Is Dunn's River Falls not all it's cracked up to be?

[Sancho_proudfoot]

On our shore time on cruises we try to find something we haven't tried before..... so it was white-water rafting in Vigo, deep sea fishing in St Thomas, and in Ochos Rios, it was the Dunns River Falls climb. We started on the beach and made it all the way up, and what a hoot it was. We had a great crowd with us, with loads of laughing and joking. I'm 56, and not exactly what you would call fit, but my wife and I made it without any problems.

 

We had been warned not to buy the DVD as it would not be delivered to you before the ship sailed.Although they offered the DVD at the end, they didn't seem offended when we declined.

 

If I was ever back in Jamaica I probably wouldn't do it again ( mainly on the 'try something we haven't done before' basis) but I'm glad I have done it!

[brenderlou]

Once was enough for us.

 

I second this....we were not impressed.

[kh81828587]

We took this excursion through back in 2007. We booked through the ship. We loved it! We had a great tour guide who took pictures on our waterproof camera for us, as well as several on their camera. I think it was a great experience and I'm so glad we did it. We even bought the dvd that was sold at the end. The cameraman who did that was great about getting everyone in our group on camera, and we're on it several times. I love to look watch it and relive the memories. I would recommend you go on it. It can be dangerous, but so can any excursion. We had a wonderful time.

[ckl]

My husband and I did the Dunn’s River Falls (DRF) last year and had a great time! We had seen many magnificent falls on our 3-week land tour of Hawaii but that experience with the DRF was very unique since it was the first time for us to be IN the falls and actually climb it. CAUTION: Please wear WATER SHOES when climbing the falls. Equally important, at least it was for me, was hold on to your guide’s hand or somebody’s hand in your group.

 

PHOTOS and details of this wonderful falls can be seen on my review of our Western Caribbean cruise on the Voyager OTS, post # 12.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=949853

 

I am not comfortable advising people whether they should climb the falls or not. Please gather the facts and make your decision based on what you think is best for you/and or your family.

 

Take care and hope you have a safe and enjoyable time on your cruise :)

[Jan_In_Maine]

We've been there twice --- the first time I climbed - glad I did as it was out of my confort zone to do ... I'm very proud of my accomplishment. The second time I did half of the falls .... DH & DS completed it.

 

At the top of the falls, we do not go right into the area with things to buy. We go left and leave the way we came in .... I haven't had anyone try to sell us anything. We do give a tip to the person that helped us along the way. Jan

[Badlands99]

I'm not a fan of Jamaica, but I loved Dunn's River Falls.

 

If we have the chance to go back there, we'll take a taxi and just visit, take pictures, and climb on our own, without a guide. Having been through the hand-holding, guided experience, I think going alone is the way to go. The falls are really remarkable to see and climb.

[LBumb]

it is an experience you will never forget. so the guides beg for tips a little, they are poor. it is beautiful. something not to miss.

[bottomrung]

When we climbed the falls the water was so cloudy/muddy you could not see where to take your next step which might be one reason for the different opinions on the climb. If you don't go you will always wish you did.

[lorijm23]

It was one of the highlights of our cruise in 2007. Is it a little dangerous? Yes. But not nearly as much as say ziplining or cave tubing. I've never heard of anyone dying on a tour at Dunn's unlike both of the other common excursions. Our tour guides were not pushy at all and were extremely helpful if someone was having a hard time. You truly cannot appreciate the enormity of this waterfall if you don't climb it. It gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you reach the top. My son, who was 13 at the time says it's one of the most fun things he has ever done. As a family, it's probably one of our best times together. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it...maybe if someone doesn't have any sense of adventure? I will admit that the vendors at the stalls at the end are the worst we have ever encountered but you just have to be firm and keep walking. I think everyone needs to do it once in their life.

[sandij]

It's one of those things that you have to do once, but you'd never do it again.

[Rmunson72906]

thanks everyone for your opinions. I am not worried about tipping our guide as I work at a casino and rely on tips myself.

 

I am still not sure about this excursion, It is pretty from the pictures I have seen that you've posted and we do have a sense of adventure, but I just feel that it may be touristy and not real enough maybe just too "hokey" if that is the right word.

 

My husband thinks we will see more of the real jamaica "countryside" and views on the Chukka Dune Buggy Tour, Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks and keep the advice coming.

 

Happy cruising

[will work to cruise]

We did it once. Had a great time. Will never do it again!

[publicpersona]

I've never understood why some rave about these so-called "falls". They are not waterfalls by any reasonable definition. They are cascades. And artificially altered at that. And afterwards, aggressive vendors follow you onto the bus and continue to hassle you.

 

Do an all-inclusive resort and float up to the bar instead.

[emeraldcity]

An absolutely unique adventure! I love to throw a bit of an adventure into every cruise. Whether it's cave tubing in Belize, Zodiac boats in Kona, swimming with dolphins in Cozumel, or climbing Dunn's River Falls (or Cascades, if you prefer). I'll probably never do any of them ever again, but each of them became a highlight of that particular trip.

 

We took Peat Tayor's tour in Jamaica and Dunn's River Falls was only the first part of that tour. I truly treasure the second part as well, as that warm, wonderful man shared his love of his island with us.

