Passports

[Guru]

What has been your experience in obtaining a passport. How long did it take.

[scho63]

I'm on my 3rd passport and the longest I waited was between 2-3 weeks. One of the few things our government does quickly. If you are worried about time, go for the expedited service.

[Guru]

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

Well if you have to go alone those are the breaks.

PARTY!!!!

[Guru]

Do any of you purchase trip insurance for your travel? Sandals offers it for $99 each which seems kind of high to me.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I told you not to submit a picture of an Asian woman on the application.

I know, I know. But seriously. I couldn't get my original birth certificate so I got a copy from the city records and that apparently made the lady who was reviewing my junk to think I wasn't who I said I was and denied me my passport. I was like WTF?

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Guru

Do any of you purchase trip insurance for your travel? Sandals offers it for $99 each which seems kind of high to me.

I never do. Also, as a return Sandals guest, I can say that experience can be had for much less $$$ at other adult only AI's. Not having or even liking kids, my wife and I are good for at least 1 adult only AI trip a year.

[Guru]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I never do. Also, as a return Sandals guest, I can say that experience can be had for much less $$$ at other adult only AI's. Not having or even liking kids, my wife and I are good for at least 1 adult only AI trip a year.

What other AIs? Also, we got 4 nights for 1600 which is over 55% less than their regular rates.

[ChiefGator]

Originally Posted by Guru

Do any of you purchase trip insurance for your travel? Sandals offers it for $99 each which seems kind of high to me.

Not even sure what that would cover... in case you cancel or something?

[Guru]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

Not even sure what that would cover... in case you cancel or something?

Pretty much if anything happened that would kill the trip unexpectedly. Say I break my leg a week before the trip or something.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Guru

What other AIs (what does AI mean anyway) Also, we got 4 nights for 1600 which is over 55% less than their regular rates.

All inclusive. They've been having that "55% sale" for over 7 years now (maybe longer), that's just their price. For Jamaica, the Couples brand is comparible (I believe they were owned by Sandals at one point). It has a more tropical, Jamaica feel than the "higher end" finish feel of a Sandals, which is a matter of personal preference. The Excellence brand is also comparible, they have 2 resorts in Montego Bay, Secrets (uber ghey name) St. James and the Orchid. I haven't stayed at either of those resorts, but I have stayed at Excellence's throughout Mexico (Mexico always providing more bang for your buck flying out of the Midwest).

There certainly isn't anything wrong with Sandals, I prefer them actually, but have found there are similar options at lower price points and threw it out as an FYI.

[Guru]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

All inclusive. They've been having that "55% sale" for over 7 years now (maybe longer), that's just their price. For Jamaica, the Couples brand is comparible (I believe they were owned by Sandals at one point). It has a more tropical, Jamaica feel than the "higher end" finish feel of a Sandals, which is a matter of personal preference. The Excellence brand is also comparible, they have 2 resorts in Montego Bay, Secrets (uber ghey name) St. James and the Orchid. I haven't stayed at either of those resorts, but I have stayed at Excellence's throughout Mexico (Mexico always providing more bang for your buck flying out of the Midwest).

There certainly isn't anything wrong with Sandals, I prefer them actually, but have found there are similar options at lower price points and threw it out as an FYI.

I've done a little searching but so far I haven't seen anything that makes me regret my purchase. The ones that beat the price just don't look as good as the Sandals resort we chose. Doesn't matter, we have been wanting to do something like this for a looooong time. We are really looking forward to it.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Guru

I've done a little searching but so far I haven't seen anything that makes me regret my purchase. The ones that beat the price just don't look as good as the Sandals resort we chose. Doesn't matter, we have been wanting to do something like this for a looooong time. We are really looking forward to it.

Yeah, you certainly won't regret it. I've met people and staff at Sandals that I'm friends with to this day, so I have a huge soft spot for them. You'll have a great time.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Guru

Do any of you purchase trip insurance for your travel? Sandals offers it for $99 each which seems kind of high to me.

we always do, not so much for the trip cancellation part, but for the medical coverage.

For example, if you have a major illness or injury in Mexico and need to be medevaced to the US, thats 70 to 80k. Paid upfront. Trip insurance with medical covers that. We used MH Ross this last time, IIRC the premium for coverage on a 3k trip including a rider for electronics loss of damage (DSLR camera) was about $130.

Incidentally, my wife did need medical attention while at the resort, and the doctor came to our room at 4:00am, examined, gave her a shot, and 2 scripts and it cost me $220 US cash. Trip insurance will reimburse once our medical insurance denies the claim.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Guru

Do any of you purchase trip insurance for your travel? Sandals offers it for $99 each which seems kind of high to me.

For trips that I have invested a lot of money in, yes. But you can get it cheaper than that. I think Travel Guard is the one we've used. I think it was around $125 for both of us total and covered pretty much anything that could happen. Lost luggage, delayed flights, and cancellations for any reason.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

we always do, not so much for the trip cancellation part, but for the medical coverage.

For example, if you have a major illness or injury in Mexico and need to be medevaced to the US, thats 70 to 80k. Paid upfront. Trip insurance with medical covers that. We used MH Ross this last time, IIRC the premium for coverage on a 3k trip including a rider for electronics loss of damage (DSLR camera) was about $130.

Incidentally, my wife did need medical attention while at the resort, and the doctor came to our room at 4:00am, examined, gave her a shot, and 2 scripts and it cost me $220 US cash. Trip insurance will reimburse once our medical insurance denies the claim.

Doh, yeah. Completely forgot about the medical coverage. It's a worthwhile investment, IMO.

[Guru]

I'll have to look into both of those and compare them to what Sandals offers.