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Anyone Recently back from Falmouth?

Mommy4lyfe

By Mommy4lyfe,
in Jamaica

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Mommy4lyfe

Mommy4lyfe

Posted
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Hi CC Members

 

I know it is early but is any recently back from Falmouth Jamaica? We will be on the NOS on March 7, with a stop in Falmouth. We are considering doing the excursion "Falmouth & Montego Bay at Leisure", this excursion is through the ship.. Has anyone done this? If so what is it like? Or share what excursions you took.

 

Thanks

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joand452

joand452

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I kinda read their post as they wanted comments on the first port call to Falmouth -- not a personal first port call.

 

I've only browsed the first 50 comments, so don't know if anyone has written about Falmouth.

 

I wouldn't necessary go to Ocho Rios again, but I think I'll enjoy walking around the town -- even if it is "fake"!

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luvlake

luvlake

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Returned last night from Voyager of the Seas cruise and I can tell you that the day we arrived at Falmouth was a true celebration. The people of Falmouth turned out with true appreciation that we were there. There was dancing, booths, bands. The town is definately still in the renovation stage and I don't think they are quite ready for huge crowds in town but with the enthusiasm they showed I think they have plans. We ended up taking an excursion to Ocho Rios which takes you on a 45 min trip. You truly see the country on this trip and realize how much they need our tourism. It was a true experience to be part of this day!:)

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nfglory1

nfglory1

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We were also on the VOS first stop at Falmouth. I posted my entire review of the cruise at the following link...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1364379

 

We did the excursion called the Dunns River Falls Express. It was a 4 hour tour which included a 45 minutes scenic drive to the Falls, an hour at the Falls, 30 minutes for shopping and then a 45 minute drive back. I really enjoyed the excursion and will be posting photos of the Falmouth port and the excursion later tonight!

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joand452

joand452

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We were also on the VOS first stop at Falmouth. I posted my entire review of the cruise at the following link...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1364379

 

We did the excursion called the Dunns River Falls Express. It was a 4 hour tour which included a 45 minutes scenic drive to the Falls, an hour at the Falls, 30 minutes for shopping and then a 45 minute drive back. I really enjoyed the excursion and will be posting photos of the Falmouth port and the excursion later tonight!

 

Glad I read your review: We had no plans to go back to Dunns River (been there, done that), but now I never will knowing about those big spiders! Good thing I didn't see them in 2005 -- I would run screaming all the way back to the ship!!

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rstephenrrtx

rstephenrrtx

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After looking at this youtube video, I think I am going to take the tour thru the ship to see other parts of Jamaica.

 

Hey, that's my video. I'm famous! :p

 

Please remember that the entire town (we were told approximately 9,000 people) was in a party the whole day. The streets were crowded and we had a police escort to get back to the ship as we were late (delays getting off the ship in the morning).

 

My wife and I were booked on the Chukka Zip Line/Dunns River Falls with lunch excursion. It is a 7.5 hour excursion for the 8 hrs we are in port. I'm sure the delays we experienced are typical for a "first time". It was about 40 minutes to the Chukka farm for a short bathroom break before we went to the zip lines. Getting there was an adventure as you drive up a poorly kept 1.5 lane wide road (which they use as 2 way) for at least another 30 min before getting to the zip. You will have to hike another 1/2 - 3/4 mile down steep slopes to the platforms, there are 7 traverses and 2 "surprises", then another 1/2 - 3/4 mile hike on even terain to the buses. Lunch was at a secluded area on a beach with catered jerk chicken and bathrooms to change. A short 10-15 min drive to Dunns River where it takes as long as your slowest climber.

 

There was not much time for any shopping or even looking at some of the pix that were taken. We left the ship about 20 min late due to...who knows. That put us behind for the day. Chukka called the port agents and arranged the police escort in town as mentioned. Otherwise, it would have taken at least another 20 min to get through the party.

 

If we visit again with our kids (currently two teens and a 10 yo) we will still be taking a tour through the ship and not really hang out in the port town.

