Concerned about Kids Safety in Jamaica

[AmyLee]

Hello fellow cruisers. I have a question or concerns about Jamaica since I have booked a cruise in October and I will be taking my kids. It is my first time to Jamaica. I would appreciate any information from those of you that have been there

Thanks

Amy:cool:

[6rugrats]

That's some font/color you chose.

 

What safety concerns do you have? You may want to visit the Ports of Call section here and ask your question in the Jamaica forum.

[klfrodo]

Not sure why you would have anymore concern for your kids safety in Jamaica more than any other port.

Or for that matter anymore than in any city in the US.

 

Does Jamaica have it's problems? Sure do. Mostly in Kingston though.

[sail7seas]

We have stopped going ashore in Ochos Rios and in Montego Bay. If we happen to be on a ship with a stop there, we do not leave the ship.

 

Just our own comfort zone.

I personally would not be apt to roam off with children on anything but a ship's conducted tour.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow ....as to the bright red and font. :D

[RyanGT04]

As long as you either use a ship excursion or a good tour company you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I don't have kids, but I have never felt unsafe in Jamaica, though they are a bit on the pushy side when it comes to selling you stuff.

[Keith1010]

I would take a ships excursion when in Jamaica. I would not go out on your own. Personally, we do not care for Jamaica.

 

Keith

[luddite]

What are your concerns for the kids?

There are no reports of cannibals feasting on youths.

I've seen no articles about children being Shanghaied in Jamaica.

I DO know several kids who developed a taste for jerk chicken and now have a problem---they can't get it at home. :D

The kids shouldn't have any more problem in Jamaica than anywhere else.

Like they say in Jamaica....Hooray! Beer!

Or : No Problem!

[johneeo]

Hello fellow cruisers. I have a question or concerns about Jamaica since I have booked a cruise in October and I will be taking my kids. It is my first time to Jamaica. I would appreciate any information from those of you that have been there

Thanks

Amy:cool:

 

Congratulations!:eek:

 

You win the Most Obnoxious Font contest.

 

No one is even a close second.

[6rugrats]

Congratulations!:eek:

 

You win the Most Obnoxious Font contest.

 

No one is even a close second.

 

Yet, you had to repeat it, so we were forced to look at it a second time. Does that mean you, by proxy, get second place :)?

[Tralynn]

We're taking our daughter and godson to Jamaica this year and we're just going to make sure we book a tour with a reputable tour guide. That's what we're doing with the kids in all of the ports. I tend to not "wing it" when I'm cruising with kids. It's not just a safety issue, it's really just a matter of making sure the kids are doing what they would enjoy in port.

 

Like in any other port, we do not go roaming around without first reading up on the different areas. And then, you just put your common sense to work and don't go into areas that are deserted or just don't look right to you.

[Nebr.cruiser]

We've taken Grandchildren to Jamaica twice, once about 5 years ago when they were ages 3-5 and just this January at ages 5-11.

 

I wouldn't go off on my own with kids or without kids in Jamaica, but with a reputable tour company or using recommended transportation to go to a beach, I think you will be fine.

 

The first time we went to Ocho Rios, we took a tour with a guide recommended on these boards, tubed down a river and went to Dunn's River Falls (for the kid's parents). Since we, the grandparents, had climbed the falls before we watched the kids and they had a great time at the beach there. The guide was very protective of the group.

 

This January we took SEVEN kids, just my DH and me on a cruise. We stopped in Montego Bay and, using transportation recommended on this board, took them to a nearby beach. We had a great beach day, which is all they needed. I did not even consider trying to take them into town for shopping, etc., because of trying to watch that many kids and because of the agressiveness of the sellers.

 

A ship tour is also a good option. We let the kids shop in the enclosed shopping mall at the pier, where the atmosphere was calmer.

 

Just do something that is organized with reputable guides and you'll be fine. Of course, use common sense and caution, just as anywhere.

[cb at sea]

Jamaican's have kids, too! It's as safe as anywhere, assuming you don't go doing "unsafe" things!

