Holy Smokes! I'm going back to Negril!

[Clarity]

Thanks Christine! I'm definitely going to go that route then.
Thanks Lady Jane! - 4 days on the cliffs (Catcha) and then 1 day on the beach (Nirvana) - My family is staying an additional day. I'm flying out before them because I don't have any more vacation days to take.

[Clarity]

Even better: If no one is booked for the same arrival time, then they take you solo -- with free beer!!! Whoo hoo ....

Now THAT'S awesome!!

[northerncaligurl]

Congrats Clarity!! Awesome news!

I like Negril in the summer, wll be there in 2 days for an extended stay! Can't wait! Water is warmer (so it feels to me) like a warm bath, rains a bit but is a nice cool off from a hot day, not as busy, nice, I like it.

Have a great time with the fam!! So fun! Enjoy!

[Angel]

You can go ahead of them and be waiting for them in Negril. You have the longer flight. I'm happy for you to be able to spend the time with your parents and sisters. You have a great boss. I've been in August don't worry, you've booked now pack and goooooo. Have a wonderful time. Sorry Markus is not going. So a trip report to finish then a new one.

[sbeth]

I thought that you'd find yourself there when your family was going after I read about that phone call with your dad in the car. That's awesome!!!
I was in Negril in July. Not August, but close. It was lovely (hot, but that's fine). It did rain a little bit in the afternoon almost every day but we lived in Florida for many years so that seemed normal to us.

[Eden]

yay! so happy for you, Daisy!! I just knew you weren't going to pass up a trip to Negril with your whole family!! I was waiting to see this post, I guess I knew you were going before you did! haha! We have been to Negril in August and it was great! Water was nice and warm, and it seems a lot of Europeans also like to spend the month of August there. How nice for your family to have you there to show them around. Can't wait to read this trip report! I'm sorry that Markus can't get away and join you, too. :-(

I just pressed the button!! I have an airline ticket to Jamaica for August!! This feels very surreal because an hour ago, I didn't know that I would be going to Negril this summer...

I haven't fully digested this yet...

A while back my family booked a trip to Negril for August. I had requested vacation time off to join them it was denied. I was disappointed, but eventually I just came to terms with it. That's life and you have to roll with the punches. I started helping my family plan their trip. (i.e. arranged for their driver and contacted hotels for them)

Bottom line: I was happy for them. It took me an entire year to convince them to do this. It's been many years since my father and mother had their Honeymoon in Jamaica. My two sisters have never been. I knew they were going to have a wonderful time.

This morning my boss pulled me aside and informed me that my vacation time has just been approved. I was so happy and grateful, I almost started crying.

I realized if I was going to make this happen than I didn't have a minute to lose. I immediately went online and started searching for flights. This is really last minute, even for ME. The initial prices weren't that great, so I switched the search to ONE WAY TICKETS instead to see if that would help and it DID. The price went down $200 by booking one way with one airline and booking the way back with a different airline! It was surprisingly cheap. I've never actually booked tickets this way. Try it! You'll be amazed at how much you can save by doing this! (also search multiple sites. These tickets didn't show up on Kayak or Orbitz but were available on Travelocity)

I just called my family to tell them the good news and they are freaking out right now! All accomodations were already booked months ago. I'll be sharing a room with my teenage sister. This will be my shortest trip to Negril ever (only 5 nights) but I'm really excited!

Has anyone traveled to Jamaica in August? This will be my first time being in Negril during the summer. How is the weather? The ocean (waves or calm)? I know this is the beginning of hurricane season, Did you experience a lot of tropical storms?

The second question involves my arrival.

My family gets into MoBay 7 hours after I arrive. Rocky will be coming to pick them up. Should I:

A. Wait for my family at the Montego Bay airport and drive with them to Negril? Is there a place at Montego bay for visitors to chill out, like a waiting room of some sort?

B. Take the JUTA directly to Negril and meet them at the hotel? Markus can't come with me on this trip. I've never traveled by myself to Negril, so I'm a little nervous. I only would have about $30 to spend. I'll be on a very tight budget for this trip. Will that get me to Negril?

Thank you so much for your advice and help with this! This is going to be a very special trip for me. It's been over 12 years since my family traveled all together like this. It's been 38 years since my father last saw his family in Jamaica. I know this is an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

[Clarity]

Thanks Northerncaligirl! Have an awesome trip! How long are you going to be in Negril?

Thanks Angel! - I would love to be there to experience their first drive to Negril but you're right, I'll be exhausted after 9 hours in the air and a 5 hour layover in Atlanta. I think I'll definitely go straight to the hotel and try to squeeze in a nap before my family arrives.

Thanks Sbeth! - A little afternoon shower sounds nice after a hot summer day. I'm just crossing my fingers that there isn't a tropical storm. I would be happy in Negril no matter what, but I want my family to experience the beautiful sunshine and turquoise waters.

Thanks Eden - It seems like everyone knew that this was definitely going to happen before I did. I just figured that expectations lead to disappointment. If it was meant to be, it would happen. If not, then it wouldn't. I'm so glad I am going though. I can't stop smiling!!

[Lulu and Al]

Juta Negril is not always a bus, Lulu and I met you in April, we picked Juta and they gave us a car...just the two of us and the driver...each way for the 18 dollar fee, per person, so for 36 we got a car, by ourselves and driver stopped when we wanted to, same guy came back to Bar-B-Barn for our ride out of Ja!

[luvmylabs]

That is awesome! Absolutely love your trip reports, thanks so much for sharing with us.

A while ago someone started a thread about round trip to Negril for $30.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ghlight=justin

Below is the link to the website he mentioned.

Here's the link: http://www.viator.com/tours/Montego-...-3316MBJAPTRND

[marley9808]

Yep! I told you this was going to happen....it just had to, so it did!
We were ALL pulling for you, and I am so very happy for you and your whole family.
You're going to have a wonderful trip....and I can't wait to hear all about it.

So happy for you <3