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Hey bees!
I JUST BOOKED MY HONEYMOON TO OCHO RIOS!!!!!!!!!!!! ok. Now that I got that out:
Have you stayed a)in ocho rios, jamaica, b)at couples, c)at couples san souci?
If you sais YES to any of these (or will be doing these things soon), please join in and let's talk JAMAICA!
1-What were your favorite activitieS?
2-What is best to miss?
3-What did you forget to bring that you wished to had?
4-What did you bring that never made it out of the suitcase?
We fly into Montego Bay. I hear there is a lot of crime there. Any experience at this airport you'd like to share?
I'm curious about the resort, what I should bring, and if i can get away with only bringing a carry-on for an 8 night trip.
Will I need any dress clothes? Advice please! All is welcomed! =)
Thanks!!
sans_souci-pool053-707052.jpg (201.2 KB, 40 downloads) 1 year old
ONE MORE QUESTION...How did you deal with the name change/passport thing. I just applied for my passport with my current name. Can I just wait until after the honeymoon to change to my married name? How does that work?!
Good morning!
When you arrive at the airport in Montego Bay, the hotel will have a shuttle there waiting for you, So I don't think you would need to worry about crime too much. Please note that you will have to pay a departure fee when you leave the airport to go home.
Your name on your passport and your name on your airline ticket have to match. Even if you've been married for five years, and have a passport in your maiden name, you would still need to book your air in the name that is on your passport.
There are a ton of great activities to do in Jamaica. I would really recommend that you pre-book as many as possible to make sure that you get paired with a reputable vendor, and don't get closed out of something that you really want to do.
We're heading to Jamaica for a tour in September. If you need any hotel photos or reviews don't hesitate to ask.
We have been to Jamaica and we stayed at Riu Ochos Rios. Definatly do Dunns River falls. It was the highlight of our trip. Don't pay for the tour just climb it by yourself.
You will definatly want more clothes than just a carry-on. You will want skirts & dresses for dinners. Shorts, bathing suits, tank tops. etc... Bring a dress sweater (I always forget to, then I end up cold once the sun goes down).
awesome! thank you. any idea how much the departure fee to leave jamaice is? i think it might be included in my airfare (i remember reading something about it) but want to make sure i'm prepared no matter what.
Will I be able to use my MasterCard to pay any unexpected fees that pop up?
We went to Couples Swept Away (Negril) and it was awesome. Pack a lot of sunscreen and aloe (they charge an arm and a leg for it there). Everything else was fully included. Definately bring some dresses for dinner, don't waste precious luggage space on towels - they should have them right on the beach. We didn't leave the resort (the crime rate made us a little uneasy) but there are plenty of 'on resort' things to do - I highly recommend the snorkeling and catamaran cruise if those are available at that location.
Have fun!
really? did you think it was hard to climb? did you need special shoes? that sounds like fun!
Oh! I found a pic. Is this is? Looks awesome!
ocho_rios_jamaica_dunns_river_falls1.jpg (86.3 KB, 50 downloads) 1 year old 
We're also going to CSS. You should check out the message board on the Couples website. I've gotten some extremely helpful information there from the veterans. http://couplesjamaica.biz/mb/forumdisplay.php?f=2
YAY! We are going to CSS as well! I cannot freakin wait! I read the reviews on trip advisor EVERY SINGLE DAY. It's what keeps me going at work!!! I also read other reviews of Jamaica and other resorts just because sometimes people have good suggestions for what to bring and what to do that I havent seen on the tripadvisor reviews. I learned from mrs Mary Jane to bring a fly swatter because sometimes there are bugs in the room!
Make sure your FI/husband brings a pair of closed toe shoes - the Casanova restaurant requires them for men at dinner. I've also read to make your reservations for dinner pretty early on because sometimes they fill up quickly and then you are eating at like 9:00 at night.
