Priebe's Travel

Archive for the ‘Caribbean Islands’ Category

Upon arrival in Jamaica for your Sandals Caribbean vacation, the first order of business is to collect your bags, go through customs, and then head for the Sandals’ lounge. This is where your luggage will be tagged and taken from there. You can then kick back with a complementary beer or soda relaxing in Sandals’ lounge while you wait for your shuttle to take you to Sandals Montego Bay. Not to worry, you will be there very soon, since your ride will take you about 5 minutes! Yes, you are that close to the airport, which to some might bring up a concern. Oh No! Noise? As it turns out, this was a non-factor to us and those we spoke to. My personal impression initially was the sound of thunder. However, that only lasted a couple seconds. Even then, it only occurred a few times a day if we even noticed it. My guess is you will be having so much fun you will not notice it.

Now let’s get to the good part—Sandals Montego Bay, the entertainment capital of Sandals has nightly professional shows and is teeming with fun daytime activities. And with two other Sandals’ properties nearby, you are entitled to full exchange privileges with complimentary transfers to both Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Carlyle.

Sandals Montego Bay is a great choice for a romantic week alone for just the two of you. It is even a great choice for a group of friends that like to play and be entertained together.

They boast of having the largest private white sand beach on the North Coast. You don’t have to worry about beach vendors walking around trying to sell their wares every 5 minutes. Montego Bay is the only Sandals resort in Jamaica that offers motorized water sports including water-skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, and tubing. You will also find non-motorized water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, Hobbie Cat Sailing, paddle boats, glass bottom boat, windsurfing and snorkeling. Be sure to check the daily schedule for these activities and instructions. For example, snorkeling is not available from the white sandy shores. Rather, a boat is scheduled for approximately 2:00 each day to take you out to where the coral is found and snorkeling is best. As with all other Sandals and Beaches resorts, Sandals Montego Bay has more quality inclusions than any other resort on the planet.

Scuba diving is also available at no cost for certified divers. Two dives daily, with a PADI-certified staff; first-rate custom-built boats; partnerships with DAN and National Geographic; and have a thrilling slate of dive sites. All this adds up to an amazing diving experience and an amazing more inclusive vacation.

For guests who are not certified or would like to scuba dive for the first time, Sandals offer a resort course that once passed, will allow one tank dive (of approx. 30ft) per day and is good for one year at any Sandals or Beaches resort. You will want to get started with this before you leave for your vacation. Take the course on line so when you get there you are ready to jump in! Get certified to scuba dive!

Sandals Montego Bay does not have a golf course close by. However you may purchase transfers to the Sandals Golf and Country Club which is about 90 minutes away in Ocho Rios where the green fees are complimentary to all Sandals guest. Caddies are required at an additional fee. Caddies know the layout and can impart local knowledge as well as useful instruction. They also offer complimentary PGA-Certified Golf Clinic twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

If tennis is your game Sandals Montego Bay gives you 4 day/night courts also with complementary tennis coaches available to help you improve your skills.

The rooms at Sandals Montego Bay are well appointed, well air conditioned, and beautifully furnished with a comfy king size bed and large flat screen television. You should love the luxurious Red Lane Spa amenities that come in your room, large 4 ounce bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and aloe gel. Do not forget to bring your sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Of course the rooms come with the usual amenities like the hair dryer, iron, safe deposit box, clock radio and the world renowned Blue Mountain coffee. We stayed in the Honeymoon Water’s Edge Concierge room which I highly recommend as the entry level to the concierge services. Being on the first floor of the Almonds block we were able to walk out from our patio to the gazebo outside our room where we witnessed absolutely beautiful sunsets.

Concierge Service is a Sandals Signature amenity included for all Concierge-level rooms and suites. These Luxury rooms have the preferred locations and views. Additionally they include upgraded mahogany four-poster beds, sitting areas, full baths, fully-stocked wet bars, and his & her robes. A dedicated Concierge provides personalized attentions, including V.I.P. check-in, special luggage handling, and tour arrangements. Almost like having your own butler!

But why stop there when you CAN HAVE your own butler. When you reserve a top-tier suite you not only get the ultimate locations on the resort, a wet bar stocked with your personal choice of premium brands, but you will also be pampered by your own personal butler trained to the standards of the prestigious Guild of Professional English Butlers. You will be given a cell phone that rings directly to your butler. Your every wish is your butler’s command.

We discovered if you want to experience the local culture, be sure to take the shuttle to Sandals Carlyle, the smallest Sandals Resort, with the biggest heart. This resort is within close proximity to the popular Montego Bay “Hip Strip”, where you will find duty free shopping, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Also a treat, do not forget to take the shuttle over to Sandals Royal Caribbean for an “Old World British Colonial Charm” with its British-style afternoon teas served daily. You can visit their private offshore island and enjoy dinner at their authentic Thai Restaurant. And if you want to get in a little nude sunbathing, you can do that on the other side of this private island.

Exchange privileges with these two “other” Sandals Montego Bay resorts gives you up to 18 dining options all within a 10 minute reach. Sandals Montego Bay has 8 dining options alone. Air-conditioned indoor, outdoor, and beach dining is available for all your different moods from the Jamaican specialties, Seafood, Asian, Italian, English Pub, Pizzeria, beach grill and more.

