Sandals Resorts 2012 “More Quality Inclusions” Unveiling

Are you ready for the inside scoop?

I’m returning from the largest Sandals and Beaches event in Central and Northern Florida. I learned so much and experienced an instrumental marketing forum about what’s new at Sandals and Beaches Resorts. I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

With Sandals, all inclusive means all inclusive. What’s included? Entertainment, dinner, unlimited premium brand drinks, 10 bars per resort, swim-up bars, and butler service. Unique suites designed for romance include fire pits, cabanas, candlelight dinners. Oh yeah! I can picture me in this photo (um...with my husband, of course!)

What else is included? Tips, gratuities, hotel taxes, and transfers.

Can you believe it?  Keep reading.  It gets better!

Restaurants:

Sandals has 16 restaurants per resort.  That means you have your choice from a variety of restaurants at no additional charge.  If you plan on staying for 4 nights, you might want to extend your stay so you can explore all the different cuisines.

Your choice includes a variety from Asian, Sushi, Thai, Japanese Teppanyaki, West Indian, Jamaican, Bahamian, Contemporary Caribbean, Mediterranean, Italian (Ma Ma Mia). Are you getting hungry yet?  What about trying seafood, international, brick-oven pizza, classic french, British Pub fare, fusion, gelato & pastries, or even something light and healthy.  Food for even the pickiest palate.

Luxurious Accommodations:

Top-tier suites include personal butlers, certified by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, who take care of everything you need including:

Unpacking and pressing your wardrobe

24-hour room service

Bringing drinks and snacks to the pool, beach, and your suite

Gourmet meals prepared en-suite

Drawing aromatic baths

Making spa, dining and excursion reservations

Private Off-Shore Islands

I don’t know about you, but I sure could use this kind of treatment.

Let’s step outside for a minute to see what adventures Sandals offers at no additional charge.

Scuba Dive Program:

If you are a certified diver, diving up to twice a day is included, with guided dives from 20-90 feet, on state of the art Newton Dive Boats, Luxter or Catalina tanks, Silicone masks and snorkel, and Deep Blue fins. This is a PADI-certified resort dive program with PADI and DAN representation on site. 

Dive suits can be rented and there are underwater camera and video services available for a nominal fee.

Not certified? No problem! Sandals offers a resort certification course (nominal fee applies), which will have you experiencing dives up to 30 feet.  Talk about viewing a whole new world.  Hmmm.  I might have to look into this. YOLO (You Only Live Once)!

Water Sports:

What other water sports can you participate in with top of the line equipment and professional instruction at no additional charge? 

Water skiing, kneeboarding, and tubing

Sailing

Kayaks

Paddle boarding

Windsurfing

Hobie Cat sailing

Glass Bottom Boats

Snorkeling

Aquatrikes

Top Golf Courses:

It’s tee time. Again, at no additional charge.  Sandals resorts include exclusive gold and unlimited play and complimentary green fees.

Ocho Rios (Sandals Golf and Country Club), has an 18-hole championship course. Or how about the 18-hole oceanfront course designed by Greg Norman at Sandals Emerald? Why not try the Reef Golf Club at Sandals Emerald Bay, which was named one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean by Travel & Leisure Golf. If you’re staying at the Sandals Regency La Toc, you’ll want to try the 9-hole Executive Course.

Here are additional things to remember if you are golfing with Sandals.  Golf is included in Jamaica and St Lucia. Caddies are mandatory but are not included in Jamaica and St Lucia. Golf carts and club rentals are not included. Greens fees are additional at Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. Golf is not included in Antigua, but it is available nearby.

Other outside land activities include: tennis (private lessons available), racquetball and squash ball, lawn games, table tennis, beach volleyball, basketball, fitness centers with trainers, billiards, shuffleboard, and indoor pub games.

Drinks:

Top-shelf drinks are available at no extra charge, available 24/7, and are served everywhere throughout the resort.

Sandals continues to raise the bar when it comes to the luxury included experience for guests. They’ve partnered with Beringer to offer the perfect wines for the beach or dinner.