Also, make sure you bring a bathing suit, change of clothes, sunscreen (small bottle) and a book in your carry on bag because I've read that sometimes the rooms are not ready when you get there. That way you can just go to the beach or get something to eat right away without having nothing to do!!! Also, dont forget a copy of your marriage license because you get a free couples massage in a hut overlooking the ocean!! And free champagne too :-)
@coffeekitty: Youre very welcome!! Definitely go to the couples message boards that the PP posted - went there yseterday and there are some helpful things there! Apparently you should bring about $300 cash.
For Dunns River Falls you should try to get aqua socks (water shoes) because you are going to need something for climbing it. The Dunns River Falls trip is included in your stay at CSS. Also, read the trip advisor reviews - they are VERY helpful and even though there are some negative ones they will get you SO pumped!!
@coffeekitty: Not really sure actually! FI just told me that on the couples message boards several people said to bring $300 cash. Maybe its just a good amount to bring in general. Like that is all you will really need. I can ask him if you want!
Regarding the $300 suggestion: I know that you will need to tip the shuttle driver and bag handler at the airport, also the spa employees (when you get your honeymooners massages). None of those people are employed by Couples, and are not under the 'no tipping' policy. They suggest on the boards to bring several one dollar bills for these types of tips (except the spa which would be more).
I would imagine that some people go off the resort for drinks and meals occasionally, though I don't really understand why if you have already paid for all the drinks and meals you can get! I guess most people also want cash for souvenirs, Jamaican rum being a big one.
hmm..300 seems like a lot in tips! unless they are thinking about off-resort stuff like you said.
Anyone know how much it costs to get back into the country? A PP said there is a fee, but I don't see it listed anywhere I look.
I think its about $30 - it said it somewhere on the couples website. You should def join the message boards - you will find so many helpful tips and things you never thought of!! For example - apparently CSS doesnt provide conditioner only shampoo!!
Your reservation or plane flight probably already includes your departure fee - double check with your airline or the company you made reservations through!
OK. I'm confused. I'm on the message board at Couples.com, but I don't find them very helpful because I can't figure out how to search them. When I search for things like "honeymoon" what comes back is not relevant. Please help me figure out what I'm doing wrong! I feel so dumb right now. Lol.
I dont really go on and search...I just go onto the main message boards and then look down the list and if I see a topic that interests me I will look at it. I actually havent seen TOO many honeymoon posts. I would just look at all different posts. Look at room types, things to bring, things to do, tips like not to go to Dunns River on a day that a cruise ship is there, etc.
I will try to see what you are talking about and try to help you out!
haha! OK. That helps. I guess I expected more honeymooners. Looks like they have a TON of weddings there, though...so I guess those couples probably honeymoon there. I think I want to get the peppermint body wrap!
@coffeekitty: actually I think its more older folks! We will probably be the youngest so it seems. Probably average age of 30-45ish. It doesnt seem like too many honeymooners! You are the first Ive seen on the boards that is also going to CSS!
sounds good to me! should be nice and quiet. i tend to enjoy an older crowd!
We brought about 100 dollars in $1 dollar bills for tipping. We would tip the guy hauling our bags, we would tip for dinner, tip for drinks & having a bunch of $1s was helpful!
Oh, I'm not sure, we went to sandals, but I was just speaking of honeymoon in general. sorry if I spoke out of turn.
@Ella1978:it's all good! =) i know i want to bring a wad one one's to tip all the non-Couples employees in the spa, transportation, off-site, etc.
They have a no-tipping polict for resort employees, but other vendors still expect to be tipped, so that's a good suggestion.
I can't wait to be in Jamaica getting a massage!
