Non-AI questions

[nedleycan]

Before booking our non-AI that we are doing in November, I really did a lot of research. I found the cost to be approx. the same comparing a package from Toronto (hometown) and the flight and hotel separately. But, we ended up booking from Buffalo (lucky as it is only an hour drive for us) for just over $300 each. And then got a Living Social deal at Country Country and now going non-AI is going to be considerably cheaper for us. And the deal included Breakfast and Dinner, however we can afford to skip the dinners when we want because they were virtually free. We did our last AI 2 years ago and said we would never do it again. Just not our style anymore.
Check out Living Social and Group On as there are lots of deals to Negril there.
Good luck!

[nutz4travel]

The food at CC is great - you'll enjoy it The choice is limited, the menu changes every few days, but everything we had was very tasty and nicely prepared. It goes without saying that their breakfast is wonderful - don't forget to try the banana pancakes!

[Melody]

The dinner menu at CC changes everyday. I looked at the posted menu everyday (sometimes it doesnt get changed until late in the afternoon) when I stayed there, and when I did the groupon, I got to experience their nightly offerings. The meals were really delicious and beautifully presented. I enjoyed them more than the dinner I had at Kuyaba which is often raved about. CC's restaurant is right up there as one of the best hotel restaurants on the beach. It just doesn't get much press. Nedleycan, as I've mentioned before though, don't expect much from their desserts. Unless you're dining on the cliffs, I wouldn't waste one of your included dinners going elsewhere on the beach for dinner. If you want a good dessert, go to Charela afterwards.

[Seveen]

are you able to split an AI trip with a non-AI trip --- after 3 nights at the AI - my butt was sore and I was ready to break out lol - plus I need some real Jamaican food and some real Jamaican chat

[Fred Stripe]

At Brezees Lido (or whatever it's called now) they have a small window (Dec 7-15 or close to that) it's like a shoulder week between the High priced Xmas and the slow time prior. You can get a room for like $250 per night for Both !!!!!!!! I have done it twice now. Otherwise the place is Way overpriced but??? There are only so many places on Bloody Bay. Nude side is best.

[TandJ]

Geeez... I really opened up a thread here!!

ANYWAYS - as I stated before, we had TEN days at RPTB for $1955 PP - including airfare. Booze was good quality (absolute vodka, tanqueray gin, CC rye) - and bottled red stripe (light or regular). Not to mention meals - which were very good (and I'm a foodie).

So, aside from excursions and tipping, we're budgeting for about $4000 for 14 days - including airfare, food, and booze (being Canadians - we do like to drink!).

Airfare alone is in the $750 range PP.

Time is March 29-april 12- that's the best time for us.

Thoughts? Ideas? Recommendations???????

[ROBIN]

Just remember that the price of the room ...is for the room..IE if it is 80/night that is $40 PP......or 750 air +560 pp for 14 days =1310 PP for 14 days.....then factor in transfers (80 for the van for 2 people) = 1390 pp for 14 days.....the booze and food can be modified to suit your budget..... I would think that would be within your budget of $4000 (especially if you got a kitchenette...to do coffees/snacks/ drinks (case of Red Stripe or the duty free booze from Canada)

[Melody]

Tips

1) Yes, you mentioned earlier that it's $200/ day. That's per person, so you're looking at $400/day including airfare. That gives a pretty good budget, spreading airfare cost out over 2 weeks. Ive paid $750 ish for airfare from SK, and only $593 for November so you should be able to find a much better price. Best advice is to sign up for daily alerts on kayak for your dates. Prices fluctuate daily and when a good sale comes out, you can pounce on it quickly that way.

2) Hotel prices are usually significantly cheaper between April 15-Dec 15, so I started going right after the price goes up or down. Going a week or two later or earlier can save a few hundred dollars.

3) sites like booking.com offer some incredible deals, especially for Coco La Palm which you would probably like. As mentioned before, I got a deluxe room for only ~$74 night in November -that's for 2 people, breaks down your pp daily rate to VERY little. Nice room, nice beach etc, cont breakfast incl. after booking, I confirmed directly with hotel, all is good!

[Kevin, PA]

A non-AI trip can end up costing much more or much less depending on where you stay and what and where you eat. Here's some of the pros and cons as I see them:

AI Pro's:

- Fixed costs
- No meal planning
- no need to use taxi's
- More luxurious surroundings (if your going to stay within the same budget)

AI Con's

- Less variety
- Muted Jamaican Experience


Non-AI Pro's

- Lots of variety (hotels food drinks people etc)
- Can be cheaper if you budget
- More authentic Jamaican experience

Non-AI Con's

- More research needed
- Need to meal plan\budget (where and what to eat, cost etc)
- Need to plan\budget for getting around town

Here's the advice I've given others:

If you aren't adventurous and want to just relax, eat and drink in a tropical climate without much planning then AI is probably for you assuming an AI stay is within your budget. AI are pretty much the same from stay to stay.

If your more adventurous and you don't mind taking the time to do the proper research you will have a more authentic stay. You'll have a lot more flexibility if you stay non-AI but you will need to budget to keep costs down. Each non-AI stay gets better as you learn the ropes and you can better customize your stay to fit within your needs and budget.

More to the point, if you're looking to stay non-AI just to save money then stay AI (IMO). If you can't even afford to stay at an AI then non-AI is the only way to go but you will need to sacrifice on accommodations meals etc. If AI's leave you wanting more and you don't mind the research, planning to stay within a certain budget then I say go non-AI. Keep in mind that you may have to make some sacrifices to stay non-AI within the same budget as an AI stay but you will have a much richer experience if you are on the more adventurous side. It really comes down to what you are looking for. Even more simply put, AI is for vacationers and non-AI is for travelers. Which are you?

[Papa Georgie]

Good summary Kevin.

I take exception only to the phrase "authentic Jamaican experience".
Maybe an AI is less than "authentic" than a non-AI but vacationing in a
tourist area like Negril I don't see as "authentic" either.

I quibble over words...sorry...stop me before I post again