Know of any private excursions in Ocho Rios, Jamacia

[QTMichele]

Hello,

First time cruiser with questions on a tour I booked with Marva Shaw. we wanted the river rafting, beach time, shopping and lunch. She was very quick with a reply and stated 100.00 and 50.00 for the rafting that seemed high but with all the good reviews I quess this is worth the money. Anybody with advice please let me know. Does any one recommend Orvile Taylor. When marva got back to me she stated she could not be our tour quide but we would be in good hands. This is what making me rethink this and maybe look into other guides. Please advise.

 

Thanks,

Tracey:confused: :confused:

 

Hi, Tracey! Marva is WONDERFUL and I highly recommend her; however, after looking on her website (knowjamaica.com), I did not notice a "rafting, beach, shopping & lunch" tour. If this is a customized tour, then it will cost more money as it is designed just for YOU. :) Now, if you're interested in TUBING instead of RAFTING, then the cost should be less. I would suggest contacting Marva to clarify your price for you.

 

I'm sorry, but I do not have any experience with any other tour guide. I will say that having Marva is GREAT, but I'm sure anyone she hand picks to be your guide should be quite good. Remember, Marva's reputation is on the line. If you're not happy, then we're all going to know about it and it WILL impact her business (just as GOOD reviews do!).

 

Good luck with your choice!

[swier]

Hello,

First time cruiser with questions on a tour I booked with Marva Shaw. we wanted the river rafting, beach time, shopping and lunch. She was very quick with a reply and stated 100.00 and 50.00 for the rafting that seemed high but with all the good reviews I quess this is worth the money. Anybody with advice please let me know. Does any one recommend Orvile Taylor. When marva got back to me she stated she could not be our tour quide but we would be in good hands. This is what making me rethink this and maybe look into other guides. Please advise.

 

Thanks,

Tracey:confused: :confused:

 

My Family and me also my friends used www.yardietours.com they are very reliable and inexpensive also they will make you feel comfortable they are good

[seastars]

In Ocho Rios, we did the Falls along with a private water tubing excursion that was a lot of fun. They took you to a river and everyone got their own tube, the water was a little cool at first ( it is after all a river ) but it was quite a relief from the heat. Everyone was very kind, the tour guides were awesome and very personable. I think we'd do it again if given the chance.

[Deron Reid]

Can't recommend A-Z Planners enough, great service, great prices and small tours, something we love (can't stand the bus full of people). Check them out at http://www.a-zjamaicaplanners.com or email belinda info@a-zjamaicaplanners.com and tel her what you want and she is normally quick to respond. Dunn's RiveR aflls is a must if you have never done it and tubing also great fun, we do this every visit to Ocho Rios and will again later this year when we return.

 

Have fun!

[luna_goddess]

Hello! I've a HUGE fan of Marva Shaw (www.knowjamiaca.com). She made our trip to Ocho Rios one of the most fun ports we visited a few weeks ago!

 

We went to Dunn's River Falls (we were the 2nd vehicle there - definitely beat the congestion!), tubing down the White River (fun and relaxing!), to lunch at a local jerk restaurant, to Reggae Beach (a beautiful, local beach - looks like a scene from the movies), then a short shopping trip before we returned to the ship. Please click on my review in my signature to read more details.

 

 

We're thinking about using Marva - mostly because of all your rave reviews of her! i've got kind of a stupid question.... do you get very wet during the tubing? we're concerned about our digital cameras......

[QTMichele]

We're thinking about using Marva - mostly because of all your rave reviews of her! i've got kind of a stupid question.... do you get very wet during the tubing? we're concerned about our digital cameras......

 

Hi there! Your question isn't stupid and has been asked before - so don't worry! ;) Yes, you WILL get wet; however, you can control how wet you get. The tube has a plastic bottom, but there is space between the bottom and the tube - water DOES seep in and gets your bottom wet. There is a very slight potential that you could fall out of the tube as well (I can't imagine how, but as soon as someone says you won't, then you will! haha).

 

I would bring a disposable water camera and forget about your digital camera for this excursion. If you want to bring it and leave it with Marva during you active portions of the excursion, then go for it - she'll keep it locked up in her van. Otherwise, be on the safe side and get that disposable camera. You can always have the film copied to disk later.

 

Please keep us posted - would love to know if you book with Marva and how your trip goes!:D

[drfeelgood]

Marva does a good tour. But ask her before you book what she expects as a fair tip per person. A colleague of mine used her and said she seemed disappointed in a 20% p/p tip.

[sph7]

AWESOME!!! :D You're really going to love Marva. I believe you'll find her customer service to be top notch! She IS reliable and you'll have no worries with her. I cannot wait to read about your experience with her tour. PLEASE don't forget to post when you return.

