Appleton Rum Tour?

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

Has anyone gone on the Appleton Rum Tour from Montego Bay? Is it worth the money and the time? Also - I understand they give you a bottle of their rum at the end of the tour:rolleyes: - however, will the ship allow you to take it onboard?:eek:

 

I would like any feedback you may have. Thanks.

[*Mach*]

Has anyone gone on the Appleton Rum Tour from Montego Bay? Is it worth the money and the time? Also - I understand they give you a bottle of their rum at the end of the tour:rolleyes: - however, will the ship allow you to take it onboard?:eek:

 

I would like any feedback you may have. Thanks.

 

 

I did the Appleton Plantation Tour quite a few years ago when the only way there was the train which no longer runs, I understand.

It's an excellent tour with tons of photo ops. The visitor's center is beautiful and you'll drink your fill of rum there!! I don't recall them giving away a bottle of rum at the end of the tour... they may have added that.

[ksjserv]

Is this tour sponsored by the cruise ship?

If not, how do you go about booking it?

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

It is booked thru the cruise ship. When you get closer to sailing the shore excursions become available and you can book then.

 

I e-mailed the company and was told that was the only way I could get to their factory for the tour.

 

What I would like to know is - if anyone else has been lately, was it worth the trip, and how did you get the "free" bottle of rum back on board?

[fresnel468]

Did the Appleton tour a couple years ago and there was no free bottle of rum at the end. You can sample as much as you want from their bar and buy whatever you like before departing.

 

The distillery was interesting but seeing the sights on the long ride there and back was just as interesting.

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

What no free rum??? :eek: :eek: Well can't say that I am disappointed or surprised. What is free these days? :) Thanks for your knowledge. Oh well, on to plan B.;) ;)

[ksjserv]

What no free rum??? :eek: :eek: Well can't say that I am disappointed or surprised. What is free these days? :) Thanks for your knowledge. Oh well, on to plan B.;) ;)

 

DH & I are interested in taking this tour so I went on their website and they do give you a bottle of Rum..I'll bet its one of those tiny ones that you get in planes.

 

I then went on Carnival's website and checked out this excursion and all I learned was that it take about 1.5 hours to get there and the total time for the excursion going, touring and coming back to the ship is a little over 6.5 hours. I checked for the price and all it showed was $$ and thats all. I guess as it gets closer and we get our packet with our documents, etc the excursion programs will be in there. I know thats how RCI does it.

 

I would also like to hear from anyone who took this tour, especially since its 1.5 hours to get there. I'm kinda leery about Montego Bay. We were there last summer and the only place we went after we docked was to Margaritaville. We took a van because there were 13 of us including 5 kids. That place scares me..

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

I know what you mean - about it scaring you. After speaking to a few folks I was told not to be scared about Montego Bay - that Kingston was the really scary place to go. However, I have not been to any -- so I want to enjoy my trip and not face any of that scary stuff -- that is why I was interested in the Appleton Rum Factory too. My parents were there a long time ago, and said it was a good size bottle of rum that they received, as well as alot of tasting as well.

 

When are you going? Perhaps if you are there before January - you can let me know. Thanks

[ksjserv]

I know what you mean - about it scaring you. After speaking to a few folks I was told not to be scared about Montego Bay - that Kingston was the really scary place to go. However, I have not been to any -- so I want to enjoy my trip and not face any of that scary stuff -- that is why I was interested in the Appleton Rum Factory too. My parents were there a long time ago, and said it was a good size bottle of rum that they received, as well as alot of tasting as well.

 

When are you going? Perhaps if you are there before January - you can let me know. Thanks

 

We'll begin sailing on on January 11, 2009 so if anyone takes this tour prior to January please post your comments here.

 

When are you leaving???

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

We are actually going one week before you - so I am afraid I can't be of much help either.

[weLuv2cruz2MUCH]

We just received our shore excursions listing from RCCL - and the tour to Appleton is $68 per person. They do NOT mention any free bottles of rum in the description. Still thinking about going to Sunset Beach resort - I can drink my rum there and from what I hear, feel pretty safe there too.

