FDR and Jamaica

FDR Resorts are excellent family vacation destinations and while I have never yet made it there in person I can't wait until the time we are able to swing this trip. Jamaica is a fantastic family vacation destination and FDR has been recommended to me by many travel agents over the years. While some shy away from Jamaica for fear of high crime rates, it is entirely safe as long as you take some precautions. We travelled to Jamaica last year with our children and stayed near Falmouth in Starfish Trelawny. We loved the food and our family resort had more than enough actvities to keep us busy. When you go to Jamaica with kids you don't take the same chances you might when travelling as newlyweds or singles anyways, so I have always found this destination to be friendly, affordable and safe. FDR Jamaica has exclusive family friendly offers like the vacation nanny provided to every family staying on site. There have been some recent renovations to the resort. Right now FDR is running a BRING YOUR OWN GRANDPARENT (BYOG) deal which should appeal to many families. Grandparents can enjoy their dream vacation at no cost when travelling with their children and grandchildren. One Grandparent per full paying adult is free when you travel between Jan. 3rd and Feb. 11th, 2010. Also FDR Resorts is now offering US$700 fly free credit for Mom and Dad to take the time out to fly down for the Winter Break or Spring Break..Trvale between Jan. 2nd -Apr. 2nd, 2010. This offer ends Dec. 31st. At FDR Runaway Bay there is now a multifunctional bar counter so guests can surf the internet, read a book or unwind while sipping a cool drink looking over the blue Caribbean Sea. (shown at top). Free wireless access is provided. There are many organized activities for both children and adults. Weddings & Conferences can also be done here. FDR Runaway Bay is 20- 45mins. away from all major tours - Dunn's River Falls, Dolphin Cove and Horseback riding. Family Suites are large. The beach area is spacious and this property also boasts a 100' waterslide. IRIE!

Jamaica with kids - starfish trelawny

Last April we ventured to Ocho Rios for the first time with our children and had a fantastic, affordable, fun, family trip. (Family of four all inclusive with flights $3600.00 )After much discussion, research and preparation, we again planned to travel as cheaply as possible at as calm a travel time as possible. Due to my daughter's sensory processing disorder, which means everything is louder, brighter, faster and tighter in her world, we have found off season April to be most suitable for travelling. A mere four to five hour flight from Toronto's Lester B. Pearson, Jamaica's Starfish Trelawny resort won the day. While we initially tried to book on line, we ended up after much confusion - why would a family resort advertised as such, not permit four people in one room ? - at Sears Travel. Luckily a seasoned travel agent made the call and the room was in fact booked. This trip was chosen by us because of the multitude of activities available on site. At the property there was mini golfing, swimming, whirlpools, pool in the swimming pool, a kid's club which was top notch, rock climbing, circus school, water aerobics, basketball, waterslides, various evening activities and entertainment and basketball. The kid's club offered babysitting, regular activities like scavenger hunts, crafts, egg painting and dance offs. Great canopied lounges surrounded the pools and the food was exceptional. It should be noted though that not all on site restaurants were included with the all inclusive price. If activities and food were great, the rooms were mediocre at best. Our family arrived early and our room was not ready at first, so I complained and nothing happened, then after a couple of hours swimming and with very tired kids in tow I complained this time to the manager and a room was quickly found. Too tired to care that the room was really rough and had a horrid view of nothing we collapsed that first night. But eventually after discovering the phone and the hairdryer didn't work we complained again and this time we were moved to a gorgeous room with balcony overlooking the ocean and the magnificent grounds. As thriftymommagogo rates trips also on how effectively service issues are solved this one gets high marks.
thriftymommagogo ratings.
service $$$$.
accommodations $$$
food $$$ 1/2
activities$$$$
affordability$$$$