We absolutely love seeing our agents out in the world, deepening their product knowledge and bringing back the kind of insider detail you simply cannot get from a brochure or an online training module. FAM trips like this one are where the real learning happens… the colour, the energy, the conversations, the small details that make a destination come alive for clients.
This time it was Moiza Bertrand heading off to Jamaica for the Carnival FAM trip, with a full programme spanning the north coast and Kingston. Across the week she stayed at Couples Tower Isle and Courtyard Marriott Kingston, and visited Sandals Dunn’s River, RIU Ocho Rios and Couples Sans Souci. Five distinct properties, three distinct regions, and a Carnival schedule woven through the middle of it.
The experience went well beyond the resort grounds. A private climb at Dunn’s River Falls, hosted Carnival events, sunrise parties, and a deep dive into Kingston life… Moiza came back with a properly rounded view of what Jamaica can offer different types of client. From boujee couples retreats to lively family-friendly all-inclusives, from cultural city stays to dual-centre combinations, she’s now able to match the property to the personality with real confidence.
Moiza came back describing Jamaica as a full experience, more than a hotel stay. The culture, the food, the people, the music… all of it now feels like first-hand knowledge rather than borrowed copy.
We caught up with Moiza after her return to find out exactly what made this trip so special…
🌍 DESTINATION DEEP DIVE
What were your first impressions of Jamaica?
VIBRANT! Jamaica completely exceeded my expectations. Kingston in particular surprised me in a really positive way. It felt authentic and gave a true insight into real Jamaican life, not just a tourist version. I felt safe throughout and loved how vibrant and full of energy the destination was.
Can you give us a quick overview of the hotels you visited? Any standout favourites?
I stayed at Couples Tower Isle and Courtyard Marriott Kingston, and also visited Sandals Dunn’s River, RIU Ocho Rios, and Couples Sans Souci.
Each property had a very different vibe. RIU Ocho Rios stood out as my favourite as it was full of life, energy and exactly my kind of vibe. It is perfect for clients who want a fun, social and lively atmosphere.
Sandals Dunn’s River, although located right next door, offered a completely different experience. It was much more luxurious, calm and boujee, ideal for couples looking for a more relaxed and upscale escape. The food at Sandals was definitely a standout and noticeably better than RIU.
The Couples properties offered a great middle ground, relaxed, all inclusive and well located for exploring. Courtyard Marriott Kingston was perfect for a city stay, especially around Carnival and for experiencing the culture of Kingston.
Were there any small touches at the hotels that made the difference?
The reusable bottles in the rooms at Couples Tower Isle were a great sustainable feature. Fully stocked fridges and welcome treats added to the arrival experience. The goodie bags during Carnival events were thoughtful and fun. The private tour at Dunn’s River Falls made a huge difference as it allowed us to fully enjoy the experience without the crowds.
Which hotel would you recommend most for families? And which for couples or solo travellers?
For families or groups who want a lively holiday, RIU Ocho Rios is the best option as it is vibrant and full of energy.
For couples looking for a more luxurious and relaxed escape, Sandals Dunn’s River is perfect with its quieter and more premium feel.
Couples Tower Isle and Sans Souci are great for couples wanting a balanced all inclusive experience that is relaxed but still social.
For solo travellers or those wanting culture, Kingston and staying at Courtyard Marriott is ideal for experiencing the real Jamaica and events like Carnival.
How do you think seeing these properties in person will change how you talk about them with clients?
Seeing the properties in person has completely changed how I will sell Jamaica. I now have a much deeper understanding of what each hotel offers beyond just photos. I feel confident matching clients to the right property based on their needs and can now sell the destination as a full experience, not just a hotel stay.
📈 AGENT TAKEAWAYS
What was the biggest thing you learned from this trip as an agent?
The biggest thing I learned is the importance of selling Jamaica beyond the resort. The culture, community and experiences outside of the hotel are what truly make the destination special and that is something I will now highlight more to clients.
How did this trip help build your confidence with selling Jamaica?
This trip has massively increased my confidence in selling Jamaica. I now feel confident promoting Kingston as a city break or combining Kingston and Ocho Rios for a dual centre trip. I also feel more equipped to answer client questions around safety and experiences.
What advice would you give to agents who’ve never been on a FAM trip before?
Content, content, content. Take photos and record everything. Even the smallest details will come in handy later when it comes to selling and creating content.
What’s one thing you wish you’d packed but didn’t?
I wish I packed heels. I had comfortable footwear covered, but heels for the sunrise party and evening hosted dinners would have elevated my look and helped me feel more dressed for the occasion.
Any tips for getting the most out of a FAM?
Take notes of room descriptions, categories and what amenities are included. These details are invaluable when it comes to selling and also really helpful for creating social content later.
🎉 FUN + BEHIND THE SCENES
Best local dish you ate on the trip?
Seafood without a doubt. I ate so many shrimps which are much bigger than the king prawns we have in the UK and had a lobster curry that was incredible. It had around three lobsters in it or one massive one and the flavour and portions were amazing.
Most Instagrammable spot you found?
Dunn’s River Falls, especially because of the different difficulty levels when climbing. It made the experience more interactive and fun, and there were so many opportunities for great photos throughout.
Funniest moment or unexpected surprise from the trip?
Meeting Shenseea and Usain Bolt in person was definitely an unexpected highlight. Both were so lovely. Usain was even taller than expected and Shenseea was casually on our Carnival truck. I was stood metres away and managed to get a cheeky photo.
If this FAM trip had a soundtrack, what song would sum it up?
Dansa by Klassik Frescobar or Holiday by Problem Kid, as both perfectly capture the vibe and energy of the trip.
One local phrase you picked up (or tried to)?
Wah gwaning, yah good, yah mon.
If you could go back to one moment on the trip, which would it be?
The private Dunn’s River Falls experience. It was genuinely the highlight of the trip and having the freedom to explore, take photos and enjoy it without a large group made it unforgettable.
Huge thanks to the team behind the Jamaica Carnival FAM trip for hosting Moiza and giving our agents the chance to experience Jamaica with such depth and energy. Interested in joining JLT and accessing opportunities like this? Get in touch to learn more about becoming part of our community.
More from Moiza Bertrand’s trip
