Falmouth- DCL excursion, or explore on your own?

[kmix78]

Hi All

Who has been to Falmouth? Looks like the port lacks in things to do on your own, but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

When we cruised the Mecixan Riviera in 2011 (on Wonder... We loved it!!) we booked no excursions and just simply enjoyed the beaches and locals. Was hoping to do that in Jamaica, but it looks like that might not be a great option.

I'm happy to hear everyone else's experiences in Falmouth, wether booked excursions or not.

Thanks in advance.

 

[OKW Lover]

The only thing to do actually at the port (in the secure area) is some shopping or lunch at margaritaville.

 

[czmom]

I just started looking at Falmouth recently, so I want to follow along

I did see a day pass to Hilton Rose Hill bought from resort for a day. It looks fun!

 

[wjs3]

HI--

If you stay in the port, you won't want to leave the secure area. If you like shopping (the typical shopping you'd do in port cities--lots of the same stores) the secure area is great for that. If you don't it's not.

We also didn't find a Disney excursion that looked right for us, so we booked through Courtney Taylor and did Blue Hole, Scotchie's and Dunn's River Falls with other options, but kids fell asleep in the car and we just went back to the ship which was great with us. It was a great day, very easy to organize and--again, depending on whom you're traveling with--I'd highly recommend it. Courtney Taylor will customize the day for whatever you want!

WJS3

 

[Ajojo]

We went to the Good Hope plantation tour through DCL in November 2015. We had a nice time, beautiful area, but it was very hot!

We went back on the ship to each lunch, and I wanted to get off the ship to explore the secure area. But then we realized that we just wanted some air conditioning so we stayed on board.

 

[KelleighR]

HI--

If you stay in the port, you won't want to leave the secure area. If you like shopping (the typical shopping you'd do in port cities--lots of the same stores) the secure area is great for that. If you don't it's not.

We also didn't find a Disney excursion that looked right for us, so we booked through Courtney Taylor and did Blue Hole, Scotchie's and Dunn's River Falls with other options, but kids fell asleep in the car and we just went back to the ship which was great with us. It was a great day, very easy to organize and--again, depending on whom you're traveling with--I'd highly recommend it. Courtney Taylor will customize the day for whatever you want!

WJS3

This sounds like what we are interested in doing. Can you give me more details? How much time was involved and what did it cost and include? We are especially interested in Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls. Did you get enough time at each place? How far apart are they?

 

[ayz75]

We ventured out of the "port" (secured) area for about 5 minutes and decided to turn back. It really didn't feel all that safe. We went back to the port area and did the trolley tour instead which was alright and I guess relatively inexpensive. We headed back to the ship after the trolley tour and enjoyed an empty ship!

 

[Bear3412]

The port has cleaned up the unwanted aggressive folks outside the gate. If fact we have seen zero peddlers outside the gates the last two visits.

This country is beautiful and has wonderful helpful people. Don't let some poor reviews spoil your visit.

I recommend a taxi, private driver in advance, or a private driver at the port negotiated then at that moment.
Or a DCL tour to Mystic Mountain and/or Dunn River Falls for those that haven't been there before.
You can save a lot negotiating at the lat minute. You can also check out the vehicle specifics too.
DCL tours do eat up more time due to all the people, but Jamaica takes great care of DCL pax, trust me. Accidently mention you are with DCL when on a private tour and you will be paired with the best leader, rushed to the front of lines, etc. IME. While the RCCL pax sit in the sun waiting. lol.

We often visit Mystic Mountain while there.
You do have to take a ski lift to the top though. Very high, so those with fear of heights ......

http://www.rainforestadventure.com/jamaica-mystic-mountain/

Great Bobsled ride and Zipline. Pool too. You can buy more Bobsled ride tickets at top regardless of private / DCL excursion.

ETA; All the drivers within the port gates are vetted, registered and regulated.
You are good with any driver within the gates. Talk with them. Bank right out the shopping if you want to discuss your options.
45 - 60 minutes to MM or Dunn River Falls. Both within 10 minutes of each other.
I urge travelers not to miss these adventures.

Also martha Brae rafting,

JME

 

[wjs3]

This sounds like what we are interested in doing. Can you give me more details? How much time was involved and what did it cost and include? We are especially interested in Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls. Did you get enough time at each place? How far apart are they?

Hi:

Sorry, but I don't remember what it cost! Blue hole is an hour ish away, which felt like a very long drive, but the driver did a nice job of narrating and we made a scenic stop too. It's quite an adventurous off-road kind of drive in some places too! Dunn's river was about halfway back to the ship.

