Blog Posts by Jen Morrison Arvin

Cruising in Europe: What’s not to Love?

7/7/2023 • Blog, Cruises • As someone who normally flocks to the Caribbean islands for some reprieve, I wanted to try something a little different for my milestone birthday. Since my husband had never been to Europe, we thought we might do a “sampler” of various spots and the best way to do that was a cruise. There are so many great cruising options in Europe that we had a hard time deciding which one would be best for us. Europe has a lot of smaller cruise lines with a large focus on service, quality, and destination. Viking, AmaWaterways, and Azamara are a few examples. While it was a hard choice, we ultimately chose Azamara because of the itinerary it offered. Specifically, they dock for longer, including late night and even some overnight stays, which gave us more time to explore the destinations. They also tout themselves to be the leader in Destination Immersion experiences, […]

Sandals Resorts Guide: Best Deals and How to Choose the Right Resort

9/24/2024 • Sandals & Beaches, Tips • Have you ever started researching an all-inclusive Caribbean getaway, filled with excitement over the endless possibilities, only to find yourself a week later with 27 open Chrome tabs and even more confused than when you started? Now, instead of a relaxing vacation, you’re facing a mountain of questions: ❓ Which Caribbean islands are most at risk for hurricanes? ❓ Is 45 minutes enough time to clear customs and catch a connection in Miami? ❓ Which destinations are safe to explore on your own? We get it—planning the perfect vacation can feel overwhelming. But what if you didn’t have to stress over any of this? Let Us Handle the Details—For FREE! As a Preferred Sandals and Beaches Agency, and with Jen Morrison Arvin as our Gold Certified Sandals and Beaches Specialist, we’ve already done the research for you. Our deep expertise means we know the answers to all your questions and […]

Why Choosing a Sandals or Beaches All-Inclusive Resort Just Makes Financial Sense!

1/9/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • My husband and I absolutely love Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts. I know, no surprise there. From the beaches and relaxing nature of the resort to the incredible food and lavish excursions, what’s not to love?! But one of our favorite “why’s” of why we love Sandals is from the financial aspect of the resorts. Our love affair with Sandals and Beaches All-Inclusive Resorts began in 2016 when we honeymooned in Grenada in the Caribbean. We actually fell into it at the recommendation of a friend because I was quite exhausted from planning our destination mountain wedding during the previous year and a half. Nothing sounded better than an all-inclusive where I didn’t have to plan a thing except what spa experience to get! Now, if you’ve ever checked out a Sandals vacation, you know that the initial price can seem like a lot. But what I have found is by the […]

Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia Compared (2025): Grande vs Halcyon vs La Toc

10/25/2022 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • If you’ve already chosen St. Lucia, you know it’s a breathtaking paradise—like Hawaii, but without the long flight if you're coming from the East Coast. Now, the big question: which Sandals resort is the best fit for you? With three stunning options, there's something for everyone. 👉Take advantage of up to 65% off! Sandals Grande St. Lucian Our first stop is Sandals Grande St. Lucian, a vibrant and stunning resort located on Gros-Islet, offering breathtaking views of Rodney Bay and the iconic Pitons—volcanic peaks draped in lush tropical greenery. Grande is known for its stunning over-the-water bungalows and beachfront rondovals with private pools and butler service, laid out on a mile-long stretch of white sand beach. The resort is always buzzing with energy, boasting 12 diverse restaurants and an exciting lineup of activities. From Reggae Night on Saturdays and the Caribbean Carnival Beach BBQ on Mondays to daytime foam parties […]

Sandals All-Inclusive South Coast Resort in Jamaica-Review

8/2/2022 • Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • Let me start this by saying that if luxury accommodations, distinctive cuisine, and exemplary services perched next to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea sound like your dream vacation then read on.  My husband and I selected Sandals All-Inclusive South Coast Resort in Jamaica for an anniversary trip and now it is one of my all-time favorite destinations! It’s nestled in a 500-acre nature preserve and boasts beautiful European elegance throughout. The property itself is abounding with lush vegetation and wildlife, including hummingbirds and peacocks, which freely roam the grounds. When you first arrive, your bags are whisked off to your room while you enjoy a signature resort cocktail and a tour of the beautiful grounds that are to be your home for the next several days. On the tour, I was reminded that one of my favorite things about Sandals is that they cater to everyone’s desires on […]

