Newbie Intro & Caves booked!

Hi everyone! I’ve been excitedly waiting for my account to be approved and reading all of your wonderful stories, trip reports, and recommendations while I do. Thanks to everyone who makes this board an awesome source for info. I read about the board on Trip Advisor and I totally like the close “personality” of this place better, so I’ll be sticking here for as long as you’ll have me.

My husband and I are Negril first-timers, with our honeymoon coming up in mid-April. We booked at The Caves, and I don’t see many people here talk about it. We did not want a standard All Inclusive, but we did want to treat ourselves right for something once-in-a-lifetime. I hope we didn’t make a mistake! Is The Caves not often mentioned due to lack of popularity, or is the price just that prohibitive that people usually go elsewhere?

I kind of regret going the AI route, now, because I see so many awesome places that I’d like us to be able to go – to get the real lay of the land and to get our tourist dollars into the local economy. Still, we’ll be there for 8 nights, so we will hopefully have plenty of time to do a mix of both.

It looks like April is a very popular time to go, based on the check-in thread I saw. We won’t be there when the “boardie” festivities are going on, which is a shame because you all seem like awesome people to hang out with and I’d love to have met some of you. As it is, we’ll be there April 16-24, and we’ve already arranged to head out on the One Love Bus Crawl on Thursday the 18th. (Isn’t it usually Wednesday? Maybe it filled up and started another day that week…)

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself before I start jumping into all your threads willy-nilly. I’m Kim, from Maryland, and this will be my first International Trip at all. So please forgive any stupid questions – I’ll try to use the search before I ask ‘em.

Take care everyone!

You'll love it, The Caves is a very special place. There are some people on this board who stay there, but for most it's out of reach financially. I've been there twice if you have any questions.

The caves is a great place form everything I have heard, seen, read.

You'll have no problem getting off the resort and checking out the beach and the other places on the west end. Congrats on the marriage and enjoy your trip.

I wanted to take my wife to The Caves, but it was out of our budget. Spending a couple nights at Catcha Falling Star instead.

Are you sure you're on the One Love Bus Crawl on April 18th? I signed up for Wednesday April 17th just a few days ago and was confirmed almost right away.

Welcome to the board Kim! I hope you fall in love with Negril just as we all have.
I don't know anything about the Caves, haven't been. But we do our travel on a limited budget which allows us to go more often.
We've been to AI's in other countries, but I just find that we never left the property because everything we had was paid for and we are cheap ....... lol.
You will LOVE the pub crawl, great way to meet people and see places that you may never have even thought of stopping at.
Enjoy your honeymoon to the fullest and please take the time to explore what Negril has to offer.

Hi HarryS. Yeah, The Caves would be out of our budget, as well, were it not for a gift.

As for the One Love Bus Crawl, I'm reasonably sure, but I thought it was weird, since everyone mentions Weds the 17th. But I talked to someone over on TA who also got booked on the 18th. When I emailed Lenbert for availability during our stay, here's what he put in the email:

"Thursday the 18th and sunday the 21st of April are available with a 200pm pickup at Caves"

I'll bet he's letting people go on the 17th if they know other people going and ask for it specifically, but it's probably getting pretty full. That's my guess, anyhow.


saeyedoc: I'm so glad to hear from people who had a good time at The Caves. I actually have a ton of questions swirling around in my mind. Give me some time to pull them all together. Would you rather I post or PM them?

Trip Advisor is a joke.It's like asking your boss where to go on Vaca,it's really governed by a group of "elders" ya know the ones with 4/5/6000 post. If they don't like you they team up on PM"s and all send in a complaint to TA to get you kicked off...

Very homoginized....Real info & real Negril folks here Kim....

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Originally Posted by Fred Stripe

Trip Advisor is a joke.It's like asking your boss where to go on Vaca,it's really governed by a group of "elders" ya know the ones with 4/5/6000 post. If they don't like you they team up on PM"s and all send in a complaint to TA to get you kicked off...

Very homoginized....Real info & real Negril folks here Kim....

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I haven't been participating here for long but it's plainly clear this place is homogenized as well... Certain subjects are off-limits, or if not off-limits severely frowned upon. People get banned from here as well...

I didn’t mean to make this an “anti-TA” post. As HarryS says, all forums have their “celebrities” and their “group-think” about certain topics. As I get to know the rhythm of this forum, I will learn… hopefully not making too many missteps along the way. :) All I meant to point out is … because this place is Negril and Jamaica specific, and you really have to hunt for it, it has a closeness about the community that I find more attractive than TA, which felt a lot more impersonal.

