Up this morning at 8 to realize that this was our last day in Negril – we’ve been having a great time here, we’re totally relaxed, and we’ll be sad to go.
We touched base with the front desk to confirm our transfer and check out procedure, and then to the Bayview for our last buffet breakfast – delicious as usual. But it was also the first of several goodbyes to staff who have been super-friendly and committed to making our stay great. At the Bayview our hostess had become so friendly that she and Sharon were trading hugs whenever they met. She gave us her card and insisted we come back some day.
Back in our room we were packed up in half an hour and then returned to the lobby. Our porter – an enthusiastic young man who had brought us in – also wished us well. Other staff members also said goodbye, and there was a hint of friendly rivalry in a suggestion that they would compare well to the Royal Caribbean ☺️
I had time to take a few more photos and photospheres before we were met by Hero, our shuttle driver to Mobay. Hero was very friendly and turned our trip into a tour. All along the coastline he pointed out historical sites, noted the parish changes, and was keen to let us know where which scenes from Cool Runnings, and Live and Let Die were shot. We passed a very friendly hour and a half with him as we drove into Montego Bay, or “Mobay” as everyone here calls it.
We had a friendly chat with the staff at the desk of our new home at Sandals – Royal Caribbean, but unfortunately no room was available for us yet (normal check in time is 3pm). We were walked through the rest of the check-in procedure and our bags were brought in, and then a desk attendant walked us through the main resort to the beach were we were able to order lunch from The Mariner grill.
We ate at a small picnic table under the signature thatched umbrellas with our feet in the sand – I had a jerk hamburger, and Sharon had quesadillas with jerk chicken. We enjoyed the sun and the breeze for a little while, then headed back to the desk. With still no rooms yet available, we took ourselves on our own tour of the resort. Much of the overall “idea” of the resort – multiple restaurants, pools with bars, tiers of service (i.e.. butlers, etc.), poolside activities and so on, are not surprisingly the same as we had learned at Negril. But presumably because there isn’t a natural seven mile beach to orient against, everything feels a little closer together and a bit less “laid back.” It feels like a “city” version of what we had experienced in a more remote location. Not the least of which reasons for this would be the large commercial jets that fly directly overhead periodically, close and loudly enough to interfere with normal conversation.
After we’d wandered around, we found the Island Routes bookings and heard about some of the trips coming up. Most appealing of these was the Kingston adventure which is coming up tomorrow. The trip will take the full day as the city is over three hours away, but as it is only offered once a week, this will be our only opportunity.
Nearly back to the main desk we found the gift shop and had a poke around there as well. Again, very similar to what we’d seen, though a bit bigger and a wider selection.
Sadly, there was still no room ready for us when we returned, so we sat down in the lobby and got out some things to read and waited. About 20 minutes later another apologetic attendant found us and ushered us to a room. At this resort we have a Caribbean Premium with perks that include a four poster king bed, hot tub and a small patio, although it’s a bit smaller than our last room. Like the rest of the resort, the decorating theme draws mostly upon the colonial British period, mostly Georgian – lots of dark wood with stylized turnings, brass fixtures, etc.
We got ourselves unpacked and just spent the next little while watching the end of the Jays game (and season). Approaching four o’clock I decided to go back to the main resort area to take in an orientation to see if there was anything we’d missed. Sharon had a slight headache and so passed on this.
Two enthusiastic (seems to be a requirement) young women took me on a solo tour and I did discover a few additional amenities (how did we miss the luxury jewelry shop?) and learned in more detail about what times and places things happen. A wedding was taking place on one side of the resort so we did make a little detour, and we didn’t boat across to the “island” side of the resort.
Back in our room we flipped through our Footprints daily to see what was up at the restaurants and decided to try out the a la carte menu at “The Regency” which appears to be the main dining area – our buffet breakfasts and lunches will probably be here. We strolled down and had a look at the activity board for the next few days, then we were seated on the patio deck of the Regency at a very nice outdoor table looking out on Montego Bay. Dinner was lovely as well: Sharon had a shrimp cocktail with Chicken Marsala for a main while I had fried calamari and a surf and turf main.
The Royal Caribbean also boasts a “British pub” which is nicely appointed, features fish and chips and other pub standards, and where you can get a pint of Guinness (or at least as many small bottles of the same as you would like). But just Guinness for the UK beers. We sat here for a short while after dinner and texted with Mimi.
Then, looking at a full schedule tomorrow, we retired to our room and avoided the third presidential debate by watching Double Indemnity.