 

In the end, you have to decide what works best for you. I know I was totally satisfied with my choice on how to spend my day in Jamaica. Read through the threads on the Jamaica board to get a feel for the experiences others have had and decide what kind of experience you want to take with you when the ship departs the island at the end of the day.

[Havingfun2010]

Here is my take. Dunn's River Falls is a tourist trap, but all of Jamaica is a tourist trap! However, my kid's enjoyed it greatly, had some great pictures of them with the throw away water camera. It's not always if it is a good value, it is whether you had fun.

 

I went to there first on my honeymoon 19 years ago, and we took our kids there when we returned!

[forecruiser]

We did the Dunn's Falls with our kids (7 and 8 at the time) and we loved it. Yes, the guides were wanting a tip and pushed the DVD (which we didn't buy), but we still had a great time. I can understand people who dont like it or will only enjoy it once, but that is what makes us all different. But for us, it was a great adventure and we loved it. I say try it at least once.

[Nebr.cruiser]

I've gone on this excursion before, and having done it, I would agree with the comment above. Four of us went and one person slipped and broke their toe. The water was cold enough to stop the toe from swelling but then we were scheduled to go to the beach afterwards. When we got back to the ship we went to get the toe wrapped. I'm surprised that there aren't more cases of people falling and getting hurt. I think that having everyone hold hands actually makes the climb more difficult. If someone below you slips they might pull you down as well.

 

The falls themselves are nice but I wouldn't walk up the falls again. And then after you get to the top you are hounded relentlessly by people trying to sell you stuff.

 

My vote would be to save your money.

 

Actually, the guide on our tour told us that there are fairly major injuries (broken bones) almost every day on the falls. He may have been exaggerating, but... We also saw two people back on the dock with really bad scrapes and bruises on their legs, bad enough that I'm sure they were miserable the rest of the cruise.

 

That said, we did the falls when we were in our late fifties, in decent shape. It was harder than I expected and I could see how people can get hurt, but we enjoyed the experience; I'd do it again.

 

This was five years ago. Maybe we were lucky, maybe they don't let you anymore, but we hired a guide at the falls who did not make us go up in long lines holding hands. I did not think that looked fun, or safe. Anyway, he guided us up, showing us exactly where to put our hands and feet and helping if needed.

 

Also, you can skip the venders at the top of the falls--they make it look like you have to go through the shops, but you really don't. Veer to the left instead. (I didn't know this until our second trip). These shop keepers really are, or were, way too aggressive. I actually wanted to buy a few things but was driven off by their behavior.

[R & J]

I can't imagine why anyone would get off the ship in Jamaica. The falls are okay if you're into tourist traps. Also, expect a shake down for tips everywhere on this island. No matter what you give as a tip, it's not enough to please them.

[marci22]

I don't see the appeal.

[cruiznfevr]

I don't think its a tourist trap. Yes, there are vendors selling stuff but you don't have to go into that part if you don't want. The falls are beautiful and where else are you gonna be able to climb up a 900 plus foot falls? Its an experience you won't forget. I've been twice and loved it both times and would probably go again. You're gonna get pushy sales pitches at Island Village shopping too and its not all that exciting to see. And Margaritaville? Like someone said...seen one, seen em all. They are all the same. If you don't want to go with a guided tour, do it on your own like many have suggested but if you have never been to Jamaica...I'd say go. You won't regret it IMO.

[Philly Steve]

I've climbed the Falls three times in four visits to Jamaica. If you're only planning to visit Jamaica once, I recommend it, especially in the summer. Don't forget singles for tips.

[hawkshoe]

We went to to the falls on our recent cruise. My husband had been there before and thought I would like it. He was right. We had a great time. The only down side is the guides practically begging for tips at the end and making no bones about how much they want (we gave them less) and the relentless venders on the way out.

[Luv2Kruize]

Hello everyone 4 of us are going to Ocho Rios on The Freedom ots w.carib. on 5/16. I have a few questions. We booked the chukka dune buggy tour through the ship and are very excited to do it, has anyone done this tour and what did you think? Also I really wanted to go to Dunn's River Falls, on our own, my sister has been to jamaica many times and recomneded it. However my husband and best friend really don't seem into it, they don't like the idea of holding everyone's hand and waiting in a long line the whole way up the falls. Our other friend thinks that as pretty as the falls look that it's a tourist trap and won't be as good as I think it will and we'd have a lot more fun doing some shopping at island village and hanging out at margarittaville. Are they right is DRF not all it's cracked up to be? Any advice on Margaritaville and Island village? all opinons welcome. love to see pictures. thanks!!

__________________

 

You need to hop on over to our Roll Call Board for the May 16 Cruise on the Freedom! We have lots of fun posters and great ideas going around:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1043060

 

Hope to see you over there!!!

[beachnative]

We have sailed the Caribbean enough times to think of almost every excursion as a "tourist trap"...even the beaches (exception: Orient Beach). We seldom get off the ship in the ports. With that said, we've climbed Dunn's River Falls twice, enjoyed both times, and would do it again. If you haven't been, it's worth doing.

[bigboffs]

I believe whether or not climbing the falls is or is not enjoyable, may well be personal choice. We did it once and for us that was quite enough. Of more importance is that having been to that port or several occasions, we frequently have seen D R Falls casualties of various degrees of severity from minor scrapes to broken bones.