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Thread: October 14th thru 24th quick trip report

  1. #1
    Registered User Talisman's Avatar
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    October 14th thru 24th quick trip report

    Well, that was an experience!

    We traveled from the east coast of the US, arrived on the 14th (around 3pm) and left yesterday on the 24th at around 11am via TimAir.

    So! On to the details:

    Travel through the airport wasn't particularly different than normal once you get used to the masks and plexiglas dividers everywhere. Our flights were definitely on the full side, but also clearly not as many flights were in progress overall. The one thing that almost screwed us was not being able to check-in online for the departure due to the need to show the travel authorization, and we were running a bit late. A little hiccup, but we got through and made it to Montego without issue. Arriving is definitely a different experience!

    Getting off the plane they immediately laser-thermometer you and hand you a scrap of paper with your temp on it. Keep this on hand. Entering the immigration hall, you'll notice there is now a large ad-hoc medical section with a light military presence where they will take the scrap of paper, your travel authorization and other paperwork to verify everything. Once that's done the rest of the immigration / customs procedure was pretty similar. One thing, be prepared to have a LOT of sanitizer sprayed onto your hands, they'll require you to at almost every step. Once you're through and into the arrivals area, be prepared for even more people trying to sell you things, offer a taxi, etc. The downturn in tourism has been felt hard by the locals, so if you can, be generous with tips.

    To the resort! We'd hired Mr. Reasonable (Linley Grant) to drive us to the resort, who got us there efficiently and with comfort. Check in at the resort was also pretty much what we're used to, with the addition of masks and more sanitizing stations than you can shake a stick at! Seriously, they're everywhere and should be used frequently. Masks are strongly requested in the main lobby, gift shop, Heedo Weedo, etc, to protect the staff. Remember, almost all of us had to be tested to get there, but the staff has to live there and need to be able to protect themselves! We rarely saw staff members without masks on the entire time we were there. The main exception being the ECs while performing, and even they wore masks even during the shows.

    The resort was DEFINITELY more lightly occupied than we've seen in the past, when we arrived it was probably at around 30% capacity, which made for a pretty chill, relaxed atmosphere until the weekend. The routine for meals is a little different, all of the self-serve stations are gone (coffee, ice cream, daquiris, etc) so you'll need to ask for what you'd like. The buffet is also a little different, expect it to be a little slower, as the staff will build your plate for you, rather than scooping your own food. Also, silverware will be delivered to you once you sit, nothing is laid out beforehand. Definitely slows down the pace a bit. We ate at Pastafari and Flame when not in the main dining area, which was easy because you no longer have to sign up for reservations, they seat as guests arrive.

    The capacity increased through the weekend, as you'd expect, but still not at regular numbers. The daily routine is VERY familiar, most of the on-resort services are running, we saw people windsurfing, going out on the catamaran, kayaking, as usual. There were some minor maintenance issues with our room, nothing that any repeat offenders would be surprised by. Response to maintenance requests however were much quicker, we suspect because of the reduced number of guests. The overall mood of the resort was fantastic as well, people were definitely glad to have made it, and knowing that everyone had been tested was clearly a relief for a lot of people.

    While there are definitely changes, and some previously easily accomplished things were a little more difficult (damn I missed serving myself coffee by mid-week), the resort is clearly busting their collective asses to make sure that everyone is well taken care of and safe. EVERYTHING was sanitized, ALL THE TIME. Constantly wiped down, cleaned up, and as much distance as reasonably possible was maintained.

    Staff is mainly on 3 on, 3 off rotations, so if you don't see an employee you were hoping to see, give it a couple of days. Seemed like that was mainly to make sure everyone was able to work some without running costs up too much.

    The trip home yesterday was (other than masks) pretty much identical to all of our other trips, no big issues with delays or anything at all.

    Hope people find this useful! We were amazingly happy to be there, to see old friends and make new ones, and to reassure ourselves that, yes, Home is still Home. Still has magic people, magic sand, and we'll be going back as soon as we can.
    Hedo 3: Jun 2009, Jun 2010
    Hedo 2: Nov 5th - 12th 2011
    Jun 30th - Jul 7th 2012
    Nov 3rd - 13 2012
    Jun 19th - 30th 2013
    Nov 2nd - 9th 2013
    Oct 25th - Nov 8th 2014
    Nov 4th - 14th 2015
    Oct 19th - 29th, 2016
    Oct 18th - 28th, 2017
    Jun 21st - 25th, 2018
    Oct 18th - 27th, 2018
    Feb 21st - Mar 2nd, 2019
    Oct 12th - 26th, 2019
    Oct 14th - 24th, 2020
    Nov 13th - 20th, 2021
    May 14th - 21st, 2022
    Nov 12th - 19th, 2022
    May 10th - 20th, 2023!

  2. #2
    Registered User Brian&Terri's Avatar
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    Oct 2012
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    Kentucky
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    Thanks for the great info. We get our test this week...maybe weds. Talk about the nerves kicking in lol.
    1ST TRIP APRIL 27TH MAY 1ST 2013
    2ND TRIP WITH KITTEN&ANGEL'S SPRING FLING APR 12TH TO APR 18TH 2014
    3RD TRIP WITH KITTEN&ANGEL'S SPRING FLING APR 10TH TO APR 17TH 2015.
    4TH TRIP WITH KITTEN&ANGEL'S SPRING FLING APRIL 8TH TO 15TH 2016
    5TH TRIP WITH KITTEN&ANGEL'S SPRING FLING APRIL 17TH TO 22ND 2017
    6TH TRIP KITTEN&ANGEL'S SPRING FLING APRIL 6th to 14th 2018
    7TH TRIP MAY 4TH TO MAY 11TH WITH TANTRIC HEARTS.
    8TH TRIP November 6th to 14th
    9TH TRIP APRIL 30TH TO MAY 8TH

  3. #3
    Junior Member
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    Does you required to have 2 week quarantine in US?

