First Into Falmouth

[GCurry]

The Good: A wonderful reception the town had a street festival the entire time we were there. The Voyager backed in and as we had a stern cabin we really got to see and hear it all as there was nonstop Reggae music on large speakers the entire time. They cheered when the ship came in, there were official greetings, there was a drum and bugle corps there were Jamaican folk dancers and stilt walkers there were vendors with handicrafts in front of the buildings, jerk chicken, rum sales, a Margaritaville booth. RCCL gave Falmouth back packs to the passengers as we left the ship. Buses and vans were inside for tours. Basically, the same ones that would have served the ship in Mobay.

 

Security for the port complex was tight, it was surrounded by high fencing with controlled access. No one came in there without permission. Outside there was a crowd of about two thousand people all day from when we got there to when we left.

 

We took a free ride toward Mobay to Rose Hill to a very upscale shopping area just down from the plantation. We got to see some of Jamaica as we went along as the driver taught us Jamaican patois (language) pointed out historic buildings and sang a bawdy song or two.

The ride was free, MSGCurry cost me dearly, a lot of jewelry and watches at very good prices.

 

As the ship left after five, it sounded the horn, and all the two thousand people gave a great roar and waved.

 

The Bad: The port facilities are nowhere near ready. The buildings are not only not in use, but some lack roofs at this point; everything was done outside. The majority of the area is unpaved and would be interesting walking on a rainy day.

Mixed reviews on the tours, some went to Dunn River Falls had a great time but were the last to get back on time as it's a distance.

Others took a town history and beach party tour. They spent perhaps ten minutes driving through town and were then dumped at a beach for four hours.

 

The Ugly: Falmouth itself rivals Haiti for third world poverty, as you drive through a town of tin roofed shacks and pitiful conditions. There was little to nothing in their down town area that you would want to see.

We were given a very nice pamphlet of historic buildings and history, but they are still trying to renovate those buildings for showing.

It reminded me of Belize City in that you had a tightly controlled port compound and ventured out at your own risk.

The people, however, were waving at us everywhere we went, sitting on their steps or out on the street.

 

Would we go back? Ya Mon!!

[danp]

Good review,How long did it take you to get to MoBay?And did anyone say how long to Dunns River?

[LBumb]

thanks for posting

[mommywholuvstocruise]

Thank you so much for your review of Falmouth. This is exactly what everyone's been waiting for.

[jessandtwo]

We were also on that cruise and I agree with everything said. We were in an aft cabin so we had great views of us coming into the port. It was really neat to watch the whole thing.

 

The port is nowhere near ready. They had some craft vendors inside the port and a makeshift Margaritaville ready to serve you, but that was really it.

 

I have a ton of pictures of the port, just got to figure out how to upload them. I also have a video of us backing in, with the band playing.

 

They did have a rate board showing the cost of taxis to different places, I do know that it was $100 to take a taxi to the beach and back in Montego Bay. I didn't get a picture of that, but expect to pay a lot if you want to leave Falmouth. People weren't happy about the taxi costs.

 

We took a $10 tram ride around Falmouth escorted by a policeman. The town is very depressed. There was no shopping outside the port area itself that we were able to see, but the townsfolk were very excited to see everyone. We had many people come up to the tram, shake our hands and take pictures of us.

 

The port had set up a fenced in area so that cruise passengers could walk through the town to the historic sites without walking on the streets, but the townsfolk had taken over the fenced area to watch us come in and leave, so you couldn't use that as a walkway.

 

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Jessica

[charlsee]

Thanks for the information. How frequently did the free ride to Mobay and back run? We'll be on Voyager's second stop there next week and are trying to plan our day, but probably don't want to stay in Mobay all day.

[birdylady]

Was there shopping in the port area that was open? If so, what stores (obviously very well touted on at the Shopping Sales pitch on board, yes?). And if there were shops that were open, was this in the secure area?

 

Thanx,

Erika

[foxesden1]

photos?

[jessandtwo]

Erika-There was no real shopping at the port area. You had to take the free shuttle to the Rose Hill shops in Montego Bay for shopping.

 

They did have some craft vendors, a blue mountain coffee kiosk, a tortega rum cake kiosk, a rum kiosk, and the margaritaville kiosks. They also were selling juicy patty's which are some kind of meat pie and some vendors were selling fruit. No stores were ready yet.

