Has anyone ever made this mistake!

So I was all set to go to Negril last February, when I got an offer I couldn't refuse.
An all expense paid Caribbean cruise with a '' friend''.
I decided the offer was to good to pass up, so I cancelled Negril, and went. What a mistake.
First stop ,the Bahamas, sorry to anyone that likes it there, but not impressed.
Then it was off to Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas. I've been to both, and while lovely islands, still
wasn't the greatest.
Last stop, Grand Turk, on Turks and Cacois. Very surprised, beautiful Island, I think the best of
the stops as far as beaches, and water etc.
So here comes the hard part.
We booked A catamaran/snorkel trip and as we all piled on, there they were,three Jamaican guys
that were handling the boat. Wearing the swimtrunks in Jamaica colors, flashing big smiles.
The sound of reggae blasting from the speakers. I jumped on and smiled, and said "wHA GUAN''
and I get the reply, hey spice girl welcome aboard mon.!
The rum punch started a flowing and as sappy as this sounds, I longed to be in Negril, instead of where I was.
Never make that mistake again!!!!!
On the flip side, no pun intended, lol, I had changed my Feb trip to the boardie bash, and ended up
meeting a whole bunch of great peeps, if I hadn't changed, thing s happen for a reason???:)

Thanks for sharing that jojo. It re-enforces what the wife and I have been saying for years. Why go somewhere else when we already love, are familiar with, and know what to expect (a real good time!) We appreciate every second, every sight, sound, and smell in Negril.

After 4 straight trips to Negril, the Wife insisted that we try someplace new this year. So, this past June, we took a trip to Elbow Cay in the Abaco islands of the Bahamas. I did much research and found that this island was remote, had a chill vibe, no big resorts, cheap cottage rentals and nice beaches. What it didn't have was any culture to speak of. The very few locals on the island were basically Americans. Everybody else were wealthy folks that could afford huge vacation homes or people that could afford yachts to sail there from Florida. There was no local cuisine. No locally sourced food. Everything was imported, including Kalik, the native beer of the Bahamas (@ $18 a six pack!) I cursed to myself every time I paid for dinner and the bill came to $80-$100. To top it off, the island is very difficult to get to, involving 2 flights and a ferry ride. On the way home our first flight was delayed and we missed our connection, forcing us to stay over night in Ft Lauderdale and pay an additional $800 for new flights. Although I did enjoy the beaches, the snorkeling and the tropical environment, most of the time we were there I found myself longing for the vibe, the food, the affordability and the people of Jamaica. And to be honest, the beaches there cannot hold a candle to 7 Mile, and of course the Negril cliffs are one of kind.

This is why we are now planning our return to Negril at the end of this year!

Almost..... we just returned from a week at Sandals LaSource Grenada and absolutely loved all the Jamaican staff there - we had great conversations with all the staff but the Jamaicans were exceptional. Made us remember how much we loved the Jamaican people that we're going back to Negril next year !

It was great meeting you.

Yes I know the feeling! No matter where I go and I've been to many islands I always seem to compare them to Sweet Jamaica can't explain it the vibe is just different!

Twice.... Maybe three times, but the third kind of does not count. 1.). Did the Dominican Republic one year. Where we went was so remote, we had to stay on resort for everything. Nothing to do,out of the resort, literally barren beyond the walls, and no swimming allowed... 2.). Sandals, dunns river. Horribly sick from their food second day (along with a large number of other guests we found out after the fact) sick for three days, finally went home early. 3.) last year, leaving the cliffs and thinking a week at couples would be fun for our second week. Still negril, but awful after the freedom and fun of the west end.

Oh I was all set....I had made up my mind that I would spend the majority of my winter trip in barbados. easier to get around, getting some real got deals for oceanfront kitchenettes. I'm going to pull the trigger. After a few days of floating and meditating in the sea, i came to my senses. Why would i go anywhere else when i would be there wishing i was in jamaica? this is what i know, what i'm familiar with....why mess with perfection??!!! I will take smaller trips to a few places i can do for a few weeks but the majority of my time is down for jamaica!!!!

Made the mistake of trying the Bahamas around the turn of the century for a week.
It's not better in the Bahamas. Might as well be in Florida. Stayed at the Radisson on Cable Beach.

Great Thread JoJo -

Maybe this one should be Titled "Has anyone NOT made this mistake?"

