JazzyJ

Hello! I am planning my first visit to Jamaica and am staying at Sandals Royal Caribbean. <BR>I had a couple of questions for you experienced travelers out there. <BR>I am going during December and am staying for 8 days. <BR> Do you think there will be enough activities in the resort to keep us busy? <BR> Do you recommend going for 8 days on your first trip? <BR> I am going to be there on Christmas day, is this a particularly busy time of year for Royal Caribbean? <BR> Since it is December, will it be warm enough for swimming, etc? <BR> I have heard the mosquitos are horrible...anyone with experience with that? <BR> <BR>I know this was a long question, but any feedback is greatly appreciated...

Penney

We have been to numerous Sandals and the Royal is a great resort. While it is more laid back then its sister resort (Sandals Montego), they offer the tons of ativites day and night lead by Playmakers. The idea is to participate so to earn points towards earning your leather Sandals necklace. It is a way to get people involoved. Therre is no pressure participate but some of the events are alot of fun., You will get a daily schedule each day under you r door. There are also theme nights, buffets, local performers, etc.... Be sure that you also get over to sAndals MoBay. <BR> <BR>Eight days to perfect! You will not want to leave! I beleive that it will be busy for Chirstmas but even at full capacity, it never feels crowded. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

DebbieH

We have been to SRC 4 times and love it. <BR> <BR>We have been b4 the week b4 Christmas, and it isn't that busy, but they sell out the week after. <BR> <BR>Ninety-nine percent of the time it is warm enough for swimming. In 1996, we had record temps in Jamaica where the high was about 72. Normally, it will be much nicer for swimming. <BR> <BR>We always find mosquitos at Courtyard Grill (I always wear pants there) and at Tokyo Joe's at MoBay. These are two of our favs, so we go anyway. <BR> <BR>There is lots to do. If you want quiet, hang out at the Kensington (east) pool, jacuzzi and beach. For activity, hang out in the main pool area. <BR> <BR>For lots of pics and trip reports, visit my Sandals club at http://sandalsvisitorshangout.homestead.com

alan

Did not realize until recently that Sandals Resorts are a totally discriminating institution. I will never again give my money to a resort that discriminates. No bucks for bigotry.

Rhonda

I was in Jamaica for Christmas 2000 and it was wonderful -- about 80 degrees. So many people were there, I guess that's why it's their "high season". Where is your hotel? It sounds like it may be in Ochie. Negril is where I stayed and it is wonderful -- no joke 7 miles of beach. So much activity on the beach too that you never really have need to leave it. I have been to Jamaica about 10 times. As a matter of fact I met my husband there 8 years ago! I like Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, but Negril is the best. Lots to do all of the time. I stayed for 7 nights each time and it really is sufficient. 8 days ought to be quite restful. If you are going to Negril, definitely go to "Rick's Cafe" for sunset it's awesome, crazy folks jumping off of the cliffs! Have fun.

Jeff

Alan <BR>WOuld you please expound on your remarks about Sandals? Just what do you base this on? I suspect that it is becuase they only allow hetrosexual adult couples and if is that your problem then too bad. If you are saying they are bigoted based on race then you are so, so, so wrong. We find that the resorts have a very mixed bag of people, black, white, asian, and we have never, never seen a hint of racism. If it were to happen I would not expect the bigotry to be directed at blacks since 99.9 percent of the staff are black. <BR> <BR>If you make such comments at least justify them and tell us why you feel this way. I suspect you are gay and mad because you and your partner can not go to Sandals. There are plenty of other resorts that will welcome you.

Doug

Hello JazzyJ, <BR>My wife and I stayed at Sandals Negril for two weeks in March and loved every second. It was our first trip to Jamaica. We are all inclusive type travellers and find Sandals one of the best. Negril to date is the highlight. I,m sure you will have a great time on the island. If you have any questions on Sandals drop us a line. <BR>Irie...

Nicole_Schroeder

You are going to have such a wonderful time. 8 days is almost not long enough. You wont want to leave.

We didnt have a problem with the bugs. But bring bug spray just in case because we have heard of some people having problems.

If you plan on scuba diving, there is a charge and you have to have your doctor fill out the sandals on line form. Ask sandals they will tell you how to find the form online.

Dont forget to make your restaurant reservations right away as they book up pretty fast. Must do restaurants are the off shore Ty restaurant ( royal carribean restaurant) , and Tokyo JOes which is at Montego Bay Sandals Resort which is only 5 min away.

If you are big drinkers you can actually bring your own mug with a lid and that way you wont have to keep filling up the little glasses that they give you there.

You really should do the activities there too. The Playmakers do such a great job at this resort. My husband and I just went to Sandals St Lucia and we thought that Sandals RC did a much better job with the daily activities that we never got bored. We just did all the activities all week and never did one activity off property and had the time of our lives.

I will warn you though, If you are more of a party person and like a huge crowd and loud music (party zone) you will want to check out Montego Bay for the night life. Royal Carribean is a much calmer intimate setting. No matter what your preference you still should go to Montego Bay and at least take pictures as it is a beautiful property. Montego Bay also has Tubing and RC does not. We are more relaxed people and loved RC much better than Montego bay.

If you have any more questions you can contact me at [email protected],
as i could talk about this resort all night long and give you so many tips. I will dream about the RC for the rest of my life.

suze

Good information, but this question is 10 years old!