Bartender of the Fantasy told us Jamaica is not very safe

[scgustafson]

Do it!!!! We had so much fun on this. We did the bobsled and zip lining, I'm not a fan of heights at all but I'd do this excursion again in a heartbeat. The chairlift to get to the top of the mountain was also great, beautiful views of the island and Caribbean. The jerk chicken lunch was also great.

Of all the excursions we've done on our 4 cruises, this and parasailing at Castaway Cay were our favorites.

I agree with PP, driving across the island in a minibus was totally fine. I wouldn't walk by myself outside the port fence but there was really nothing to see there anyway.

BTW, make sure to coat yourself in sunscreen, you get lots of sun on the chairlift.

Did you do the one through the ship, the Bobsled and Dunn's River Falls one? If so, how did they make the Dunn's River Falls climb optional?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Did you do the one through the ship, the Bobsled and Dunn's River Falls one? If so, how did they make the Dunn's River Falls climb optional?

We didn't do Dunn's River, just the Tranopy at Mystic Mountain, includes zip lining, bobsledding and the chairlift up and down.

 

[scgustafson]

We didn't do Dunn's River, just the Tranopy at Mystic Mountain, includes zip lining, bobsledding and the chairlift up and down.

Was that through DCL, because the only bobsled PA I see is with Dunn's River?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm happy to hear that you liked it. We really want to try it out but were a little hesitant about the safety factor. Also how fast do the bobsleds go? We want to make sure it's safe for our 10 year old.

They go pretty fast but you control the brakes so you can take it slow if you want. We did it with our 12 and 13 year olds. I actually came to a complete stop at one point when my daughter lost her iPhone and it fell to the jungle floor. God bless the workers there who somehow found it!!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Was that through DCL, because the only bobsled PA I see is with Dunn's River?

It was back in 2014 so may have been different than now

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Was that through DCL, because the only bobsled PA I see is with Dunn's River?

It's the Tranopy Adventure (FA12), $159/person

 

[scgustafson]

It's the Tranopy Adventure (FA12), $159/person

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I missed it the first time. My family is sold and looking forward to it in October.

 

[MunFam]

Add to that the Castaway Club backpacks that I've seen many DCL passengers carry in port. I recently sailed with Princess, and lots of my fellow passengers carried their cloth Princess shopping bags in the ports. There isn't much one can do about the sticker you have to wear if you're on an excursion, but remove it once the tour has ended.

I actually put the sticker in my pocket. I refuse to wear tour stickers. Most of the time, its just a tool for the guide to get a kick back on any things you buy in port. I know what tour group I am in...I don't need a sticker like a kindergartner.

 

[MunFam]

From https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/jamaica.html

Crime, including violent crime, is a serious problem in Jamaica, particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay and other major tourist areas. While the vast majority of crimes occur in impoverished areas, random acts of violence, such as gunfire, may occur anywhere. The primary criminal concern for tourists is becoming a victim of theft. In several cases, armed robberies of U.S. citizens have turned violent when the victims resisted or were slow in handing over valuables. Crime is exacerbated by the fact that police are understaffed and often ineffective. Additionally, there have been allegations of police corruption. You should take all necessary precautions by always paying extra attention to your surroundings when traveling and keeping windows up and doors locked while in a vehicle or in your hotel. You should avoid walking alone, exercise special care after dark, and always avoid areas known for high crime rates. Under no circumstances should you accept rides from unknown individuals, including unmarked taxis, as this is often a pretext for attempted robbery and/or sexual assault.

You could fill in the city with almost any major city in the US and all of the warnings will still be true...just sayin.

 

[ludari]

I agree with the majority of what the previous posters mentioned about Jamaica. Last month the cruise I was on docked in Jamaica. I decided to venture past the secure area with my friend and before we got across the street we where solicited to purchase drugs. We said no and continued to the Main Street where it was busy with all sorts of locals shopping. We walked around several blocks but didn't see anything of interest so we decided to head back to the secure area. I would recommend staying in the secure area, with a planned tour group or hired taxi.

