Dropping jamaica as a port?

[satxdiver]

I have been to Jamaica twice on a ship. We stayed on the ship as we have done in other ports where we did not want to get off. It always is nice with no crowds, chair hogs, buffet crowds (MDR is closed), etc. Both times we visited Jamaica it was almost like a sea day! The ship was crowded with pax who decided not to get off. Personnaly I would not shed a tear if I ever call on Jamaica again.

 

bil went to Jamaica on a land tour and raved about how safe it was. Then he told about the high fence around the resort and the armed guards with shotguns and other shoulder fired weapons 24x7. I imagine it was safe there. :rolleyes:

[notentirelynormal]

bil went to Jamaica on a land tour and raved about how safe it was. Then he told about the high fence around the resort and the armed guards with shotguns and other shoulder fired weapons 24x7. I imagine it was safe there. :rolleyes:

 

See that's what I point out to people. Commercials for there always have "all inclusive" and they don't want you to leave the facilities. I've been there I think 4 or 5 times. I loved when this 8 YO kid yells at my husband "hey bring your woman over here and let me give her a real man". Ya, okay. Not a place I'd choose to go back to. The people were too aggressive and quite frankly the only thing I really enjoyed on the island was their rum balls. They do do excellent rum balls :).

[mnbruce]

See that's what I point out to people. Commercials for there always have "all inclusive" and they don't want you to leave the facilities. I've been there I think 4 or 5 times. I loved when this 8 YO kid yells at my husband "hey bring your woman over here and let me give her a real man". Ya, okay. Not a place I'd choose to go back to. The people were too aggressive and quite frankly the only thing I really enjoyed on the island was their rum balls. They do do excellent rum balls :).

 

I've been to Negril 4 times at an all inclusive and nobobody has ever suggested that I don't leave the facilities. I probably spend about 1/2 of my time off the resort grounds. I love the vast majority of people I have dealings with in Jamaica. That said, Jamaica is not for everbody.

 

The first time I was in Jamaica was on a cruise which stopped in Ocho Rios. After that stop I really had no interest in going back. I'm glad I kept an open mind and tried a land vacation.

Edited December 14, 2013 by mnbruce

[Blk_Amish]

I think that Chicago is more dangerous than Jamaica! There are parts of my town (Joliet, IL) that I would not venture into at the wrong time of day. I think that USA tourists sometimes equate foreign with dangerous.

 

or Poor and the other obvious!

 

I am Jamaican but return basically as a tourist. Yes, it understandable why some might not feel safe, while others have a great time. Here is a few tips, in the culture there is no such thing as No thanks. It's No, or thanks meaning yes. No thanks is answering No Yes! .Some hear yes and keep bugging you , other hear no and move on. There is a language barrier because the different accents are not always understood and simple words have different meaning. Hold this, means I am giving it to you or if you take it you are buying it. No, you are not getting much for free in port.

 

For some of the cultural issues (gay, weed, men) I wish not to expose my teens to my last two trips were sole. Other trips were all as a family and my most cruise was with my son.The God given beauty of the place is tainted with level of ugly that is worse outside the tourist zone which is 'pretty' safe using common sense. Yes, there was a time when resorts such as Sandals would discourage tourists from leaving. I still get warning as an ex-pat to be careful but my travels is for weeks not hours. A white DH means wealth, go figures.

 

The gay issue might be the deal breaker for me. A Jamaican who is anti-weed and for gay/people right. There might be hope afterall!

Edited December 14, 2013 by Blk_Amish

[AmberTeka]

We went to Jamaica in the early seventies on the NCL Skyward. It had not been independent long. I thought it was beautiful.

 

The last time I got off the ship was in 2010. The restaurant where our excursion stopped for a free drink. Was the same as on the Skyward. But a thin film of black mold seemed to cover everything. To me..in the Caribbean, that mold is the stigma of poverty. Depressing.

 

We had a young man as our cab driver that totally impressed us. When we left, and I don't know how the conversation turned to the Govt. But it did. He felt the Prime Minister was corrupt. That his buddies stole most of the money. That they did nothing to help develop factories or even tourist spots on the island. And had not intention to conqueror crime there. He was so passionate. I hope he got off of that Island.