  

Sandals definitely includes everything you need for a perfect worry-free vacation or honeymoon. So what are you waiting for?  Get in touch with me today!  Ask me about Beaches Resort. The family friendly get-away resort...perfect for family reunions or holiday get togethers.

When’s the last time you visited a Sandals or Beaches Resort?

Create memories not regrets!

http://www.lifesrudder.com/

Connect with me via:

Facebook

Twitter
Pinterest

What’s your favorite cruise ship drink?

One of the questions I ask on Twitter is,  “What’s your favorite specialty cruise drink?” Cruise ships are very creative in their drink concoctions, and it’s always fun to see what others like. 

People reply back to me and ask me what my favorite drink is on a ship. Actually, I don’t have one.  Call it boring or being healthy, but I stick to water with lemon.  However, if cruise ships made the following drink, it would be my all-time favorite.

It’s a twist on Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/diets-every-decade.

Dr. Oz’s site says, “Green tea, shown to boost metabolism 12% by drinking just one cup; tangerine, with a chemical composition that increases sensitivity to insulin and stimulates genes that help to burn fat; and mint, a calorie-free flavor enhancer. Drink 1 pitcher daily for maximum metabolism-boosting results.”

I’m always looking for easy recipes that I can make in my own kitchen.  Well this was quite easy and full of flavor.

In a large pitcher (I used my Pampered Chef, Quick Stir pitcher.) combine:

·       4 cups brewed lemongrass tea

·       4 cups brewed green tea (I used green tea Matcha Powder)

·       1 tangerine, sliced

·       A handful of mint leaves

Stir and let flavors fuse overnight. The next day, enjoy!

This is a delicious, refreshing, all-natural tea.  I didn’t even need to use any sweetener.

If a cruise ship served this, it would be my favorite specialty drink. 

Now, I need a creative name for this drink for my Pinterest post.  Any suggestions?

Create memories not regrets!

http://www.lifesrudder.com/

Connect with me via:

Facebook

Twitter
Pinterest

Sweepstakes Kickoff

DESTINATION CELEBRATION OF A LIFETIME SWEEPSTAKES KICKOFF

Cruise Planners travel advisor offers Facebook users a chance to win a dream celebration

Planning an upcoming wedding, anniversary, or special celebratory event - or just want to get away with a group of friends? Life’s Rudder is inviting all Facebook users to ‘like’ the agency’s Cruise Planners’ Facebook page for a chance to win a Destination Celebration of a Lifetime.  Enter now through November 16, 2012 and one lucky ‘fan’ will be awarded an event of their choice for up to 16 guests in Miami, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands or St. Thomas; U.S. Virgin Islands.

This is the first-ever Destination Celebration of a Lifetime Facebook Sweepstakes. To enter, contestants must visit our facebook page to unlock the sweepstakes for a chance to win an over-the-top group celebration in a popular travel destination.  You can’t win if you don’t enter.

Facebook is a wonderful tool for travelers and my goal is to attract people interested in visiting new places, meeting new people and enjoying the good life. My Facebook page is a forum for seasoned travelers and newbies alike to learn about the newest travel trends, hot spots and deals.  This sweepstakes is just one benefit of being a travel fan and I can’t wait to see who the lucky winner will be.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone to win that special celebration they’ve been looking forward to but maybe haven’t been able to pull together.  In addition to travel services, I can provide full blown event planning, so anyone interested in a wedding, vow renewal, birthday or even a family reunion should enter.

The lucky winner of the Destination Celebration of a Lifetime Sweepstakes will receive pre-event planning including unlimited consultant services, complimentary travel gift registry and a personalized website as well as onsite event execution including a professional event coordinator, hors d’oeuvres, cake and elegant floral centerpieces, amongst other prizes. In addition, the winner along with their traveling friends will receive a Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Gift Party Pack with tote bag, Cruise Planners gear and a blue topaz pendant and earring set provided by Effy Jewelry.

So...come on!  What are you waiting for? Click here to enter. 

