Offering travelers the VIP treatment from the moment after stepping off the plane, Club Mobay is an absolute must the next time you visit Jamaica!
 
So what is Club MoBay?
Located at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, Club MoBay is a VIP arrival and departure lounge that offers travelers a wide-range of comforts, conveniences, and personalized services. Here’s why you’ll love it:
 
Skip Long Lines
The last thing you want to do after a long flight is wait in an immigration line for over an hour in a crowded airport. When you book Club MoBay, you’ll be greeted by your very own personal escort who will guide you through the airport and straight to the lounge. Talk about easy!
 
The Fabulous Service
Aside from your personal escort, Club MoBay’s staff welcomes you with open arms the minute you walk through its doors. Known for their “no problem” mentality and carefree personalities, the people in Jamaica are sure to make you relaxed the moment you arrive.
 
The Food & Drink
Hungry after your long flight? Club MoBay’s got you covered! Offering a wide variety of snacks and beverages, guests can order everything from fresh fruits and pastries, to sandwiches, sushi, and Jamaican patties. You’ll even receive complimentary refreshments, from soft drinks and coffee, to specialty alcoholic beverages.
 
Kid-Friendly & Adult Only Spaces
Club MoBay is great for families! In fact, the kiddos can hang out in a sound-controlled kids’ playroom, where cartoons and toys are always in abundance. Looking for some quiet time with just the adults? Then, check out the adult-only lounge, where you’ll find a set of three rooms to relax and unwind in peace.
 
Great Facilities
Need to freshen up after traveling all day? You’ll be happy to hear about the Club’s shower facilities or spacious restrooms – some of the cleanest you’ll find in any airport! Club MoBay is also air-conditioned, something you’ll be thankful for when you touch down in Jamaica.
 
Onsite Spa
Yep, you read that right. Club MoBay has an onsite spa in the departure lounge where you can get a chair massage or manicure and pedicure. This allows you to savor the final hours of vacation while reducing any tension or anxiety you have prior to traveling.
 
Heading to Jamaica? Then, be sure to ask us how to book your Club MoBay slot today! For recommendations on where to stay in Jamaica, click here to get in touch. 

With so many great locations, Riu Resorts have so much to offer couples who are wanting to plan a destination wedding.  From Aruba to Cabo, Riu has stunning resorts on gorgeous beaches, just perfect for wedding groups. Enjoy all the style and perks while being considerate of guest costs. Isn't that what every bride wants? We spent time chatting with some of the Riu wedding planners and asked them to share their insider knowledge with us. Keep reading to hear what they have to say!

What are a few of the most commonly asked questions you get from couples starting the destination wedding planning process?
 
The most common questions are usually regarding:
 
Wedding set up pricing
Wedding locations
How much will they be spending overall
What is included in the wedding package
What decorations and events are included
 
Couples want to have the complete picture of their expected expenses. Other questions we are often asked are about wedding locations availability, what happens in case of rain, where are the back-up locations. At RIU Hotels & Resorts, we have different packages that can fit to all kinds of wedding couples and groups, so we can customize everything depending on what the couple desires.
 
We know that couples today love to customize their wedding experience. What are some of the unique ways you see couples customizing their wedding events?
 
Couples love to bring their own wedding favors for their guests, things that are meaningful and personal to them. The color theme is very important, and we know brides want to have flowers, fabrics and decorations match perfectly.  Many couples plan activities with their wedding guests throughout their stay. They participate in things like excursions or special activities happening around the resort. Everyone has a ton of fun together at our Riu Party or in the Pacha Club! 
 
Are there any trends you’ve been seeing for 2020 weddings?
 
Our most popular destinations are Jamaica, Los Cabos Mexico, Costa Mujeres Mexico & Aruba. A really popular trend for wedding set up decoration is the Boho Chic style, including a lot of tropical elements such pineapples and green leaf foliage.
 
Cost is always a factor. Are there certain items couples can omit or change that help keep their budget in check?
 