Here, I already feel pretty well welcomed, where at TA I didn’t over a few weeks of reading and participating. So thanks for that. :)

Hey Kim, Welcome this is a great place to learn and ask questions. I dont post much but will answer what I can. Never been to the caves but have heard many good things about it. Have a great trip.

Rob & Bnewb are quite liberal.If not ,I wouldnt still be here,trust me !

^^^^^ Tru dat Fred Stripe!!! :)

Congrats on your marriage & your trip to JA. We took our first trip to Negril July 2012 & I booked our second the week we got home. You sound exactly the way I did. I booked the AI, then found this board, cancelled the AI & never thought twice about it. I didn't know The Caves was AI, but whatever it is, it looks outstanding! And you have the added bonus of knowing you aren't stuck on the resort :) If I can help you in any way, LMK ... I think my husband & I did our first trip pretty darn good ... thanks to the people I met here.

Maybe we'll pass in the airport! I land the day y'all leave ... Have a wonderful marriage & a safe trip!!!!

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Originally Posted by HarryS

I haven't been participating here for long but it's plainly clear this place is homogenized as well... Certain subjects are off-limits, or if not off-limits severely frowned upon. People get banned from here as well...

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;)

We're relatively newbies...three trips in last 4 years ( missed one due to illness). To me, the positive experience you will have is based in part by your own expectations. Go with an open mind and heart. Be curious and respectful and learn to fit into the rhythm of the island. Learn to let go and take time to do Nothing! (its a noble activity) I appreciate every moment and this amazing opportunity...not just the shocking beauty of the turquoise sea and the riotous colours of nature but more importantly the welcoming and patient people of Jamaica. There are old hats here and newbies. You can learn from both!

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Originally Posted by TKim

saeyedoc: I'm so glad to hear from people who had a good time at The Caves. I actually have a ton of questions swirling around in my mind. Give me some time to pull them all together. Would you rather I post or PM them?

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Either way's fine with me

Greetings and welcome to the board.

I live in Jamaica a long way from Negril but when I visit there, I like to take the One Love Bus Crawl and the Saturday Night show at Seastar is a must in my opinion. Rob and Lisa are somewhat liberal but it must be taken into account that this is a tourist promotion board and, as such, has to regulate certain topics and discussions that are not tourist related, opinionated or based on hearsay and enuendo. I personally believe that this is the reason that so much good and factual information can be gleaned from these threads. It is often said that "once you go, you know" but that can also be changed to "once you go, you THINK you know everything!" :p

A few years back I went to The Caves as a Press Representative to cover the Film Festival. I loved the property. There is a tunnel that connects the properties on both sides of the road. Here a a few random shots I took for the article I wrote. Forgive the quality as I write better than I take photos. Hope this gives you a likkle idea.

Peace and Guidance

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Thanks everyone for all of your warm welcomes, wishes for an enjoyable trip, and helpful info. Like I said, I appreciate how welcome I already feel among you.

saeyedoc (and anyone who has been to the Caves), I'm gonna post my random questions here so the answers can benefit others who are also curious.

How recently were you there? I checked out your posting history checking for a trip report and didn't see one, so I suspect your more recent trips were elsewhere.

What places are a safe daytime walk from The Caves? (Meaning distance, traffic, etc.)

Did you use the spa when you were there?

Cave Dinner?

What is up with the Blackwell Rum Bar? It looks like we have to pay when we go in there?

How did you handle tipping?

Did they have their WiFi up when you were there? How was the bandwidth? I plan to take lots of pictures and want to back the high-resolution files up every night to clear off my memory card for the next day.

Anything you wished you knew before you got there?

Welcome TKim! I don't post often but I"m here quite a bit. :) My husband and I stayed at the Caves for a few nights in December and I"ll be happy to share what I know with you.

I feel its safe to walk just about anywhere during the day.

Can't help with the spa..not my thing, but I"ve heard great things about their massages etc.

WE did do the Cave dinner. I have mixed feelings on it, it was a cool experience but I was kind of disappointed in the meal, nothing special. I'm not sure if its true or not, but I"ve read that they are now charging extra for it. It was included in our stay(of course a really nice tip was given)

And as far as tipping, I think we left a tip for the housekeeping everyday but waited until the end of our stay to tip the rest of the staff.

We saw the Rum Bar but it wasn't open at all while we there. We did talk to some people that said they made their own party down there one night.