For the record, tipping is actually very much discouraged at Sandals. According to their policy, a staff member can get fired for taking tips from guests. Unfortunately, Sandals is the only all includive I know anything about. I just popped in here to find out more about Couples! :)
I hear that couples is cheaper and slightly more laid back...but the basic concept is the same. =)
If you go to Jamaica - dont miss Dunns River Falls!! Also, eat the goat on the beach party night - it is very tasty and I am fairly on the picky side when it comes to eating meats! Also - the sunset cruise is a LOT of fun! We paid $40 extra to go from 5:30-6:30 instead of 3:30 because that is when sunset actually is. They provided a VERY large bottle of champagne! I heard the private beach dinner is very nice as well - we met a couple who did this and paid $90 and sat and ate for 4 hours with a huge bottle of champagne!
Omigosh! I'm SO excited for you. My fiance and I went to Couples Sans Souci in 2007 and it's been the trip I've compared everything else to since then. Couples Sans Souci was AMAZING. It's small and boutique like so it's super relaxing. Unlike many of the other areas and resorts in Jamaica it has a completely private beach so you don't need to worry about people selling you stuff etc.
As for packing, I would definitely bring some nicer clothes (dressier sundresses) but you don't really need to dress up too much. The men do have to wear pants to dinner though so that's something to keep in mind. Like most islands, everything is super expensive so I would make sure you bring enough sunblock, etc for the week. Also, make sure to bring Aloe in case you burn. I wrecked myself the last day floating in the water for far too long (it was still amazing though). Also, I don't know how small you are but I definitely couldn't do 8 nights in a carry-on suitcase. We actually brought three suitcases so that we would have room to bring gifts back.
Make sure that you have a good pair of walking sandals. The resort has LOTS of hills and stairs and for me was best to walk in flats. Fiance wore his sneakers any time we weren't on the beach. Be sure to explore the property - it's GORGEOUS. I especially like the little turtle pond on the resort, but I have an unnatural love of turtles.
Honestly, we didn't really partake in a ton of activities. I'm a sun worshipper so I was happy lying on the beach or sitting at the beach bar.
The one "activity" that was the highlight of the trip was definitely getting a Couples Massage in a stone hut over-looking the ocean. It was romantic and beautiful and relaxing! What more could we ask for?
The shopping was not fantastic in Ocho - most cheesy souvenirs and no bargain on jewelry. Be sure if you buy the amazing Appleton rum you pack it nice and cushy. Ours smashed in our suitcase on the trip back and we've smelled like lushes everytime we've traveled since then.
That's all I can think of right now. Sans Souci was seriously fabulous for us. I hope you have an AMAZING time! (and feel free to ask me anything our trip too!)
coffeekitty, when are you going???
We're going in November for our honeymoon! I am soooooooo excited! I really wanted to go to Couples Swept Away but one of the Wednesday specials had a wicked deal for CSS so thats where we're going. The closer it gets the more excited I am about CSS, though (it was my 2nd choice resort) and I really can't wait to just BE in Jamaica with my hubby! The only crappy thing is we're going 5 months after our wedding so no free massage for us :(
bump-anyone else gone to CSS recently? FI and I are researching honeymoons in Jamaica and this seems to be the one we are leaning towards. Would love to hear some from all you wonderful bees!!
Seriously everday I am all this bee said this and this bee said that-LOL. FI actually thinks it is cute =)
Has anyone been to Couples Tower Isle??
We are very interested in honeymooning there because we love that they have a free horseback riding tour and many other great included activities!
Also, has anyone been to the Dolphin Cove? How is it?
We are going to Jewel Dunn River Fall Resort, it is in Ocho Rios too. It was a Sandles last year but its not anymore. Its still all inclusive, and I have heard WONDERFUL things about it! Its also a couples resort
@shellyjean: Aww thanks for your awesome review! WE BOOKED IT!! I was just a bit concerned about the rooms compared to other resorts. I knew they weren't super fancy I just wanted clean and comfy ;) So I am sure they will be nice. THANKS again for the review it helped ease my mind. OK now ticking down the days till wedding and then HONEYMOON, lol.
I am SOOOO excited to be going.
@Miss.Lace: We are planning on doind the Dunn Rivers falls tour too. I can't wait.
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