Cruise to jamaica

[adeboye]

HI guys. My husband and I really want to cruise to Jamaica. What cruise line would you suggest ? And from what port?

 

Been on Carnival Ecstasy and loved it.

 

Thank you so much.

 

 

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[Hlitner]

There is no way to give you advice since you have told us nothing about your likes/dislikes , age group, time of year you want to cruise, etc. But just about every mass market line stops at Jamaica on their Western Caribbean itineraries. Besides Carnival you could look at RCI, Princess, Celebrity HAL, etc. etc. My question would be why in the world would anyone want to stop at Jamaica....but that is another topic :).

 

Hank

[adeboye]

Lol. Thank you for responding. Just always wanted to go to Jamaica but we are open to other places like Jamaica. We are in our 30's and thinking of cruising in December. We are open to any and all suggestions.

 

Thank you

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Almost all of the islands are similar. Jamaica is VERY poor, so the locals will always be after you to buy whatever they have to offer....but that's true on many Caribbean Islands...aside from a few (like Grand Cayman, or Aruba), they are all poor nations....

 

Now, folks who vacation at RESORTS in Jamaica seem to love it...as you seldom, if ever, need to leave the resort premises, which limits your contact with the locals.

[ontheweb]

We went to Jamaica with Carnival, and really enjoyed the Bob Marley bus excursion.

 

If reggae music is something you enjoy, I would highly recommend it. And you see a part of Jamaica not normally seen by tourists.

[rguy123]

I stay on the ship in Jamaica after once spending a week at a resort there, we were ready to leave 2 days in.

 

 

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[leaveitallbehind]

Jamaica is a popular port of call on the Western Caribbean itinerary, used by most mass market cruise lines. But it is only one port of call with Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and other regional ports of call typically included. Your demographics would suggest RCI, NCL, Carnival, or Princess as likely choices. Talk with a travel agent who specializes in cruises to see what lines and itineraries best suit your tastes and budget.

[Husky61]

My question would be why in the world would anyone want to stop at Jamaica....but that is another topic :).

Hank

 

We have been to Jamaica about 15 times and we love it, always had a good time and were never bothered. That's why we stop or go there.

[Hlitner]

We will not go into a lot of detail on Jamaica, but having been to over 100 countries of the world this particular country remains among our bottom few! The last I looked, Jamaica has the highest murder rate in the world, and that is only one crime among many. The island is essentially a dangerous hell hole, that has carved out a few areas for tourism where they do use police and military to try and assure the safety of tourists. We have vacationed on the island at all inclusives...,.all of which are fenced in (often with barbed wire) with lots of security. The AIs are great as are some of the beaches, water, etc. But personally, we would rather be at almost any other place in the Caribbean. Just our personal opinion,,,and we are sure many disagree.

 

Hank

[John Bull]

Hi, & welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Just wondering if you're Brits?

If so, Thomson offer a number of fly-cruises from their base in Mo' Bay, including cruise-and-stay options.

We've cruised with them out of Mo' Bay, as well as spending a couple of weeks there, & can provide more detail if you ask.

 

Ditto fly-cruises with P&O, but from their Barbados base & with plenty of islands - but not Jamaica.

 

JB :)

[barante]

Off the bat, let's make this clear. I get plenty of reefer at home and had no interest in experimenting with ganja in Falmouth, Jamaica. Instead we took a walking tour that stopped at half a dozen eating places. The whiff of ganja at many stands was noticeable.

 

We visited Falmouth on a rainy day but the tour organizers gave us ponchos and water, so all was cool. I found Falmouth to be an interesting town, splendid for overnighting if any line catches on to the idea. Royal Caribbean has created a secured fake Jamaican village which had its normal shops, except that the guy I bought water from also asked whether I needed any weed.

 

When we were planning our visit -- we had been to Ocho Rios before -- we grasped that all tourism was weed-related. Another organized tour possibility we nixed because a visit to the Bob Marley home museum seemed nothing more than a weed tour. Youtube it and you will agree.

 

So, would I go back. Sure, if I only can avoid Cayman Islands. Used to be nice . . .

Edited October 9, 2016 by barante

[Go-Bucks!]

I also do not like Jamaica, as a matter of fact, I hated most of the time I spent there. Dunn's River Falls was fun, but the rest of the day was scary. I vowed I would NEVER go back again, but next year my ship will be stopping there. This time I'm staying on the ship.

 

OP, do you have a specific reason for wanting to stop there? Do your research and stay safe.

[Extra Kim]

I didn't like Jamaica (Falmouth) when we where there in 2013, I was 32 at the time. But I have heard a lot of people going there on land vaccations who love Jamaica. I guess it depends on where you end up.

I have been to 20+ port stops in the Caribbean and Jamaica (Falmouth), St Kitts and Nassau are stops that I don't need to go back to...

[Capt_BJ]

how about a reply without a recommendation or judgement? OP, would you mind?

 

This web site allows you to look at the ships scheduled for a port by month ...