We had all the time we needed at each place, plus time for lunch and we could have also stopped for shopping or additional beach/sightseeing time had we wanted to. The kids fell asleep in the van after Dunn's river and we just called it a day then--with several hours to go before all aboard time.

Courtney Taylor Tours is who we booked through. They are very responsive via email and absolutely OK customizing whatever you want. Would suggest contacting them for costs. In addition to them you pay for admission to Blue hole and falls, as well as buying water shoes (you'll need them) and we bought lunch for ourselves and for our driver. Gratuity too, of course.

Hope this helps.

 

[hoffman1]

I did a food tour a couple of years ago (not booked through DCL). It was a walking tour and you stopped at several different spots to try the local cuisine. The guide also gave us some history of the area. We met inside the gates but I never felt unsafe once we left. All the locals seemed to know our guide and would call out and wave to her.

 

[rays2001]

Back in June 2014, my family did the Chucka Zipline tour, myself, wife, son and daughter , both adults kids over 20. We all enjoyed it very much. The tour left at 7:30 am from the ship, and returned by about 1 pm.

 

[JP350Z]

Question for those that have done private excursions from Falmouth. Do they pick you up within the port or just outside the gate? Reason being I booked a day pass for an all inclusive (Royalton White Sands) using Island Marketing Ltd. I had them add the transfer in the package but the instructions to meet the driver ask me to meet them in front of the courthouse which is right outside the port gates. I'm thinking of canceling the transfer and finding a driver within the port for 6 of us.

 

[JP350Z]

Also as mentioned above Chukka Tours is always a good choice in Jamaica. I used them this past summer while staying in Mobay and was very happy. Chukka does most of the excursions for Disney so if there's anything they offer Disney doesn't your safe to use them. Unfortunately they don't have a contract with the Royalton where I want to go this time.

 

[tlynk]

We did the Green Grotto Caves shore excursion through DCL. DH and I found it fascinating to go through the caves and learn about the history. We were then driven to a beach and enjoyed a jerk chicken lunch that was delicious! We weren't at the beach long though. Personally I would stick with an excursion for this port, but that is just me. DH and heard a few sketchy stories from guests we met while onboard that ventured outside of the gates. However, things may have changed for the better like the previous posters suggested above. Enjoy!

 

[wjs3]

Question for those that have done private excursions from Falmouth. Do they pick you up within the port or just outside the gate? Reason being I booked a day pass for an all inclusive (Royalton White Sands) using Island Marketing Ltd. I had them add the transfer in the package but the instructions to meet the driver ask me to meet them in front of the courthouse which is right outside the port gates. I'm thinking of canceling the transfer and finding a driver within the port for 6 of us.

Our tour met inside the gates and while likely safe to meet someone outside the gates, I can say in hindsight that I'm glad we were inside. Entry to and exit from the port were tightly controlled, with known drivers, etc. Best of luck.

WJS3

 

[Uncleromulus]

MY only suggestion is that if you don't do a DCL tour, at least do a tour with a Private company.. Do NOT venture outside the secure area on your own!!!

We went in October last year and one look outside the secure area was enough for us to just stay put and enjoy Margaritaville for lunch.

 

[JW9DVC]

Can't be any worse than parts of many hometowns here in the USA. California has many areas. Live a little. Just travel in groups.

JW

 

[WendyDarling]

We didn't cruise there, but stayed at Iberostar Grand Rose Hall (beautiful!) this summer. We used Reggae Tours to drive us around to our excursions and they were awesome. Cole, our driver, took us to Dunn's and to Mystic Mountain. He handled the tickets, walked us in and waited in the car in the parking lot for us until we left. The service was excellent and he was super friendly! We used them to drive us to and from the airport, too. Very dependable.

(If you've been to Mystic Mountain before, one of the funny things was he waited with us up until we got on the lift. We joked afterwards that we were wondering if he was going to get on the lift with us, too. ha!)

 

[Kimberly9701]

I originally had planned on staying on the ship and port at Falmouth.. All of the excursions seemed to have long travel times, and mainly I think my (will be 6 year old) son would love the bobsled, but I don't want to pair it with Dunn River Falls. However- I want him to experience something there. I have no desire to go to a Margaritaville in Jamaica since we have plenty of them in the US. All that being said- I'm leaning towards booking with an outside company for the bobsled/zip line excursion. Disney's age limits are very high, so we wouldn't be able to do anything like that thru them.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't be any worse than parts of many hometowns here in the USA. California has many areas. Live a little. Just travel in groups.

JW

Oh it can be worse!!