Is Ocho Rios That Bad???

[floodcasso2]

NEVER AGAIN! It says a lot when Carnival's own private beach excursion has to be surrounded by barb-wire fencing to protect the passengers from the CRAZY pushy vendors (one of which actually GRABBED ME BY MY HAIR AND PULLED ME INTO HIS LITTLE SHOP while we were being escorted through the marketplace by our tour guide on our way to the beach). Forget about it!!!! Next time I'm there, I'm calling it a day at sea. Ocho Rios is literally the ONLY port where I've ever felt unsafe outside of the cruise terminal, and I've been all over the caribbean.

 

NEVER. EVER. EVER. AGAIN.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

I hate ocho rios!!

[path145]

We didn't do an excursion in Ocho Rios. We ran the gauntlet of taxi drivers with a bunch of No thank yous. No one offered us anything illegal.

 

We walked around for a bit and stopped at a vendor's stall where I bought a handmade necklace... and I didn't feel pressured. I love that necklace!

 

I have very long hair and I had a few women calling to me from a hair styling shop that I should have my hair braided. I called back to them that it would take all day and cost a fortune and they just laughed. We did a little more shopping and then went back to the ship... no problem!

 

We will be happy to return to Jamaica. Maybe we'll do an excursion (would like to see Dunn's River Falls) but maybe not.

[boogerman54321]

Ive heard many people comment about the pushy vendors but is Ocho Rios that bad of a place? does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make the most out if it?

 

I can't stand this place. Been there twice (decided to give it a second chance) and I will never return. Make the most out of it by either changing your cruise, or staying on the ship. It's the WORST place in terms of pushy/aggressive vendors that I have ever seen. This includes Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Eastern and Southern Carribean. Avoid it if possible, it's horrible. :cool:

[Leo's Rule]

I love Ocho Rios! I was just there for my birthday in July. I've never visited on a cruise; I've always flown there. I've never had anyone offer me drugs, but the vendors are pushy and some really don't take no for an answer.

 

You really should travel with someone...never travel alone and never let them take someone from your group.

 

Visiting the falls is a must and I'd recommend Mystic Mountain for the ziplining, bob sled, and sky explorer! The horse ride with Hooves was nice too...I'm not sure which company the cruise lines uses.

 

Everyone's experiences are different and so are tolerance levels. But I must warn you...if you do Dunn's, the only way out is through the vendors...and they are grabby.

 

Have fun and don't travel alone.

[douglinc@msn.com]

We have not been to Ocho Rios, but if it's anything like Montego Bay....It's pretty bad. I don't mind smiling and telling the "vendors" no thank you, I just don't like having to tell the same ones no 50 times. Yes they are VERY rude. As long as they are rude, I will not buy anything from them.

[Blurgh]

Antigua was worse for haggling. You may not believe it, but I feel it's true. We came to a beach via boat and no one wanted to leave the water. :D

 

Not crazy about Ocho Rios but have had some good excursions in Jamaica. I am not crazy about Dunns River, that's something you do one time and never do again. They use the buddy system climbing and one day, there is going to be a serious accident involving cruise customers that you will see on the news. When I went I was responsible for helping about 800 pounds worth of people up the rocks with a bum shoulder. If they slip, the laws of physics say I take a long fall into a 2 foot deep pool of water with rocks. If I could climb it by myself, it would have been alot more fun.

 

Then when you get to the top you'll be hit by the vendors. I found it amusing (I swore someone had their own Burger King up there, but it was awhile ago, so maybe it's my imagination), but some people are probably going to run down the path back to their boat.

[Ggdean]

Vendors are by far the worst of any island I have been to. No I don't want your crap, no I don't want my hair braided and most of all I DO NOT WANT TO BUY POT FROM MY CAB DRIVER!

 

When we cruise we don't get off but that is more because how many times can one climb the falls.

[sjn911]

I like to try alot..and am soooo looking forward to seeing more of the Caribbean, but there is just a level of hassle I want to avoid, if high and the being physically accosted and pressured as per many reports way more than Mexico per se..I said on other threads i would put up with alot but it sounds like with a partner or alone the degree in Jamaica of really aggressive behavior is high..I guess Jamaica is there for me later if better from recent reports..and past reports from a few friends..I would love some of the unique culture things and all...this is all so sad to me..but when budgeting and not wanting expensive tours..there are many safer places to go...and i have no problem really researching and doing 2 of 3 ports and skipping..enjoying ship... as stated before but for now it is no to Jamaica or a preplanned resort which for now is probably as much as special safer tours... and i am happy to keep an open mind for things being better and fully respect anyone's choices..also respect the civil candid discussion..think we all did pretty good on these 2 threads...LOL.