[vfangue]

We've been to Jamaica twice (both times were with teenagers). It was important to us that we not just hang around in town, by the bars and the crowded beach. Also, the crowds at Dunns Falls can be overwhelming. We booked a private excursion through http://www.barrettadventures.com/

 

Never once did we not feel safe with our tour guide and the YS Falls tour is absolutely beautiful and not crowded. We did the falls, zip lines, and tubing. Our driver, Loxsley, spent the day with us and only us in the vehicle. He coordinated all events and was so nice and friendly. (Even stopped at a gas station so the girls could buy gum!) Well worth the $$$$, we budgeted to enjoy one luxurious shore excurions and this was the one. If you need more info, just ask.

[vfangue]

I also agree with Nebr.cruiser about shopping. The only shopping that we did was in the enclosed mall area just off the ship. Plenty of souvenirs and that was just right for the girls after a day of ziplines and tubing!

 

I have walked in town before by myself and can attest that panhandlers will approach you. I just kept saying no thank you and continued to the one store that I needed. (my daughter wanted a Jamaican bobsled tshirt!)

 

If you do want to stay closer in jamaica, you can take a taxi from the port (many are available) and head straight to Margaritaville. The Margaritaville in MOBay has a slide and floating trampoline in the water along with food and drink. The doorman will get you a taxi when you're ready to head back to the ship.

[johneeo]

Yet, you had to repeat it, so we were forced to look at it a second time. Does that mean you, by proxy, get second place :)?

 

Why not?

[DanJ]

I didn't find our brief stop in MoBay to be any less safe than any other Caribbean port. As someone posted above, just don't take unsafe risk. I took my 9 year old son on the shuttle bus you get right at the port and got off at Doctors Cave beach. Nice narration for the ride though town. I decided I didn't feel like paying admission to the beach, and we walked back down to Margaritaville, where my son enjoyed the waterslide. We had lunch there, listened to the music and did a little shopping along the way. Then we went back to the pier and wandered around the shops there and picked up some souvenirs. I was actually quite surprised at how non-pushy the people were compared to all the reading I had done on here prior.

 

If we ever went back there, I would look at the Sunrise Beach resort, just across the harbour from the ship. It's not a cheap place, but it has a nice waterpark and beach and my kids love that kind of stuff.

[lady_cruiser]

We just came back from a B2B with our ship (Voyager of the Sea) stopping in Falmouth. Yes it is still under construction and since we were the second ship to stop there you can imagine how the shopping was limited to a few vendors who were set-up outside of the stores and shops still under construction. But this stop has some great things coming in the future. Our cruise line (Royal Caribbean) provided us with free transportation to the Shops at Rose Hall (Montego Bay).

 

For those of you not familar with Rose Hall here's a brief description. Rose Hall is said to be a haunted plantation once owned by a "white" witch called Annie Palmer. After her husband died she had several slave lovers and when she got tired of them she killed them. You can also find a wealth of information about Rose Hall on the Internet. And from what I have seen they also have a great golf course there for those who like to golf at different courses while on cruises.

 

I found this tour one of the more interesting tours since we are not water/beach people. Nor do we care to swing from the trees on a small harness hundreds of feet above the trees. :p The Shops of Rose Hall are right outside of the plantation and though it is small they have more up-scale shops than the usual touristy shops you usually find near the ports.

 

While it is my understanding that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines owns the port at Falmouth and they will be the only cruiseline stopping here I just wanted people here who are concerned about Montego Bay to know that they do have save places to tour and shop there. And, like any U.S. city that you vacation in it is the same in any foreign port; play it safe by staying in the main areas and don't venture off on your own.

 

Just giving my opinion here. :p

[Travelcat2]

Yet another warning about a port in Jamaica. http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/04/falmouth-jamaica-cruise-ship-port-passenger-harassment-/155072/1?csp=34travel&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TP-TheCruiseLog+%28Travel+-+The+Cruise+Log%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

[BLAMBKY]

I wish I could find some excision reviews for this island. Since reading a thread based on the article, I am not sure that I want to visit with my teen kids. Anyone want to point me in the right direction to finding excursion reviews? I do not see anything under the port listing. (Side note- did not mean to high jack this thread!) :rolleyes:

[AmyLee]

ok sorry for the color. Anyhow. My concerns for the area is a friend who has previously been to Montego Bay; told me that she went recently and her and her husband had people being pushy. I expect pushy but what I don't want is she said they were pushy about offering marijiuana and propositioning her husband about company. She said they were not in a bad area either. I don't know if they booked a excursion or went out on their own. I will be having a 10 yr dd, 12 yr dd, and a 16 yr ds. Just concerned of what they are exposed to. I plan if we get off to book through Carnival. Thanks for any info. I am a experienced cruiser for those wondering. This will be cruise 8 for me.