 

And, and I don't mean to make anyone angry, and I am totally non political. I don't care for any one in either party in the USA....I see that same hopeless attitude towards our own govt. And I wonder........where will it end. And it has been building since before 2000. So the blame is on all of our "leadership". And I use that term lightly .

The ordinary people never scared me.

But some of the tours made my hair stand on end.We went to a tour of an old Great House where the guides talked about the evils of slavery. The Spanish beat them and dogs ate them.Then the British came in and they beat them. Burned them. And they had paintings too. After a while I began to fell uncomfortable. And for sure..my family ( foothills of the Appalachian Mts.) never owned or abused anyone. Just feeding their own kids was a major goal for them...most worked in coal mines. Until the WAR and the G.I. Bill.

 

On the way back to the ship..The guide pointed out some lovely hotels and asked people to consider coming back and enjoying a visit there. A .lot of British people were on the bus...and I thought....Never would I stay on that Island. .after listening to that presentation. There are some bad vibes on that Island.

Edited December 15, 2013 by AmberTeka

[Blk_Amish]

So, why then is Princess still going to this port? This port is currently on our Feb. itinerary and part of me is OK if it were to be changed. If not, it will give me a chance to see the falls without having to spend an extended time on the island.

 

Money still to be made. Sadly, the tourism has exploded in the past decade. Against the good judgement of many organizations the port in Falmouth was built to accommodate the Monstrosity of the Sea plus the countless Spanish mega resorts accommodation thousands. At the end of the day the island offers a beauty like no others, inspiring music and artist, great food, sexy men, hot women, and a bud called herb that grows like weed. Not many is going to post I choose the island for the weed I can smoke freely at Nine Miles or the Rent-A-Dread on the beach (Negril thing). Hopefully in time, less and less, ships will be allowed to dock and the Stellas will find another island to get their groove back

 

Dunn's River is a must see if you want to see something. The key is to exit through the entrance not line of seller or seller row which can feel like Death row. Unless you have the patient of a Saint avoid the craft market. They are downright horrible to deal with. Do not answer no thank you but No and move on or yes. Thank you in the culture means YES so No thank you is No/yes. Every time you say No Thank you the person could hear No, or thank you - yes.

 

I would recommend the Blue Hole, also in Ocho Rios over Dunn's River. The Blue Hole

 

Ocho Rios

 

 

Falmouth -

 

Disclaimer - this is only to help in YOUR decision and in no way meant to encourage you. Jamaica is not for everyone as much as the Royal Princess is not for every cruiser or even Carnival. It helps everyone when the wrong person stay on board or simply don't book.

Edited December 15, 2013 by Blk_Amish

[jnc411]

I had seen this thread a couple weeks ago , since then we have been looking at the options for Caribbean cruises (Princess), we have been to the Caribbean several times and have been to most islands, and yes we have been to Jamaica, we did a snorkel excursion, we enjoyed that , but did not care for the land portion, being escorted back to the ship by persons with guns ( they did keep us safe however) is not my idea of a relaxing trip. So having said that , I will not be booking any cruise that includes Jamaica , that is just my personal choice. After checking the cruises available thru Princess , really there is not that many choices, they used to have a nice 14 day East/Southern route, only 14 day I see now is a 7 day return to FL and then another 7 day one of which includes Jamaica. Would prefer to cruise Princess , but now am looking at other options. I might call Princess and see if they are indeed going to Jamaica or not.

Cori

[negc]

I dis agree with the above post. I have been to Jamaica over 15 times. Jamaica is as safe as any other Caribbean country you just have to use common sense. Don't wear flashy jewelry, don't get into an unauthorized cab, be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

 

Totally agree, but posts like the previous one continue to promote the mistaken impression that Jamaica is an especially dangerous place for cruise passengers and other tourists. :(

[Jim Avery]

I am not a fan of Jamaica either. Why spend money to go there when there are so many nicer places on the planet? I have worked in 3rd world countries. Don't particularly want to go there on holiday. Just my humble opinion.:D

[negc]

I am not a fan of Jamaica either. Why spend money to go there when there are so many nicer places on the planet? I have worked in 3rd world countries. Don't particularly want to go there on holiday. Just my humble opinion.:D

 

That's why there are places like WDW so you can see a sanitized version of the world without coming face to face with the real world.