 

Enjoy Ocho Rios! As I've said before, it was one of our favorite ports (in large part due to Marva). :)

QTMichele,

 

I'm back! Oh my goodness, you are absolutely right. I love Marva and despite all of my worries about Jamaica, it was my favorite port of call in this cruise. All of my family cannot stop talking about the day in Jamaica. They all loved tubing very much and Dunn's River fall was fun to climb. They also said Reggae Beach was very beautiful and relaxing. Marva could take us to a restaurant to taste Jerk Chicken, but everyone in our tour wanted to shop and go back to the ship early since Carnival sails out at 3:30. What a fun and relaxing day we had because we booked with Marva. Chavah, the driver, was also very nice and courteous. He does not drive like rest of the Jamaican. We also tipped him, too.

 

Anyway, I want to thank you all for sharing info about Marva. As you said, she is a very reliable person and does make you feel safe. Also, we went to the fall before everyone. I booked with other private tours in other ports as well, but I must say we love Marva's the most. If anyone is going to Jamaica, book with Marva. We know we will again. :)

[QTMichele]

QTMichele,

 

I'm back! Oh my goodness, you are absolutely right. I love Marva and despite all of my worries about Jamaica, it was my favorite port of call in this cruise. All of my family cannot stop talking about the day in Jamaica. They all loved tubing very much and Dunn's River fall was fun to climb. They also said Reggae Beach was very beautiful and relaxing. Marva could take us to a restaurant to taste Jerk Chicken, but everyone in our tour wanted to shop and go back to the ship early since Carnival sails out at 3:30. What a fun and relaxing day we had because we booked with Marva. Chavah, the driver, was also very nice and courteous. He does not drive like rest of the Jamaican. We also tipped him, too.

 

Anyway, I want to thank you all for sharing info about Marva. As you said, she is a very reliable person and does make you feel safe. Also, we went to the fall before everyone. I booked with other private tours in other ports as well, but I must say we love Marva's the most. If anyone is going to Jamaica, book with Marva. We know we will again. :)

 

I'd like to say, "I told you so!" :D

[SUWife]

Do you just pay for these private tours with american cash? I avoid using cash at all costs if possible.

[QTMichele]

Do you just pay for these private tours with american cash? I avoid using cash at all costs if possible.

 

We paid Marva in cash. I assume most tour guides operate on a cash only basis, but that would be something you would have to research for a positive answer.

 

By the way, I lived in Syracuse for a few of my teen years and my mother is an SU alumni. :)

[SUWife]

Thanks, I just got a lot of cash to be safe. I will definitely be using the ship safe. When in Bermuda (not on a ship) we had our cash stolen from our room.

[Andy99]

Alot of good information. Thanks Everyone

[QTMichele]

Thanks, I just got a lot of cash to be safe. I will definitely be using the ship safe. When in Bermuda (not on a ship) we had our cash stolen from our room.

 

I'm not sure how Carnival works, but while we were on RCI we got cash from the casino and billed it to our Sea Pass. This worked GREAT for us as we never had a lot of cash unless we needed it. Maybe Carnival has a similar way to dispense cash instead of the pricey ATM's on board. Good luck!

[Twix'n'Wispa]

The tube has a plastic bottom, but there is space between the bottom and the tube - water DOES seep in and gets your bottom wet.

 

I have a question about the tubes if that's ok?......

Do i take it from your description above Michele that the tubes are safe for our 5 year old son??? Like he won't be able to slip through, or do you think he would share a tube with either myself or his Dad?

 

Hi! I've been following this thread with interest as I am researching out stop in Jamaica, great info guys! Marva sounds great:D

[QTMichele]

I have a question about the tubes if that's ok?......

Do i take it from your description above Michele that the tubes are safe for our 5 year old son??? Like he won't be able to slip through' date=' or do you think he would share a tube with either myself or his Dad?

 

Hi! I've been following this thread with interest as I am researching out stop in Jamaica, great info guys! Marva sounds great:D[/quote']

 

Great question! The space between the tube and the plastic bottom is relatively small - a 5 year old would NOT slip through it. You'll have to use your judgement on how comfortable you are with your 5 year old in his own tube. The water isn't very deep in most places, but there are a few deeper spots (over 5/6 feet deep). He could share a tube with you, but you may find that uncomfortable... or not - the trip is about one hour. Maybe bring along a pair of water wings (you know those inflatable arm bands?) as a precaution that way everyone has their own tubes and you feel safer. I'm sure you'll have a fun time! :D

[Twix'n'Wispa]

Thanks Michele, appreciated!:)

DS had a scare in Dubai on a water ride, he got sucked through the tube on his way up a shoot:eek: Luckily he had his wings on, but still you know what they're like, he has a fear of rubber tubes now!:rolleyes:

[QTMichele]

You're welcome! I hope your little boy does okay... I'd have a fear of tubes too if that would've happened to me!

[Davey Wavey]

I felt the tubing was a very safe activity. The plexiglas sheet on the bottom of the tubes makes slipping through them pretty impossible. The whole time you can easily hold onto your child's tube...this isn't even close to white water rapids. Your guide will also hold it if you want.

