Celebrity ship going to Jamaica

[keesar]

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

I've sailed to Jamaica many times including several stops in Falmouth.  Inside the gates is nice.  I would never, ever go outside without a tour.  One trip we were in Jamaica at the Ocho Rios port with our teenage son.  People swam up to us in the ocean trying to get us to buy drugs.  On the street walking back to the ship, people approached our son and kept following us trying to sell him drugs while he was walking with us!  

 

Not to say all Jamaicans are criminal as they are certainly not.  Did my first ever snorkeling trip on an excursion in Jamaica at the age of 60.  I was pretty scared.  The Jamaicans onboard that boat couldn't have been nicer to me - patient and kind.  It's a shame there is so much crime on that island that you can't be safe just walking around.  I know many other places in the world have the same issues (hey, I live outside of Chicago!) but there is really nowhere on the island I would wander alone.

 

We did an escorted cruise and boy, was it ever bizarre.  People jumped in front of our bus and the bus driver played "chicken" with them.  Driver said he would never stop.  Then there were the motorcycle gangs.  OMG.  I would never leave the compound unless being driven by an experienced local driver.  

[hcat]

best bet.. other than  staying inside the Falmouth gated port..skip it!

 

On another  cruise with X  .I can't recall which port, X used a commercial.pier which was very seedy  and dismal/ no facilities   (Princess had much better)  

 

After waiting with abt 40 others or more, .. in this scary,  seedy area for more than an hour,  we learned the tour operator did not order large enough or enough,  or maybe NO busses for our tour. 

 

 Despite  VERY STRONG resistance from the Excursions Rep, we  all were finally  "allowed"  to cancel,  and get a full refund!  They did everything to preserve the booking without regard to cruiser safety or comfort. 

 

Wasted 2  hrs at least..waiting and arguing!

 

Jamaica is beautiful.. I have been there many times, but  it is no longer a place we would consider visiting....by cruise ship or air!

[keesar]

10 hours ago, hcat said:

best bet.. other than  staying inside the Falmouth gated port..skip it!

 

On another  cruise with X  .I can't recall which port, X used a commercial.pier which was very seedy  and dismal/ no facilities   (Princess had much better)  

 

After waiting with abt 40 others or more, .. in this scary,  seedy area for more than an hour,  we learned the tour operator did not order large enough or enough,  or maybe NO busses for our tour. 

 

 Despite  VERY STRONG resistance from the Excursions Rep, we  all were finally  "allowed"  to cancel,  and get a full refund!  They did everything to preserve the booking without regard to cruiser safety or comfort. 

 

Wasted 2  hrs at least..waiting and arguing!

 

Jamaica is beautiful.. I have been there many times, but  it is no longer a place we would consider visiting....by cruise ship or air!

Last time we were in Falmouth,  I  was surprised how few people left the ship.  We walked around the marketplace and it was relatively empty.  Then when I got near the gate, I noted armed security and many locals waiting to say hi to cruisers.  

 

I do agree that it Is a beautiful country and have enjoyed going to Dunn River Falls and a botanical garden.  I have nice memories of those excursions.  Another memory were dolphins following along  the ship as it left the harbor.

[Travelling2Some]

Jamaica = Sea day.  Same goes for Nassau.  We're not big on the Caribbean anyway but actively avoid itineraries with these ports. 

[keesar]

37 minutes ago, Travelling2Some said:

Jamaica = Sea day.  Same goes for Nassau.  We're not big on the Caribbean anyway but actively avoid itineraries with these ports. 

At least we get off the ship in Jamaica to check out the Marketplace behind the fences and security. A sea day in Nassau.

 

Maybe the OP can ask a couple of the locals that are hanging out just past security for a private tour of a plantation.  I suspect he will get some volunteers. 🤔