Our Jamaican Vacation Series- Part One

Last month, our family travelled to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

This is the first time we have set foot on a flight since October, and more importantly since Covid-19 took over all of our lives. The decision to travel was not made lightly!  As a Travel Advisor, it is my job to advise clients on what they can expect when choosing to travel right now.   Jamaica has had extremely low Covid numbers, particularly in the “tourism corridor” between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.  We also were careful to follow all CDC recommendations before we left home and were experiencing no symptoms – thank goodness! Today, I’ll be breaking down our experience during our travel day – including a look at the safety protocols on the plane and in the Montego Bay airport.  In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for an in-depth review of the Moon Palace resort from guest blog posters Kyle and Audrey Legg!  😊

We left Kansas City on an early morning flight.  Things were not too different in the airport, other than the mask requirement and social distancing while waiting in line and while boarding the plane. The Southwest planes were the cleanest we have ever been on.   Our first flight (Kansas City to Orlando) had only 41 people and our second flight (Orlando to Montego Bay) had about 50 people. Middle seats were kept empty, unless you were sitting next to someone in your household.  Everyone wore masks during the full duration of the flight, taking them off only when eating or drinking.  Snacks consisted of water and pretzels only.

Upon arrival in Jamaica, we were met at the gate by health officials, escorted down a corridor…stopping to get hand sanitizer. Then off to a temperature check.  We then sat down at a table, with Jamaican nurses, where we answered several questions about our health and presented our passports, health documents, and gave our signatures.  After the health check, it was through immigration, getting our luggage, and then meeting our driver.

All told, the airport was spotless, people were observed cleaning and wiping everything down at every instance.  We were required to sanitize our hands at 8 different points in the arrival process.  Also, we noticed, how empty the airport was.  When Kyle and I visited the island last summer, they had well over 30 immigration officials looking at passports and allowing people into the country.  There were only two immigration officials in July.  The Covid-19 virus has severely hurt the tourism industry in Jamaica…which accounts for 50% of the country’s earnings and 25% of the jobs. 

Travel has always been a personal decision, now more than ever.  This post is not meant to encourage travel, but to share what travel looks like right now if you choose to do so.   Am I happy I went?  Without a doubt, it was an incredible experience. If you are considering travel soon, please either use a Travel Advisor or educate yourself on your destination, it’s requirements and restrictions. They are changing daily (still) and probably will for quite some time. If you are unable to follow the rules of the destination you are traveling to or the airlines you are flying, now is not the time for you to travel.

If you have any questions, please reach out! Or, click the button below to schedule a time to discuss the right timing for your next vacation!

We are now on Instagram! Follow us @castawaydestinations