:)

[Durhampro]

We spent two weeks last year in Jamaica (Falmouth) and never felt afraid or worried. Yes you will be asked if you would like to purchase various items, or have your hair beaide etc... A polite no thank you, is all that is required to end the discussion. Make no mistake the Jamaican people know that a huge amount of money comes from tourism and would never harm a tourist.

 

There are of course areas of Jamaica that are considered unsafe for non residents, these would be in the south east side of the island in Kingston (Trench Town). Where your ship will dock on the north side of the island will be hundreds of miles away from any problem areas.

 

Like any destination, travel smart, never flash money or jewellery and stay in the populated areas. (no dark alleys) and you will be fine. Jamaican people are very warm and friendly although some people may find them intimidating, leave your prejudices at home and you will have a great time.

[AmyLee]

Durhampro

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Canada

Posts: 42

 

 

We spent two weeks last year in Jamaica (Falmouth) and never felt afraid or worried. Yes you will be asked if you would like to purchase various items, or have your hair beaide etc... A polite no thank you, is all that is required to end the discussion. Make no mistake the Jamaican people know that a huge amount of money comes from tourism and would never harm a tourist.

 

There are of course areas of Jamaica that are considered unsafe for non residents, these would be in the south east side of the island in Kingston (Trench Town). Where your ship will dock on the north side of the island will be hundreds of miles away from any problem areas.

 

Like any destination, travel smart, never flash money or jewellery and stay in the populated areas. (no dark alleys) and you will be fine. Jamaican people are very warm and friendly although some people may find them intimidating, leave your prejudices at home and you will have a great time.

___________

 

 

Thanks Durhampro that makes me a little better. What would be some of the beaches you guys would recommend for stuff for a 10 yr dd, 12 yr dd, and a 16 yr ds.

I think that might be the better bet with my kids cause my youngest and oldest kids hate to shop

:p

[Durhampro]

OK so correct me if I'm wrong, the Carnival Conquest makes port at Montego Bay. Beaches in and around MoBay: Doctors Cave beach is spectacular, although it can be crowded when multiple cruise lines are in port, also there tend to be a lot of people soliciting their wares. For a more relaxed time I would probably grab a cab (Negotiate Price First!) and go to Cornwall Beach or Walter Fletcher Beach. There is also the AquaSol Water Park and the Montego Bay Marine Park for snorkeling.

Another fun thing to do in Montego Bay - Margaritaville for lunch. They have the most amazing water slide and pretty good food. You could "google" other fun things - lots to do from ziplining and jungle tours to biking to...well, whatever you want! All in all MoBay, is touristy and prices can be higher than you might expect, but hopefully these ideas will provide fun for you and your family - wish we were returning soon!

[DanJ]

A couple of pictures of Margaritaville, from google earth. The waterslide starts at the upper patio and goes in to the ocean, where they have a roped off swimming area with some floaty toys to climb on. It's not cheap here, as anyone would expect, with 2 cokes and a plate of fries coming to about $15. There's also a DJ and he does a few prize giveaway games. I took my 9 year old son there, and he enjoyed the waterslide (aside from the fact he didn't know it went into the ocean, but he's a good swimmer LOL). If you don't have kids with you and want some other entertainment, there's a small casino right across the street.

 

 

[salukigrl]

I worked in Jamaica - In Kingston. I chuckle when these threads pop up. I never felt unsafe and took the normal precautions I would while in any large city. I will add that during one hotly contested election, our company moved all expats to a different ‘touristy’ part of JA for a week or so. Yes, the Jamaican culture is different from the US, but just use common sense and you will be fine.