 

Jessica

[birdylady]

Erika-There was no real shopping at the port area. You had to take the free shuttle to the Rose Hill shops in Montego Bay for shopping.

 

They did have some craft vendors, a blue mountain coffee kiosk, a tortega rum cake kiosk, a rum kiosk, and the margaritaville kiosks. They also were selling juicy patty's which are some kind of meat pie and some vendors were selling fruit. No stores were ready yet.

 

Jessica

Jessica,

Thank you. The free shuttle. Is this something they were offering ongoing or on a specific schedule? Do you know if they plan to offer it in the future or just in the beginning till things get going? How large was the shuttle? I'm curios since hubby would not let us do this if it's just 'the two of us', safety in numbers and all. And I can completely understand.

 

Erika

[jessandtwo]

Erika-We were told the free shuttle was something they were offering us because the port wasn't done yet. I'm not sure how long they'll continue to offer it but I have to imagine it will be offered for awhile because the port is nowhere near being ready.

 

They said the shuttle was a 20 minute ride each way, but everyone I spoke to said it took them at least 30-35 minutes. It could be due to the congestion at the port itself, it was hard to leave the port area due to the amount of locals that were clogging the streets.

 

Can't comment on size of the shuttle bus (I believe it was one of those smaller tour bus/van things) and I believe it ran on a regular schedule. If you went with your hubby, you wouldn't be the only one going. We talked to quite a few people who took the shuttle to the shopping area.

 

Jessica

[msuspartanbigten]

They did have a rate board showing the cost of taxis to different places, I do know that it was $100 to take a taxi to the beach and back in Montego Bay. I didn't get a picture of that, but expect to pay a lot if you want to leave Falmouth. People weren't happy about the taxi costs.

 

Jessica

 

Couldn't you take the free shuttle to shopping in Montego bay and then just take a taxi from there to the beach for much less?

[GCurry]

Jessica,

Thank you. The free shuttle. Is this something they were offering ongoing or on a specific schedule? Do you know if they plan to offer it in the future or just in the beginning till things get going? How large was the shuttle? I'm curios since hubby would not let us do this if it's just 'the two of us', safety in numbers and all. And I can completely understand.

Erika

They were quite large air conditioned passenger vans or full buses. You are still about 10 miles short of Mobay at Rose Hall, it was about 20 to 30 minutes travel. The buses run every hour so shop as long as you like. There were quite a number of people that went from the ship. As they depend on tourist dollars, I'm sure they'll continue to meet every ship that comes in.:)

 

http://www.jamaicatourist.net/What_To_Buy/page1/shoppes_rosehall/

 

http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/destinations/st_james/the-shoppes-at-rose-hall.htm

[Oscar1410]

Thank you, thank you, thank you both for posting reviews and trying to clue us in...we, being future Falmouth visitors who are eager and leery at the same time.

 

We are on the Oasis when it makes its first stop there March 22nd. I wonder what they will think of the biggest ship in the world?

 

So once you get to the Shops at Rose Hall....is it within walking distance to a beach? If so, do you think its safe?

 

Thanks!

[stewabj]

The shops at Rose Hall are not within walking distance of a public beach but the taxi fare to the beach strip would be a lot less than the $100 from Falmouth. Rose Hall shopping center is close to a few all-inclusive hotels. I'm not sure how much they would charge for a day pass.

[klingoncruiser]

Thanks for that review. We went to Falmouth about two years ago as the tour guide wanted to show us what was coming. They guide introduced us to patties. OMG are those things good. We stopped at a church and an old man was selling some carvings that were WAY beyond what we had seen elsewhere in Jamaica. Still have it and remarkably well done. The town was not much to look at and I cringed when I though about a herd of tourist roaming the streets and wondering once again why they went ashore in Jamaica. I hope it works out though for RCI and Jamaica.

[RaiderFaninNM]

Thanks for the review, just need some pics!:D

[rstephenrrtx]

And did anyone say how long to Dunns River?

 

Less time from Falmouth to Dunns River than MoBay to Dunns River. :D

[rstephenrrtx]

Thanks for the review, just need some pics!:D

 

Vid from our bus as we were coming back. More in video description.

 

Check "suggestions" also as there are a view listed from a locals POV.

[erbunny]

DH and I enjoyed our day at Falmuth adn Dunns river Falls: our first visit to Jamaica, so we have nothing to compare to. We are really looking forward to revisiting Falmouth in a year or two. It definitely has potential.