 

[tinkerone]

I personally love Jamaica. we used to go there a lot, in fact we just got back from a weeks vacation at an all inclusive and had a great time. we left the compound and walked across the street to do some shopping in a mall area with no issues. I agree that you have to keep your wits about you but isn't that anywhere your visiting as a tourist? I never felt unsafe. one thing I will comment on is that the drug situation is rampant, you could get hit on multiple times with offers to sell to you. I just smile, say no and walk away. also, I would never never go into Kingston, that area is just crime waiting to happen. a year last October six of us took a cab to one of the resorts for a day stay and booked it all on our own. again, we never felt unsafe. just follow your instincts. if it doesn't feel right then walk away.

about ten years ago there was a family of seven who were staying at a resort that we were at. it was a mother, father and 5 children ranging from 8 to 19. they went into montego bay shopping and were approached to buy cheap t-shirts. when the parents showed interest in this offer they were walked off the main streets into back alleys and it wasn't until the person taking them requested they go upstairs into an old building that the parents thought they could be in danger. they were telling us this story at dinner and all I could think of was they had their children with them and they just followed a stranger? how stupid.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Reading these posts, even the folks who seem to be saying Jamaica is safe and there is no problem, please note the wording...................Stay in Compounds, stay in the fenced areas, stay in security area, stay near the gate to shop and take DCL excursions. These all point to a safety issue beyond these areas. This is a old story in Jamaica, there are many dangerous and problem areas.

AKK

 

[Uncleromulus]

We were in Falmouth last cruise--and took a DCl Tour.

From just looking around the area outside the fenced/secure compound, there is no way in the world I would venture beyond that compound on my own.

In fact, I felt a bit uncomfortable on the tour as well--lots of cold hard stares from the locals as our van drove around.

 

[wcw57]

You just need to be street wise and dont do stupid things.The more "touristy" you look the more you will be a target for for petty crime.

well, since i'm dressed as if I just got off a ship and I'm traveling around JAMAICA and I'm definitely don't look like I'm from Jamaica, its pretty dern hard for me to NOT look like a tourist.
That being said, it always helps to be aware and be alert.

and, as we all know, the world could use more lerts

 

[Hundredacre]

For the first time ever (and maybe dcl has done this before and I just haven't noticed- very possible) on our cruise a few weeks ago dcl put a letter on our bed the night before docking in nassau saying that nassau is dangerous, etc, etc.

 

[tinkerone]

Reading these posts, even the folks who seem to be saying Jamaica is safe and there is no problem, please note the wording...................Stay in Compounds, stay in the fenced areas, stay in security area, stay near the gate to shop and take DCL excursions. These all point to a safety issue beyond these areas. This is a old story in Jamaica, there are many dangerous and problem areas.

AKK

not what I said and if your reading that from my comments then I didn't explain correctly and for that I apologize. yes, when we stay in Jamaica we stay in compounds but that is because that is mostly what they offer. its like staying at a hotel In Orlando as opposed to a condo. we do leave the compounds on our own, we just treat it like any other place we visit while on vacation. we are cautious. anyone who is not is a fool. note-I said we do this any place we vacation. we book our own excursions and go off to do our own shopping. have yet to feel unsafe. it is such a beautiful country that it is a shame to be there and not see more than what the port has to offer.

everyone has to make up their own minds. what I find safe and enjoyable others may not. just don't confuse my words with me saying it is not safe to be in Jamaica. I stand behind my feeling that it is.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

not what I said and if your reading that from my comments then I didn't explain correctly and for that I apologize. yes, when we stay in Jamaica we stay in compounds but that is because that is mostly what they offer. its like staying at a hotel In Orlando as opposed to a condo. we do leave the compounds on our own, we just treat it like any other place we visit while on vacation. we are cautious. anyone who is not is a fool. note-I said we do this any place we vacation. we book our own excursions and go off to do our own shopping. have yet to feel unsafe. it is such a beautiful country that it is a shame to be there and not see more than what the port has to offer.

everyone has to make up their own minds. what I find safe and enjoyable others may not. just don't confuse my words with me saying it is not safe to be in Jamaica. I stand behind my feeling that it is.

