What to do in Montego Bay???

[thompa3]

Ok...so after reading tons of posts on several websites, I had decided we would just go to sunset beach. Now I have heard the horror stories of late. The beack was bad, water full of seaweed, weak drinks, and they keep your sign and sail card while you are there....SO with that in mind.....

 

What does everyone suggest for Montego Bay? Is there a better beach to go to? Has anyone LOVED an excursion?

 

Sailing on the Conquest June 26 and trying to get set...........HELP:confused: :confused: :confused:

[tpmartin]

Stay on the ship and enjoy, what the ship has to offer.

Jamaica is only good if you are at a resort and all the good ones are fenced in with security, get my drift.

[pungo3]

Seriously, I'd stay on the ship. That's exactly what I did when we sailed to Montego Bay. We had a great day on the ship. There were many people who got off the ship but I heard lots of complaints from them when they returned.

[BettyB2]

We sailed the Conquest in February of this year and NONE of our group of 38 did any excursions....instead we opted for a little coffee and hot sauce shopping and spent a couple hours at Margaritaville (we had a blast) and back on the ship EARLY. It was fun, but I probably would stay on ship next time...too many people hassling you to BUY anything, including drugs

[ShannonE]

I was with a group on the Conquest last summer. We took the day trip to Ocho Rios to go to Dunns River Falls. It was the second time climbing the falls for a couple of us and the first time for the rest of the group. Everyone had a great time!

 

I think the drive across the island took a couple of hours, and the scenery wasn't great, but the tour guide was fun. On the way back we stopped at a little mall for some shopping.

[ppeckham]

I second the Dunns River Falls excursion. It does require a bit of a bus ride but the transportation is nice.

[Ship Addict]

You should never pass up a chance to visit a Margaritaville!!

[cruisebrat15]

Last year we went to Montego Bay, We had the best time. Our itinery was changed so we were not soposed to go there. I asked the purser desk were can we go the beach and not be harrased they sent us to dr. cove or dr. love not sure of the name but it is right next to Jimmy Buffets. We took a cab at 4 dollars each pd 5 to got on & 5 for umbrella. I was asked for braids once. No one came near us only to ask if we wanted something from the bar. The had trampolines in the water. This is also where the ship takes you to do the helmet dive. Ship cost $98.00 my kids did it for 35. Then we walked to Jimmy Buffets. O my God what a great time!!! Water slide from roof into the sea. Drinks that were out of this world. My kids said there was a hot tub on the roof but I never made it up there. I am glad we went to the beach first or we never would have made it out of Jimmy Buffets sober or the kids would have not done the helmet dive. The only bad part was the 100 foot walk from the beach to Jimmy Buffets. We were offered to buy all kinds of drugs. We just kept walking. I would do this again in a heart beat. I been to Dunn River Fall but that is on the other side of the island 2 hours by bus each way. Ask the purser desk for the name of the beach next to Jimmy Buffets and have a great time.

[pacerzfan]

We went to SUNSET BEACH RESORT. Took a Taxi from the port for $5.00 total. Upon arrival at the resort, I was a little surprised to see the armed guards outside at the gatehouse. They escort you into the hotel and see that you get checked in. Upon paying our $20.00, they put your S&S card in an envelope and hold it at the gate. This place was gorgeous! Well worth the money. We snorkeled, ate, drank and partied all day long. My 14 Yr old daughter was able to Kayak and wind surf at no extra charge and all in all have a blast. My 7 yr old just wanted to swim in the pool the whole time we were there. My self I indulged in a few of their daiquiris, also enjoyed the food (the Jerk Chicken and grilled fish were heaven to me!). The food and entertainment were excellent. Highly recommend this place. But like any place take your normal precautions and use your judgment wisely.

[OTTER]

I've been to Doctor's Cave Beach Club, which is a short distance from Margaritaville. It was fun, and safe. Can take a taxi there, if the place still exists, since it has been a while since my last stop in Montego Bay. I remember it being next door to Breezes.

[Cruise, J.D.]

If you let one bad review change your plans, you will never go anywhere :) I was at Sunset Beach in April and I disagree with the comments that reviewer made. You have to weigh all the reviews together. I thought the beach was great, the water was not full of seaweed, and the drinks were strong. I didn't mind them keeping my sail-n-sign card. My only negative was that the beach was a little "thin" between the resort and the water.

 

There are plenty of negative reviews on the Conquest. You are still going on it right?

