In this episode, I recap my recent trip to Jamaica. I share the good and not-so-good ups and downs, so you feel like you know the ropes for traveling outside the country these days. I give you info specific for Jamaica and the Moon Palace Resort where I stayed, but actually many locations have similar requirements, and are very much the same when traveling.
Pre-Travel
For travel to Jamaica, as well as many other destinations these days, I was required to have a negative Covid-19 test. I searched initially for "Utah Covid testing near me." I wanted a location that didn’t require a referral and included “testing for all patients.” I found one near me that just required an appointment. After a video chat with a doctor, who wrote the order, I drove to the clinic at my convenience, called the Covid hotline, and was tested and had my results back in less than an hour, without ever leaving my car.
Flights
My airline of choice is Delta. I love that they are still blocking middle seats through the end of 2020. All airlines require masks, all airlines are filtering the air flow, and all are sanitizing between passengers. Delta handed me a sanitizing wipe as I boarded each flight, so that I could wipe down the high-touch areas around my seat.
Delta provided a package that included a small bottle of water and two snacks. Of course, you’re able to bring your own food or nonalcoholic beverages on board with you.
Arrival in Jamaica
Upon arrival in Jamaica, we had to go through customs, like normal. However, before exiting the airport, the process now includes a thorough health screening for all those who enter the country. It’s quite a lengthy wait, although if you have prepaid for the VIP Club MoBay, it’s quicker. Each party approaches their medical professional as a group. He or she takes their temperature, asks the relevant medical questions about symptoms and being in contact with someone with Covid, and checks all of their documents and makes sure they have a valid negative Covid test.
Transportation to the Resort
The driver required everyone to sanitize prior to boarding the bus we were on. I stayed in Ocho Rios, about a 2-hour drive from the airport.
The Moon Palace Jamaica
Welcoming. Sanitized. Everyone masking.
The Moon Palace Jamaica is a beautiful all-inclusive beachfront resort. It’s on the tip of a point, surrounded on three sides by the Caribbean Sea, and has two white sand beach areas, one for relaxing, and the other for nonmotorized watersports like paddleboarding, kayaking, and a sea trike. It has five pools, including a FlowRider wave simulator, a kids’ pool, a waterslide, plunge pools, two jacuzzi hot tubs, and waterfalls. Motorized watersports are available for an extra fee. With two tennis courts, a huge spa, fitness center, nightly and daytime entertainment, there are many activities going on, or you can relax and enjoy not doing anything.
A la carte restaurants: Italian, Asian (teppanyaki style, or sushi and other Japanese fare), and a steakhouse.
Additionally, they offer a jerk shack, a coffee/crepes/sandwiches/sushi/ice cream area, and pool bars and snack areas.
The buffet is fully operational and very impressive, for breakfast and lunch! It is set up with all choices available, but served by the friendly wait staff.
Room types
The superior deluxe ocean view room, where I stayed, has a balcony and beautiful views, 24-hour room service, and nightly turndown service. Other room types include resort view rooms, junior suites, honeymoon suites, 1-bedroom suites, family deluxe suites, and 2-bedroom suites. They have a few handicapped accessible rooms as well.
Activities I did
Recap
Glad I went? Absolutely. Would I travel to other international destinations right now? Yeah, mon! Best part: Getting away, feeling the adventure of traveling again, having new experiences. Worst part: Masking the entire time. Safe? I sanitized and washed and masked so many times, there’s no way I could have returned with anything except chapped hands and maybe some “mask-ne” (mask acne).