Sandals has a “no tipping” policy with the exception of Butlers and Spa Therapist.

Are you thinking of others you may want to join you at Sandals? A reservation of ten rooms entitles you to additional perks. This includes a private group check-in and a private group cocktail reception with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and open bar. Sandals will schedule one private group dinner and a group photo session, with one complementary 5×7 photo for each room. Plus each room receives a $100 Red Lane Spa Credit!

A reservation of 5 rooms provides for a quick group photo session with a 5×7 photo per room which you get to keep as a great keepsake of your fun vacation together.

Sandals Montego Bay is the place where the world fell in love with Sandals. Voted “World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company” and “Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand”.

Dee Priebe
Certified Sandals Specialist
Priebes’ Travel

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The Caribbean Sea beaches the northern coast of South America and western coast of Central America. North America lies north of the Caribbean Sea along with The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean Islands are also known as the West Indies.

With sheer beauty and national diversity, the Caribbean Sea has a large number of destinations for the traveler to experience. (Picture complements of U.S. Department of Tourism.)

The French West Indies, where French is the language, the food is outstanding and topless bathing is accepted. The Islands are very French and very chic. The Dutch West Indies including Aruba, the popular beach destination, brings East Indian cuisine. The British West Indies are very diverse, with influences from North America, South America and West Africa. Tourism development is controlled on the British Virgin Islands to retain a low profile.

The Spanish influence dominates the Caribbean Sea and its larger islands with Central and South Americas.

(Picture complements of Puerto Rico Tourism Board.)

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer a great vacation destination for U.S. Citizens, not requiring a passport.

It is not hard to understand why the Caribbean Sea is the world’s number one destination to cruise. The Caribbean Islands is a much loved, year-round, warm weather destination. Beaches, oceans, cliffs, and shipwrecks; scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, sport fishing, golf, tennis, ecotourism, hiking, spas, honeymoons, and destination weddings, are all just a small part of the attraction to the Caribbean Islands.

Accommodations range from small secluded luxury resorts to the extravagance of a self contained large all-inclusive resort and spa, providing activities, restaurants, and shopping. Looking for a remote hideaway? You’ll find it on one of the Caribbean Islands.

Vacationing in the Caribbean is done year round. Both the summer and the winter seasons average temperatures of 75 to 85, and may go down to 65 in the evening and rise as high as 95 midday. With the exception of the Bahamas Islands which experience December and January with occasional cool spells down in the 40 and 50s at night and 60 and 70s during the day. (Picture complements of Aruba Tourism Board.)

Caribbean peak season is mid December to mid April. The months of July and August are almost as busy. Fall weather can be ideal, however, hurricane season officially last from June 1 to November 30. Caribbean governments have worked hard to protect their residents and their tourists. They work closely with the U.S National Hurricane Center and the Weather Channel. Cruises are rarely canceled because of a hurricane. It is usually no problem for the ship to just change the route.

Picture complements of Jamaica Tourism Board.

San Juan, Puerto Rico is the big hub for flights to almost every Island. There are several other mini hubs. Many of the airlines in the Caribbean also offer air passes that include three or more stopovers.

Island hopping is easy with several islands being serviced by ferries running among the close islands. A ferry runs between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each island has a distinctive topography, history, and culture. Vacationers who use public transportation will find themselves immersed in the local culture. Most visitors prefer to use taxis, car rental, or tours. Majority of islands have a fixed schedule of taxi fares. Visitors should always check with the hotel to learn what the taxi service is expected to cost.

The Caribbeans are predominantly Christian. The French and Spanish islands lean toward Roman Catholicism, British and Dutch islands lean toward various protestant denominations. Judaism is found more on the Dutch islands and Hinduism and Islam are present along with Christianity on Trinidad. Religions of Africa, Voodoo, and other beliefs also exist including the local Rastafarianism of Jamaica.

(Picture complements of Puerto Rico Tourism Board.)

Caribbean music is a mixture of both African and Latin rhythms. Calypso originated in Trinidad along with the steel-drum music. Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae. The Dominican Republic gave the world the meringue.

You can expect to enjoy the Rum drinks, pina coladas, daiquiris, and zombies, along with all the carnivals and festivals. U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly St. Thomas, is the shopping mecca for U.S. Citizens because goods come into islands duty-free.

List of Islands:

Northern Caribbean
Jamaican, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Dominican Republic, one of the busiest tourist destinations with Europeans, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix), and part of the US. British Virgin Islands.

Eastern Caribbean
Leeward Islands: St-Martin/Sint Maarten, Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Eustatius, and Saba. Antigua,, Barbuda, St Kitts, and Nevis, Montserrat.

The Windward Islands – Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia , St. Vincent, Grenadines, and Grenada.

Southern Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago, Margarita Island, and the APC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

West Caribbean and coast of Latin American
Cozumel, Bay Islands of Honduras, San Blas Islands of Panama, Cartagena and San Andres in Colombia, and Caracas and Margarita Island in Venezuela.