Ocho Rios Beaches

[mfdds]

Our Itinerary has been changed to Ocho Rios. We would like to just spend the day relaxing on the beach. RCCL lists three beaches to choose from: Shaw Park, Breezes resort, and Blundel House.

Has anyone had either good or bad experiences at any of these, and would you recommend any or more important not recommend any.

Thanks in advance

[boatlover]

Bumping this up. I am curious too.

[fremontca]

We really enjoyed our time in Ocho Rios. We opted for a ship excursion, 2 ladies traveling alone. Took the Breezes Resort all inclusive tour. (cost $90 pp well worth it) It was a beautiful (and mostly empty) beach club with a great lunch, included snorkeling trip not advertised, (turned out to be private) big empty gorgeous swim pools, open bar, live music. There were only 8 or 10 of us from the ship (Enchantment sail date 9/15/07) who selected this tour. An air conditioned comfortable mini bus took us about 1/2 hour on interesting drive along the coast to the resort. Friendly driver narrated the sites on the way. When you arrive you can sign up for water sports at a booth on the right side of the beach. (all included) I think they had water skiing too. We didn't find out until about 11:00 and tried to sign up for snorkeling at 11:30. Boat was full (about 10 capacity at most) so we signed up for 1:30 (no problem) and enjoyed pool, beach and lunch at ocean from outdoor restaurant, draft beer, rum drinks etc. Turns out we were the only ones going snorkeling at 1:30. Short boat ride (10 minutes) to reef and some pretty fish. Snorkeled as long as we wanted (45 min?) Even had a nice gift shop. What a wonderful day. Wish we had used stronger waterproof sunscreen, otherwise the perfect beach dream!!!

Enjoy....our tablemates at dinner loved the Dunn's Falls excursion but we were glad we took the road less traveled.

[Salbythec]

We really enjoyed our time in Ocho Rios. We opted for a ship excursion, 2 ladies traveling alone. Took the Breezes Resort all inclusive tour. (cost $90 pp well worth it) It was a beautiful (and mostly empty) beach club with a great lunch, included snorkeling trip not advertised, (turned out to be private) big empty gorgeous swim pools, open bar, live music. There were only 8 or 10 of us from the ship (Enchantment sail date 9/15/07) who selected this tour. An air conditioned comfortable mini bus took us about 1/2 hour on interesting drive along the coast to the resort. Friendly driver narrated the sites on the way. When you arrive you can sign up for water sports at a booth on the right side of the beach. (all included) I think they had water skiing too. We didn't find out until about 11:00 and tried to sign up for snorkeling at 11:30. Boat was full (about 10 capacity at most) so we signed up for 1:30 (no problem) and enjoyed pool, beach and lunch at ocean from outdoor restaurant, draft beer, rum drinks etc. Turns out we were the only ones going snorkeling at 1:30. Short boat ride (10 minutes) to reef and some pretty fish. Snorkeled as long as we wanted (45 min?) Even had a nice gift shop. What a wonderful day. Wish we had used stronger waterproof sunscreen, otherwise the perfect beach dream!!!

Enjoy....our tablemates at dinner loved the Dunn's Falls excursion but we were glad we took the road less traveled.

 

 

Did you think the food was good? Did the locals bother you?

[fremontca]

The food was pretty good at Breezes resort, Ocho Rios, a little different and maybe a step up from the RC Windjammer buffet, I remember hot dishes, fish, chicken, potatoes, a tortilla wrap, cheeses, salads, pasta, fruits, desserts, icecream, a nice assortment in an upscale outdoor restaurant. they were alos serving breakfast when we arrived.

The locals did not come into the resort or beach. Maybe one or two guys walking on the edge of the beach but they didn't bother us. The only other people on the beach were resort employees and a few other tourists on the resort chairs. (lots of empty chairs, probably full later when in season? this was mid September) There were local shopping shacks set up about 1/2 mile down the beach, we saw it from the boat when we went snorkeling.... we didn't go there but you could.

[Salbythec]

Fremontca---- Thanks so much for the quick reply. We are still undecided. But your post is making me lean towards going.;)

[fremontca]

We thought that Breezes was a good choice for safety in Jamaica,with the transport to and from sponsored by the ship. Certainly you could find a less expensive resort to visit which might be equally nice. Breezes might not be as special in season. There must be a lot of people there sometimes because they had many chairs (empty) set out around the pools and on the beach.

[Keurigirl]

Which beach would you suggest visiting if we have a 9 month old? We'd rather not do an excursion, for obvious reasons, but just take our own transportation to a beach for the day.