 

Nassau it is funny..got similar reports to my pre Atlantis vibe there..a bit negative..but I still want to go see Atlantis etc. in Bahamas..thanks everyone..lets hope economy in world improves some because that will improve things too...s.

[tigerdadky]

Ocho Rios is probably the worst port of call we have ever encountered. Once you step off the ship, you are met by shovey pushy people trying to sell you anything from cheap t's to jewelry to marijuana. Especially avoid the market downtown. They are vultures. If I were ever desperate enough to book a cruise that included Jamacia, I would stay on the ship or book an excursion. Never again would I walk around that place.

[jtdlmc]

I am strongly considering cancelling my family's 2013 NCL cruise that visits Ochos Rios after reading the thread the other day. We don't like Mexico because of the pesky vendors but at least you can say no thanks and keep walking and that's the end of it. I think we would really hate O.R. This particular cruise also goes to Cozumel and Grand Caymen, which we have already been to. So after reading about O.R. I'm now seriously considering cancelling and going on the Liberty to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Jan and HMC.

[Heirloom]

So after reading about O.R. I'm now seriously considering cancelling and going on the Liberty to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Jan and HMC.

 

Smart move.

 

Leisure is our vacation goal........not concern, not stress, not having to constantly look over our shoulders so "we can get to know the locals" in a dump like that particular destination.

[PROCRUISE]

Book a tour to Dunn's River Falls.. ignore all the vendors and go have fun;)

 

and when you have completed the walk up the falls, DO NOT exit the way they shove you towards. Exit the way you entered, no matter what they say, otherwise you end up in the vendor gauntlet! Your only alternative, if you end up in the vendor gauntlet, while trying to exit, is to bring a stun-gun along with you. :)

[daisy7113]

Our last stop to Jamiaca was horrible! Every 5 steps someone was trying to sell you something or take you for a ride. I felt like I said NO 100 times. We only got off the ship to get some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee to take home and we were haggled the whole to the store that I was nearly in tears. I will never get off the ship again in Jamiaca unless it is for a tour.

[Upandadam]

It's interesting to see the different takes on Jamaica.

 

I've had some of the most pleasant visits with the locals on Jamaica of any port we've been to. They are an extremely friendly and intelligent people on a whole and I love visiting with them and learning more of their culture.

 

Have never had a bad experience. I wonder what we're all doing differently to get such a different response from the locals.

[floodcasso2]

[quote name='jtdlmc']I am strongly considering cancelling my family's 2013 NCL cruise that visits Ochos Rios after reading the thread the other day. We don't like Mexico because of the pesky vendors but at least you can say no thanks and keep walking and that's the end of it. I think we would really hate O.R. This particular cruise also goes to Cozumel and Grand Caymen, which we have already been to. So after reading about O.R. I'm now seriously considering cancelling and going on the Liberty to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Jan and HMC.[/quote]

Normally I wouldn't tell someone to cancel a cruise based on one port. But to be totally honest, that other itinerary sounds MUCH better to me. I'd be on that cruise in a heartbeat, just for Half Moon Cay alone!

[BaconIsGood]

We booked a tour to Mystic mountain (I think) and took the chairlift to the top, amazing views Jamaica was really beautiful. Had no problems with the locals, in fact, after reading these boards were expecting the worst. We could not have been more wrong, everyone we encountered were very nice! Id say book a tour and avoid shopping in this port.

[rickcop44]

"I am strongly considering cancelling my family's 2013 NCL cruise that visits Ochos Rios after reading the thread the other day. We don't like Mexico because of the pesky vendors but at least you can say no thanks and keep walking and that's the end of it. I think we would really hate O.R. This particular cruise also goes to Cozumel and Grand Caymen, which we have already been to. So after reading about O.R. I'm now seriously considering cancelling and going on the Liberty to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Jan and HMC."

I wouldn't cancel an entire cruise just because of one "bad port." I'd simply stay on the ship that day. As you can see, there are a variety of opinions on Ocho Rios. My family and I had a horrible experience. Search my name and you'll find the details. As for vendors, when we left Dunn's River Falls, we got filtered through a gauntlet of vendor tents. One guy tried to sell us salt and pepper shakers and got quite pushy. We told him we weren't interested, but he kept on. In fact, he followed us. But then he made a serious mistake and put his hand on my wife to keep her from walking away. I told him to move it or lose it. Then he started yelling about me assaulting him. Needless to say, we got out of there. In the parking lot, we ran into a woman with a donkey and a neck full of shell necklaces. She walked right up and tossed a necklace around my wife and asked for $5. Then she wanted to take our picture standing my her donkey. Only $5. Frankly, I felt sorry for the donkey. He was decked out in hat, jewelry, serapes, etc. He had to be uncomfortably hot and tired from standing in a hot asphalt parking lot all day long. I was never so happy when our cab showed up. But that's another story as well.