Adventures by Disney-Adult Exclusive Trips

10/22/2024 • Adventures by Disney • When you hear Disney, naturally you’ll think of Mickey, Minnie, and lots and lots of kids. But did you know that Disney is so much more than just the amusement parks? Read on to hear just a few of the amazing destinations offered through Adventures by Disney for the adult-exclusive trip of a lifetime! Adventures by Disney is unique as it offers guided international tours that allow you to travel in style and sophistication, but experience the world like a local. As the highest-rated Disney destination, ABD offers small guided group vacations where you get to touch, taste, hear and explore firsthand the places you visit, all with the goal of truly getting to know the culture and people who live there. And the best part is that so much is included in your trip! Transportation within your trip including transfers between airports and hotels, taxes, most gratuities, top of […]

Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts: Emerald Bay vs. Royal Bahamian

7/10/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • You’ve narrowed down your trip to the Bahamas, but you can’t pick which resort will be right for you. Let your Certified Sandals Specialist help guide the way! My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to both the Bahamian resorts, so we were able to experience the best of both worlds. One thing I love about the Sandals brand is that each resort is unique from the next, so there is something great to discover at each one. I can say with firsthand experience that even those on the same islands have vastly different characteristics compared to its counterpart down the road. On this trip, we started at the newly reimagined Royal Bahamian in Nassau and the renovations were stunning! There were tons of new swim-up suites, the centrally located Coconut Grove with food trucks, and an amazing off-shore island. The main part of the resort has […]

Sandals Barbados or Sandals Royal Barbados: Which One Do You Choose?

6/16/2023 • Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • Barbados might be one of our favorite islands for so many reasons. The turquoise water is breathtaking, the cliffs on the north side of the island are magnificent, and the people are amazing! What’s not to love? We had visited Barbados pre-Sandals so when we found out Sandals was coming to Barbados, we were beyond excited and were finally able to take a trip there recently. The easy decision was going; the tough decision was figuring out which Sandals resort in Barbados we wanted to visit! There are two Sandals resorts on the island, so we had to make the choice. Now, I get to help you explore the differences between them to decide which one is right for you. The great part is the resorts back up to one another and is only separated by a sidewalk along the perimeter of the resorts. In addition to that, Sandals resorts […]

Restaurant Review: Mythos at Islands of Adventure

1/1/2022 • Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • When you think of theme-park food, it doesn’t usually conjure up images of delectable cuisine, but Mythos at Islands of Adventure (IOA) changed that perception for us and all by happenstance. Jason and I just recently took a trip to Universal Orlando Resort and wanted to hit up IOA to ride Hagrid’s after a very relaxing day at Volcano Bay. (Side note: Hagrid’s might be the best ride I’ve ever ridden. I highly recommend it). Anyway, we were making our way through IOA when we encountered the “towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and ancient figures carved” into the rock that is the restaurant which was intriguing in and of itself. We took one look at the menu and knew right away we had to eat there! We were extremely fortunate as they were able to seat us in the indoor dining room within 10 minutes without reservations, although they do […]

Vacationing at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel

12/14/2021 • Blog, Universal Studios Orlando • If vacationing like a Rockstar piques your interest, then Universal’s Orlando Hard Rock Hotel might be your next vacation destination! The resort offers luxury accommodations with distinct rock and roll theming throughout, from the moment you enter the lobby and smell the “essence” of a Rockstar, to your hallway stroll which takes you past some incredible rock n’ roll memorabilia, such as one of John Lennon’s suits or even Elvis’ pajamas. The resort offers several types of rooms and suites, all of which are adorned with musical touches and luxury appointed features that will not disappoint. The mirrors in the rooms even show notches of heights for some of your favorite celebrities Justin Timberlake or even little Shirley Temple. The resort also offers club level rooms which include continental breakfast, soda and water throughout the day, and then an evening reception featuring appetizers, smaller entrees, like chicken or hot dogs, […]