Mi 1st.....!!

[love2travelchic]

After mi 1st trip to Ocho Rios by cruise I fell in love with Jamaica and we were only there for 6-hours (teaser)!...so I made it my mission to go back and I've been going back every year for a total of 6-times so far staying in Negril at AI resorts.

Wellll.........I decided I want to branch out from the AIs and really experience JA so I booked my first Solo trip to Negril and my first Non-Inclusive stay and I must say I'm starting to get butterflys...I have (11) more sleeps and I havent even started packing yet which is major for me as I'm a neat/organized freak...lol... I usually pack a month in advance just to be sure I dont forget ANYTHING (Yes! I always overpack) I also created a (Do Not Forget) list that I always shared with my group (Just trying to give u an idea how obsessed I am) LOL. So dont get me wrong I'm very EXCITED about my trip but I have a lil nervous energy about traveling solo. I've been lurking, reading trip reports etc and it seems to calm me a lil for the moment... but that nervousness still sticks around!!

I thought it would be a good idea to share as you guys are very supportive and give good suggestions and advice on how to handle things. So I hope to get some positive vibe especially from the "Solo travellers" to help me get over this nervousness so I can start packing! LOL

Yea Mon...Thanx in advance!

[Caught]

Get everything you want to take in a pile then put 1/2 of it away..
Seems like every year we realize we need less and less.

[love2travelchic]

Get everything you want to take in a pile then put 1/2 of it away..
Seems like every year we realize we need less and less.

Caught I always do that it neva works I still bring half my clothes back untouched! lol

[Melody]

No words of wisdom, as no experience travelling alone...yet. But plan to. Took my teenage son (non AI) in Feb., went with a friend in Nov. I did a lot of things alone, walking beach, route taxi to cambio etc. Am realizing that I may have a better time by myself, not having to worry about how the other one is doing, and holding back from what I'd like to do b/c of them. It's easy to meet people on your own.

I'm going again in April with a friend, staying at Coco this time. Hope it goes well, but looking forward to travelling there by myself the next time. I'll probably have butterflies then too, but honestly, I was the only one planning and researching and plain handling things the first two times, so I don't NEED anyone along and like I said, I'll meet people there.

Being a single lady, be prepared for the local charmers wanting to be your friend and wanting your phone #. Don't walk the beach at night by yourself, get recommended ph #s of local red plate taxi drivers for after dark. Get a local cell ph and add those numbers as contacts, etc. get friendly with your hotels security staff and check in with them when coming and going, and make friends with other guests who you can let know your situation and hopefully exchange ph #s to check in with...and go out to dinner with. Go to the webcast events and keep an ear out for other boardies, introduce yourself to Rob and Lisa....Canoe & Seastar are good, safe places to visit and meet boardies or talk to the owners.

[love2travelchic]

Am realizing that I may have a better time by myself, not having to worry about how the other one is doing, and holding back from what I'd like to do b/c of them. It's easy to meet people on your own.

I was the only one planning and researching and plain handling things the first two times, so I don't NEED anyone along and like I said, I'll meet people there.

Being a single lady, be prepared for the local charmers wanting to be your friend and wanting your phone #.

Hi Melody...I totally can relate to the planning aspect as I was the 1 that planned all 6 trips to JA with friends family etc. which was the reason I planned this solo trip for myself dont feel like worrying about everybody else wants and needs...I was very excited booking this trip but like I said out of nowhere the closer I get the more butterflies I get I'm sure I'll get over it once I'm there...

Oh and I'm definitely hip on the locals I recognize the slick from the slickest lol

Thank you so much for the advise I'll be sure to share my experience when I return for your next Solo trip!

[nutz4travel]

This was our first non AI trip. I think the thing that we loved most was that we didn't need anywhere near as many clothes. No "dress code" for dinner, no pants needed for Mr. Nutz or skirts and dresses for me. It was sooooo casual and we really enjoyed that!

Can't speak for the travelling solo, but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Watch out for those Jamaican men, they are smooth... LOL

[love2travelchic]

This was our first non AI trip. I think the thing that we loved most was that we didn't need anywhere near as many clothes. No "dress code" for dinner, no pants needed for Mr. Nutz or skirts and dresses for me. It was sooooo casual and we really enjoyed that!

2Nutz...good to know! I finally pulled out some clothes today and becuz I'm use to the dress codes etc. at the AIs I started to stress not knowing what is allowed at the local spots and have alot of "just in case" stuff, I might can actually reduce my packing...lol...Thank u so much!

Oh BTW, As far as the smooth talkers I'm hip!! lol

[Melody]

So true about the clothes. I took 3 or 4 bathing suits as that is what I wore everyday, pretty much all day. A couple of bathing suit coverup "dresses", a couple of sarongs. Mostly covered it. Took a couple of pairs of shorts and tops to wear to dinner and one or two flimsy sundresses. (no wrinkle type that rolls up into nothing in your suitcase.) The sarongs and bathing suit goes a looooong way! 2 pairs of comfy flip flops (neutral, wear walking the beach, shopping, to dinner) and one pair of "dressy" flip flops (with little shells on them) for when I wanted to step it up a notch! Lol

I took a large suitcase, carryon & personal item, but most of that wasn't clothes. Thermos mugs, ziplock bags, paper towels, coffee making items, bug spray, citronella candles, sunscreens, aloe Vera, snorkel set, big bag of remedies like Zantac, calamine, hydrogen peroxide, etc., bubble wrap (to pack rum etc for return), and a bit of extra room to bring things back.

[Crybaby]

No problem going solo.....have done it many times. Keep your head about you....dont do anything too crazy. All the suggestions are great. Best trips have been solo. Dont have to worry about anyone but yourself. AHHHH RELAX

[Fred Stripe]

So you decided to "go over the wall".....Good move.....I dont need the scuba diving or ten meals a day you get at the AI's but Im kida still paying for it.....Get to your hotel,get your own beer & rum...Find the local places to eat on the cheap (Sun Beach).....