Don't cancel the cruise, but do stay on the ship if you don't feel comfortable going ashore in Ocho Rios. I can guarantee you you'll have a lot of company on board that day.

[Life without whine]

Just book with Mark Morris Tours.... he took great care of my family while in Ocho Rios turning it into our absolute favorite port on that cruise. He met us at the gate, we had brought bags of gently used clothing from Goodwill (my mom had been there years back & told us to just bring stuff - it made room for souvenirs then ;)) and we were off for the day.

Mark walked us in showing us some of the cool native plants, put us at the front of the line as VIP guests at Dunns River Falls, told us to walk straight out past the vendors after (not too bad after we bought our trip pic for the falls) and then we were off to be serenaded on the tubing trip on the White River (he demanded they charge us less then we had paid for some of the items making them put some of the money in our pic envelope so we did not find it until later). He took us past a post office (DH employer) vet clinic (my job) a couple of schools (DS) churches, homes....all to help us understand his beautiful country. We ate at a great restaurant & then he took us to the individual vendors to buy what we wanted (coffee, rum, wood carvings, kid souvenirs) - he moved us past those we did not need to buy from.

Best day of our trip & would go back for further exploration with him in a heartbeat....

[ShrajoGator]

When we were there last year, my DH and I booked a wonderful tour with Phil Lafayette. He was on time for pick-up, took us to Dunn's River Falls, gave a tour through the fern-gully, rafting down a river, and took us to a local eatery. All for about $50/pp. We didn't have to pay until he brought us back to the port. Well worth the money and would definitely get our business again. Ocho Rios is not as bad as ppl make it out to be, but I would definitely recommend doing a tour. Hope this helps and you have a great time!!

[abitaturbodog]

My family loves Ocho Rios because of Dunns River Falls. We catch at cab right outside of the port and spend all day at the falls. My boys climb up and down the falls and we snorkle and sun at the beach.

We're not shoppers, so the town doesn't interest us. But the falls are worth the trip--everytime!

[btrbill]

[quote name='Upandadam'] I wonder what we're all doing differently to get such a different response from the locals.[/quote]


I would guess attitude and expectations. If you keep a good attitude and lower your expectations, you will be much better off! I am looking forward to my trip there. My wife and I had the best time in Ocho Rios, and stayed on for a few extra days after our honeymoon!

The worst place I have ever been is Tijuana, Mexico (i know, not a port of call) as far as pushy vendors and people selling illegal stuff, not to mention the gang violence. But as long as you know where you are going, and what to do, you are OK. We go every other year for Expo de Tequila...

Since I am new to this cruising thing, I can only imagine that when you get a concentration of 1000 people in one day, per ship, at a port, it will bring out some riff raff... Mathematically, most will have a great time, but a few will not.

I say give it a chance until personally proven wrong. JMHO

[Rottweiler Puppy]

[quote name='lukeduke07']Ive heard many people comment about the pushy vendors but is Ocho Rios that bad of a place? does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make the most out if it?[/QUOTE]

The people suck. Did you know that if you don't buy the guys weed, you are a racist? The only nice folks were the falls guides. Book a Cruise sponsored tour like the beach one.

I have been there twice and had a good time both times.I would go back.

[familycruzr]

We travel with kids, so we have not had anyone offer us drugs. About a year ago, one of our adult friends walked across the street and someone popped out of a bush, offered him drugs, he said no, and he went back down into the bush.

When we were on the beach at Margaritaville, my husband went on the offensive. He approached the vendors, shook their hands and told them that he was interested in anything, he would let them know. They left us alone.

On our last trip, we did the excursion to Dunn's River Falls and the jamaican bobsled. It was a blast! I would totally recommend it.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

[quote name='Upandadam']It's interesting to see the different takes on Jamaica.

I've had some of the most pleasant visits with the locals on Jamaica of any port we've been to. They are an extremely friendly and intelligent people on a whole and I love visiting with them and learning more of their culture.

Have never had a bad experience. I wonder what we're all doing differently to get such a different response from the locals.[/QUOTE]

Where in Jamaica did you go?