We Are Headed to Jamaica...

T.,

You need to double check on bringing your daughter on the flight. The "free under 2" rule is a U.S. rule. When we looked into flying to Mexico, we found out that we would be charged to have her sit on our laps. We also had to put her on the flight itinerary, we couldn't just show up with her even though she wasn't getting a seat.

Make sure you aren't booked in an exit row seat. I also learned from a flight attendant a few years ago that there is an extra oxygen mask on the rows on the right side of the plane, so that's where they want the lap children.

You can check carseats as luggage for free in the U.S., even if you don't buy a seat for your daughter. You will have to call the airlines for the international flight policy.

Also, you need to make sure immunizations are up to date. I read that everyone needed a Hep A four weeks before leaving. Also check the WHO (world health organization) website for the latest policy on yellow fever vaccinations and the current malaria situation. Risk for Malaria is low, but it depends on where you will be.

Good luck,
S.

I don't know how much airline restrictions have changed in two years, but you used to be able to check a carseat like luggage, and it used to not count against your total luggage...

I have not been to Jamaica yet, so I have no tips or info on that part of your question. Our family recently flew via United and Southwest Airlines (in June). We checked our children's carseats and it didn't cost us anything. The airlines also have the big carseat bags that they'll put around them. You could also gate check them just like the stroller, but it's easier on yourself to not have to lug them thru the airport (we had 3 of them, our 3 children, and our carry-ons). Also, if you were able to get a seat for your daughter, I would highly recommend it. Our youngest is 2 and I'm very thankful that we had to buy a ticket for him. He napped on 4 of the 5 airplanes we were on so I was very thankful for the extra seat next to me so he could lay across it with his head on my lap. You could maybe offer to pay for that one yourself. Enjoy your trip!

We went to Negril about 11 years ago. The ride from the airport is long and bumpy and the streets (if you can call it that) are very narrow and they drive on the opposite side of the road.

Most hotels offer a shuttle/bus service to Negril from the aiport. Otehrwise, there are Taxi buses too.

We stayed on our resort the whole time except to go to Rick's Cafe. That is a must!!!!

The beaches there are great. Make sure you snorkel there too. It is pretty amazing.

Have fun!

I would call a travel agent. We took a cruise there and were bused places. There were no seatbelts and these buses looked relatively new. I'm not sure about other transportation. Everything is very relaxed in Jamacia. My biggest complaint was the pushiness of the people who would try to sell us things. They had no limits. When we got off the bus at Dunn River Falls these two men put necklaces around my 6 and 2 yr old and led them to their table. It all happened so fast and I was trying to keep up with them. when we stopped I couldn't see my 2 little kids and I screamed. I then saw my kids were standing around a group of men. My husband walked over and swooped up the two year old and we brought our 6 yr old back to us. The guy kept saying "necklace cost nothing, just a donation." I took all the necklaces off and I handed it to him. I was so ticked off.
It happened again later when were leaving. We were walking through some outdoor shops and they wouldn't leave my 13 and 11 year old alone. We couldn't get away fast enough. All I want to say is BE CAREFUL. We had a sense also that many of the Jamacian men were on drugs. Not all were like this, but it certainly was the feel of Jamacia for us. It is beautiful there, but put on your "spidey senses" and be prepared.

You can check the carseat like a piece of luggage or you can call ahead to the rental car agency to see if they have one to rent (although I would personally check one of your own to be sure it's appropriate for your child and to be sure it's there!). Also, bring your favorite stroller as you will have to gate-check it anyway - you will want to have one that will hold everything you and your child need.

I've never been there so I can't help with your other questions. Good luck!

We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon (9 years ago). I remember the bus ride from the airport to our hotel (in Negril) quite vividly. You’ll NEED the car seat. It is a very bumpy ride (partially on an unpaved road). We stopped twice to use restroom facilities and to grab a bite to eat at a small cafe. I loved the trip. We did NOT stay at an all-inclusive resort, but that is what we preferred. We wanted to experience the culture of the area if you will. We did and were not tied down to engaging in all of the resort-like activities. We simply explored on our own. It was a fantastic trip. We stayed at the Beachcomber Club & Spa.

You’ll want to eat here at least once: Rick’s Café on West End Road in Negril (gorgeous view and wonderful seafood).

Also, we took taxis or walked everywhere we went. Taxi rates, of course, are negotiable! And sometimes, if you are friendly with a taxi driver, he'll set a schedule to pick you up and take you wherever you want to go! Our hotel (I believe we were in a suite) had a full kitchen. We simply headed to the local grocery and bought breakfast items and cooked each morning. No worries – you’ll have a riot! I don’t think that you can have a ‘bad’ time in Jamaica!

Here is a website that may help with your research: http://www.visitjamaica.com/default.aspx.

Quick note about the carseat... even if you do not have a seat for your little one you can check a carseat (you can pick up a travel careseat bag from BabiesRUS are simlar place). I would take the car seat along, it is what your little one is fimilar with and you know how it works.

I've been to Jamaica once, for a wedding. Our transportation was a bus, and it was a long drive but we didn't stay in Negril. The one thing I remember about the ride was that we all had to go potty and the driver wouldn't stop - he kept saying it was just around the corner and it wasn't.
Make sure you all have passports.
An all expense paid trip sounds nice! Go with the flow and enjoy. Travel light if you can. Definitely bring a change of clothes for you, your hubby and the baby on the airplane.
A friend of mine just traveled from Sweden to Cancun and then on to Minnesota with her daughter alone (14 months, also a lap-child). If you can, ask for bulk-head seats in the airplane. They are usually reserved for handicapped up until 24 hours before the flight leaves, then they sometimes release them, but it can't hurt to call the airlines or ask at check in - you'll have more room in front of you, but no pull down trays (they are in the arm). Go to TripAdvisor.com and do some searching about Negril and since your travel agent isn't familiar with the area, read up on your own. Or buy a travel guide book (or check one out from the library). Have fun!

You just have to chec her car seat as a piece of luggage and can buy a special bag (w/ wheels) to do that from Baby's R us ... or you can just get a really sturdy garbage bag and it will do the trick. Typically your travel agent organizes all transfers to and from a hotel when you book a trip (van w/ driver).. I would confirm that ASAP.

RE: your 2 year old, w/ 30 plus family memebers there should be enough laps to sit on to distract her during such a long trip. We don't do a lot of TV in our house but we do have a portable DVD player for plane trips and it works like a charm. Make sure you time it right b/c they typicaly only have a 2 hour battery life - I wait untl we have 2 hours left in the flight before I break ours out!. It's actually free for babies to fly UP TO their second b-day... NOT thru their entire 2nd year. If your child will be under 2 but is big make sure you bring a birth certificate b/c they will challange you. My neighbor WORKED FOR the airline and almost wasn't allowed to have her daughter fly free b/c she looed older than 2!!

You've been given the wonderful gift of a free family trip... stop listening to anyone who speaks poorly of the choices that were made re: reservations and be greatful!! Enjoy your trip - what a great Christmas you'll all have.

If you want to bring the car seat along but not check as luggage here is another option...we use the go go babyz attachment (I think it is called go go kids travelmate) which turns the car seat into a rolling cart that you can wheel your child through in the airport. Then when you get to the gate they check it under the plane since your daughter will be sitting on your lap. The airlines don't charge to check strollers/carseats under the plane at the gate and then when you reach your destination the carseat will be waiting for you right as you step off the plane. Here is the website for the go go babyz attachment--->http://www.gogobabyz.com/products.aspx

It is pricey but if you travel a lot (which we do) it is worth it. Have fun in Jamaica.