[minniegidget]

Why do they hold your sail -n- sign card. I think that would be my only worry. Just becuse if I could not get it back I think I would have a hard time getting back on the ship. Also is there a place todo Horseback riding?

[christhree]

Cannot understand how Conquest would get a bad review...The CREW is above reproach, first class, and friendly...{unlike other Carnival ships}

 

As far as sunset beach...MAJOR disappointment. Would never get off in Montego Bay again.....

Have a good cruise...check it out yourself...we went on reccommendations and it didn't work for us...Each to their own opinion.

[SxyEbnyFem]

We sailed the Conquest in Jan. It was our first cruise. We had a great time on her. The food was good, the staff was great, pretty ship.

We went to Sunset Beach while at Montego Bay. We had a delightful time there. Drinks were strong, staff was friendly, plenty of loungers on the beach. We played in the water & sand for a while, then headed up to the pool area where trivia games were being played. I even won a game & a nice t-shirt from Sunset Beach. :D Didn't feel uneasy at all having to give up the S&S card for them to hold.

I say, go for yourself to check it out. How else will you ever know if Sunset Beach is or is not for you?

Happy sailing,

T.

[ukcruisefan]

We Have Been To Montego Bay Twice. The First Time We Went To Drs Cave Beach And Then To Margaritaville. We Had A Good Time And Were Only Asked To Buy Things A Few Times. The Next Stop We Did Not Get Off The Boat...took Advantage Of The Port Day Specials In The Spa And Enjoyed The Use Of Any Deck Chair You Want.

 

As For The Bad Reviews On The Conquest, Can't Imagine. We Enjoyed It So Much We Are Thinking Of Returning Next Year.

[phinfan63]

I was in Montego Bay for a land vacation several years back (stayed at the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort) and we loved Jamaica. Since we were at a resort, we only used that beach but we did take the Rose Hall tour and it was very interesting if you are at all into history, old houses, etc....

 

Don't let anyone talk you into staying on the ship - Jamaica is gorgeous and not to miss. You will probably be hassled to buy something but just say no. I didn't think it was any worse than Cozumel.

 

Have fun!

[karessamom]

We are sailing Conquest in Aug., plan on doing the croydon plantation tour. Sounds interesting to us. Hope it is. I've heard that it's a good tour.

[KruznKel]

I have been to Jamaica as well for a land based vacation.. stayed at the Wydham.. I guess it is now a resort when I was there it wasn't .. I had the best time ever.. we hired (as they advise to do) a chauffeur for the week and he took us where ever we wanted to go and watched out for us.. We even went to a local bar and what a blast.. I have read on these threads others that have hired these guys for the day or few hours and they do honestly treat you like gold!!! Enjoy Jamaica it is amazing...

[ElCruiso]

Whatever you do there do it with a group, Jamaica is increasingly becoming

more and more unsafe. Any tours you go on go with as large of group as you can, you'll be less vulnerable. Jamaica is kinda like Tijuana Mexico without the Spanish. Good Luck !!!!:cool:

[bluejeans]

If you are afraid, then don't get off the ship. But we did and had a great time, did the horseback riding excursion, which was GREAT.

[L_T]

Sunset Beach was the bargain of the cruise for us. $20 each for chairs & towels on a decent beach, all you could eat (even if it was pretty basic jerk chicken, burgers, etc), and all your drinks (did have to go get our own though). Water was clear enough to see the weed patches - so you just avoid them. S&S cards returned at the gate when you leave - hey, no problem!

[thompa3]

Thanks for all the hints. I think we will stick with our original plans to head to Sunset and then Jimmy Buffets. If we don't like it, we will just hed back to ship early.

 

You are all right that I shouldn't let a few bad reviews stop us from seeing Jamaica for the first time.....we can always leave!

 

And hey, I am pretty much a beach bum, so as long as there is sand and sun, I am usually happy.

 

Thanks for setting me straight!

 

Amy;)

[KruznKel]

Just have the jerk chicken it is amazing!!!! I still remember that after 18 yrs and OH the red stripe beers!!!! Enjoy!!!

[DGNewton]

We are on the Conquest...OH MY GOD, 3 days to go....YEAH!!!

The entire clan and our friends plan (15 of us) plan on hitting Sunset Beach...

Don't think we have any concers as all the post have been great about a $20 pp hit....can't beat that deal!

[jckvpa0]

Go & have a great time, we did! Don't worry about them holding your card, I think it's a way of them keeping track of who is in their resort.