[bcgrad98]

We will also be on the Coral in March and we have Grand Cayman on our itinerary. However, the week before they're going to Jamaica.

[Jim Avery]

That's why there are places like WDW so you can see a sanitized version of the world without coming face to face with the real world.

 

I suspect I have spent more time in third world places than you can imagine. Save your snarky trash for someone who cares.

[Treven]

My ex-business partner was from Jamaica. He told me as a child the security bars were installed on the bedroom doors rather than the exterior doors. The idea was not to upset the burglars by locking them out but protecting yourself while you slept. He had a couple of investments in Jamaica but he refused to let his wife or kids go to Jamaica as it was too dangerous. That was enough reason for me to never go.

 

Mark

Heaven forbid! that the burglers be upset. That's a good reason not to get off the ship there, with that cultural attitude.

[JimmyVWine]

That's why there are places like WDW so you can see a sanitized version of the world without coming face to face with the real world.

Hmmmm. I don't recall that Epcot has either a Jamaica or Virgin Gorda pavillion. But given the choice between Jamaica and Virgin Gorda, I think I know where I would spend my time and money.

[Blk_Amish]

Heaven forbid! that the burglers be upset. That's a good reason not to get off the ship there, with that cultural attitude.

 

I am Jamaican and outside the tourist area, buried in the beauty can be ugly beyond belief. I have experienced a different kind of ugly living in certain areas of the US with a white husband. Now, I refuse to expose certain aspects of the Jamaican culture to my kids. I am also concern for my kids in the US. I don't think either culture is ideal for different reasons but good enough to live happily or visit safely, especially as a tourist. Twenty years of marriage and I still hear racial slurs, still wouldn't write the country or even any state. It's apart of the American culture I come to accept.

 

Yes, for you I would vote please stay on board and enjoy the aroma of the island.

 

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Edited January 4, 2014 by Blk_Amish

[Blk_Amish]

I am not a fan of Jamaica either. Why spend money to go there when there are so many nicer places on the planet? I have worked in 3rd world countries. Don't particularly want to go there on holiday. Just my humble opinion.:D

 

I assume the first part of your post is a rhetorical question. No one would really question why someone spend their money to go somewhere. However, I understand if you spend time working or living someplace, it would not provide the escape for a vacation. I am not a fan of Caribbean ports or even cruising as a way of real travel. Why spend money to be dumped off a boat with thousands of others trying to see the same area at the same time :D

 

Pauline

 

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[whataboutport]

But -- if grand cayman is the alternative, they are very gay unfriendly.

 

A few years ago they refused to allow an all-ship gay charter

to come to the island.

 

On at least one princess itinerary, I saw nicarauga rather or

jamacia or grand cayman.

 

I have never heard of any locals on Grand Cayman murdering openly gay men before, but on Jamaica I have heard many news stories about it. I would not support Jamaica with my hard earned money. In fact I don't even give any cruises with Jamaica on the itin a second look.

 

And I actually had a good time the first and only time I went to Ocho Rios! I did not feel in danger at all, but this was before I knew about the crime. It was in 2001.

 

A good friend of mine told me many stories of when she was in Jamaica for cruises. Once was picked up and carried off by a large man, sat her atop a donkey and would not let her off until they paid for a photo of her on the animal. Another time was swimming in the ocean and someone swam up to her to try to sell her drugs. Another time her very large/tall son was robbed at knife point. I could go on. Her stories in addition to their attitude towards gay people are enough for me never to set foot on that island ever again.

[Blk_Amish]

I have never heard of any locals on Grand Cayman murdering openly gay men before, but on Jamaica I have heard many news stories about it. I would not support Jamaica with my hard earned money. In fact I don't even give any cruises with Jamaica on the itin a second look.

 

And I actually had a good time the first and only time I went to Ocho Rios! I did not feel in danger at all, but this was before I knew about the crime. It was in 2001.

 

A good friend of mine told me many stories of when she was in Jamaica for cruises. Once was picked up and carried off by a large man, sat her atop a donkey and would not let her off until they paid for a photo of her on the animal. Another time was swimming in the ocean and someone swam up to her to try to sell her drugs. Another time her very large/tall son was robbed at knife point. I could go on. Her stories in addition to their attitude towards gay people are enough for me never to set foot on that island ever again.

