Jamaica + State of Emergency = Changing Honeymoon...?

Heather822

So, I am more than a little worried about what's going on in Jamaica right now. We are supposed to honeymoon there in August and it seems like the violence is spreading, a state of emergency has been declared, and Americans are being advised to change travel plans. I called our travel agent, who was not in, but whoever answered the phone just kinda brushed me off and told me the resorts are safe and not to worry. Ok great. BUT our resort is a 2 hour card ride away from the airport! That is what I am most worried about... driving through bad areas.  Plus, we can ONLY change our airafre without penalty during the State of Emergency, so waiting it out seems like a risky game to play.
Jamaica is not our dream destination by any means, just somewhere that was running an amazing package that fit our budget.
Don't know what to do. Thoughts...? What would you do...?

ecg129

Did you get a insurance plan with honeymoon? Maybe change it now to be safe rather then sorry. If you had your heart set on that destination, I would say don't change it - it will be fine- but since you don't? There are many other wonderful places. What resort were you going to stay at? Maybe they have a branch somewhere else?

That said - being in the hospitality business, once you were at the resort in Jamaica, I would tell you not to worry about a thing.  These places are secure.  Even though it was sad to me, Royal Caribbean continued cruising to Haiti the week after the earthquake...

TuffysMommie

I do not travel a lot and don't know much about the actual conditions of other countries, etc...

However, if there were ANY reason that the location seemed a bit "off' - I would personally change in a heartbeat. I'm a fairly cautious person in every aspect of my life, so I'm not the kind to really take any "risk."  

At this point in time, a state of emergency is obviously not a great thing. If you are not set on Jamaica and there are other places you could go as well, I would suggest to not take the risk at all.

But that's just me. Maybe I'm boring, but I would change.

Other possible choices - Aruba, Bermuda, Virgin Islands?

felicia220

Honestly, I would change my plans.  I wouldn't want to spend my HM worried about what might happen.  And how does this lady know the resort will be fine, is she psychic?  That would annoy me.  Your safety should be #1.  I wouldn't risk it.  

maddie7

Change it!

akmackay

If you're not set on Jamaica and can change it without penalty, do so. It would put me at ease. Suck it up and find a new place with a great package!

tvlirene

Once again the media is hurting the tourism of a country.  Kingston is no where even remotely near the tourist areas...Ocho, Negril, Montego Bay, etc.  This happened a couple of years ago while I was in Jamaica and we were watching CNN in our room and that's how we found out.  The part that made me really angry, is that the media was making it seen that there were problems everywhere...but no, just Kingston. The media did the same thing to Mexico last summer with the swine flu.  Riviera Maya was hours away from the location of the flu but they made is seem like there was an outbreak everywhere.  Mexico really suffered economically for no reason.  It's sad.Also, just so you know the ride from the airport in Montego Bay to any tourist areas is in the opposite direction.  The State of Emergency is for the Kingston area.  The comparison would be Brooklyn having protests and violence and you having plans down thee shore,

heather8301

As much as it would suck to have to change your plans, I would do it. Especially since it's without penalty and you were open to the location. I'm sure your travel agent would be able to find another place for your honeymoon within your budget.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Laurms15

I would change my plans!

I will say that DH and I had an AMAZING time in Key West and I feel like we spend = or less then what a lot of the all inclusive resorts were charging.

NJMom050911

I don't know that I would rush to changing my plans, it's 3 months from now the situation can get better, I doubt that it will get so bad that the resorts will be affected. Also, if it gets that bad there is no reason why the state of emergency would be lifted, which means that if it's still declared you should be able to change your honeymoon plans a month before. There are plenty of resorts (we're going to Dominican Republic) that offer discounted rooms because it's last minute, the airfare might be cheaper too, your travel agent will just have to do some digging around. And hey, last minute change to some place you didn't plan for might be exciting!

There was violence in Greece as well, I didn't see anyone change their honeymoon plans there....

When are you leaving for you HM? How funny would it be if you end up at the same resort as me, we can hang out together LOL

matiffbengy11

Do what you feel comfortable doing. We are going to Greece in August, and had plans to stay in Athens for 2 days, our Travel Agent kept trying to convince us not to change and that the protest going on are planned and yaddy yaddy, when it came down to it, my FI and I didn't want to think and worry about that for 3 months and what the situation was going to be like, if it got better great, but if not then we would be worried about that while in Greece, we opted to change our plans, instead of doing Athens we are just going right onto the island,we have to fly into Athens but we will be getting right back on a plan out.

So I say even though you have people telling you it's fine or it's not fine. You have to do what your gut tells you to do. Are you going to worry and stress about it until then, probably, but again it's something you and your FI should really think about it. Some people are world travelers and can just take things as they come, I can't do that, I would be a wreck and constantly thinking about it. No fun

Good luck!

leah2b

Jamaica is wonderful - its one of my favorite islands, and I have been to quite a few islands in the carribean.  3 months is quite some time away.

Did you go through a chain like Sandals? If you are nervous, mMaybe could they move you to another isalnd?

akmackay

Irene has a point- the media does blow things up. When I was living in France there were all types of riots and my mom would call all worried and I just said "oh really? I had no idea" with everything. With 6 months of riots etc I only saw calm protests, but the French love protests so that would've happened anyway. The likelihood of you being affected by it is slim to none. Jamaica, from what I head, isn't the best place to wonder around anyway, so you would've been at your resort the majority of the time. I would say it depends on your stress level with thinking baout it- and I definitely agree with Kathy about the state of emergency adn if it gets worse, it won't get lifted and you can cancel anyways

berbm

I love Jamaica.  Been there a number of times.  Stayed at a great, secure resort.  I would change my plans if I were you (for the 2 hour car ride and the fact that you aren't dead set to go there specifically).  Sorry. 

ffbride_0813

I am not changing my plans until Irene says I need to.  I am going in August and i think there is plenty of time to wait it out. 

Heather822

Thanks everyone... all really great advice, from both sides, which actually makes the decision harder!
When our own travel agent gets in tomorrow ~ I will ask her exactly what our options are.

To answer some pp'ers questions....
Our travel insurance is very vague... its says we can only cancel in the event of family death or illness, and not cancel because of weather. Nowhere does it mention whether or not drug wars may or may not be covered... LOL We'll see.

And we are staying at Couples, which is a chain resort like Sandals, but they only have locations in Jamaica! (Ocho Rios, Monetgo Bay, Negril Ahhh! So much for transfering!)

goaliegirl

Personally, I would hold off if i wasn't going for a few months.  Since the state of emergency is not for the tourist areas and only kingston, you probably won't be able to cancel with your insurance right now unless you are going to kingston.    I got an email from a friend today who is at Sandals in Ocho rios right now and she said that she wouldn't even know that anything was going on if people from home didn't email her about it.     so, if I would wait and see what happens if I wasn't leaving for a few months.