The cost is very important for the couples! Some couples have asked guests to take snapshots and candids of the ceremony and the events instead of hiring a photographer for everything. Other ways to save include having semi-private events (instead of private events) and using the natural tropical surroundings as the backdrop instead of investing in additional decor.  
 
Are couples doing legal ceremonies, or symbolic? What do couples need to know to help them decide?
 
Symbolic is the most requested ceremony. After the couple finds out about all the paperwork needed to have a civil ceremony, and the steps to legalize the wedding certificate in their country, most choose to have a symbolic wedding. A symbolic ceremony is less expensive and less complicated.
 
What are your most popular ceremony locations?
 
The most requested wedding ceremony location is the beach, of course! Couples love our amazing Caribbean Sea views and our Pacific sunsets. Some brides choose to have their ceremony on one of our ocean view terraces, which are stunning. Riu proudly has hotels in the best locations! In Los Cabos we are in front of the famous Arch. In Cancun, we have a gorgeous ocean front garden. In Jamaica we have gazebos facing the ocean. Every hotel has stunning locations available to make every wedding truly one in a kind!

​Pretty impressive!! Are you dreaming of Aruba now? Or perhaps Cabo? Not sure which location is best? Let us help! Our team of destination wedding experts are here to help you choose the location, resort and wedding date, and organize the entire experience for you and your guests. Ready to start planning?

If you thought a crowded aircraft was bad – just wait until you get into a shared transfer. Here are 6 reasons to take advantage of a private transfer the next time you’re traveling:

No Waiting
Wouldn’t it be great if after hours of flying, you could just hop into a vehicle and drive straight to your hotel without the hassle? Well, with a private transfer, you can. No need to wait in line for what may seem like forever for everyone to load into the bus. With a private transfer, the focus is on you. So, when you’re ready to go, you’ll go.
 
Non-Stop Drive
A private transfer allows you to head straight to the hotel with no interruptions. And unlike a shared transfer, a private ride doesn’t make three stops along the way and waste your precious vacation time. Trust us – we know every minute counts!
 
Easy Check-In
We know the last thing you want to do after traveling all day is wait in yet another line with all of your luggage. A private transfer allows you to arrive on your own time – not in a large crowd where everyone is trying to check into their rooms at once.
 
Easy Check-Out
Just like check-in, checking out of your hotel should run just as smoothly. This is because you’re running on your own schedule and no one else’s. It also makes the process more enjoyable and stress-free since you’ll receive undivided attention from the driver.
 
Personal Attention
With a private transfer, you’ll actually feel important at the airport because there’s someone waiting for you and excited to take care of you the moment you arrive. Afterall, who doesn’t like being a little spoiled from time-to-time?
 
Great Experience
On top of all the great reasons we just mentioned, having a private transfer really is the perfect way to start and end a vacation. Not only is it nice to know your transportation is taken care of, but it gives you peace of mind in knowing someone is there to guide you so you can get the most out of your vacation.
 
We hope you consider taking a private transfer the next time you vacation! Need more info? Then, shoot us a note at [email protected] for some recommendations. 

Ah, Royalton weddings. They are so amazing! But why? We recently sat down with Randi Reshef, Senior Wedding Consultant with Royalton Resorts, to chat about planning destination weddings. Read below and learn from the experts on planning your Royalton destination wedding.

​We understand the importance of partnering with wedding vendors that value service and quality as much as we do here at Romance Travel Group. We take the time to go meet the teams at each resort, video conference with the planning office, and continuously work on building partnerships with what we think are the best destination wedding resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. We recently sat down with Randi Reshef, Senior Wedding Consultant with Royalton Resorts, to chat about planning destination weddings. Randi has been with Royalton 3.5 years with a focus on our St Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua and Costa Rica resorts. Randi loves bringing out the creative side of her wedding couples and working with them on creating the perfect, customized wedding. Her clients speak highly to her ability to ease their stress and come up with unique personal touches that they can incorporate into their destination wedding.             
 