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carribbeanmic

carribbeanmic

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Just got back from Falmouth on the Navigator Feb,24. We took a private tour with Admiral Bailey Montego Bay Highlight tour. It was ony $35pp for a 4-5 hour tour. He took us where we wanted to go. Clean and safe. The Falmouth port is very welcoming and safe. The Port Authority actually take your name and cabin # and your drivers credentials before allowing you to leave the main gate and make sure you safely board their busses. The port of Falmouth was very crowded and overwhelming with friendliness. I am a certified chicken and I was not afraid at all. There were many people on the port offering on the spot tours to different places. I did not catch any details because I had booked a privare tour. Now RC will offer a free shuttle to RoseHall shopping center if anyone is interested in just shopping and eating. They told us we couldn't take any other transportation from the shopping center if the free shuttle was used. (I wonder how they controlled that)

 

Private tours are allways better than ship shore excursions, they are less crowded, you do what you want. how long you want. The private tour operators are not going to allow you to miss the boat, with the internet that would ruin their business with just one screwup. By following these boards you can safely follow peoples advise, most of the time us critics can be too critical, so you have to sort thru the comments. But for the savings in money and time it is well worth looking into.

 

Look on www.admiralbaileytransportationservicesjamaica.com. He offers many different tours from Falmouth. His prices are not listed but are much better than ship excursions and he will call you back on the phone. He is very flexible and will plan what works best for you. Marilyn

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carribbeanmic

carribbeanmic

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Where did you end up going on the tour with them?

On admiral bailey tour we went to Rosehall white witch great house, did not go in to tour house, we went to the Ritz golf house to see views, went short shopping got good deals, went to Aquasol beach $5pp admission additional, (nice clean uncrowded beach, with restrooms, showers, bar, food and store..not much shade) then to jerk lunch across the street, $4 and up....then to Margarittaville in MoBay (we had a real good time there) There were 11 people on our shore excursion and it cost $35pp plus as mentioned above. My daughter is 18y/o and very picky, we both had a good time.Mic.

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winter_escape

winter_escape

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I posted this on the other Falmouth thread

 

Just back from Freedom of the seas cruise that ported in Falmouth 2/23. The caption told us that we were only the second ship to port here.

 

I had not read up before the cruise so we just got off and took the bus to rose hall. Long ride very small selection of shops. We went back to the dock and wanted to walk around the town outside the fence. There were many “tourists officials” that kept approaching us and asking us what we wanted to do, we explained to each that we just wanted to wander around and walk the path that the trolley tour took to see the town. They each discouraged this and we gave up and went back to the dock.

 

1) Lots of construction, not nearly finished

2) A+ for trying, but they were overwhelmed with the 4,000 + visitors

3) Many of the fellow passengers expressed disappointment in the excursions, unorganized, lots of delays, nothing to see, etc…

 

If I was to port here again tomorrow I would wait to get off the ship and then maybe take the trolley tour for $10 pp. Hopefully others can comment and give details about some of the excursions. I am glad we had ported in Jamaica before and had already felt we had seen what we wanted to because this was a big disappointment. The only good news I can offer is that it could be a great port in 6 - 10 months.

 

 

 

I think this story on the cc main page gives a very good overview

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4384

 

Also, I very much agree with this post

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=28149312&postcount=42

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travelbig

travelbig

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On admiral bailey tour we went to Rosehall white witch great house, did not go in to tour house, we went to the Ritz golf house to see views, went short shopping got good deals, went to Aquasol beach $5pp admission additional, (nice clean uncrowded beach, with restrooms, showers, bar, food and store..not much shade) then to jerk lunch across the street, $4 and up....then to Margarittaville in MoBay (we had a real good time there) There were 11 people on our shore excursion and it cost $35pp plus as mentioned above. My daughter is 18y/o and very picky, we both had a good time.Mic.

 

Thanks for the info. We have already been to Rosehall Plantation so I have sent the Admiral an e-mail for rates on the Negril Highlight Tour.

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