Greetings to all:

Here are the details of this week's CWE:

FREE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Applicable resorts: All
Applicable Categories: All
Booking window: 12:01 am – 11:59 pm May 22, 2013
Travel Window: July 15 – November 30, 2013
Restrictions: Minimum stay = 7 nights. Not combinable with any other value added promotion. Does not apply to group bookings.

Offer: Guests who book for travel July 15 – November 30, 2013 and stay a minimum of 7 nights, will receive Free Travel Insurance ($190 Value)

Hi! we're getting ready to book our honeymoon for the end of August/early September and have finally decided on Sans Souci. But the problem now is, we can't decide on a room. We have it narrowed down to a 1 bedroom Ocean Suite or 1 bedroom Beachfront Suite, I'd love a Penthouse but it seems those have all been booked. I'm interested in a large balcony and awesome view, I'd also like a separate tub and shower, but would rather have the balcony. I don't mind the steps and from what I've read G block is the way to go, but I think the fiance would rather not walk as far and be closer to the beach. Help!

My wife and I will be vacationing at CSA mid Aug. I have a few questions if any of you can assist in making this trip a blast as this is our first AI trip.

1. What type of room do you recommend, Atrium or Ocean View Verandah? Leaning towards the Atrium as the lack of a TV isn't that huge of a deal.

2. Anything we "Must" pack or will regret?

3. Do you recommend travel insurance?

4. Will it be busy during the mid to end of Aug?


I have 50 questions but don't want to turn this into a school project. As such, any advice/information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I truly want to make this "surprise" trip a memorable one for my wife. And I look forward to meeting any of you that may be there during that time.

John

I was wondering if anyone has done this race (full or half marathon) which appears to be the first weekend of December each year. We don't normally go in December but I think it would be fun to go the Friday before, run and then spend the week at Couples. If you've done it can you let me know what you think of the course and where you stayed? Does Couples provide a shuttle to the starting line?

TYIA!

Hi All,

We will be making our first trip down to Jamaica in July and have decided on Couples Swept Away. After reading the reviews it looks like the Atrium Suite is a great option but my only question is do they get hot in the summer time? I know they have air conditioning but with only shutters and no glass in the windows, whats the temperature like for sleeping at night. Any input is helpful.

Thanks.

What night is the repeaters dinner at CSA??? Don't want to miss it....

We read on a message board somewhere that chocolate and or school supplies would be great little gratuities for the resort staff instead of money. Has anyone done this? Would it be permitted? Recommended?

I saw a mention that AJ Brown performed at CSS recently? Is he a regular entertainer there? I actually have a signed CD from meeting him in Jamaica in 1998 and would love to bring it and have him sign it again. Plus he was fantastic then and I would love to see him again.

We are going to CN in late July and wanted to see who all will be there. Maybe chat with some folks ahead of time, so we can know some people to party with. FYI we are late thirties if that makes a difference

This will be our third visit to CSA and we're thinking of going on the shopping trip. Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi. We are booked for Couples Barbados this Dec. Does Couples have bicycles at this resort? I don't think so, but thought I would ask. Or does anyone know where you can rent bikes close to the resort?

Many thanks,

Ruth

My husband and I are going to CTI in July. I anticipate wanting to dive/snorkel several times. I don't think he will want to do either so often. What happens if I don't have him as a dive buddy? Will I be paired with someone or with a guide?

Also, we are both PADI open water certified, but have not been on a dive in years. We plan to take the PADI Scuba Tune-Up before our trip. Is this recognized at CTI? Will we still need to take the resort course? I don't mind doing so, because I feel like the more instruction the better. That said, I don't want to have to pay for or as limited in my dives.

Any help with this would be appreciated.

Can't wait!!

Beth

Just read an article where people are stealing folks carry on luggage. When you board the plane, the space above your assigned seat is often taken so you move down the line to next available space. Be careful with your valuables folks. Thefts with checked bags and theft with carry-ons. I am keeping anything of value in my purse.