What are a few of the most commonly asked questions you get from couples starting the destination wedding planning process?
 
“Our wedding couples are so excited about getting engaged and to be in the process of planning, that the most commonly asked questions we get are pertaining to floral and décor. Most of the time, wedding couples will have a general vision for their wedding day and are looking for cost on those items so that they can budget appropriately. In addition, couples love to know about services that we offer such as entertainment or food & beverage options.”

We know that couples today love to customize their wedding experience. What are some of the unique ways you see couples customizing their wedding events?  

“We know that every wedding couples’ vision is different and we love that Royalton weddings allow our couples to completely customize their experience. To name a few unique customizations, we have seen a pizza tower instead of wedding cake for a foodie couple, we have seen a completely sapphire themed wedding to replicate a brides engagement ring, we have seen an “On the Run” tour Beyoncé & Jay-Z themed wedding, and even a couple who sang themselves down the aisle. Anything is possible!”

Are there any trends you’ve been seeing for 2020 weddings?
 
“We have been seeing a lot of requests for Pampas Grass, which is perfect for a beachy Bohemian wedding. We have also seen a lot of couples bringing custom neon signs to hang above their head table. 2020 will also bring monochromatic bouquets, and couples who are looking into sustainable weddings. For example, clients are looking into sustainable travel, reducing food waste, and anything that will help impact the environmental aspect of their wedding.”

Cost is always a factor. Are there certain items couples can omit or change that help keep their budget in check?  

“I have always considered a dance floor a “luxury” purchase. If it’s within the budget, that’s great! If not, I think it’s something that can be skipped. Most of our couples who choose to have a destination wedding have always dreamed of dancing in the sand, and the other half of our couples are hosting their reception at a location that has tiled flooring. Dancefloors tend to run anywhere from $600-$1,500 USD (depending on size and type of dance floor), so that can be a big chunk of savings if they don’t rent this item!”

Are couples doing legal ceremonies, or symbolic? What do couples need to know to help them decide?  

“I would say this is a 60/40 split, with symbolic weddings being the more popular of the two ceremony types. Symbolic weddings are generally more flexible. For example, you can have your own officiant, customize the vows, and determine the overall feel of the ceremony. On the down side, a lot of couples do want their official wedding anniversary to be on the day that they host their ceremony. If you’re legally married before your symbolic ceremony, then technically your wedding anniversary would be on a different date. In some countries, you have to be legally married before hosting a symbolic ceremony, so the couple would need to be okay with being legally married at least two months before the wedding. With legal weddings, there will be paperwork involved. If a couple is already feeling stressed about planning, that extra step of getting their legal documents notarized might be a deal breaker. In addition, there is an added cost for hosting legal weddings which varies depending on the resort, and some countries to require bloodwork upon arrival in order to have a legal wedding.”

What are your most popular ceremony locations?  
​
“Hands down, the most popular ceremony location that we have is the Sky Terrace! We don’t have the Sky Terrace at all of our Royalton properties, however the Royalton resorts that do have this private rooftop location are always booked first. Not only does the Sky Terrace offer additional privacy for wedding couples, they also have incredible unobstructed views of the ocean and a beautiful stone structure, so no additional décor is needed. There is an additional fee to host a ceremony on the Sky Terrace, but it’s well worth it for the views, privacy, and the included décor. For properties that don’t have a Sky Terrace, we still see a lot of Beach ceremonies. Many of our couples have always envisioned being married toes in the sand, and nothing can change their minds. Beach ceremonies allow for a lot of customization in terms of structures or chuppah’s, seating, and aisle décor!”
 
Like what you see? Romance Travel Group and Royalton Resorts are committed to planning the most incredible destination wedding with you. Ready to get started? Fill out our simple contact form and we will have one of our experience destination wedding specialists reach out right away. We can’t wait to work with you!

