A Family Trip To Jamaica, Would We Go Back?

I love travelling.  It’s part of who I am.  I have to travel.  I have to plan a trip. whether it’s down the road to an Ontario Resort or thousands of miles away on a plane.  I am a big believer in Mark Twain’s famous quote about travel:

I don’t think there is a faster way to get an education than to travel.  I am always up for a trip, I think it’s the one thing you should spend money on.  Memories are far more valuable than things.  When my cousin told me she wanted a destination wedding I was all for it.   We booked our trip to Jamaica in April. I had never been to Jamaica, so I was excited to visit somewhere new. We stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort in Montego Bay. It is a large all inclusive resort which when at capacity can hold 3000 people.  It has everything: a casino,  a sports bar with foosball & pool and food all the time! There are specialty restaurants (including Asian, Italian, Mexican and more).  They provide a kids club for daycare. There’s also a private beach with free access to water toys, like stand up paddle boards, peddle boats and kayaks.  They serve up Jamaican jerk chicken on the beach and you can snorkel right off the beach as well.

 
  The smothers brothers loved the beach.  This beach “sunset cove” was my favourite part of the resort.

The pool was huge and the accommodations were lovely.  The food was decent, but honestly I think all inclusive resorts are pretty cookie cutter when it comes to food.  They offer a lot of North American food to satisfy many of their guests and for kids like mine who would live off a white diet if they could (fries, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, pasta).
  We were with a group of 44, so it’s pretty hard not to have fun with a group that big.

This was the “bachlorette” party with the just the girls!

I think all inclusive resorts are ideal for families.  Everything is there.  The kids can drink 9,842 shirley temples a day. 

Rosa with cousin Ellie enjoying drink #8600

At all an all inclusive resort everything is contained, the kids are close and safe.  We felt very safe.  The resort was heavily staffed with security and everyone was polite.  All in all I would say it was really nice. It was a great resort for a big group.  I am not sure I would go back right now.  As nice at is to be contained and taken care of,  I love to experience the culture and atmosphere of a new place.  When I travel with adults or just my husband I probably wouldn’t pick an all inclusive first, just because we’ve been to quite a few and I like to try new things. (Ask me the second week of February and I bet I will be begging for an all inclusive resort or any escape from the Canadian winter I can!!)

I want to check off so many of my dream destinations before I head back to the same spot, but I’m delighted to add Jamaica to my “been there” list.  It was so hot, the flora was lush and the beaches were beautiful!

We are truly fortunate to experience travelling as a family. We are so grateful that our children have an opportunity to see other parts of the world and experience other cultures, and customs. Thanks so my cousin Julie for having a destination wedding!

 
  Marcello makes friends whereever we go!  This was our driver, Dean who gave us a tour of Jamaica! He answered all 90000 of my questions;)

I know my kids will remember this trip for the rest of their lives.  That’s pretty valuable. 

Here’s the vlog of our vacation (watch time 4:42)!

MF