Caribbean/Mexico: Destination Romance—Trends for Two

PALLADIUM BRIDE GROOMDestination Romance—Trends for TwoBy Lydia Gregory & Laurel HermanResorts and destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean are elevating the romance and wedding scene with fresh, innovative offerings and packages, setting the stage for couples to create unforgettable moments and celebrations.Love is Better in The BahamasComprised of 700 islands, it’s no wonder Latia Duncombe, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, calls a visit here a “multi-destination vacation within the islands of the Bahamas” with “a menu of options for the traveling public.” And while some might concentrate on Nassau and Grand Bahama, there is plenty to do and see on the Out Islands, as well—think Eleuthera, the Exumas, the Abacos and Andros, to name a few. Among those options is, of course, romance. “Next to leisure, romance would top the leaderboard in terms of reasons individuals come to The Bahamas. And I don’t want to say The Bahamas is beautiful in a vacuum,” says Duncombe, “but there are so many different opportunities for our visitors to explore.” Weddings, honeymoons and vow renewals come to mind, but some resorts, like The Cove on Eleuthera, have also created specialty packages like the Bahamas Babymoon. “You can have a beautiful wedding of 400 people in The Bahamas, or you can have something that’s tailored and custom with only 10. But that flair is always there.” The Ministry of Tourism, she points out, has an entire romance team, including destination management services, an annual bridal show, webinars and more that can be accessed through their online portal. BAHAMAS QUOTE New resort openings include The British Colonial (The Pointe), The Potlatch Club (Eleuthera), The OSPREY (Great Harbour Cay), and Somewhere Else (part of the Atlantis Paradise Island complex). Speaking of Atlantis Paradise Island, Jena Conway, Director of Weddings and Special Occasions, tells us they’re happy to see couples “finding ways to bring Atlantis’ environmental stewardship into their weddings. From locally sourced florals and greenery to menus inspired by freshly caught seafood and local flavors, our wedding couples are reducing their carbon footprint while also incorporating local touches that align with the resort’s commitment to protect the natural beauty of the Bahamas’
Paradise Island.” Your brides will want to tap into the resort’s dedicated bridal team, who will not only incorporate sustainable touches into the occasion but will also bring in local musicians and dancing to add to the magic, whether it’s just the two of them or a grand event (ask about The Royal Deck for those). Conway also recommends the newly renovated guestrooms and suites of The Royal or the chic suites at The Cove, which also boasts an adults-only pool. Hot tip for couples in Nassau: The newly renovated Queen’s Staircase is a beauty for wedding pics. If your client wants a production with proper lighting, a wedding party, etc., there’s a fee, and they need to book through the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC). If it’s a quick shot or two, couples can go early in the evening to avoid the crowds—andthe fee. Getting to The Bahamas is easier than ever, with 27 nonstop flights and plenty of connecting flights and charters to the Out Islands. New routes include Palm Beach to North Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour this winter on Tradewind Aviation; daily nonstops from Orlando to Nassau on Southwest Airlines; LA and Seattle to The Bahamas on Alaska Airlines; a new route from MIA to Eleuthera’s second airport on American Airlines; and new flights on Western Air from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport. Keep in mind that Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport offers TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. A Grand Romance “The trend of multi-generational weddings at all-inclusive resorts has been on the rise in recent years as it serves as a one-stop-shop for all guests attending,” says Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Americas for Palladium Hotel Group. She adds their properties in Costa Mujeres, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Riviera Maya are “well-suited for multi-generational weddings, offering a range of accommodations and amenities tailored to each family member.” Arizmendi-Stewart shares that curated wedding packages, such as those offered by Weddings by Palladium, are another trend to watch out for. Their venues, she says, are ideal even for extravagant South Asian Weddings, “celebrated for their grandeur, vibrant colors and rich cultural traditions.” Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts stand out from the crowd with their Infinite Indulgence program, which includes everything and “takes ‘all-inclusive’ to a new level.” Couples will enjoy the Chic Cabaret & Restaurant evenings offered at the brand’s TRS Hotels, and active ones can head to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Costa Mujeres or the new pickleball courts at Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa. Best rooms for two? “Couples looking for a secluded and intimate stay can visit TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel located in the most exclusive part of Punta Cana, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic,” says Arizmendi-Stewart. This luxurious property has 115 suites offering spectacular views—she recommends the Jacuzzi Terrace Poolside Suite with a hydromassage bath on the terrace and Balinese bed for the ultimate romantic getaway.SANDALSSlip on the SandalsIf you’re looking to book a resort created with couples in mind, Sandals Resorts should be on your list of recommendations. “Couples are contemplating the full trip experience, from start to end, versus just honing in on the wedding day—incorporating a mix of activities on and off resort and leaning on us to help build every facet of the itinerary,” says Marsha-Ann Donaldson, Director of Weddings and Romance at Sandals Resorts International. “Creative welcome parties set the tone for the celebrations ahead and enriching group experiences bring forward the unique appeal of each resort and its island setting. Golf outings, spa experiences, boat days and immersive excursions are taking center stage—even philanthropic activities like volunteering at local schools to adventure tours around the island.SANDALS QUOTE “On the honeymoon front, the islands themselves