[fresnel468]

We just received our shore excursions listing from RCCL - and the tour to Appleton is $68 per person. They do NOT mention any free bottles of rum in the description. Still thinking about going to Sunset Beach resort - I can drink my rum there and from what I hear, feel pretty safe there too.

 

Having done both Appleton and Sunset Beach, I would definitely recommend Sunset for a more relaxing, fun day. Sunset is cheaper too!

[suzbcruiser]

DH and I just booked the Appleton Estate Rum Tour through Carnival. We sail in 3 weeks. I will be sure to post a review when we return.

[royandjenn]

We did the appleton rum tour last year, us and our 2 girls (7 and 9 at the time). It was interesting... but there were only a few buildings they would let u see. When u get there, you watch a movie about the whole history of appleton etc... and they give you a glass of potent rum punch. Then they took us thru the factory, which took maybe 20 minutes. They did a fun little quiz with our girls... there were 2 peacocks in a cage, and he asked them, "which is the female?" they pointed to the right one, and they won a 26 oz bottle of "end of the world banana liquor". okay... our kids won a bottle of booze... ha ha... of course... we drank it after we got home... At the end, they brought us in this small room with a bar at one end. On the bar was every kind of appleton booze they have. The guide will pour u shots of whatever you want, as much as you want; and then you get your big free bottle of rum (1 or 2 oz. little little bottle actually!). That was our tour. Now, we were in Jamaica for 2 weeks, not one day. I would not take this tour if I was in Jamaica for one day!! Also, there was a store at the factory that sold all their rum. We bought a bottle of 40 year old rum for 140 US... it was 105 at the airport... sheeesh... you'd think it would be cheaper at the factory!! Honestly though... If I was in Montego bay for the day; I would catch a cab to negril, and spend the day on 7 mile beach. There are cheap drinks, watersports galore, and just fun fun. If you want info on other tours we have done... ask... you can also try talkofthetowntours, who we always go with. They are amazing people... originally from the United States, now living in Jamaica, full of great info... anyways, thats all for now!!!

[suzbcruiser]

We just got back from our cruise. The Appleton Estate Rum Tour was quite interesting. One never really thinks about the process to make your favorite liquor. The day was hot and steamy so it made the tour seem a liittle endless as most of it was outside. The facility was amazing, our tour guide was fantastic, very informative and answered all questions. Here is a run down of what we did.

 

Once you get to the Estate, you will receive a rum punch. This was made with Apple Juice and Rum. Very good and VERY strong. We then took a tour of the grounds and tasted the juice from the sugar cane and another sugar molasses mixture. After the tour was over, we were escorted into the main building for lunch. It was jerked chicken, red beans and rice, pumpkin and salad with dressing. You could have more rum punch or go to the bar for soda or something else. Bottled water was an extra charge. At this time, our tour guide walked around and gave everyone a little bottle of rum for a souvenir. (about the size of a bottle in a mini bar) After lunch we had some Rum Cake, very good. And then started the tastings. You are allowed to pour your own rum for the tastings. Our tour guide went through all of the varieties of Rum and then you could taste what you wanted. I have to say the Banana Cream Rum was to die for! The gift shops are separated across from eachother. One side has all Rum and Rum items the other side has tee shirts, hats, magnets and such. The Estate and tour were wonderful. I am glad we got to experience it.

 

The only downside to the tour was the drive there, it took almost 3 1/2 hours to get there due to road damage from Hurricane Gustav. One little boy on our bus got motion sick. The ride going back only took 1 1/2 hours. I asked the driver why we didn't go this way to begin with and he said it had more damage and more traffic and it was too difficult to traverse going to the Estate, versus going to the cruise terminal. This didn't make any sense to me, but oh well, I made it back to the ship.

 

The scenery on the drive was beautiful, so lush! The children getting out of school were so adorable in the school uniforms. They would wave at the bus as we went by.

 

I don't think I would do the tour again because once is enough, but I am glad that I experienced it!