It really got me thinking as to how many times and the situations surrounding those times - this has happened to me. I had to laugh. Let's see... made this mistake in Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, St. Thomas, Hawaii, numerous cruises, Europe (13 countries) as a whole....LOL

Only a few exceptions where I was just like..."this is worth 1 less trip to Negril". Those exceptions were Amsterdam, the Fjords of Norway-up near Arctic Circle and the Cinque Terre Italy. I guess 3 out of about 50 isn't the best percentage. Even so, I do keep attempting other places but now I try to never let one of those other trips interfere with a visit "back home"-Negril. LOL

Also, I totally agree with the irony of being somewhere else and hearing reggae or patois and it making you homesick for the vacation YOU SHOULD HAVE WENT ON! It has happened to me in the strangest places (Germany, France, Vancouver.)

Again, thought provoking thread!

We did Mexico, Cuba, DR before falling in love with Negril, so I guess I can say "no" to the question. We did stop in Nassau on a trans-Atlantic cruise and weren't at all impressed, but probably would have had the same impression of JA if my first experience there would have been a cruise ship stop. Too many people getting off ships at the same time, all the locals clammoring to get their share of the pie...

We still do other holidays and enjoy them immensely, went to Iceland in February and absolutely loved it. For a beach vacation though, there is no point in going anywhere but Negril. We can't even pull ourselves away to check out other parts of the island, maybe someday, for now we're happy in Negril :)

We feel exactly like 2nutz does. For a beach vacation it is Negril for us. Have never felt the need to travel anywhere else in Jamaica. We did go to Mexico after 5 trips to Negril. Totally my fault convincing my husband to try something else. It was the worst vacation ever. Don't think we would go back to Mexico even if it was free.

mm Tripoli, you have done a lot of traveling, amazing, I would hope to meet you on the beach someday ,do you go in the winter at all?

I grew up in a small, rural Pennsylvania town and when I joined the military I finally saw what the rest of the world was like. From that day, some 45 years ago, I have been to many places on 5 continents but when I went to Jamaica in '83, I knew I had found someplace special. Some 60+ passport entries later (all Jamaican trips) I finally know for sure that aside from So. Florida, Jamaica is the only place for me.

I have seen beautiful places in many countries and nice people too but Jamaica has beautiful places and a lot of wonderful people. I prefer the countryside away from tourists and the Cockpit Country is perfect for my taste. When I want to be around tourists, I just stay here in South Florida! :rolleyes:

I can't imagine living anywhere else in the world.

Respect

My response to the question is luckily NO........but ......why does everyone ask the question have you tried any other island.....When I find perfection for me......why look anywhere else!!....They don't try a new lake for their cottages LOL.

NO, heck NO !
"Down the way where the nights are gay
And the Sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop."
H. Belafonte
"The fairest Island That Eyes Ever Beheld"
C. Columbus
"Never have I seen a land so beautiful"
E. Flynn
"It doesn't get better than Negril"
Walter

I wouldnt get on a cruise ship if it were free. I cant sit still long enough to be trapped on a boat. Heck, I dont even like going on the cataman's in Jamaica. Give me a backpack and some free time.

My favorite thing in the world is to get up and start walking casually. Sometimes, it's up the beach to point village. Sometimes it's down the beach and into town. sometimes up to red ground. sometimes all along the west end. sometimes all of the above. there is no shortage of places to sit down and have a cold refreshment. Strike up a convo with a local, an ex pat, other tourists. doesn't matter.

We have avoided making "the mistake". We've considered going elsewhere especially when flights are NOT cheap but always are fearful that we'd find out it was better in JA all along so we always rely on "If it ain't broke don't fix it!" when friends ask why always Jamaica?

We get the same question, why do you keep going back to Jamaica. We love the beach the water and the people. We have tried Mexico a couple times but always back to Jamaica. I am getting ready to book our honeymoon next January.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jojo p

mm Tripoli, you have done a lot of traveling, amazing, I would hope to meet you on the beach someday ,do you go in the winter at all?

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Jojo - I have occasionally gone down in January and February, but for the last few years I have gone based on the school schedule (Spring Break and end of Summer) because I home school my youngest. One more year of this and then I hope to make a long winter trip each year. I would love to meet up on the beach one of these days! I love exchanging experiences with others who love to travel and that appreciate how special Negril truly is.

A lot of my travels have been courtesy (indirectly) of the US Navy...I'm the wife of a Sailor and if I've wanted to see him through the years, I've had to go to him. LOL Although there are plenty of places still on my MUST SEE lists, I think that I'm pretty much done with the Museum, Church/Synagogue, Tourist Trap vacations. I don't begrudge others for wanting to see them, I'm just over it personally.

Again - thanks Jojo for a Super Interesting Thread. I hope to enjoy a sunset with you one of these days.