 

The Caribbean is pretty anti gay but Jamaica takes homophobia to a new level, beyond rational comprehension. Some guys won't eat egg because of where it comes from. Mothers declare that they would rather see their child 6 feet under, than gay. Listening to a song like Same Love could put the gay label on you.

 

The donkey situation, made me smile. Wouldn't the weed get wet in the water? How many trips before your friend decide this place is not for her? Is she telling you the other reasons she returned. Some women go for the men and their Hmmmm. It should have taken one incident before deciding no more, as you, correct?

 

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Edited January 4, 2014 by Blk_Amish

[Go-Bucks!]

I would opt out of an itinerary with Jamaica in it. If I had to include it, I would either stay onboard . . . .

 

One brief stop in Jamaica on a cruise was enough to know that I didn't want to spend any future time there.

 

 

I totally agree!! I did enjoy Dunn's River Falls, but even the parking lot there was full of scary men wandering around bothering tourists. Our bus driver stopped at a roadside bunch of stalls selling trinkets (run by his relatives) and wouldn't let anyone back on the bus until we bought something! I was furious. Everywhere we went on the island felt unsafe and I'll never go back there again. If I go on a cruise that stops in Jamaica, I'll stay onboard. I'm glad Princess has switched to Grand Cayman, which is a lovely island. Maybe the Jamaican govt. will make some changes if it impacts their pocketbook.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Go-Bucks!

[SpelChic2001]

It made me rather sad to read this post, as I enjoyed my visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica despite the difficulties I encountered there (I took a hard fall and split open my knee) I was cautious about personal safety when on shore, but never felt unsafe. Even the Jamaican guides said to avoid Kingston, that it wasn't safe for anyone.

 

The ship also stopped at Grand Cayman on that trip; it was just an okay port as far as I was concerned. I have about as much fun at a shopping mall at home since that is about all that was there. If you are in the Caribbean to shop, Grand Cayman should fit the bill.

 

Unfortunately, I never made it to the Dunn River Falls and if ships are no longer stopping there, I guess I never will.

[Wehwalt]

The donkey situation, made me smile. Wouldn't the weed get wet in the water?

 

It is not weed, mon. It is ganja.

[4cats4me]

I used to like Jamaica, but haven't been there since 1992. I do know someone whose friend was thrown into the brig while there due to someone planting "something" in a straw basket she had purchased at a straw market, and it was a set-up, and she and her friends were apprehended and jailed, and her family had to contact the US Embassy to spring them loose. This incident happened back in the mid-90s, long after I'd visited.

[sammiedawg]

Ten years ago we were in Ochoa rios and we were very uncomfortable. Dunno River falls was unique but getting out of the complex and back to the tour bus was very scary. We were forced to walk through a maze of the creepiest vendors. More than a few vendors were trying to sell drugs. I was afraid we were lost in this maze that had no end in sight. One passenger had belongings stolen from the tour bus. We were approached by drug dealers while walking from the tour drop off to the ship.

We have no desire to return.

We were there on a Celebrity cruise.

Edited January 4, 2014 by sammiedawg

[caribill]

What you miss if you do not go to Jamaica

 

 

 

 

 

[Blk_Amish]

It made me rather sad to read this post, as I enjoyed my visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica despite the difficulties I encountered there (I took a hard fall and split open my knee) I was cautious about personal safety when on shore, but never felt unsafe. Even the Jamaican guides said to avoid Kingston, that it wasn't safe for anyone.

 

The ship also stopped at Grand Cayman on that trip; it was just an okay port as far as I was concerned. I have about as much fun at a shopping mall at home since that is about all that was there. If you are in the Caribbean to shop, Grand Cayman should fit the bill.

 

Unfortunately, I never made it to the Dunn River Falls and if ships are no longer stopping there, I guess I never will.

 

The best of Jamaica is not seen from a few hours on port but at least a few days on the island. Forget Dunns River and go a few minutes to the Blue Hole.

 

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Forget about Ocho Rios and welcome to Port Antonio:

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