[retiredonthesea]

Thanks for the info--hopefully by Nov. the port will be more complete as that is one of our stops!! Been to Jamaica many times, but never to Falmouth!

[Red Coral]

For my fellow cruisers who are going to visit Falmouth -

 

Go, enjoy yourselves, and use your imagination to envision it in the next 3, 5, 10 years. You will be amazed!

 

Right now, there is only a little plaza, where there are tables, benches and chairs for the visitors to rest and enjoy their food; and food vendors are circled around the plaza, including fruits, local pastries, Magaretaville, and don't miss it - the rum cakes!

 

Two rows of houses are already built and the arts & crafts vendors are lined up on the porches. They sell mainly wooden carved figures, small hand made jewelry, paintings, etc. Some are really neat! Many people buy the hand knit Jameican hats, which are quite colorful and pretty, between $15 - 20. I bought one for $10. Also bought a large conch shell for $20. Everone can find something he / she likes.

 

Since the shops are not built yet, they have free shuttle (with A/C) to take the visitors to Rose Hall shopping center, which is just at the out skirt of MonBay, about 20-25 minutes drive. You'll see mansions, houses, hotels, resorts, and time shares in the mountains on one side and the beach and waves on the other along the highway. They drive on the left hand side of the road.

 

Rose Hall shopping center is adjacent to the Rose Hall Resorts, which is a small area with 10ish little shops. The prices are typical for tourists. I bought a Jameican tote bag for $9. Some people buy jewelry and watches.

 

There are historical tours and beach activities too.

 

The construction is going on 24/7, non-stop. From the ship, we can see that some landscaping and streets are already in place. Some buildings are half done, a row of time share condos are half built on a little island. I'm sure if I go back a year from now, the scenery will be completely different. They separate the construction sites from the visitors area. People don't even notice constructions going on while busy shopping and having fun.

 

The local people are extremely warm and friendly. Although very eager, they never push me to buy anything. There's an out door stage with live performance (singing and dancing), and an old steel drum band. People can sit around under umbrellas, drinking beer and enjoy their snacks while watching the performance.

 

There are port securities and policemen everywhere, and there's a temporary fence around the port. So visitors only interact with the vendors. Don't have to worry about safety issues.

 

The most touching scene is at the departure entrance when the bands and all the dancers gather there to bid us farewell. They sing and dance on and on and on, till everyone's on board. And the whole town (literally!), population of 4,000, is out to see us off. When the ship's siren goes off and the ship starts moving, all the people - on the shore and on the ship - cheer and wave. We can still hear the music, drums, and cheers when we are quite a distance away. And there's a splended sunset.

 

The local people are grateful that large cruise ships will visit them regularly, whcih will boost their economy. The town had a stand still for over a century and visitors can see how old the houses are and how poor the living conditions the locals are in. I'm glad that RCI has made an effort to help build this beautiful and historical town, and I can't wait to see it waking up and grow with super speed.

 

These are just some of my quick thoughts to give you all some ideas of what you'll expect in Falmouth. You will not be disappointed - as I said earlier, use your imagination to see it in 3, 5, 10 years from now.

 

I'll gather and organize my thoughts and write a more detailed version for the Members Review in a few days. Meanwhile, please feel free to ask any questions regarding anything / everything for this cruise - on ship and in ports.

 

Just a few pictures for your preview. In the last picture, you can see that in front and in between the buildings, huge crowds of people are gathered to watch us leaving the port.

 

Attached Thumbnails

[TEXASMUNK]

We were on ships for the openings of Roatan and Costa Maya. Yup, it starts out pretty rough, but as time has passed, these ports have become extremely popular....and the job opportunities for the Jamaicans is great.

 

We will see Falmouth next week....Looking forward to beach time.

[lindseesmom]

I am sure that RCCL has its reasons for choosing Falmouth as a port city. And all things take time to get ready. Does the ship tender there?

I presonally like Labadee and look forward to helping the people by buying their products when we go there. I will buy things in Falmouth as well next year when we are there!!

[lindseesmom]

We were on ships for the openings of Roatan and Costa Maya. Yup, it starts out pretty rough, but as time has passed, these ports have become extremely popular....and the job opportunities for the Jamaicans is great.

 

We will see Falmouth next week....Looking forward to beach time

 

*** We too loved Roatan when we were there. It is a great place. Please send a review after your trip to Falmouth.