05/25/2024
š“Trip Reviewš“
Moon Palace Jamaica
May 18 - May 22
2 adults, 2 kids (12 & almost 10)
We arrived at the Montego Bay airport around 2pm. By the time we got through customs, and took the long drive to Moon Palace in Ocho Rios (about an hour and 45 min trip) it was about 4:30.
We checked in, and checked out our room, just as they were delivering our luggage. Highlights from day one: swimming, walking the beach, ordering drinks from the pool bar, all you can eat food, arcade.
Day 2 the boys went scuba diving. From the time they checked in until they got back to the resort (this was on site) it was about a 4 hour excursion. They did two dives and absolutely loved it. Saw a ton of fish, stingrays and eels. This was my sons first ocean scuba (they were both certified) Us girls swam all day. The resort was not busy (which we loved) and we were sometimes the only ones in the pool. We did dinner at Momo (with reservations) and really enjoyed the show!
Day 3 we relaxed in the morning, then headed on an excursion to the Blue Hole. We used Custom Tours Jamaica for this and were very pleased. We loved this excursion. If you plan to do this make sure a cruise ship is not in port. We were lucky and had very few tour groups there, but that was a tip they gave us. š My daughter was able to do the rope swing on repeat (5-10 times). The rest of the day was spent at the pool and ocean. My daughter and I enjoyed sitting on the beach after dinner and listening to the waves crash in.
Day 4, our last full day. My daughter and I did the dolphin excursion which is right on site at Moon Palace. Iāve done a dolphin excursion in the past and it wasnāt great so I didnāt have high expectations. This excursion was fantastic. My daughter had an ear to ear grin the entire time. We got a lot of interaction with the dolphins, and a lot of knowledge about them. Iād do it again in a heartbeat. My son and husband watched and wished they would have joined us. It stormed a fair amount this day so we ate a lot of snacks. My son was obsessed with the popsicles from the Boulangerie and had about 5 a day (they are on the menu but hidden from view). This was one of our favorite places. We did swim in the rain, watched the rain from under the umbrellas, and walked to town. I never felt unsafe walking to town but we were hounded to stop in all the shops and it was a bit too aggressive for my liking. My son did enjoy the bartering though. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach and were greeted with a gorgeous rainbow. A perfect end to a perfect vaca.
Highlights:
The staff was so kind and helpful. The resort was gorgeous and very clean. The resort wasnāt busy and we loved that (I do think we hit a perfect off season week). The views were stunning. My kids loved ordering fancy drinks (Ziggy Marley and Pina Coladas).
I wouldnāt say there were any negatives, but if anything Iād say the food wasnāt amazing. It was good, and what was expected. Just not life changing. Also, the arcade was fun, but kind of small and my kids got bored with it pretty quickly.
We would 100% go back and 100% recommend this resort.
*I had read a bunch of negative reviews that had me nervous, but we were so pleased with our stay*