  4. #4
    Registered User Talisman's Avatar
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    We are, though there were no warnings about it when re-entering the US.
    Hedo 3: Jun 2009, Jun 2010
    Hedo 2: Nov 5th - 12th 2011
    Jun 30th - Jul 7th 2012
    Nov 3rd - 13 2012
    Jun 19th - 30th 2013
    Nov 2nd - 9th 2013
    Oct 25th - Nov 8th 2014
    Nov 4th - 14th 2015
    Oct 19th - 29th, 2016
    Oct 18th - 28th, 2017
    Jun 21st - 25th, 2018
    Oct 18th - 27th, 2018
    Feb 21st - Mar 2nd, 2019
    Oct 12th - 26th, 2019
    Oct 14th - 24th, 2020
    Nov 13th - 20th, 2021
    May 14th - 21st, 2022
    Nov 12th - 19th, 2022
    May 10th - 20th, 2023!

  5. #5
    Registered User DJPAUL's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Talisman View Post
    We are, though there were no warnings about it when re-entering the US.
    Hi Talisman, did you quarantine because it is requeued coming back to Jamaica into the US or did you choose to do it?
    Past trips

    Jan 3 - Jan 10 2016

    Jan 5-14 2017

    Jan 4-10 2018

    January 5 - January 14 2019

    January 11- 18, 2020

    Cancelled Jan 8- 16 2021

    July 2 - 10 2021

    January 22 -29 2022

  6. #6
    Registered User cnjcpl4whatever's Avatar
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    Central NJ
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    So the coffee station at the nude grill is no more? Say it ain't so
    RESPECT EVERYTIME
    ALL THE TIME,
    JOHN & TERRY
    April 17th to 29rd 2023 Trip 18

  7. #7
    Registered User Talisman's Avatar
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    Oct 2011
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    Raleigh, NC
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    We now have 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the group we were there with. Be safe.
    Hedo 3: Jun 2009, Jun 2010
    Hedo 2: Nov 5th - 12th 2011
    Jun 30th - Jul 7th 2012
    Nov 3rd - 13 2012
    Jun 19th - 30th 2013
    Nov 2nd - 9th 2013
    Oct 25th - Nov 8th 2014
    Nov 4th - 14th 2015
    Oct 19th - 29th, 2016
    Oct 18th - 28th, 2017
    Jun 21st - 25th, 2018
    Oct 18th - 27th, 2018
    Feb 21st - Mar 2nd, 2019
    Oct 12th - 26th, 2019
    Oct 14th - 24th, 2020
    Nov 13th - 20th, 2021
    May 14th - 21st, 2022
    Nov 12th - 19th, 2022
    May 10th - 20th, 2023!

  8. #8
    Registered User cnjcpl4whatever's Avatar
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    Central NJ
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    thank you and thanks for the report
    RESPECT EVERYTIME
    ALL THE TIME,
    JOHN & TERRY
    April 17th to 29rd 2023 Trip 18

  9. #9
    Registered User Talisman's Avatar
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    We're quarantining by choice, there's no state requirement for us to do so.

    Also, the coffee kiosk is still there at the nude pool, you just have to have staff serve you your coffee, no more self-serve of any kind.
    Hedo 3: Jun 2009, Jun 2010
    Hedo 2: Nov 5th - 12th 2011
    Jun 30th - Jul 7th 2012
    Nov 3rd - 13 2012
    Jun 19th - 30th 2013
    Nov 2nd - 9th 2013
    Oct 25th - Nov 8th 2014
    Nov 4th - 14th 2015
    Oct 19th - 29th, 2016
    Oct 18th - 28th, 2017
    Jun 21st - 25th, 2018
    Oct 18th - 27th, 2018
    Feb 21st - Mar 2nd, 2019
    Oct 12th - 26th, 2019
    Oct 14th - 24th, 2020
    Nov 13th - 20th, 2021
    May 14th - 21st, 2022
    Nov 12th - 19th, 2022
    May 10th - 20th, 2023!

  10. #10
    Registered User cnjcpl4whatever's Avatar
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    Mar 2008
    Location
    Central NJ
    Posts
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    thank you be safe
    RESPECT EVERYTIME
    ALL THE TIME,
    JOHN & TERRY
    April 17th to 29rd 2023 Trip 18

  11. #11
    Registered User WestMaryland's Avatar
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    PA - MD region
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    Was the evening playroom open and active?
    Trip 1. Feb 1-8, 2012
    Trip 2. Feb 1-12, 2013. - more exploration!!

  12. #12
    Registered User hawk11's Avatar
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    We were there last week and the playroom opened up for the 1st time and I think is only open on certain days. The one next to the nude hot tub is open all the time. The resort was very quiet until Fri when the Halloween and 39 year celebrators arrived. We left on Sat afternoon and the nude pool was packed with no real social distancing. Hope no one gets sick, but what are the odds??
    We had a great time of course and can't wait to go back.

  13. #13
    Registered User hawk11's Avatar
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    Mar 2010
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    We have now also tested positive to the virus following our trip

  14. #14
    Registered User GLENN's Avatar
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    England
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    We hope that it doesn't hit you to hard and that you get well quickly, take care.

  15. #15
    Registered User The Travel Slut's Avatar
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    currently in Florida-USA
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    Thank you for taking the time to update us with your trip report. Much needed & appreciated!

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