We Don’t Sit Still on Vacation…Until This Trip to Jamaica (Couples Negril Review)
Overlooking the pool, tropical palm trees, and ocean at Couples Negril in Jamaica from the resort check-in area
We’re not the kind of people who sit still on vacation. We’re usually the ones trying to cram as much as possible into every single day—running from one thing to the next, seeing everything we can before it’s time to head home.
So booking a trip to an all-inclusive resort where the main objective is to relax, sit on a beach, and do… basically nothing? Yeah, that felt like a gamble.
Honestly, we weren’t even sure we’d enjoy it.
This trip took us to Jamaica, staying at Couples Negril—our first time doing an all-inclusive like this.
Turns out—we were wrong… about all of it.
Travel Day: Minot, ND to Montego Bay, Jamaica
Our trip started in Minot, ND with a 5am flight, so like responsible adults, we showed up to the airport around 3am… only to find the doors locked. Not exactly the start we had in mind.
There was a sign saying the airport opens two hours before the first flight—which apparently is more of a suggestion than an actual rule in Minot.
So a small group of us just stood outside in the cold, getting more irritated by the minute, wondering why “opens two hours early” is apparently just a loose guideline in Minot. Around 3:15am they finally decided to unlock the doors.
Once inside, things moved pretty quickly at first. We got our bags checked and headed for TSA… except they weren’t open yet either. So now we’re just standing around again, waiting for someone to decide it’s officially time to start the day.
They finally opened a little after 3:30, and to their credit, we got through security without any issues and made our way to the gate.
Boarding actually started on time, which felt like a small win at that point. But that’s about where the “on time” part of the morning ended.
As soon as we pushed back from the gate, we had to sit and wait to get deiced. And wait… and wait. Once that was finally done, we headed toward the taxiway—only to stop again for another 20 minutes. No real explanation, just more waiting.
To be fair, this felt more like a Minot airport operations issue than anything to do with the airline. Either way, we eventually took off around 5:45am for what ended up being a quick, one-hour flight to Minneapolis.
We landed in Minneapolis about an hour later than planned, which cut our layover down to about an hour. Not a huge deal, but just enough to make things a little more stressful than they needed to be.
One thing I noticed right away though—Delta passengers, in my opinion, seemed a little more… aggressive about getting up right away than what I’m used to. The second the plane hit the gate, everyone popped up and clogged the aisle like they were in a race… to stand still.
I usually fly United and don’t see that nearly as much, so it definitely stood out. We grabbed some coffee, a quick bite to eat, and headed to our next gate.
Once it was time, we boarded our final flight to Montego Bay—a 4.5-hour international leg and the one we were really looking forward to.
About 30 minutes in, they came around with snacks and drinks. One thing I noticed right away—Delta gives you a cup of pop, not the whole can. It’s a small thing, but just another difference compared to United, where you usually get the full can.
The seats also felt a bit smaller, and even though we upgraded to Comfort Plus, they weren’t exactly what I’d call comfortable. But at that point… whatever. We’re on vacation, so we just accepted it, not like there was anything we could do about it now.
After that initial service, things were pretty quiet for a couple hours. With about an hour left in the flight, the flight attendants came back around for another round of drinks.
Once we landed in Montego Bay, things went way smoother—which was a huge relief after the kind of morning we had.
The first thing you notice stepping off the plane is the humidity—it hits you like a brick. If you’re from somewhere that deals with that all the time, probably no big deal. But for a North Dakota guy… it’s a lot.
The airport itself is only slightly air-conditioned, so between the heat, humidity, and how busy it is, it can feel a little overwhelming right away. They’re also still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, which hit the island as a Category 5 last October, so not everything is running at full speed.
We paid for the VIP Club Mobay pass, and it was worth every penny. They fast-tracked us through customs and immigration with zero stress—which, after a long travel day, was exactly what we needed.
We also paid for a private transfer to and from the resort to avoid the crowds, and that was 100% the right call.
From there, we grabbed our ride for the 1.5-hour trip over to Negril, where we were staying at Couples Negril. Our driver talked pretty much the entire way—about the island, the history, how things work there. Honestly, it was really interesting… even if we don’t remember half of it after a full day of travel.
By the time we got there, we were definitely feeling it, but check-in was quick, easy, and the staff were immediately impressive.
After checking in and getting to our room, we ditched the travel clothes and threw on some shorts and t-shirts.
We grabbed a late lunch—jerk chicken with coleslaw and corn. That was my first introduction to jerk chicken, and it definitely set the tone for the rest of the trip.
