Sandals and Beaches Vacation Traveling Tips

Your document /ticket packet contains all the information and documents you will need for your trip. When you look through your packet, please be sure to put all items back into the packet. All packets have been checked for accuracy and completeness before they were given to you. Do not pack your documents or your passport. Carry them on your person as you travel. The following tips will help familiarize you with the different “stages” of your trip.

Before You Go

Be sure to check with your airline to see if there is a charge for your luggage and the size requirements so you will not have any surprises at the airport. You may want to pack your bathing suit or a change of sunshine clothes in your carry on. Towels are provided at the resort. We recommend that you take sun screen and insect repellent. After all, you will be in the tropics.

Sandals now requires that you CHECK IN ONLINE no later than one week ahead of arrival at www.sandals.com. Click on check in online and follow the instructions. If you are on your honeymoon, a fter you have checked in online, make a copy of your wedding invitation, write your Sandals reservation number on it and fax it to 1-305-468-6321 or email to honeymoons@uvi.sandals.com. This entitles you to a free honeymoon romance experience offered at the resort. If you are interested in making reservations for the Candle Light Dinner, the Couples massages or any of the tours off the resort, we suggest this be done before you go. We can make these reservations for you.

Your Travel Requires a Valid Passport

Your name on the reservation must match your passport. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have proper proof of citizenship. You will be denied boarding with no refund if you do not have proper proof of citizenship.

Flight Information

If you booked your flights with us you will either have e tickets and confirmations of flights. Call the airline within 24 hours of departure to recheck flight times both going and coming home. The number will be with your documents. You also will want to check with your airline what you can and cannot pack as well as the luggage size requirements. Check in at the airport at least 2-3 hours before flight times. You will go through customs when you check in at the airlines and will have to show your passport. However, if you are on a connecting flight home you will claim your luggage when you arrive back into the US and proceed to customs before you board your final flight home. You will be directed by the attendants. If you have arranged your own flights, be sure that you give us your flight schedule, so we can arrange for transportation with Sandals or Beaches to the resort.

Arrival at Your Destination

Once you have arrived at your destination, claim your luggage and proceed to customs. You will need to show your passport again. Once you have proceeded through customs, look for the Sandals Representative. They are usually easy to spot since they wear brightly colored shirts. They will take care of you from there, take your luggage and direct you to the shuttle that will take you to the resort. It is customary to tip the skycaps $1 per bag. These are airport employees and not part of Sandals. At the Jamaica airport, there is a hospitality room as you wait for your shuttle. The time it takes to get to your resort depends on which resort you are going to. Except for Montego Bay, most rides are approximately one hour and 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. It is also customary to tip the driver of the shuttle, since they do not work for Sandals. Once at Sandals, no tipping allowed unless you have a Butler.

Arrival at Sandals or Beaches

Paradise at last. We have sent an email to the resort to advise them of your arrival. We are a Preferred Sandals Agency, if there is courtesy upgrade available at the resort, we have requested it for you. Give your vouchers and your credit card to the Sandals person checking you in. The credit card imprint is a security deposit for incidentals like phone calls, gift shop, tours, etc. Depending on your arrival time, rooms may or may not be ready. Sandals will hold your bags and take them to your room when it is ready. This leaves you free to explore the resort, eat, drink or relax until your room is ready. The tour desk is usually in the lobby, you may want to collect some information if there’s something you want to do off the resort. Once you are on the resort, you will not need any identification to eat and drink, just order what you want. Don’t be shy. Sandals has a lot to offer and you want to experience as much as you can.

Welcome Meeting

Be sure to check when the daily orientation meetings will be. They last about 30 minutes and we strongly suggest attending. They will explain how to set up diving, golf, restaurant reservations and will give you an idea of the activities. The resorts have gift shops for your convenience. Ask also, about exchange privileges with the other Sandals resorts. Please ask questions at the resort so you know how to take advantage of all that Sandals has to offer.

Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

Remember this is an all inclusive Sandals experience. If you need anything, just ask. If you have a concern, ask to speak with one of the resort managers.

If you have made a reservation while you were at the resort for a return visit, please let us know when you get home so we can be sure you get all the discounts you are entitled to.

All Good Things Must End

The last evening of your stay, check the board in the lobby for your flight home. It will list your flight info, and the time the shuttle will leave the resort to go to the airport. A bellman will come to your room to pick up your bags.

Back to the Airport

Your shuttle will take you back to the airport. Most of the Caribbean airports have duty free shopping. This is a good opportunity to shop for souvenirs. Your flight attendant will have told you what you can take back. Most airports also have a duty free liquor store, so you can buy it there and they will package it and fill out the paperwork, so it makes it easier. Some airlines have been charging a fee and considering it luggage so be sure to check.

Flight Home

Check in at your airline. You will have to go through customs at the airport and again on the first stop of your connecting flight home, so have your documents and passport handy. You may be required to pay a departure tax at the airport so have some cash available if needed.

Sandals Returning Guest Program

As part of our service to you, we will be automatically enrolling you in the program, so there is no need for you to do it. In fact, we will be able to retrieve more points for you to use on your next trip to Sandals. You will receive at least $250 towards a return visit of 3 nights or more. This is great because it is in addition to any sales discounts or promotions going on. You may want to plan your 1st anniversary when you get home. Points expire in the third year after your visit. The 2013 prices are available at this time and there are early booking discounts available. That sales price minus your returning guestdiscount makes for an offer too good to refuse.

Contact us when you are ready to plan your next Sandals experience »