are a top priority for couples who are choosing destinations with unique activities and landscapes, strong culinary scenes and romantic, over-the-top room categories that differ from the status quo,” says Donaldson, citing the popularity of their newest resort on the “under-the-radar island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” Here couples will enjoy brand “firsts,” such as 2-story over-the-water-villas, suites with fitness and media rooms and more. If they want to tie the knot on-property, the brand’s Aisle to Isle destination weddings program has added a new Jamaican Tropical Hues design inspired by Dunn’s River Falls. As for where to spend the honeymoon, it will be a tough choice between the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalow or Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalow at Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadine’s new Beachfront Villas or the Coyaba Sky Villa Rondovals at Sandals Dunn’s River.ROYALTONCHIC Retreats“Destination weddings and honeymoons are leaning towards highly personalized experiences, where couples seek complete immersion in unique settings that reflect their personalities,” says Janek Rattinger, Corporate Director for Group Sales for Blue Diamond Resorts. “From the moment of arrival, they are looking for modern accommodations and a series of events with distinct ‘wow’ moments, such as fire shows, traditional music and even fireworks.”BLUE DIAMOND The brand’s newest all-inclusive adults-only resort, Royalton CHIC Antigua, offers couples the signature Party Your Way concept for fun pre-wedding celebrations—lively or serene—unique wedding locations and a seamless transition into their honeymoon. Royalton FIT and exclusive couple’s spa treatments at The Royal Spa are also on tap. Keep in mind there are Royalton CHIC properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic as well, which offer the breathtaking Sky Wedding terrace at the Royalton CHIC Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only, and the CHIC Mansion, an 11,500-sq.-ft. private home at the Royalton CHIC Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino – Adults Only. Of note: The Antigua property will debut 12 Overwater Suites across various categories—Chairman, Presidential or Junior Suite—all offering special Diamond Club perks. UNICO ROOMUniquely YoursAndrea Perez, Weddings Specialist Manager at AIC Hotel Group, is seeing something quite special for weddings. “The current trend in destination weddings that we have been seeing is the inclusion of pets in little wedding details,” she shares. “Whether that means having signature cocktails named after them or having custom napkins with their pets for the cocktail hour.” Regarding tying the knot at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, Perez points to the Gazebo for ceremonies and Terraza Verde for receptions, thanks to the beautiful views. Après the events, she recommends the 1-bedroom Estancia Suite or an Alcoba Ocean Front for couples. The former, she says, has a little more space thanks to the extra living room, “whereas the Alcoba Ocean Front just provides the most breathtaking views.”AIC QUOTE Keep in mind that AIC Hotel Group offers excellent group benefits and everything included in their standard package. “For example,” says Perez, “one of the group benefits is additional hours to the reception or cocktail based on the total number of rooming nights they have in their wedding block and the final total count of rooms. Most of our couples earn a free cocktail hour and additional hours for the receptions.”CAYO LAVENTADODominican “I Do’s” The Dominican Republic has more than its fair share of off-the-charts venues for romance, starting with the iconic Casa de Campo. Sprawled across 7,000 gorgeously manicured acres, it offers 250 guestrooms, 50 villas, eight restaurants and three Pete Dye golf courses, not to mention a beach, a marina, an equestrian center and the spectacular Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village that’s just begging to be in wedding videos and albums. This is the place for weddings from 10 to 5,000, and brides can choose from the unique open-air tent on the water of the Marina Riverside Center or the 5,000-seat amphitheater in the village, just to name two venues. Another extraordinary choice is the eco-friendly Cayo Levantado Resort, which puts an entire private island at the service of the happy couple. Director of Sales Areli Rosales shares the resort has numerous “dreamy settings: from a typical barefoot wedding on white sands with complete privacy on your own private beach, to a Victorian-style terrace for those who love the idea of a wedding but prefer to wear heels.” They also offer a shamanic union for “free-spirited couples,” as well as more traditional officiants. The property has 10 luxurious categories of suites, including every amenity and a personal ambassador. Rosales points to the beachfront villas with “breathtaking sunrises” and the 1-bedroom villas with a view of Samana Bay, a private plunge pool and “the best sunset views,” as favorites for couples. Ask about the Bridal Suite, and bridal parties can enjoy a 20 percent discount on spa services for group bookings and VIP check-in privileges. Contact InformationAIC Hotel Group: allinagents.comAtlantis Paradise Island: atlantisbahamas.com/travelagentThe Bahamas Ministry of Tourism: bahamas.comBlue Diamond Resorts: bluediamondresorts.com/travel-professionalsCasa de Campo: casadecampo.com.do/travel-agentsCayo Levantado Resort: cayolevantadoresort.comPalladium Hotel Group: pro.palladiumhotelgroup.comSandals Resorts: taportal.sandals.com

PRINCESS CRUISES COVERPRINCESS CRUISES IFCCOVERSANDALSTable of ContentsSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesEDU HOUSE ADAdvisor Speak: What’s Trending in the LGBTQIA+ MarketIndustry Insights: Tips You Can UseCruise: Cruise Landscape—Abloom with New Offerings for Romantic GetawaysCUNARD SCCUNARDDISNEY SCDISNEYEXPLORA JOURNEYS SCEXPLORA JOURNEYSPRINCESS SCOnboard Review: Queen Anne—Cunard’s Newest Queen Starts Her ReignOnboard Review: Cruising the Canary Islands on Windstar’s Star PrideCaribbean/Mexico: Destination Romance—Trends for TwoPALLADIUMPOSADOSBAHAMAS SCBAHAMASCAYMAN ISLANDS SCCAYMAN ISLANDSOnsite Review: Luxe Intimacy at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach ClubEurope Onsite Review: Exploring Turkey in the Footsteps of AeneasNorth America Onsite Review: Plantation Resort on Crystal RiverTURKISH AIRLINES