2015
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
St. Lucia
Our very first Sandals stay — 8 nights.
Welcome · Bienvenidos
Meet Sandy & Craig Holton
We're Sandy & Craig, Sandals Diamond members and the owners of Sandy Sea Vacations, a Cruise Planners franchise. We're based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and we help travelers from all across the country find their perfect Sandals or Beaches escape.
Our Story
A Life Shaped by Travel
Twenty-five years of Army life taught us how to turn every new place into an experience. Today we bring that same heart to every journey we plan.
Sandy
Military spouse · Mother of four · ¡Hablo español!
For 25 years I proudly lived the life of a military spouse, raising our four children while Craig served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. "Home" was always changing, so I made it my mission to turn every place we lived into an experience — weekend getaways, day trips and carefully planned vacations, so our children didn't just live in different places, they truly experienced them.
Friends and family soon began asking us to help plan their own adventures. For me, travel is about connection, discovery and creating moments that last a lifetime — and I can't wait to help you experience it for yourself.
Craig
U.S. Army helicopter pilot · Huey & Blackhawk
I always dreamed of flying. I joined ROTC in college and, after graduation, proudly served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot, flying both Huey and Blackhawk helicopters. My service took me to Germany, Honduras, Panama, the Marshall Islands and beyond — each place deepening my love of travel, culture and exploration.
Sandy and I planned every holiday and getaway together, and we turned that shared passion into Sandy Sea Vacations. We're proud to be part of the Cruise Planners family — and experts in both land and sea travel.
Living by the Emerald Coast
Craig and I live one block from the beach here in Fort Walton Beach, and we love it. But a beach day at home means hauling the cooler, the umbrella and the chairs, packing the food, and cleaning it all up afterward.
At Sandals, I step onto the sand and everything is already taken care of. No hauling, no cooking, no cleanup. Just turquoise water, a drink in my hand, and finally — someone pampering me.
A Message from Sandy
You're Never Too Old for Vacation and Adventure
Whether it's Sandals or another dream vacation you've been imagining, I'm here to help make your dream vacation a reality.
Credentials You Can Trust
Certified Sandals Specialist
All training completed
Sandals Diamond Members
100+ nights across the Caribbean
Every Year Since 2015
A Sandals stay every single year
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
Verify in the ASTA directory
Certified Autism Travel Professional
IBCCES
Sandals Wedding Specialist
Training in progress
Bilingual Service
¡Hablo español!
Our Sandals Journey, 2015–2026
2016
Sandals Ochi
Jamaica
2017 & 2018
Sandals Emerald Bay
Great Exuma, Bahamas
We stayed here twice before it closed.
2020
Sandals Grande Antigua
Antigua
We renewed our vows for our 25th anniversary. They made me feel like a new bride.
2021
Sandals Royal Barbados
Barbados
2022
Sandals South Coast & Beaches Negril
Jamaica
2023
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
St. Lucia
Back where it all began.
2024
Sandals Ochi
Jamaica
2025
Sandals Royal Bahamian
Nassau, Bahamas
2026
Sandals Grenada
Grenada
Scroll sideways to see every stop →
Why Work With Us
Cruise Planners Backing
As a Cruise Planners franchise, we pair personal care with the support of a respected national network.
No Extra Agency Fees
Our personalized planning comes at no extra fee to you.
Direct Access to Sandy
You'll reach me personally at (850) 582-7004 — no call centers, no runaround.
Firsthand Resort Knowledge
More than a decade of stays means I know the resorts, the rooms and the little details that matter.
Genuine Care
We treat every trip like it's our own, from your first question until you're welcomed home.
About Sandy & Craig: Your Questions
Who is Sandy Holton?
I'm Sandy Holton, co-owner with my husband Craig of Sandy Sea Vacations, a Cruise Planners franchise in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. I'm a Certified Sandals Specialist, and Craig and I are Sandals Diamond members who have stayed at Sandals every year since 2015.
Why book with a Sandals Diamond member?
Diamond status means Craig and I have spent more than 100 nights at Sandals resorts. When I recommend a resort, a room or a restaurant, it comes from personal experience, not a brochure.
Does Sandy Holton speak Spanish?
¡Sí! I'm happy to help you plan your vacation in Spanish.
Where is Sandy Sea Vacations located?
We're based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on the Emerald Coast, and we serve clients nationwide.
Why would someone who lives at the beach go to Sandals?
We live one block from the water, and people ask us this all the time. A beach day at home means hauling the cooler, chairs and umbrella, making the food and cleaning up. At Sandals, everything is taken care of — you simply relax and are pampered.
Is Sandy Holton a certified autism travel professional?
Yes. I'm a Certified Autism Travel Professional, which helps me plan thoughtfully for families with autistic loved ones, especially at Beaches resorts.
Is Sandy Holton a verified travel advisor?
Yes. I'm an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor, and you can look me up in ASTA's public member directory.
Does Sandy Sea Vacations charge planning fees?
No. Our personalized planning comes at no extra fee to you.