After that, we wandered around the resort for a couple hours, just taking it all in and getting a feel for the place. Eventually, we grabbed dinner—nothing too crazy that first night.
By that point, we were running on fumes. Between the early morning, travel delays, and everything in between, we didn’t last long. We called it an early night and crashed, ready to see what the week had in store for us.
Day 1: Our First Full Day
It didn’t take long to settle into the rhythm there. We were up early the next morning around 5:45 as it started getting light out.
Not sure if it was tree frogs or crickets, but whatever it was—it was loud all night. Didn’t matter though—we must’ve been completely out because I don’t remember having any trouble falling asleep.
We got up, found some coffee, and started easing into the day.
We headed to breakfast around 7:30am, and that’s when we realized something kind of funny—there are basically no clocks anywhere. Not in the room, not around the resort… nowhere. You just kind of go off feel or guess based on the sun.
After breakfast, we scheduled a glass bottom boat ride for the next day at 11am. Then we went back to the room, threw on our swimwear, and headed down to the beach.
Once we got to the beach, we found some lounge chairs in the sun and claimed our spot. That basically became home base for the day.
We hung out there, soaking up the sun and getting in the ocean a few times. The water was crystal clear, and with the way it’s roped off, you can walk out pretty far and never really be above waist deep.
In the morning it was a little cool getting in, but once you were in, it felt perfect.
Around 11, we went to find some lunch. I ended up getting a hamburger that, honestly, tasted like a grade school frozen burger. Nothing special at all. It did the job, but definitely not something I’d go out of my way to get again.
After lunch, we headed back to the room for a bit to cool off and take a break.
We went back out to our spot on the beach for a few more hours, got in the ocean again, and just relaxed. Around 3pm, we headed back to the room to shower and get cleaned up for dinner.
That night we ate at Cassava Terrace—my wife tried lobster tail for the first time (not her thing), and I had jerk pork with some kind of sauce that was a bit spicier than I expected.
After dinner, we headed down to the beach for the Monday night bonfire, hung out for a bit, and then called it a night around 10.
Day 2
We slept in a little the next morning, getting up around 7am. Grabbed some coffee and started moving, and one thing we noticed right away—people were already out claiming spots by the pool and on the beach. Towels down, chairs saved… the whole thing.
There seemed to be plenty of seating everywhere, so I’m not totally sure why people felt the need to do it—but maybe by the end of the trip we’d understand.
We made our way to breakfast right when the full buffet opened at 7:30, then headed back to the room to change into swimwear before going out to the beach.
We hung out there for a while, enjoying the morning, until it was time for our 11am glass bottom boat ride.
Right away you could tell it was going to be a good time. Captain Nemo was running the show and kept things entertaining the entire trip—jokes, stories, just a good dude all around.
Out on the water, we saw all kinds of stuff—starfish (some as big as a 10-inch pizza), coral, and a bunch of different fish. One I remember was called a sergeant major. There was also this lizard-looking fish that I still don’t know the name of.
Overall, it was a really cool experience and definitely worth doing.
Once we got back from the boat, we grabbed lunch at Cassava Terrace—steak kebabs along with some buffet options.
After that, it was back to the beach and ocean for the rest of the day, just relaxing and soaking it all in.
That night we had dinner reservations at Otaheite. It’s the only restaurant that requires reservations, so it’s worth booking as soon as you arrive or once you know you want to go. They have tables just for couples, but also a couple larger tables that seat multiple couples. If you don’t book early enough, you either don’t get in or you’re given the option to sit with others—so we went with it. Honestly, it worked out great.
We ended up sitting with one couple from Denmark and another from Kentucky, which made for a really fun dinner. It was cool hearing where everyone was from and just having normal conversation with people you’d probably never meet otherwise.
We both had the steak tenderloin, and it did not disappoint. My wife had the fries—which were cold (I tried them)—and I went with a cheesy broccoli cauliflower side. The broccoli was a bit overcooked for my liking, but overall it wasn’t bad.
After dinner, we called it a night. Between the sun and being in the ocean all day, it doesn’t take much to wear you out.
Beach view with clear turquoise water and lounge chairs at Couples Negril resort in Jamaica
Day 3
We were up early again Wednesday and started the day with a couples 60-minute massage. It was my first one, and while it was nice, I can’t say I felt any different afterward than I did before—other than being covered in oil and needing a shower.
So that’s exactly what we did next.
After getting cleaned up, we headed to the buffet for breakfast, then made our way down to the beach.. We hung out there until about 11, when my wife decided she wanted to make a tie-dye shirt.
