Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay????

[sanermae]

Okay, I have been hearing that this resort is the way to go. $20 pp per day for all the Red Stripe, Foo-Foo drinks, snorkeling, canoeing, floats, etc. etc. DH does not do the sun for great lengths of time, so can anyone tell me if there is a cabana area where he can be out of the sun and drink down that Red Stripe? Also, have heard about the topless, au-naturel beach - not for me--but more power to those who are out there! Anyhoo, is there a beach where the fat old folks like us can stay dressed and not look like oddballs? Leaving on Sept. 5th Conquest and looking for something new to do in Mo Bay--have been many times and have run out of options. Happy Sailing all!

[uwbadger]

I'd also like to add a question to that -- do you have to call them first and let them know you are coming or do you just show up? We are leaving in two weeks on the Conquest and I have been meaning to ask that question.

[derf5585]

Jamaica has never looked better at Sunset

from

http://www.sunsetbeachjamaica.com/

 

iv'e been reading all these reviews

from

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147311-d149881-Reviews-Sunset_Beach_Resort_Spa-Montego_Bay_Jamaica.cink_html

[missmissypie068]

Hi Y'all.

 

We were at Sunset Beach Resort July 7th. There's plenty of places to get out of the sun. There are palapas on the beach and plenty of covered areas to hang out in. The resort check-in area is a huge open air breezeway that's covered with a high roof. In this area, there's a few shops, a bar, even a room full of casino machines. You can get a drink, view the pool, etc from this area and find plenty of places to sit around in these over-sized chairs or lay down in the beach-type bed-like chairs/chaises. Also, the area where they do the buffet lunch is indoors with open air door/windows to the resort/beach and they have an outdoor grill that's covered and shaded. So, I don't think your hubby would have any trouble finding a shady spot.

 

As for the au naturale beach, we didn't go there. You have to walk further down the beach to stumble upon it and I've heard there are signs. So, don't worry about that at all. As for being "fat ole folks" on the beach, again......have NO worries. This isn't Baywatch. We were on the beach with people of ALL sizes, including several plus sized folks and NO ONE CARES. Everyone's just doing their own thing.....relaxing in the sun or shade.......snorkeling, etc.

 

Also, you do not have to call them first. I was leary about this deal because I read about it online and it sounded too good to be true. So, I called the resort in Jamaica and they told me what I had read online..........you just take a taxi there ( about $5.....it's close to the ship, you'll be able to see the ship)......tell the guards at the gate that you're there to do the all-inclusive day pass........walk up to the outdoor check-in desk and tell the folks there that you're on a cruise and want to do the $20 all-inclusive day pass. This is important, because if you're not on a cruise it's $40. each. Then, they'll take your cruise cards to hold till you leave and guide you to where you can get towells, etc............then, just relax and have fun!!!

 

Hope that answers all the Q's......lemme know if you have more. :)

[auntienance]

So it's not necessary to take your own towel to Sunset Beach? Do they issue beach-type towels? I'm a first time cruiser so I have LOTS of questions! Thanks for the great information!

[sanermae]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! So they kept your S&S card while you were in the resort--no worries about that? Why do they need to hold your card--why not just see it and give it back to you?

[sanermae]

My DH and I sail out out NOLA every year in August or September on whatever, and whoever is sailing out--convenient travelling from our home. One year, after DH dropped me off at the curbside for porter to take luggage--he found a covered garage around the corner with a shuttle back to the terminal. We think it was Hertz and it was either $10 or $11 a day. Last year we were dropped off by friends so did not have that worry. Anyone familiar with the garage I'm speaking of--would love the particulars, including directions from the terminal and present cost for parking? As always, thanks for the help. Love this board!

[sanermae]

Okay, I don't know how I goofily put my parking question in this thread--I did, in fact start a new thread with the same post. Sorry for the confusion, Sunset Beach Resort advisors, but any info on parking is welcome too!!

[derf5585]

Parking Area Well Lit

from

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-348971-sunset_beach_resort_spa-i

 

Free Parking

from

http://www.onetravelsource.com/hotels_info/Montego_Bay/_/JM/11247297

[missmissypie068]

Sorry if this gets posted twice......I posted a response, but it didn't seem to work. So, here it goes again.....:)

 

This no need to bring towels from the ship. The resort has towels for you at no charge. They have a towel hut, you pick um up there and they ask that you return them. Easy and much better than hauling your ship towel around.

 

As for leaving your sail card with the front desk......no worries there, either. I agree with what others have said on these boards, that your card is safer at the hotel desk because you can't lose it in the water or on the beach. Also, there is nothing anyone else could do with your card. No one could board the ship......you picture is on it. No one can charge things off the ship with your card. And, IF any sort of funny bidness EVER happened, you know these boards would be SLAMMING this resort and any other place like it. So, I had no worries. All worked out great.

