Bartender of the Fantasy told us Jamaica is not very safe

[hardis5]

Been to Jamaica when doing an AI and as other posters have said, you cannot avoid looking like a tourist but a little smarts about how you carry yourself and being smart where you go and when and you should not have a problem. Doing an organized DCL tour, you should never have an issue.

If wanting a situation of feeling a little uneasy, in Puerto Plata in the DR we took a taxi from the resort into town to do a quick "supermarket" shop (to pick-up a local sim from an Orange booth). The taxi driver when parking in the store parking lot would not get out of the car (he was not allowed to) and security for the store shoppers cars in the lot was a non-descript local with a sawed-off shotgun that stood at the entrance to the parking lot. Did I feel unsafe, no. Did I wander from the parking lot and wander the streets alone - not a chance.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We were on a DCL excursion last May. The Jamaican bus driver told us that it isn't safe and to shop within the port stores. That was good enough for me.

 

[DnA2010]

We did a private excursion horseback riding when we were there on Oasis. We were picked up inside the docking area. My 40 year old BIL went outside of the enclosed area after we got back and didn't have any issues. he ignored all the guys who tried to sell him things in the first few blocks and then met a nice guy further away who showed him around.

 

[phinz]

Being of pale Scottish stock and prone to freckles and sunburn, I'm afraid there is no blending in for me in Jamaica either. LOL!

You'd be surprised. Have you seen the owner of Sandals Resorts? One of the Cove CMs on the Dream was telling us a story of how she made a comment in patois to another employee and the lily white people behind her next customer asked her why she said that, themselves in a perfect patois. She said she should have known better.

 

[BadPinkTink]

omg, you are all sooo missing the point, looking like a tourist is NOTHING to do with the colour of your skin or hair or eyes.

Its about blending in by BEHAVIOUR and attitude and dress. For example, using a generic non branded carrier or plastic bag not a DCL branded plastic bag. Dont walk around holding a map, instead study the map and plan your route BEFORE you leave the ship. When walking down the street, walk with confidence, look at peoples faces, dont hesitate or look unsure of your surroundings.

Would you go to a black tie event in jeans and a t-shirt? No you dress appropriate for the occasion, so do the same when visiting Jamaica or any so called " dangerous" place. Dont wear Disney branded clothes, or have Disney lanyards or have Disney bags.

Dont walk around with your Ipad or expensive camera taking photos, use a simple point and click.

the "bad" people will know the cruise line schedules and will be waiting for all of you to disembark. Most crime is opportunist, they look for soft easy targets, the people who stand out, the people who look nervous, the people who are dressed head to toe in Disney branding, who are not aware of being watched. Blend in, dont behaviour or look like a typical tourist and you will be fine.

oh and by the way, last year when I stayed in Downtown LA and was walking around, I kept getting asked for directions, ie people thought I looked and acted like a local!!

 

[Hundredacre]

omg, you are all sooo missing the point, looking like a tourist is NOTHING to do with the colour of your skin or hair or eyes.

Its about blending in by BEHAVIOUR and attitude and dress. For example, using a generic non branded carrier or plastic bag not a DCL branded plastic bag. Dont walk around holding a map, instead study the map and plan your route BEFORE you leave the ship. When walking down the street, walk with confidence, look at peoples faces, dont hesitate or look unsure of your surroundings.

Would you go to a black tie event in jeans and a t-shirt? No you dress appropriate for the occasion, so do the same when visiting Jamaica or any so called " dangerous" place. Dont wear Disney branded clothes, or have Disney lanyards or have Disney bags.

Dont walk around with your Ipad or expensive camera taking photos, use a simple point and click.

the "bad" people will know the cruise line schedules and will be waiting for all of you to disembark. Most crime is opportunist, they look for soft easy targets, the people who stand out, the people who look nervous, the people who are dressed head to toe in Disney branding, who are not aware of being watched. Blend in, dont behaviour or look like a typical tourist and you will be fine.

oh and by the way, last year when I stayed in Downtown LA and was walking around, I kept getting asked for directions, ie people thought I looked and acted like a local!!

Thats because anyone can fit in in the US.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Dont wear Disney branded clothes,

people who are dressed head to toe in Disney branding

I have a question about this. Don't people in other countries wear, say, tshirts with Mickey on them? I've certainly seen locals wearing "Disney branded" clothing.

 

[phinz]

Thats because anyone can fit in in the US.

Precisely. This country is such a mishmash of cultures and dialects that anybody on the street could possibly be a local, especially in a city like LA or New York. Don't think that because you were approached for directions means you did a good job blending in. You have to work hard in the States *not* to blend in.

My wife was constantly approached in Ireland for directions even though she's quite American. Why? Because she has curly red hair and green eyes and was in the company of her best friend, who has straight red hair, ruddy skin and blue eyes. It *can* make a difference when it comes to skin color, etc.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I have a question about this. Don't people in other countries wear, say, tshirts with Mickey on them? I've certainly seen locals wearing "Disney branded" clothing.

Yes but not as much as Americans. For example , on my last visit to Disneyland Paris, I saw very few people with Disney branded clothing.

The reason I wouldn't wear Disney branded clothing if I was on a Disney Cruise stopping in Jamaica is that the local "bad" guys will know when the Disney ship is in town and they will be on the look out for people wearing Disney branded clothing. Its like having a bright flashing sign over your head, hey look at me, I'm from the Disney Cruise Ship and they will immediately pick you out as a possible soft target.

 

[Bree]

Jamaica is my most unfavorite port. My DH and I are not naive and are always aware of our surroundings. We couldn't believe how aggressive the people were outside the gated port area. They were not shy about grabbing my arm to pull me into a store. We were approached to buy drugs and have relations with women. Some guy wanted us to tip him because he happened to be crossing the street at the same time as us! It was crazy. This was in Ocho Rios. Not sure about the area outside the port area in Falmouth, but I have zero plans to explore it on my cruise in two weeks.

 

[fairytalelover]

omg, you are all sooo missing the point, looking like a tourist is NOTHING to do with the colour of your skin or hair or eyes.

Its about blending in by BEHAVIOUR and attitude and dress. For example, using a generic non branded carrier or plastic bag not a DCL branded plastic bag. Dont walk around holding a map, instead study the map and plan your route BEFORE you leave the ship. When walking down the street, walk with confidence, look at peoples faces, dont hesitate or look unsure of your surroundings.

Would you go to a black tie event in jeans and a t-shirt? No you dress appropriate for the occasion, so do the same when visiting Jamaica or any so called " dangerous" place. Dont wear Disney branded clothes, or have Disney lanyards or have Disney bags.

Dont walk around with your Ipad or expensive camera taking photos, use a simple point and click.

the "bad" people will know the cruise line schedules and will be waiting for all of you to disembark. Most crime is opportunist, they look for soft easy targets, the people who stand out, the people who look nervous, the people who are dressed head to toe in Disney branding, who are not aware of being watched. Blend in, dont behaviour or look like a typical tourist and you will be fine.

oh and by the way, last year when I stayed in Downtown LA and was walking around, I kept getting asked for directions, ie people thought I looked and acted like a local!!

Well We ARE tourists so we MAY need to look at a map AND we WILL be taking TONS of photos which most locals living anywhere DO NOT DO! It doesn't matter what you do, you will look like a tourist. I could point out a tourist anywhere I go. It's common sense. So that means the people of Jamaica will know right away that we are tourists.

 

[Mo Disney plz]

We were on a DCL excursion last May. The Jamaican bus driver told us that it isn't safe and to shop within the port stores. That was good enough for me.

 

[GWS]