 

so you can for example look at Ocho Rios for May of 2017 and see what ships are scheduled

 

http://ports.cruisett.com/

 

the information here is not perfect and always subject to change but with a list of ships for the port you want to visit you can then start looking at specific cruises.

 

I would note that with rare exception a cruise, esp'cly from the US is only going to visit ONE port in JA and will depart by dark .... (no casinos !!!)

[maldenmusic]

We spent a week at a resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica a few years ago and really enjoyed it-as long as we were at the resort. When we ventured out the vendors were too pushy and we didn't feel at ease. WE will be in MoBay in December on the Carnival Dream and plan to jump in a taxi, head down to Doctor's Cave Beach and then head back to the ship.

[bakersdozen12]

I'm a Carnival fan, so I would say that if you liked your previous Carnival cruise, stick with that line. Not sure how much you plan to cruise in the future, but you do get perks for sticking with one line.

 

With that being said, while all of my past and future cruises are with Carnival, it's been pretty much a coincidence so far. Two of the cruises I didn't choose, and the rest where chosen because they gave me the best itinerary for the best price during the time I wanted to travel. So, I suggest figuring out what ports you want to stop at and when you want to travel, and then go from there. Good luck!

 

ETA: And I wanted to add, without being too judgmental, out of all the islands and countries I have visited so far, Jamaica has been my least favorite. I would not seek out a cruise that goes there to book again. So, I really suggest looking at a cruise that goes someplace else nice as well. That way if you don't like it either, it won't be your only stop.

 

 

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Edited October 9, 2016 by bakersdozen12

[sapper1]

Lol. Thank you for responding. Just always wanted to go to Jamaica but we are open to other places like Jamaica. We are in our 30's and thinking of cruising in December. We are open to any and all suggestions.

 

Thank you

 

 

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I always wanted to go to Jamaica too---until I did.

[arkiesgirl]

I've visited Jamaica 3 times. Once, with Commodore and twice with Carnival. The locals will approach you, but a firm "No thank you" is all we've ever needed for them to move on. We've always booked excursions and enjoyed our time there. Chukka Caribbean Tours handled the excursions we booked through Carnival. The Cozumel, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman route is very popular. Just stick with an organized excursion and I think you'll have lots of fun.

[MCC retired]

All of the mass market cruise lines will have 4-7 nights ,or more , Western Caribbean itineraries that visit Jamaica. Just choose the cruise ship that best suites you .

Been to Jamaica several times via ship and twice via resort stay.

 

Beautiful island with many things to see or do but the locals are Jamaica Tourisim's worst enemy. Far too pushy and down right frightening at times.

Book a ship tour here .

On our resort stays we didn't leave the resort compound at night . Luckily the ships leave before night also.

[skrufy]

There are as many people who like Jamaica as do not like Jamaica. Go to Jamaica and make up your own mind. Personally, I did not enjoy our stop in Montego Bay. Try Carnival, RCI, Princess, and NCL.

[Shorex]

For the OP, go to Cruise Timetables. You can find all the cruises that either originate in Jamaica or that make a port stop there. Typically, a port stop is scheduled for maybe eight hours or so. It's actually less than the scheduled time when you allow for docking and the "all aboard" time. Pick your cruise and spend your seven (or so) hours in Jamaica. Then you will either 1) love it and want to go back; 2) hate it can't wait to get away; or 3) meh, who cares. And all your curiosity about Jamaica will be satisfied. Happiness :)

[navybankerteacher]

I didn't like Jamaica (Falmouth) when we where there in 2013, I was 32 at the time. But I have heard a lot of people going there on land vaccations who love Jamaica. I guess it depends on where you end up.

I have been to 20+ port stops in the Caribbean and Jamaica (Falmouth), St Kitts and Nassau are stops that I don't need to go back to...

 

People who go to Jamaica on land vacations and have a good time almost certainly spent their time safely within the fenced in area of their resort. Yes, the beaches are great, and some of the resorts have good food and enjoyable activities - but they are no more "in Jamaica" than U S Marines stationed at Guantanamo Bay are "in Cuba".

 

A fenced off enclave, while safe, has little to do with the surrounding territory. Why go all the way to Jamaica when there are many other islands/areas with comparable facilities - and you can safely wander beyond the stockade.

[SeagoingMom]

OP: I have always wanted to buy a red dress. Can anyone recommend where I might find a cute one?

 

Response 1: Buy a blue dress.

 

Response 2: Red is a terrible color for me. I hate it.

 

Response 3: You will not like it if you buy a red dress.

 

Response 4: Try Dress Barn.

 

Response 5: I don't know you at all, but I can tell you that red is not your color.

 

Response 6: Lots of people love red dresses. I, however, would not be caught dead in one, so you shouldn't either.

 

Response 7: If you buy a red dress, you'll wish you hadn't.

 

Response 8: All stores carry red dresses.

 

Response 8: YOU SHOULD NOT WANT A RED DRESS.

 

SIGH.........

[Essiesmom]

Cruisetimetables.com was recommended above. I love this site, as you can choose the three ports of Jamaica from the Ports of Call list, select the time you want to travel, and it will tell you who is calling there, and their full itinerary. EM