That ended up taking way longer than expected, and by the time we were done, it was already around 1pm.
After that, we bought some jewelry from a local beach vendor and then headed to lunch at the Heliconia Grill. I had jerk chicken again, and at that point it was officially becoming a favorite.
From there, it was back to the beach and ocean for the rest of the afternoon.
Around 4, we headed back to the room to get cleaned up for a pre-booked couples photo session. I’ll be honest—I wasn’t overly excited about it going in, but it actually turned out to be a really good time. We ended up with some great photos out of it.
By the time we wrapped up with photos, it was time for dinner. That night we went to Lychee, the Asian fusion restaurant—and it was hands down our favorite place we ate all week.
My wife had the Mongolian beef, and I had the sesame chicken—both were absolutely amazing. Now, maybe it really was that good… or maybe the Jamaican sun had been baking us all day and anything would’ve tasted incredible at that point.
Either way, no complaints from us. Dinner, dessert—the whole experience was just on another level compared to everything else we had.
After dinner, we had planned on checking out poker night, but instead ended up hanging out at the Heliconia Bar—and honestly, that turned into one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
We met a bartender named Jessica—a Jamaican with probably the most American name you could have—which gave us all a good laugh right away. From there, we spent the next hour just talking—where we’re from, where she’s from, differences in culture, everyday life… all of it.
It was one of those conversations that just flows naturally, and before you know it, you’ve lost track of time. Looking back, that ended up being one of the best moments of the whole trip.
Day 4, Final Day
Thursday was our last full day, which made it bittersweet right from the start. We were up around 6:30, grabbed breakfast at 7:30, then headed to the gift shop to pick up a few things to remember the trip. After that, we stopped by the photo shop to go through and pick out our pictures from the session the day before.
From there, it was back to the beach, where we spent most of the day going between our chairs and the ocean—just trying to soak up as much of it as we could before it was all over. One last round of jerk chicken for lunch, and then right back to the beach.
Around 5, we headed to the room to shower and get cleaned up for dinner. We went back to Lychee again—this time trying the Chicken Pad Thai along with the sesame chicken, and once again, it didn’t disappoint. At that point, we were completely stuffed, so we skipped dessert and headed back to the room to start packing up for the trip home.
After packing, we made our way down to the beach for one last night. There was live music followed by a fire show, and it was actually really nice to just sit there, take it all in, and kind of wrap up the trip.
We called it a night around 10, knowing we had an early start the next morning.
Travel Home from Jamaica
Friday came quick, quicker than we would’ve liked. We got up, got everything together, and set our bags outside the door by 8:30 for pickup.
From there, we finished getting ready and waited for our ride, which showed up around 9:35 for the 1.5–2 hour trip back to the airport.
Travel days always seem to be the most stressful part of the trip for me, and this one was no different.
Once we got to the airport, we used the VIP Club Mobay again to fast-track through everything, which made a huge difference. Without that, I can only imagine how long it would’ve taken—the airport was packed.
And between the heat, humidity, and only partial air conditioning, it’s not exactly the most comfortable place to hang out.
We made our way into the Club Mobay lounge and tried to relax until our flight, knowing the long travel day was just getting started.
The flight back to Minneapolis was packed. And at some point during the flight, they ran out of snacks and ice about halfway through—not exactly ideal on a full flight.
And of course, as soon as we landed and pulled up to the gate, everyone jumped up and packed the aisle again like they were going somewhere fast—same thing as before.
We made it through customs, grabbed our checked bags, and rechecked them for the final leg back to Minot. At that point, we were debating whether to grab a hotel and drive home in the morning or just suck it up and make the two-hour drive that night.
The final flight home wasn’t great either—but mostly because it felt like everyone on that plane was coughing the entire time. Other than that, it was on time… and at that point, that’s about all you can ask for.
We landed in Minot… and just like when we left, things weren’t exactly running smoothly. The terminal was closed, so we had to stand there and wait for someone to open it up just to get to baggage claim. Kind of a fitting end to the trip on the Minot side of things.
We finally got our bags, got in the truck, and decided to just make the drive home. After a long day of travel, all we wanted was our own bed.
And as a little bonus on the way home, we got to see the northern lights—which was a pretty cool way to end the trip.
A Look Back
Looking back on the trip, this was definitely different than how we usually travel—and honestly, that’s what made it so good. We’re normally the type that’s always on the go, trying to see and do everything we can.
This trip forced us to slow down, relax, and just be where we were… and it turns out, we actually loved it.
