When you compare all that you get for your vacation, a trip to a Sandals or Beaches resort provides an excellent value – in fact it’s actually a better value than a comparably-priced vacation to Walt Disney World. So then let’s talk about how you can be sure to get the best possible price. Here are 4 things to consider.
Book With a Promotion: Sandals offers a variety of discounts and promotions on a regular basis. Some may be for a discount off of the entire package, some may be for a free night, and others may be for something special “added” to the trip (which doesn’t reduce the cost but DOES add to the value!). As a matter of fact, Sandals actually runs new promotions EACH WEEK where they focus on several resorts and offer some incredible discounts – but just for that week. So you have to be prepared to book quickly to get in on the deal!
How do you know about the different discounts and when they’re offered? Well you can stalk the Sandals page every week…..or you can discuss your plans with your friendly travel agent who can let you know when there’s a great deal that’s right for you! (Even better, she/he can advise you of your options and help you choose the best resort option for your needs.)
Book Off-Season: As a general rule of thumb, if you want to vacation when everyone else wants to vacation – holidays, spring break, when school is out – you are going to be paying more because, well, supply and demand. When everyone wants to go, prices will be at their highest. Conversely, planning a vacation to the Caribbean during “off times” can be quite a savings for you.
The good thing about the Caribbean is that it is beautiful year round, so there really isn’t a “bad” time to go. Consider then some of these times of the year for your vacation as a way to maximize your savings: the first few weeks of January (right after the holidays but before people really get sick of winter); late April/early May up to Memorial Day (post spring break but before schools let out); September through mid-December, excluding the Columbus Day/Veteran’s Day/Thanksgiving holiday breaks.
What if none of these times really work well for your family…..or you know you are REALLY going to need a mid-winter break next year? Happily there are still other ways to save.
Book Far in Advance: You know that saying about “the early bird gets the worm”? Well when it comes to booking a Sandals or Beaches vacation, the earlier you can book, the better your price will be. Why? Well again, supply and demand, but in this case it is supply of available rooms. Each Sandals and Beaches resort has dozens of room categories and the earlier you book, the more options (ie: best prices) you will have. Want to be able to book the least expensive room category? Book early because those are often the first to go. Want to have the most room options? Book early before room categories start to fill. (As a general point of reference, the above also applies to cruises.)
So how far in advance can you book a Sandals vacation? Well at the moment, bookings are available into 2023. If you’re nervous about booking something for several years down the road, the great thing is that your deposit is fully refundable up to about 6 weeks before you travel. Which gives you the freedom to cancel – or change dates – (without penalty) if you need to, as well as plenty of time to pay off your vacation!
Book Where Airfare Costs Less: This is something that a lot of folks don’t necessarily think about, but factoring in the cost of your flights will be an important component of your Caribbean vacation. And depending on where you live and what airlines fly from your nearest airport, the cost of your airfare could vary quite a bit from island to island. Some islands, like Jamaica, are served by a number of carriers and with so many flights available, costs tend to be a bit lower than an island like say, Grenada, where there may be relatively few flights each day. So the island that you choose to visit can very much affect the cost of your vacation, from an airfare perspective, and will be something to discuss with your travel professional before booking your vacation.
A Caribbean vacation to a Sandals or Beaches resort is a great value and can be the vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Even better, with the help of your friendly travel agent, you can make some wise decisions to insure you get the best possible price!
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