Post by Mary Ellyn on Apr 6, 2014 14:57:11 GMT -5
In all our years of travel we've been very fortunate with our luggage and carry ons. Jim and I fly around 6-10 times per year! However the past few years we've run into bad luck with our luggage - or maybe airlines are just not as responsible as they were before. Plus there are a few tips I want to share each year that may be helpful for you.
1. Make certain your Hedo voucher (sent from Castaways) and passports are someplace with easy access during the flight as well as info about your return flight.
2. Make photo copies of your passport and drivers license and keep them separate from your passports in case they are lost or stolen. This makes replacing them much easier at the embassy.
3. Have a pen or two on you for completing your immigration form
4. Have a full change of clothing and anything you need in your carry on in case your luggage doesn't make it to Jamaica the same day you do! Something to wear for dinner that evening and daytime/swim wear too. (only happened once but it was not fun having none of my own clothes or shoes)
5. Have a lock for your carry on baggage. More and more often we are seeing planes unable to accommodate carry on luggage and making passengers check them at the gate. My sister had all of her costume jewelry stolen from her carry on that was checked this way and the airline wouldn't/couldn't do anything about it. Also if you have anything seriously expensive or fragile, take it out and carry it in your lap...or better yet have a tote bag or back pack with you instead of a purse so if you want to remove anything you can put it in there.
6. Obviously put any medications or anything you can't live without for a day or so in your carry on. They are usually quite good about getting your stuff to you by the next day but you probably won't get it that night.
Immigration Forms:
Here is a link to what the form looks like: www.hermosacove.com/blog/hc/before-you-fly-to-jamaica-the-immigration-form/
If you've never been to Jamaica this will be very helpful for you!
1. This is why you need a pen and your return flight info...they will ask for your return flight on the immigration form.
2.. Make certain you complete ALL areas of the form. They will check your form before you get in line and make you step off to the side to complete it if you didn't - you can't finish it standing in line even if the line is long!
3. If you have visited another country within the past 6 weeks ask the immigration personnel at the entry to the line where to go to check in for that as there is another desk where you have to fill out a questionnaire. We got all the way through the whole line and they sent us back to the other desk to start over!
4. For "intended address in Jamaica" just write Hedonism 2 and Negril ...you don't need the actual address.
5. Look at the bottom of the front side of the form...it can be confusing. Under the box that says "For Official Use Only"...there is a "Departure Record" that YOU have to complete. This is what most people miss and have to get out of line to finish. This is also why you need your return flight name and flight number with you.
6. Don't forget to fill in the back! And if you are brining prescription drugs with you, you do NOT have to check off "I am bringing pharmaceuticals, chemicals...etc" That applies to people transporting drugs for companies, etc.
7. Signatures: Two are required on the front and one on the back. Don't miss them or ....you'll have to get out of line!
1. Make certain your Hedo voucher (sent from Castaways) and passports are someplace with easy access during the flight as well as info about your return flight.
2. Make photo copies of your passport and drivers license and keep them separate from your passports in case they are lost or stolen. This makes replacing them much easier at the embassy.
3. Have a pen or two on you for completing your immigration form
4. Have a full change of clothing and anything you need in your carry on in case your luggage doesn't make it to Jamaica the same day you do! Something to wear for dinner that evening and daytime/swim wear too. (only happened once but it was not fun having none of my own clothes or shoes)
5. Have a lock for your carry on baggage. More and more often we are seeing planes unable to accommodate carry on luggage and making passengers check them at the gate. My sister had all of her costume jewelry stolen from her carry on that was checked this way and the airline wouldn't/couldn't do anything about it. Also if you have anything seriously expensive or fragile, take it out and carry it in your lap...or better yet have a tote bag or back pack with you instead of a purse so if you want to remove anything you can put it in there.
6. Obviously put any medications or anything you can't live without for a day or so in your carry on. They are usually quite good about getting your stuff to you by the next day but you probably won't get it that night.
Immigration Forms:
Here is a link to what the form looks like: www.hermosacove.com/blog/hc/before-you-fly-to-jamaica-the-immigration-form/
If you've never been to Jamaica this will be very helpful for you!
1. This is why you need a pen and your return flight info...they will ask for your return flight on the immigration form.
2.. Make certain you complete ALL areas of the form. They will check your form before you get in line and make you step off to the side to complete it if you didn't - you can't finish it standing in line even if the line is long!
3. If you have visited another country within the past 6 weeks ask the immigration personnel at the entry to the line where to go to check in for that as there is another desk where you have to fill out a questionnaire. We got all the way through the whole line and they sent us back to the other desk to start over!
4. For "intended address in Jamaica" just write Hedonism 2 and Negril ...you don't need the actual address.
5. Look at the bottom of the front side of the form...it can be confusing. Under the box that says "For Official Use Only"...there is a "Departure Record" that YOU have to complete. This is what most people miss and have to get out of line to finish. This is also why you need your return flight name and flight number with you.
6. Don't forget to fill in the back! And if you are brining prescription drugs with you, you do NOT have to check off "I am bringing pharmaceuticals, chemicals...etc" That applies to people transporting drugs for companies, etc.
7. Signatures: Two are required on the front and one on the back. Don't miss them or ....you'll have to get out of line!