See you at the island!!
We hope you've already got your airfare purchased. If not, please get it finalized. We are about 6 weeks out. Everything should be coming together with last minute purchases and baggage purchases.
1. Nassau requires you to have a passport with at least 6 months remaining, post travel. I hope everyone paid attention to this detail.
2. Nassau has a required immigration form. Some airlines will give it to you in flight (Delta), but I know others will only give it to you as you deplane. Either way, bring a pen (blue or black ink) so that you can enter the immigration line sooner. We stood in that line for an hour, and we had the immigration form completed before we got off the plane.
3. Once through immigration, you pick up baggage at the baggage claim and then go through to the Sandals desk (before you leave the airport). They will be awaiting your arrival. Once checked in, they will transport you to the resort via bus. Ensure you have provided your flight information to TA Kristina so that she can give it to Sandals so they are waiting for you.
Please remember, any porter or person to help load your bags or transport you to the resort is not a Sandals employee and should be tipped appropriately. They say about $1 USD per bag. It's ok to let them take your bag and load/unload your bag. That's their job. They work for tips. You can tip more if you want but you should be tipping at minimum the above. Once at Sandals, there is absolutely NO tipping for them transporting your bags, getting your drinks, serving you, etc. That is why your room cost was a bit more expensive, it included a tip that they all split when you check out. You may see others tipping and they should not be doing that. If a manager sees a worker taking tips, they could lose their job for doing so. The only place where tipping is expected is in the spa and if you have a butler.
1. Sandals will transport everyone to and from the resort, free of charge. You may end up being transported on a bus, but it should be comfortable accommodations and with air. It's about a 20-minute ride from the airport to the resort. Feel free to take plenty of pictures. It's a beautiful journey.
Download the Sandals app and start looking at what they offer. They have different activities daily. While we were there, they had a fire show, a singer, a saxophone player, karaoke with a bunch of drunken beach couples (HILARIOUS), and they had games where contestants won free stays. The pool didn't close, though it was open from dawn until dusk, no one told us to get out when we went for a midnight swim. There was also a piano and billiards lounge, if you'd prefer that. Mostly, we enjoyed the entertainment they provided and ended at the Pearl for a late night snack, a drink (for me), to watch the super drunk guys talking about how much they loved each other, and to pet the kittens that hid in the bushes outside. There was too much and not enough time to do it in. That's one of the reasons why we will be staying for 7 nights and 8 days.