For years, Romance Travel Group has partnered with the wedding designers at Karisma Resorts and Lomas Travel to create the most incredible and memorable destination wedding experiences for our couples. The consistent quality, both with resorts and planning services, launches Karisma to the top of our preferred partner list. We recently took time to chat with our friends at Karisma about what planning a destination wedding with them is like. They answered many of the most common questions asked by brides, and gave us their insider tips. Keep reading to learn more!

What are a few of the most commonly asked questions you get from couples starting the destination wedding planning process?
“The number one question is “Can I customize wedding my wedding?” The answer is absolutely YES! Here is a presentation that goes over the most frequently asked questions.”

We know that couples today love to customize their wedding experience. What are some of the unique ways you see couples customizing their wedding events?
​“Each couple has their own wedding vision, and with the help of our wedding designers, amazing destination weddings have come to life! Just look at these images!”

Are there any trends you’ve been seeing for 2020 weddings?
“Brides are choosing big floral arrangements with lot of greenery and white flowers. For the reception, everything is a bit more rustic, like long wooden tables and again a lot of greenery and white with an occasional touch of blush pink.”

Cost is always a factor. Are there certain items couples can omit or change that help keep their budget in check?
“Sure! Everything depends on what the couple wants and the size of the group. The most important  things not to skimp on are private dinner receptions, photographers, and DJ.”

What are your most popular ceremony locations?
“The Sky Deck and the Pier at Generations Riviera Maya are by far our most popular locations. They are just stunning and everyone loves them!”

​Because Romance Travel Group and Karisma have such a great relationship, we have worked together to bring you a special offer! Book your wedding with us and as a thank you, you can select one of the following:

​Semi Private Group Brunch Reservation ($500 USD value) 
Includes Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas 
Restaurant and maximum group size vary by resort 
Set menu determined by resort 

Caribe Photo Package Credit ($200 USD value) 
Valid on Piña Package or higher 
www.caribephoto.com

Sky Wedding Package - 50% Discount ($900 USD value) 
Receive a 50% discount off the Sky Wedding Package at all resorts
Location must be reserved and confirmed at time of booking 
Valid for groups of 30 people or more
​
Like what you see? Romance Travel Group and Karisma Resorts are committed to planning the most incredible destination wedding with you. Ready to start planning your destination wedding?  We are! Click the button below to start planning today!
​

Beaches
Oh, the beaches! There are two popular beaches in Sayulita where visitors can get their sun-on. The main beach is lively and popular among tourists, where you can rent chairs and umbrellas or order drinks from beachfront bars and restaurants. There are even little huts where you can stop in and get a beach massage! For a more peaceful retreat, try walking South from the main beach to Playa Los Muertos – Sayulita’s private beach.
 
Surf
For beginners and pros alike, the surf in Sayulita is where it’s at. There are numerous surf vendors and rental shops set up on the beach every day for those looking to knock this bucket list adventure off their list. Here, you’ll find surf lessons offered, where the instructor will dive right in the water with you until you get the hang of things. Far out!
 
Food
Any foodie’s out there? Then, you’ll just love what the locals are whipping up in Sayulita. There are so many incredible choices here – from street tacos and burritos, to corner side cafes and full-service restaurants. You’ll even find plenty of freshly-squeezed juice stands, brunch spots, and scratch-made specialty shops. 
 
Live Music
Want a true Sayulita experience? Well, it doesn’t get much better than in town – where live music venues entertain passerby’s all day and night. Be sure to stop into Don Patos, Su Casa, Lucid, and El Attico for some lively entertainment on the weekends, or head over to Don Pedros for salsa music Monday nights. You’ll be making friends with the locals in no time!
 
Markets
If you are passionate about supporting local businesses, then Sayulita’s boutique shops are a must. Here, you’ll find everything from handmade jewelry and clothing, to eclectic decorations and paintings. The Hippy Market is another spot to check out, as it’s filled with artisanal products like straw hats, home goods, pottery, and more!
 
Thinking Sayulita is the perfect place for your next getaway? We thought so! For more info, contact us today for a custom quote! 