What We Would Do Differently / What to Know
That said, there are definitely a few things we’d do differently next time—and a few things worth knowing if you’re thinking about doing a trip like this.
First thing we’d change without question—packing. We overpacked. Not surprising… that’s kind of our thing. But for a trip like this, you just don’t need as much as you think you do.
For me, I brought way more than necessary—multiple pairs of shorts and pants, a mix of t-shirts, button-ups, swim trunks, and a couple different types of shirts for the heat. Realistically, I could’ve cut that way down. Next time, I’d bring maybe one pair of pants, a couple pairs of shorts, a few button-ups for dinner, and some good breathable shirts. Honestly, the fishing-style shirts were the best thing I packed—super comfortable and handled the heat way better than regular t-shirts.
One thing to keep in mind—the humidity is no joke. Stuff doesn’t dry well. So having multiple swimsuits is actually worth it. At least three, if not one for every day. Otherwise, you’re putting on a damp swimsuit… and that’s not great.
Hats—sun hats, bucket hats—were a lifesaver. Even if you don’t think you look good in one, wear it anyway. Everyone’s wearing them, and no one gives a shit what you look like.
For her, it was pretty similar—we packed more than needed. A mix of casual outfits, dinner dresses, swimwear, and way more layers than necessary. In reality, you end up living in swimsuits, cover-ups, and a couple go-to outfits for dinner.
Looking back, she’d scale that down quite a bit too—same idea as mine: lighter, more breathable, and less overall. More bikinis, fewer heavier pieces, and cover-ups that actually dry instead of staying damp all day.
One thing to know going in—the dress code is pretty relaxed during the day. Breakfast and lunch, nobody really cares. Swimwear, cover-ups, t-shirts—whatever you’re comfortable in, it’s all fair game.
Dinner is a different story. Everyone cleans up, and all the restaurants have a no-swimwear policy at night—but most places are still pretty relaxed. Shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts are fine at most of the restaurants.
Men are required to wear long pants and a collared shirt, and no tennis shoes or sandals are allowed. For women, it’s a step up as well—most are wearing dresses. Sandals are fine, but flip flops are not.
So that’s something you’ll want to plan ahead for, especially if you’re trying to pack light. Personally, I didn’t mind it—it actually made dinner feel more like an experience instead of just another meal.
One thing we would definitely do differently next time is get to know the staff sooner. Every single person we talked to throughout the week was awesome—friendly, easy to talk to, and genuinely interested in conversation.
Part of the reason we didn’t do that right away was just how far out of our element we were at the start. It took us a couple days to really settle in and start engaging like that, but looking back, that’s something we’d change immediately.
Some of our best moments from the trip came from just slowing down and having real conversations with people.
At the same time, this trip kind of forced us to slow down—and that ended up being one of the best parts of it. We’re so used to going nonstop on vacations, trying to see and do everything, that we didn’t really know what to expect from just sitting on a beach and relaxing.
But once we settled into it, it was exactly what we needed. No schedule, no rushing around—just doing whatever we felt like that day.
A few things worth knowing if you’re thinking about doing a trip like this—VIP Club Mobay is absolutely worth it, especially on the way in. Getting through customs and immigration without the stress after a long travel day makes a huge difference.
Same goes for the private transfer. Being able to skip the crowded buses and go straight to the resort was well worth it.
That said, this is just our opinion. If you don’t mind crowds or actually enjoy the social side of it, the standard transfers and lines might work just fine—and they are included, so it can save you some money.
The humidity is no joke. If you’re not used to it, it’s going to hit you right away—and your clothes are not going to dry fast. Plan accordingly, especially when it comes to swimsuits.
On a similar note, pack lighter than you think. You’re probably not going to wear half of what you bring.
As far as the resort itself, people love to go out early and claim chairs by the pool and beach. We didn’t really find that necessary, but it’s definitely a thing. And like I said before, take the time to talk to the staff—some of the best parts of the trip came from just having normal conversations and getting to know people.
One last thing—the airport in Montego Bay is busy, hot, and only partially air conditioned. Just be ready for that on the way home.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, this trip was a little out of our comfort zone—and honestly, it ended up being way better than we expected.
It forced us to slow down, be present, and actually relax for once instead of constantly chasing the next thing. Turns out, we don’t always need to be on the go to enjoy a vacation.
Sometimes doing less is actually more… even if it takes a trip like this to figure that out.
But if this isn’t your style and sitting still isn’t your thing, check out our Germany Christmas Markets blog.