About Cruise Planners - American Express Tarvel

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Services Representative, is the largest home-based travel agent network in the travel industry with more than 800 franchise owners across the country that independently book cruises and associated travel. Cruise Planners - American Express Travel , headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., has achieved the highest industry awards year after year. Notable mentions include: Agency of the Year from American Express, Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year, Norwegian Cruise Line Home-Based Agency of the Year, Viking River Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer, and many more.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons too often take a backseat to the arrangements and plans of the actual wedding, but you owe it to yourself to give honeymoon planning greater and more careful attention. After all, while the wedding is mainly for your family and friends, the once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon that follows is a private getaway for you and your new spouse to celebrate your marriage. Though you may spend a portion of your vacation relaxing and reflecting on this major life change, the honeymoon is most of all an opportunity to enjoy being a newlywed, spending quality time with your new spouse, and experiencing a romantic and exciting getaway.

Honeymooners have endless options. Following months of wedding planning, couples often retreat to a luxurious resort that caters to their every need, while others trek to an adventurous escape from their day-to-day lives. Whether a beach vacation or a safari, the honeymoon should reflect your joint personality and wishes.

Keep in mind that perfect honeymoons don't just happen.  Planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way. The more homework you do before leaving for your honeymoon, the more you will enjoy your special vacation.

With today’s economy, couples are left with a staycation-type of honeymoon. With our Honeymoon Gift Registry,  you can register for your dream honeymoon and friends and family can deposit money into your registry as their wedding gift to you. They can even pick portions of your honeymoon like a couples massage, spa treatments, airport transfers and more. Make this a retreat of a lifetime with the help of your friends and family.

Find out more by visiting our website at http://www.lifesrudder.com/page/13637-Weddings%20%26%20.

Where did you go for your honeymoon?

Create memories not regrets!

http://www.lifesrudder.com/

Connect with me via:

Facebook

Twitter
Pinterest

Do Something Different

Last year instead of having a traditional Christmas, we decided to do something different.  We went on a cruise.  It was incredible! We had carolers, decorations, and family fun.  It even snowed on the ship. We enjoyed each other’s company as a family, and I wasn’t busy cooking, cleaning, planning, etc. It was a welcomed and much needed break!

Are you looking for a holiday vacation the whole family can enjoy...from the kids to the grandparents? It’s time to cruise!  Not only is cruising the best vacation value around, but everyone in the family has a great time. Cruise lines know that kids need to be occupied, and they also know that parents need a break. So how can you accomplish both needs?

Megaships are built for families in mind. Parents can sit by the pool while their kids are enjoying the water slides and fun activities, and the best part is there is no extra charge for the fun.

If your kids are more adventurous, why not check out the many other activities available onboard. How about rock climbing, surfing, zip lining, basketball, putt-putt golf, bungee jumping, ice skating, game rooms, bowling and more! Yes, you can do all these activities on a ship!

Are you looking for a few hours to chill by the pool, get a massage or simply want to take a spin class? While you do that, your children will be occupied with learning and enriching activities. There is a program for children of all ages. Examples of some of the fun in store at the kids’ camps include:

• Toddlers (ages 2-5) – splash pool, fun family games, cartoon time, toys, learn your colors, counting games, sponge painting, indoor beach parties, pizza pig out, drawing contests, sing-alongs, bingo, face painting, arts and crafts, cookie decorating

• Juniors (ages 6-8) – talent show, face painting, cartoon time, indoor fair, sea animals, trivia, ice cream sundaes, cookie decorating, button making, puppet show, beach party, outdoor fun and games

• Intermediate (ages 9-12) – t-shirt painting, photography, jewelry making, board games, dance class, video game tournament, ping pong, talent show, volleyball, show time, scavenger hunts, meet the entertainers back stage, breakfast fun

• Teens (ages 13-15) – ping pong, pool party, teen dance, dance class, talent show, pizza party, indoor beach party, skin care and hair-dressing demonstration, photography

 

Cruising is not just for adults anymore – it’s the vacation where EVERYONE gets to have fun.

What are you waiting for?  Get in touch with me today.  Groups are my specialty. I do the planning so you can play, relax, and enjoy your family.

Make memories not regrets!



 http://www.lifesrudder.com/

Connect with me via:

Facebook

Twitter
Pinterest