What is my budget?
While a traditional wedding can typically be around $32,000, we can help you plan the destination wedding of your dreams for nearly a quarter of the cost. With that said, there are typically three factors that play into your costs: the resort, the airfare, and the wedding package. These things all fluctuate depending on the time of year you book and where you’re traveling. These are some things to keep in mind when determining your budget! Flexibility is key!
 
Where do I want to get married?
We recommend choosing a destination that is easy to get to, so your guests don’t spend an entire vacation day or two traveling. Places like Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are fairly easy to get to and only require a 4-5 hour flight. Locations that are more exotic require multiple connecting flights and transfers, making it an exhausting day for your guests to endure.
 
When do I want to get married?
Your wedding costs will rely heavily on the date you choose. Peak seasons are usually from mid-January through Easter and will reflect the highest rates. Your mid-season ranges from Easter through August, and even early January, and will have fairly reasonable rates. For a better bargain, try September through early November or early December.
 
How many guests should I invite?
Generally, we find that about 40% of those you invite will be able to attend your destination wedding. However, don’t let that discourage you! Not everyone can afford to take the time off or travel. We suggest having a reception back at home to celebrate with those who were unable to attend.
 
What kind of resort do I want?
​Have you been dreaming of something small and intimate, or active and lively? Adult-only or family-friendly? We highly recommend all-inclusive resorts because they include meals and drinks, making it a lot easier on your guests and their budgets. Additionally, many all-inclusive resorts offer couples a semi-private reception, resort credits, upgrades, and more!
 
What kind of ceremony should I have?
​Envisioning yourself tying the knot on the beach? Or perhaps, you’ve thought about saying “I do” under a beautifully decorated gazebo? Oftentimes, your resort will offer many options for you to choose from based on your preferences and guest count. You’ll even have a Plan B lined up in case it rains, so no need to worry about that!
 
Do I want a symbolic or legal ceremony?
A legal ceremony is when you receive a marriage certificate from the destination you’re married in, and is recognized legally back home. These ceremonies typically require more paperwork, has additional fees, and occasional blood tests. A symbolic ceremony has no legal binding, and makes up approximately 80% or more of all destination weddings. Typically, the bride and groom will go to their local clergy or courthouse and become legally married before they leave. It is just easier that way.
 
We hope these questions and answers are enough to get you started. Once you’re ready, be sure to connect with a destination wedding expert to start planning!  

The Perks:

A FREE Sky Wedding
Looking for an elevated destination wedding experience? Then, you’re sure to love a Royalton Sky Wedding! Here, you and your guests can enjoy the wedding festivities on your very own private rooftop terrace with 360-degree breathtaking views of the sand and sea. Can you imagine a more perfect backdrop for your special day than this? This offer is currently available at participating Royalton Luxury Resorts when you confirm your wedding with us!
 
A Discount for Additional Guests
Another special perk included in this offer is a discount for larger wedding groups. If you’re planning on having more than 50 guests attend your destination wedding, you’ll receive 30% off the additional guest costs. So, the more the merrier! After all, more guests = more fun!

FREE Anniversary Stay
Thinking about doing something extra special for your one-year wedding anniversary? Why not go back to the place where it all started? With this Royalton Luxury Resort wedding offer, you and your new spouse can receive a 3-night anniversary stay when your wedding group books a total of 80 room nights or more, which isn’t too hard to reach when you figure each guest will stay and celebrate for at least 3-4 nights, sometimes longer!
​
Participating Resorts
Couples qualify for the above perks when they book a wedding package at any of Royalton’s Luxury Resorts. Below are some of our favorite properties that we think you’ll love:
​

• Royalton Bavaro
• Royalton Blue Waters
• Royalton Negril
• Royalton Punta Cana
• Royalton Riviera Cancun
• Royalton St. Lucia
• Royalton Antigua

 
This exclusive Royalton Luxury Resort destination wedding offer can only be booked through Romance Travel Group and requires a 10 room minimum. Be sure to reach out to a wedding specialist for all the specifics. We look forward to helping you plan your Royalton wedding day in paradise!