide range of selection including Beringer wines and champagne
Iberostar- wristbands
Sandals-no wristbands
Iberostar- must make reservations for the limited a la cartes
Sandals Negril - only the japanese show cooking reetaurant require reservations due to the nature of the restaurant all others are open to guests unlimted times.
Iberostar - towel cards
Sandals -no towel cards
Iberostar- offers limited watersports as part of all inclusive
Sandals -offers a greater variety of watersports plus waterskiing and wake boarding plus daily snorkel trips and diving if you are certified.

The beaches are quite different and as Maureen pointed out the person in question also upgraded to a concirge level suite.

This thread is almost bordering on bashing this person for wanting an overall different experience- please be careful how the posts are being worded. Just because those things may not mean much to you doesn't mean that they are not important to someone else.

I have had clients spend over $17,000 for a honeymoon and I have had clients who have spent $1800 for a honeymoon- each of their desires and needs were completely differnt and each had a wonderful time because they did exactly what THEY wanted.

The pricing thatthis bride ( the original OP) is in line with an upper room category at Sandals Negril.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but what's a towel card??

I enjoyed reading the comparisons. I wish I had seen something like that before I had booked. Not that I think it would have changed my mind, but I like seeing things "drawn out". Thanks!

I think it depends on what time of the year you go and the location. We are paying about the same as you but we are staying 10 nights at the Aventura Spa in Riviera Maya.

 

We went to Cozumel for 7 nights in the beginning of Sept for 2k total! That is really awesome and if you get married during hurricane season then the prices are lower (aka August through November, typically)

Thank you for all the posts. Even though it is a lot money I do feel better about what we are paying and now and I can show this to the ppl who are going with us. It seems like we are paying the right price for what we are getting and where we are going. We are getting a luxury all inclusive vacation : )

 

We are flying out of BWI non stop, which is nice.

I've never stayed at a Sandal's but my BM's Mom has been a travel agent for a million years. My BM has been on a few trips to various AI's in the Caribbean with her TA Mom and said that Sandal's was by far and away the best resort she's stayed at. From all the reviews and TA's suggestions, comparison's -- I'd gladly pay $5000 to stay at a Sandal's. I'm sad I don't have an extra $5000 so I can go this year!

Thank You!!