Sandals in St. Lucia vs. Montego Bay

[cack]

My fiancee and I have our honeymoon down to a Sandals resort in St. Lucia or Montego Bay, but can't pick a winner.

We're picking those, because they both have multiple resorts on the island and if you stay at one you're allowed to visit the others for your included price.

With flight and all the St. Lucia will end up being around 1k more than Montego Bay, but we're not sure if that extra is worth the price or not.

Sooooooooooooooo has anyone where ever been to either or both of these? What's your thoughts?

[The Yancey]

Being a former resident I would choose Jamaica. Why MoBay though? I would go with Negril. Your next decision would be between Sandals and Couples. Do some research. Trip Adviser is good resource. Here is just one relevant thread there: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...h_Jamaica.html

[spareparts]

Yancey is right - don't go anywhere in Jamaica but Negril.

The rest of the island is crap.

Any time you can go to St. Lucia, you will not believe your eyes

It is AMAZING

[cack]

Why Negril over Montego Bay or Ocho Rios?

[The Yancey]

Years ago I was the design consultant for the Casanova bar here: http://couples.com/sans-souci/restaurants-bars.php. They wanted to do it in a hot air balloon theme and I was the only balloon pilot on the island. Individual table lights were miniature balloons complete with gondolas and pilots and the center was a very large one. They concocted a tale of how Queen Victoria came to Jamaica for a secret romantic rendezvous with Casanova, a world renowned hot air balloon aviator. They had a surprise for me when I returned for the grand opening. The artist who made the balloon figures had cast Casanova in my likeness! This was 30 years ago and no doubt it has gone through several remodels, especially since being sold to Couples. Were fun times for me then though!

[The Yancey]

Originally Posted by cack

Why Negril over Montego Bay or Ocho Rios?

Jamaicans will be trying to sell you your own breath back anywhere you go in Mobay. It is 3rd world after all. The beaches are much better east and west too.

[spareparts]

Yeah. Montego Bay is like Somalia. Trashy and in many places, downright scary. Negril is awesome. The exact opposite.

But you need to go to St Lucia anyway, it is like another planet. Just mind blowing.

[ColaCock]

Yeah, those are some cliche choices- especially Montego Bay...mind as well go to Freeport. With so many islands in the caribbean, I am sure you can find a really unique experience. Lucia looks amazing, although I have never been.

[cack]

We went to Freeport on a cruise ... and these are our choices because they offer more than one place to go.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by cack

We went to Freeport on a cruise ... and these are our choices because they offer more than one place to go.

To each their own, but I would think about how important that REALLY will be once you are there.

Did you like Freeport? Personally, I thought it was kind of dirty and rundown...and don't care to return.

Also, I would cough up the extra $1k somehow. Shaft the wedding in some way to save that cash. I'm sure your trip together afterwards will feel much more like money well spent than the 2 or 3 hours of your wedding ceremony and reception. Do you want to spend thousands getting your wedding party drunk up and full as a tick, or on the two of you?

[usc90grad]

I assume St. Lucia is a lot more expensive, but there's a reason. That island is BEAUTIFUL and I would take it over anywhere in Jamaica in a second. There is no comparison.

I would recommend Jamaica for a short visit...like a stop on a cruise...but not for a long period of time.