Another Destination Wedding -- Jamaica????

[JewelFreak]

Anybody been there recently? My niece & FI insist on a destination wedding despite family & friends pleading for a place everyone could come (they live in Denver). I don't know how they came up with Jamaica, but they did work hard to find a resort with affordable prices.

Okay, so all I hear is the crime problem Jamaica has. I look it up. A UK gov't tourist board has a whole page of warning: "Don't go off your resort." "Risky to walk alone in isolated areas & beaches even in daylight." "Follow hotel security advice: lock doors & windows, report suspicious activity." "Do not offer resistance in case of armed robbery." "Take only transportation arranged by the resort." "Don't take valuables on your trip." Sounds like a blast!

Maybe it was cheap because nobody goes there? Seems other spots might be more on the beaten path, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos. Anybody have better word?

--- Laurie

 

[Blackpaw]

I was there this year, it is not unsafe, its lovely! i think whatever you're reading is grossly exaggerated, and truth be told, except on tours very few people do leave their resort as there isnt that much to see. Kingston would likely be dangerous buy you'd be stupid to go there as a gawking tourist in the first place.

I wouldnt hesitate to go back and i wouldnt hesitate to backpack through the country either

 

[mrscushion]

The island is quite poor, has a high crime rate and ineffective police enforcement. Tourists are primarily in danger of falling victim to petty crime like theft if they leave their resort. However, I think there's little point to leaving your resort because there's not much to see. When you stay inside the resort area, it will be quite beautiful and relaxing, I'm sure. If you have vacation days and some travel budget to spare and want to go soak up some sun, by all means go!

 

[JewelFreak]

Thanks for the info, mscushion & Blackpaw! I kind of thought the stuff was overdone, at least hoped -- haven't ever been to the Caribbean at all. Not surprised to hear it. I'm looking forward to going, will toast you both! (Not till April.)

--- Laurie

 

[mary poppins]

I went to Jamaica in 2009 and 2010. Traveled via the resort's provided transportation and did not leave the resort. No problems.

Practically every place anywhere has bad areas. As long as you heed the warnings and remain alert, you should be fine.

 

[CourtLynB]

I second the "it's beautiful, but don't leave the resort". I've only ever visited on a cruise and vowed if that was ever a port of call again, I wasn't getting off the ship. My uncle actually owns a business down there and basically lives there full time, but more into the interior of the island. My aunt once told me that they lived in the safest place in town, because it was the drug dealer's house. And no one would mess with them there.

 

[MissStepcut]

A few years ago my parents went and they didn't really enjoy it. The resort was lovely and posh, but they just couldn't enjoy themselves surrounded by the crippling poverty (they went on an escorted trip through the local area). They felt uncomfortable the whole time. Of course, not seeing it doesn't mean it isn't there, but it's harder to put out of your mind when it's so close, I suppose.

 

[MissGotRocks]

My son and his wife got married at the Sandals Resort in Negril, Jamaica two years ago today! It was a fabulous resort - stunningly beautiful! One of the primary reasons they chose Jamaica was because a marriage ceremony performed there is recognized as legal in the US. Some of the other countries will perform the ceremony but in order for it to be a recognized marriage in the US, you would also need to go to your local courthouse for a civil ceremony. They didn't want to have to have two weddings so they chose Jamaica.

It was a fabulous wedding and we never had any reason to leave the resort. I wouldn't recommend doing it either; a foreigner in a local jurisdiction might very well stick out as a possible target. Our ground transportation to and from the resort to the airport was included in our travel package so no worries there either. The Jamaican people by and large were happy people and in talking to many of the employees at the resorts you realize that their view of life and happiness is much different than ours - not necessarily better or worse but different. Poverty exists in this country as well - and you don't have to travel far from a wedding site to find it.

The price for Jamaica was in line with what you'd find in other Caribbean countries and in some cases, a bit more. One of the major factors in pricing is the airfare; it is further away than say the Bahamas and it was priced accordingly because of the airfare. We recently traveled to Punta Cana and that was less expensive for us than Jamaica turned out to be. I wouldn't think of it as cheaper or less desirable - not from the amount of guests staying at the resort!

For our families, a destination wedding worked out fine. It was their choice to do it this way but I do think if there had been major opposition from the families that they would have done something else. There is a lot to consider and every friend and family member couldn't attend but a surprising number of them did attend. It was the perfect wedding for them and we have many wonderful memories of our time spent in Jamaica. The wedding was the culmination of several days spent there relaxing on the beach, fun times at the pool bar, and evenings in gorgeous restaurants and bars. The service was second to none and the wedding planners there at the resort could not have been more helpful. The wait staff wore formal clothing - even white gloves - as they served us at the reception. Not a shred of doubt or wishes that they had married at home in a more traditional setting - they loved it and so did we!

 

[tyty333]

I'll be the forth or is it fifth person to say "don't leave the resort." We went about 13 years ago...I really didnt like it.
We are the kind of people who like to get out and explore. I guess I didnt do enough research. The one time we were
out I felt really uncomfortable. Crazy looking guy carrying a machete, guys wanting us to buy ganja and lots of people
that made me plain nervous. You should be fine though if you stay on the resort. I, myself, see no reason to ever go
back because we like to get out and explore.

 

[monarch64]

I went in 2003 and stayed on a private estate owned by friends of ours. They also owned a facility in Kingston. We were able to travel around the island and see all sorts of interesting things and had the opportunity to really learn about the history and culture there. It is a beautiful country, but if I were a random tourist, I would definitely stay on the resort.

 

[iLander]

Oh, boy . . . remember the good old days when the corner church was the fine?

Sounds like it will be lovely, but there are a lot of safe US beaches. Just sayin' . . .

I think it will be fine if you stay on the property and don't bring any jewelry. I know, kind of sucks the fun out of it, doesn't it?

 

[MissGotRocks]

If you are staying at one of the premier resorts, there's no reason to leave your jewelry at home. These resorts do not have rogue outsiders wandering the premises - they couldn't stay in business if they did. We all brought and wore our jewelry as did most of the other guests. There were in room safes as well if you didn't want to wear it to the beach or in the pools. I saw some marvelous pieces on lots of the ladies - who wants to vacation without their jewelry?

 

[weddingpow]

I didnt leave the resort - no problems.

We did a large wedding down there - 40 people. Resort and beaches were awesome and great. Food is good, diving was fun. Service was fun and helpful.

Only warning is don't use Couples for group weddings. They caused a lot of operations errors with our group because they assume everyone is a couple and they don't work with groups very well. The only problem was they wanted to double charge some of our guests for being single and we ended up arguing on their behalf for hours. Total pain.

But if it's just two people it was a nice place. It's pricy but if you try to use all the amenities you'll get your money's worth. If you do leave the resort make sure you keep your wits about you, don't use large bills, and use common sense.