On Friday May 10, 2013 my wife and I embarked on our first trip to Jamaica. After researching many places, Couples Swept Away was a resort that kept being recommended, and after a week in paradise I can see why it was!
This was the 4th AI resort we have been to (1 Mexico & 2 DR) but we are so glad to have picked Jamaica for our trip of 2013. What a beautiful country and the people are so friendly.
Now to my review of CSA!! We travelled on WestJet from St. John’s, NL to Toronto, ON and straight to Montego Bay. Going through customs was a breeze and as soon as you get through, you head right to the Couples Lounge!! Here they take your luggage and tag it to the resort you are going. This is when my Vacation actually begins for me!!! Go in the lounge and grab a few cold Red Stripes and soon your shuttle bus will be ready to hit the road for the 1.5 hour ride!
When we arrived at CSA, we were greeted with a cool towel and glass of bubbly. Check in was quick and easy, we were booked into a Garden Veranda Suite and we were given floor options, we decided on the ground floor, thanks to advice from previous CSA travellers. No stairs to climb, breakfast room service just leaves the food on your patio table and just knock on your door, so no need to get up and let them in your room. Also you can get a key for the patio door so you can have access to your room from both sides of the building, just remember that they will add $20 dollars to your account for this key in case you lose it.
Our room was in building 7, room 2110. It is considered the older GVS rooms, but these older buildings have all new renovated bathrooms that are excellent. I read lots about how the rooms are dated, but we thought our room was great. What is there to complain about when everything in your room works and your maid does an excellent job keeping your room clean! Now a word of advice, when we checked in at 4pm our room was not ready yet and when we did check into our room our bar was not stocked, even though I preregistered on the Couples site weeks before our trip. This might have bothered some people, but we are on vacation and the next day our room was fully stocked!
Now the food at this resort was excellent and there was no shortage of finding something to eat even if you’re a picky eater. We always started with coffee and croissants room service on our patio, and then later on we went for our full breakfast, either at the buffet at the Palms, or at Patois where we had the famous banana stuffed French toast and breakfast pizza!! So good! For lunch we usually went to Seagrapes . Here you have to try the sweet potato chips, fish tacos, Jamaican sushi and the veggie burger. Service here is a little slow, but you’re on vacation so the wait is worth it! Now for supper we went to every restaurant and enjoyed all. There are 2 (Lemongrass & Feathers) that you do have to make reservations. We both really enjoyed the food and atmosphere at these restaurants, the service is fantastic. At Feathers Diana and Stacey Ann were our waitresses and the way they served us was above and beyond what is normal for a dining experience, they both were awesome!!
Now I will talk about the beach and what a beach it is!! If you`re pool people, you may want to go elsewhere on your vacation. As soon as you walk onto Seven Mile Beach you will think you have died and gone to heaven. White sand and crystal clear turquoise water as far as you can see. Lots of chairs available, and to be able to use the cushions as a float is genius!! Like all resorts we have been to, the chair game is played here as well, but if you want shade, you will find it no problem. Security on the beach is great, there are lots of locals selling shells and other Jamaican gifts, but they are only allowed a certain distance on the beach and if they get too close the security will let them know. There are 2 beach bars and we usually get up to get our drinks, but sometimes we did use the green flag service. You get thirsty you stick the flag in the sand and soon someone will be over to take your drink order!! Orville was one of the beach waiters we got to know, what a nice guy and a great waiter!
Our first trip to Jamaica and to Couples Swept Away was a dream come true. 7 days of sunny beautiful weather at a resort where all the employees are so friendly and all seem to love their jobs. Jamaica is all about love, respect and having no worries and if you go on vacation with that attitude how can you not have the vacation of your dreams!!
My wife and I will definitely be returning to CSA and we plan on telling all our friends that if you want to travel to one of the most romantic places on this earth look no further than Jamaica and stay at CSA!!
If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to message me!

Well, as my title question says, Does it get any easier ???

My Wife-to-be and I have only 18 days and a wake up until we're going to Negril (or any Couples Resort, or anywhere outside of the U.S. for that matter.)

Obvisouly we're getting anxious!!! Both of us are super stressing out at work, extremely stressed out with the kids, biting at our nails, counting weeks, days, minutes, etc... CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THE BEACH WITH A COLD ONE IN OUR HANDS !!!!! And the time here has just seemed to go into "slow motion", like it's NEVER going to get here soon enough. I mean, if i don't get outta here soon, i'm gonna flip the !@#$ out on some innocent bystander. (just kidding, well... maybe)

Does it get easier with time, or is that anxiety before a vacation typical? Other than weekend camping trips, this is a first time REAL vacation for either one of us.

Any tips, hints, secrets, help?

Thanks in advance!!!

Tim