Wifi was sketchy. Couldnt get it in our room, but was able to get it in the main breakfast and dining areas.

The Caves as on our bucket list and I"m glad we got to expereience it.But like you've discovered while reading this board,the cliff area is full of great places to stay and eat that it was most likely was a one time experience for us. I"m sure your going to love it and I"ll bet this isn't your last trip to Negril! What room did you book?

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Originally Posted by shell

I feel its safe to walk just about anywhere during the day.

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I just clarified this question because I meant based on distance and traffic. Was looking for places that are close by that people would walk to so I could read up on them!

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Originally Posted by shell

WE did do the Cave dinner. I have mixed feelings on it, it was a cool experience but I was kind of disappointed in the meal, nothing special. I'm not sure if its true or not, but I"ve read that they are now charging extra for it. It was included in our stay(of course a really nice tip was given)

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We have this booked but I am having misgivings about it. Yes, they are charging extra for it, now. (That was not the case when we booked at The Caves, or at least they hadn't updated their site, yet.) They are charging guests $150 for it. (I believe the cost for non-guests is double, but I'm not sure.)

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Originally Posted by shell

We saw the Rum Bar but it wasn't open at all while we there. We did talk to some people that said they made their own party down there one night.

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I think the site says it is open Weds thru Sat - was that incorrect, or were you just not there those nights?

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Originally Posted by shell

Wifi was sketchy. Couldnt get it in our room, but was able to get it in the main breakfast and dining areas.

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Was it also very slow when you could get to it?

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Originally Posted by shell

What room did you book?

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When we asked for a specific room, they told us they couldn't confirm that until our arrival. We are in a downstairs cottage room... and they all look lovely so we won't be disappointed no matter what is available upon our arrival.

Thanks for the responses! It's incredibly helpful! And you're right, bucket list/once-in-a-lifetime experience, but for cost reasons, future trips will be far more budget-friendly so we can do it more. I haven't even been, yet, and I already want to book my next trip now.

We were there most recently Jan 2011, stayed for 3 nights after a week on the beach at Nirvana. We stayed in Moondancer, which is a 2 BR, but it's the same price as the suites if it's just two of you. If it's available, you could change your booking, you will get the specific room since it's the only 2BR that has that price.
We left a tip on our bill when we checked out, mainly because we were running out of cash at that point and didn't want to go to an ATM. I think I left $50/day. It would probably be better and cheaper to tip as you go.
We passed on the Cave dinner both times we stayed there, just didn't appeal to us with the high humidity, was more comfortable eating on the outdoor deck up top.
The rum bar was not open when we were there, heard they do charge extra for some of the rums. Wifi was spotty, but it was easy to find spots where it worked, mostly around the eating areas.
We didn't use the spa services.
There's not much to walk to, going towards town, the road is very busy and can be dangerous at times. You can walk to LTU, Rick's etc. if you want. I borrowed the bikes from them and rode the other way where it's quiet and peaceful with little traffic.

Oh the Caves, that would be the reason you dont see much about it here, most of us are too cheap, or just cant afford to stay there!:cool:

TKim, as per your question below: Please post your questions here. Asking tourist-related questions and having them answered here is one of the great functions of this message board! Not only will you get more than one answer (be patient til after Easter when more people will be on the board) BUT others who may be considering The Caves will be able to see the answers as well. Having considered The Caves before, I am one of those people {{{grin}}} Welcome Aboard...IRIE! *IG

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Originally Posted by TKim

Hi HarryS. Yeah, The Caves would be out of our budget, as well, were it not for a gift.

As for the One Love Bus Crawl, I'm reasonably sure, but I thought it was weird, since everyone mentions Weds the 17th. But I talked to someone over on TA who also got booked on the 18th. When I emailed Lenbert for availability during our stay, here's what he put in the email:

"Thursday the 18th and sunday the 21st of April are available with a 200pm pickup at Caves"

I'll bet he's letting people go on the 17th if they know other people going and ask for it specifically, but it's probably getting pretty full. That's my guess, anyhow.


saeyedoc: I'm so glad to hear from people who had a good time at The Caves. I actually have a ton of questions swirling around in my mind. Give me some time to pull them all together. Would you rather I post or PM them?

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Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

We have all been new here so DO ask your questions and don't worry if they seem small. Somebody will always/usually have answers for you.

I,too, have tried TA but found it very "elitist". Here it is more like a huge family (OK, sometimes dysfunctional - :rolleyes:) but quite friendly.