All-inclusive Sandals Negril, Jamaica December 2-9, 2013
Sandals Negril
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Sandals are all-inclusive resorts on different islands in the Caribbean. Sandals is well known
for its service quality, beautiful resorts and friendliness. For the last three years, Kerstin's Deaf Travel
has been working with Sandals Negril in Jamaica to make it a more "deaf friendly" all-inclusive resort. And all of us were
very impressed about their achievement.
Although Negril has a long history, it did not become well known until it was discovered as a resort location during
the late 1950s. Negril's beach has frequently been rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world. It is a perfect
place for snorkeling, diving and vacationing in Paradise.
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After arriving at the airport in Montego Bay, we hopped on the complimentary shuttle to
Negril. Our ride to the resort followed the north-western coast line of Jamaica. Blue skies, sunshine and lush
tropical growth provided a nice welcome.
After our arrival at the resort where we were greated by the friendly stuff members, we settled into our rooms and
had time to explore the resort. The resort has a beautiful design with a lot of open air area and everywhere the guest
will notice the attention to the detail.
In the evening, we attended the open air Manager Cocktail Party. Later we had dinner at the Bayside Restaurant.
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Picture Source: Francis & Patty Tadak,
Dan & Linda Hudson, David & Barbara Burnes
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Private Cocktail Party with
some of the deaf Sandals employees |
Most of us went participated in one of the two tours "Dolphin Encounter" or "Swim with
the Dolphins". After a 40-minute ride, we arrived at the location and received some instruction how to work and interact
with the dolphins. Then, we were ready to meet those amazing creatures. Everyone had a lot of fun to be so close to dolphins
that usually are just seen from a far distance. After playing with the dolphins, we had the chance to get close to a sting ray.
A unique attraction at this location is a camel that we could pet.
At night, prior to dinner, we had our private Cocktail Party. It was a beautiful set up on the main lawn with a spectacular
view of the sea surrounded by the Caribbean flair. We enjoyed the company of some of the deaf employees and had a very nice
chat with them. Our tables for dinner were reserved at the Italian restaurant Cucina Romana.
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Private Cocktail Party at the Lawn |
Some of us went on a shopping spree to Negril in the morning. Others just stayed at the resort and enjoyed
the activities and different venues there. The main pool was always a place to hang out and to chat while getting a
drink at the swim-up bar. At night, we went to a well known local attraction, Rick's Cafe, where we watched cliff divers and a beautiful sun set.
Back at the resort, we had dinner. Later at night, we marveled the pastry chef's skills at the open-air Chocolate Buffet Night.
The "Chocolate Girl" caught everybody's attention. |
Real Chocolate? Yes and you can try |
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All-inclusive water sports at Sandals Negril Picture Source: Nancy Westenberger
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Staying at an all-inclusive Sandals resort means that all meals at all restaurants are included,
as well as unlimitted premium brand drinks, soft drinks, beer and Beringer wines. In addition, almost all water
sports like snorkling, windsurfing, kayaking, wateskiing, kneeboarding or hydrobikes are included. Certified divers
will enjoy two free dives every day including most of the needed dive gear.
Our dinner was reserved at Kimonos, a Teppanyaki-style restaurant. Seated at tables for eight, we watched the skillful chefs
who entertained us while cooking on an flat surface iron grill.
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Sandals Foundation is supporting schools in Jamaica. With the help of the Sandals Foundation, Kerstin's
Deaf Travel organized the visit of the Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf. The purpose of the school visits set up
through the foundation is to encourage the students to try for their best and to share live experience. Thus, our group
was asked to provide some information about our professional lives. Chris Noschese put a Power Point presentation together that
told a short story about each of us. We were lookig forward to meeting the students.
The school is remotely located and it was quite an adventure to get there. But were we surprised when we arrived! More than 50
students were patiently waiting for us and greeted us in the dining hall. It was so much fun to tell the students about our
group. Chris who is a former math teacher did a marvelous job to interact with the children and have a very interesting
communication with them.
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Chris and one of the students |
Afterwards, we were guided by some of the students at the campus where we visited different class
rooms, the library and the computer room. At the end of our visit, we gathered for a group picture. Needless to say, all of
us left the school very moved and positively impressed.
In the afternoon, some of us participated in the River Tubing Tour. Each of us was seated in a tube. Together we floated
down the river passing water rapids and enjoying the surrounding nature where once in a while an exotic bird flew by.
At night, we enjoyed a group dinner with a beautiful Caribbean set up. Everybody was impressed how lovely the tables and
chairs were decorated in a private area at the Cabana Beach.
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Visit at the Jamaica Christian School
for the Deaf Thank you to all members in our group who provided donations to the school
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The pool with the swim-up bar was a
popular place |
Some of us participated in the Bamboo River Rafting & Jamaica Swamp Safari Village Tour. Our 30-foot
bamboo rafts were navigated along the jade-green waters of the Martha Brae River. At the Village, we strolled through
Jamaica's largest walk-thru aviary.
Everybody else who didn't join the tour enjoyed the time at the resort. There never was a dull moment.
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The last full day of our stay at the resort arrived way too fast. But we still had a chance to go on a
snorkel or glass bottom boat trip. Some of us enjoyed a massage at the Red Lane Spa before gathering for dinner
at night.
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The Sandals team members went above and beyond: a lovely FareWell Cake |
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What our clients said after the tour:
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Hi Kerstin
We really had a good time there and thanks again for your awesome work! Holly M.
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Kerstin,
We want to thank you for your wonderful set up and the arrangements for all of us. The workers and staffs are really very
awesome and really much appreciated for their best efforts to share the cooperation with their sign language include their
friendly personal Their sign language are really very good The deaf workers are really so nice and were so anxious to share
with us The private dinner was really wonderful and we enjoyed it very much --- that's was really nice. Linda
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Hi Kerstin,
Chung, Francis and I arrived home as scheduled (safe and sound). We all couldn't stop talking about our experiences at Sandal's.
We had a good time. You did a wonderful, fabulous job arranging our vacation. The special Italian, French, Japanese dinners were
very nice, also the dinner by the Cabana was really cool. Chocolate night was a new experience for us; it was fun, the shows were
very entertaining, the pool exercises were fun. All in all we had a wonderful time. Thank you so much! You can be sure that we
will contact you when we are ready to travel again. We love Nateana so much. She's so cute. The whole staffers were extremely
helpful and kind. Thank you so much again. Hugs, Patty Tadak
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We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your outstanding job in everything you did to make our Sandals
vacation the most memorable one for us. We would love to go back again to one of the Sandals resort at a different island.
Your help and support for the deaf travelers are greatly appreciated. And we are looking forward to our next trip with you.
Ron & Nancy Westenberger
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We would like to thank the following people for their donation: |
- James Macfadden
- Holly Macfadden
- Ruth Collari
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Contact Kerstin's Deaf Travel to book your next cruise by sending an e-mail to kerstin@kerstinstravel.com
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