Sorry, I was not refering to any one individual, I was making a general over view comment.

I know better to to pick on Tinker!..honest...

Facts are many areas of Jamaica are dangerous.

AKK

 

[tinkerone]

Facts are many areas of Jamaica are dangerous.

AKK

as are many areas of Orlando but it would be a shame to miss out on WDW because of fear.

I like to read your posts and find that you have great insight, very informative information. however to miss seeing such a beautiful country, and it is beautiful, because of fear mongering from peoples posts seems a pity. there is crime all over and you always have to be on high alert. anyone who watches the news will know that. I look over my shoulder even going to the grocery store, it seems to be the way of the world now. sad but a reality. I can't even imagine the dangers in European ports now. people are still going to cruise to Europe and do port adventures.

my point is that while its not 'completely safe' its no worse than most other places we cruise to IF we pay attention to our surroundings. to me, the answer is not to avoid the area, that would be a pity. at the very least book an excursion through port adventures. just don't waste the stop because of worrys on crime. if you do that then you might as well stay on the ship at all ports. theres danger every where.

eta--I was going to delete this post but I thought that was unfair to people who may have already read it. I should not have said peoples posts were fear mongering. it is peoples opinions and I have no right to discourage them nor discount them. they are a valuable asset and the other side of the coin, so to speak. to make an informed decision you need to have both sides.
for my misplaced words, I appoligize.

 

[Hundredacre]

as are many areas of Orlando but it would be a shame to miss out on WDW because of fear.

I like to read your posts and find that you have great insight, very informative information. however to miss seeing such a beautiful country, and it is beautiful, because of fear mongering from peoples posts seems a pity. there is crime all over and you always have to be on high alert. anyone who watches the news will know that. I look over my shoulder even going to the grocery store, it seems to be the way of the world now. sad but a reality. I can't even imagine the dangers in European ports now. people are still going to cruise to Europe and do port adventures.

my point is that while its not 'completely safe' its no worse than most other places we cruise to IF we pay attention to our surroundings. to me, the answer is not to avoid the area, that would be a pity. at the very least book an excursion through port adventures. just don't waste the stop because of worrys on crime. if you do that then you might as well stay on the ship at all ports. theres danger every where.

eta--I was going to delete this post but I thought that was unfair to people who may have already read it. I should not have said peoples posts were fear mongering. it is peoples opinions and I have no right to discourage them nor discount them. they are a valuable asset and the other side of the coin, so to speak. to make an informed decision you need to have both sides.
for my misplaced words, I appoligize.

I am split on this. I agree that you should explore the world. But I also think a little fear is healthy. My husband and I have lived all over the world together and before we met. And maybe because we have lived in both "safe" and dangerous places, there is no doubt in my mind that some places are safer than others. We do not live in fear but we err on the side of caution. When you have multiple friends who have had a variety of things including everything stolen and other friends who have been raped at gunpoint and another friend who was stabbed at the entryway to his apartment to within an inch of his life, etc etc, you realize that the world can be a very dangerous place and as beautiful as the world is, even your family's passports and wallets can be taken from under your nose while you are visiting Atlantis.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

as are many areas of Orlando but it would be a shame to miss out on WDW because of fear.

I like to read your posts and find that you have great insight, very informative information. however to miss seeing such a beautiful country, and it is beautiful, because of fear mongering from peoples posts seems a pity. there is crime all over and you always have to be on high alert. anyone who watches the news will know that. I look over my shoulder even going to the grocery store, it seems to be the way of the world now. sad but a reality. I can't even imagine the dangers in European ports now. people are still going to cruise to Europe and do port adventures.

my point is that while its not 'completely safe' its no worse than most other places we cruise to IF we pay attention to our surroundings. to me, the answer is not to avoid the area, that would be a pity. at the very least book an excursion through port adventures. just don't waste the stop because of worrys on crime. if you do that then you might as well stay on the ship at all ports. theres danger every where.

In general terms and most countries I would agree. In the case of Jamaica...........I disagree and stand by my points and the security measures the Cruise industry takes to protect its passengers and for safety there.



AKK