[sanermae]

Thanks Melissa. I guess the main thing is to be sure one of your party does not drink too much Red Stripe to forget to pick up the cards. Guess it really is okay. But I do find it a little strange that they want to keep your card--wonder why?

[NinaCO]

When I first heard about Sunset Beach a few months ago, I posted a note on the rec.travel.cruises newsgroup. Nobody thought it was odd that they took S&S cards. One person posted a response that he'd had to leave his S&S when he'd rented dive equipment in Grand Cayman. So, I'm not going to stress about it. After all, nobody's come back saying they've had any problems with Sunset Beach. Worst complaint I've read is that the food on the buffet is just so so. Figure I'll grab something from the grill instead. :cool:

[cruisinqt]

I'll be going to Sunset Beach Resort in October and their keeping our S&S cards was kind of an issue for us too. Then my dh and I got to talking about it and decided that maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all.:) Jamaica is a very poor country. The people practically beg you to buy their wares. They really need the money. So if someone stole your card, how much would you be willing to pay to get it back? It's very valuable to cruisers because they can't get back on the ship without it. The locals know that. I am not saying this has happened, it's just a hypothetical situation.It's just that the more we talked about what could happen to our card the more we liked the idea of someone putting it in a safe place for us. It would be of no benefit for the resort to do something nefarious with it. They want us to have a good time and keep coming back and spending money there. The resort probably makes quite a bit of money off of the cruisers. Anyway, those are some of the reasons we decided that their keeping our S&S cards was not such a bad idea.:)

[BottledRed]

Well, I can think of a logical reason to keep the cards - it's like a security deposit that you won't cart off with their stuff, and it's proof that you really are from a cruise ship (for the $20 price).

 

Just my $.02...

[sanermae]

Think I am convinced--they can keep my S&S card for the duration of a $20 day visit in a wonderful resort. How many of you have had the massage--do tell???? Love this board! Happy sailing--really getting ready to go--less than a month--countdown is on!!

[bethm214]

what cruise will you be on? i will be on the 8/29 conquest...also less than a month away.

[Em6554]

Sanermae-

 

Have you visited the 9/5 conquest roll call? There is a group of us that are chatting daily, so come and visit!! We love meeting new people who are cruising with us!

 

~Em

[sanermae]

We are going on the September 5th voyage. I just loving saying we are leaving in a month on "a voyage". This is our 13th cruise and I get so excited everytime, just like it is the first. And no, I have not visited the 9-5 post but will drop in if I can find it. Is it a thread all it's own?

[Em6554]

Sanermae:

 

Here is the link to our cruise's roll call thread. Come join us!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=1771852#post1771852

 

Only a month away!!

 

 

~Em

[MizzouMary]

Hi! I have a couple of questions about the Sunset Beach Resort. I have read there are 2 restaurants (Italian & Chinese), a buffet and an outdoor grill. Which of these are included in the 1 day all-inclusive pass? Also, do they rent snorkel equipment and can you get any kind of mixed drink that you want at the bar? Thanks for the info.!

[NinaCO]

The Italian and Oriental restaurants are only open for dinner (starting at 6:00 p.m.) . People staying at the resort are only permitted to eat at each of the restaurants once during their stay. So, even your ship is in Cozumel late into the evening, I very much doubt that they'd accommodate you in these restaurants under the special $20 cruise special.

 

I've read that both the buffet and grill are included in the cruise special.

[cruisinqt]

Mfinn, once you step through the door and pay, everything is paid for and included in your stay there. That's the beauty of an "all inclusive." You just pay a one time fee and it's all taken care of. Free food, beer, wine, mixed drinks, and yes, use of the snorkel equipment is free too. :) The only thing they charge you extra for would be things like massages, and motorized water sports like a seadoo or something. You can check them out at their website at www.sunsetbeachresort.com. Or you can go to the ports of call here on the boards and click on Jamaica. There are lots of reviews by CCers of what a good time they had there. :D

[MizzouMary]

Thanks for the information! I was not real excited about going to Montego Bay again, but since we heard about this resort, I have completely changed my mind! Can't wait 'til Nov.! :)

[sea_u_onboard]

Anyone know how much the massages run? Any other services available for a fee?

[sanermae]

I am curious as to where everyone went to find out about the cruise ship special at the Sunset Resort. Have been on-line about the resort but have not seen anything about the ship special--have I overlooked it? Cruise critic thread gives great testimonials about the deal, but wondering where they learned of it. Has anyone ever had any problem on arrival at the Resort--not getting the great deal? We really want to do this and think we have talked the rest into it. Just want to be sure, since it has been mostly our idea.