 

The highest chance for the tube to tip is in the roughest water, which also is the shallowest water...usually less than 2 feet deep. You can stand up as it's like a fast moving creek in most of those spots. But I never felt the possibility the tubes would tip. Since I didn't know that on my first time down, the guide and I held all of our tubes to make a big stable raft.

 

In the deepest water, the water will be very smooth and your tube will be barely moving. My kids all enjoyed it. In short, it is a good time and very safe even for non-swimmers.

 

Aside from that, no matter how stable everything was, I wouldn't bring a camera that I didn't want to get wet. It is a tube ride on a river... Get a disposable water camera or invest in a waterproof case for your digital. The price was initially high for the case, but we took HUNDREDS of photos in the falls, tubing, snorkeling that more than made up for the cost we would have had using disposable cameras and developing film.

[Davey Wavey]

I do have to add that we used Marva for our tour, and she simply made Ocho Rios the stop the best of them all. She was knowledgeable, kind, humorous, and just wonderful. Even though we were tourists going to tourist spots like Dunns and tubing, she steered us around the big tours so we didn't see the big crowds. Oh that jerk restaurant near the tubing place was so quaint but was the best food of the whole trip. It just all added to the laid back environment that we just LOVED.

 

We asked about negotiating prices and ended up paying so little for stuff, I really felt like I was stealing. Marva waited while we shopped for jewelry, and it was so great how my wife asked Marva to come in and the vendor got sooo much more reasonable with his prices.

 

You can't go wrong with Marva or anyone else who works with her.

[Martin and Lindsey]

Had you arranged before your cruise to stop at a place for Jerk lunch, or was it a spur of the minute thing?

 

Was it the Ruins restaurant?

 

Did you stop for shopping on the way back to the ship? Was that stop organised beforehand too?

[QTMichele]

Had you arranged before your cruise to stop at a place for Jerk lunch, or was it a spur of the minute thing?

 

Was it the Ruins restaurant?

 

Did you stop for shopping on the way back to the ship? Was that stop organised beforehand too?

 

Sorry for hijaking... ;)

 

We mentioned in our e-mails with Marva that we wanted to go to a local lunch place. It is NOT touristy and definitely authentic - not the ruins restaurant, but you could probably go there if you asked (and depending on which tour you booked). I would pre-arrange it when you book with Marva, but she'll ask you on the tour if you want to go. Marva is so flexible and easy going - "No Problem!" is her (and Jamaican's in general) motto. :D

[courtaz]

Our intention was to just shop in Jamaica since we've been a couple of times already. We simply asked if Island Village was in walking distance (it was not) but DelRoy offered to take us on a tour (yes he had the red plates). At first we said no but decided what the h---. Didn't for one minute regret our choice. Had a great time with DelRoy. We went to see Fern Gully, Bob Marley Mountain, learned of the many fruits available on the island, met Dennis the Spice Man (get your mind out of the gutter - it was really spice - jerk spices, nutmeg, bananas and such), and ended the afternoon with jerk chicken and Red Stripe beer from the Jerk Centre (I already miss the chicken, sauce, and Festivals).

[crystalblue0610]

OP, thankyou for this thread. I was just about to post this same topic. I've heard so much about the Dunns Falls tours butr I didn't think we'd really want to do it. Now I'm excited and so is my dad....well work on my mom.

 

And from all the positive things here Marva sounds just great. We're also looking at Phil.

 

For Marva, which tours did you do? I like the Ocho Rios Nature Special and the Dunns River tubing and Reggae Beach Tour....but what is the real difference in it and the one with Mahogany Beach....just a different beach:confused:

 

 

We want to do something fun, sight-seeing, shopping, and eating all in one....so which is the best?:)

[QTMichele]

For Marva, which tours did you do? I like the Ocho Rios Nature Special and the Dunns River tubing and Reggae Beach Tour....but what is the real difference in it and the one with Mahogany Beach....just a different beach:confused:

 

 

We want to do something fun, sight-seeing, shopping, and eating all in one....so which is the best?:)

 

We booked the Dunn's River, tubing & Reggae Beach tour and had a great time. The falls were a lot more fun than I anticipated. I thought there would be tremendous crowds (and there ARE if you don't get there EARLY), but, because of Marva, we managed to be one of the first vehicles there. Our tubing experience was a lot of fun too. It was relaxing and playful. Our guide was great too. The beach experience is RELAXING. :) It is not loud, is on the primitive side (NOT resort-like, but just a beautiful beach waiting to be enjoyed) and is GORGEOUS. Also, Marva took us to lunch - we LOVED the jerk chicken - and the wonderful, hot, spicy dipping sauce ! (Marva, if you're reading this, we'd LOVE a recipe!!!)

 

Good luck deciding upon a tour guide. I've read nice things about Phil, but I've EXPERIENCED a GREAT tour with Marva. :D Please let us know and send us a review upon your return. :)