Just like that we are off on our next adventure! R is turning 40 this week and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this milestone birthday than taking a trip together! I actually gave R the option of having a party with family and friends or taking a trip to celebrate his birthday, and he chose to take a trip. I then asked if he wanted to go north or south and he chose south with a round of golf. So, naturally, we are on our way to Jamaica! 

I booked our travel and accommodations through Delta Vacations, my first time using this platform. The booking process is easy, go to the Delta Vacations webpage and browse their suggested destinations for inspiration, or enter the destination you have already chosen. You can filter for specific hotel parameters such as all-inclusive, adult-only, kid-friendly, etc. I chose the Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters All-Inclusive, Adult-Only resort for our stay, but more on that later. It is helpful to print confirmations and have them ready just in case. It is important to check all Delta emails and complete any additional documentation in advance. In our case, Jamaica has gone paperless for their customs and immigration documentation so completing the C-5 questionnaire online prior to departure is preferred. Otherwise you will have to try to connect to wifi in the airport and scan the QR code to complete. Each passenger must complete the C-5 form, even if traveling together. 

About a week before our departure, I received a notification that we had received a complimentary upgrade to the Comfort+ cabin, and a few days before departure I received another notification that we were upgraded to first class (yes, please!). We boarded our flight and enjoyed a mimosa before takeoff. The flight crew told us to expect some bumpy weather for the first hour of the flight but, thankfully, it turned out to be minimal. The attendants came through the first class cabin to serve our breakfasts. I enjoyed the frittata, served with potatoes in a tomato sauce, and another mimosa. The meal also included a fruit bowl and a banana muffin which was surprisingly good. The flight was fairly short at just under three hours and we were landing just as the credits on my movie rolled. 

We arrived at Montego Bay airport just before 10am, local time. We deplaned and quickly cleared customs and immigration. Jamaica uses kiosks which allow you to scan your passport, print a receipt, and continue on. I find it somewhat similar to going through London Heathrow. We collected our bags and proceeded to the Delta Vacations desk which was easy to find. The agent checked us in and lead us to meet the driver for our transfer. I opted for a private transfer from the airport to the resort and we were soon en route to the resort. 

Our driver, Kevin, pointed out a couple of schools and local attractions during our 45 minute drive. I prefer the private transfer to the large tour bus transfers because I have found I am less likely to get motion sickness during the drive. Plus, Kevin kept the air conditioner going and we were grateful as it is difficult to adjust to the heat and humidity. 

We arrived at the Hideaway at Royalton Blues Waters and proceeded to the registration desk. The resort is affiliated with the Marriott Bonvoy program and can be booked through Delta Vacations (earn toward Delta Medallion status) or Marriott Bonvoy (earn toward Marriott status). We provided our passports and were given the standard paperwork for signature. The host gave us our bracelets, which also serve as our room keys, and a quick overview of the resort. Our room wasn’t ready so we dropped our bags and explored the resort a bit while we waited. 

We enjoyed a drink at the bar while we reviewed a resort map to help get our bearings then decided to get some gelato. Scoops is a convenient café type option on the property which offers gelato and specialty coffee options. By this point, it was noon and we were hungry so we made out way to Grazie Trattoria, the Italian restaurant on the property, for lunch. R opted for the arancini to start and the chicken piccata as his entrée. I chose the insalata caprese to start and the grilled snapper as my entrée. The sauce served with the snapper had more heat than I was expecting but the meal was enjoyable. 

We walked back to the lobby and waited for our room. My one complaint, and this is my fault, is that we arrived at the resort around 11am but had to wait until 2:30pm for our room to be ready. The room itself is about the size of a standard hotel room in the US with a balcony. I wondered why we weren’t given a printed map of the resort until we got to the room and realized there are QR codes on the TV for the resort map, spa menu, and menus for the restaurants. I appreciate the shift to paperless and the convenience factor it brings, though I would like a QR code to be provided at check-in so you can look at menus and other things while waiting on your room. 

I didn’t realize how tired we were until we go to our room and promptly had a nap that lasted until nearly 8pm. R ordered a room service snack sometime in the late afternoon and I vaguely remember eating half a grilled cheese sandwich. We decided to order room service for dinner as neither of us really felt up to getting ready and going downstairs for dinner. The room service food is okay, though nothing spectacular. We ate, unpacked, and settled in for the evening.