Jamaica advice

[scrapycruiser]

Whenever we're in Jamaica we book a day pass for one of the hotels through Resortsforaday.com
They are all inclusive, provide transportation getting you back 1 1/2 hrs before sail away time.
The Hilton Rose Hall has a lazy river pool. Beautiful hotel. The kids had a blast. The beach was small but then there are no good beaches in Jamaica, IMHO. But loved the pool and the food. Burgers, jerk chicken and pizzas. No limit on the drinks.

 

[Suttonmama1]

We did good hope resort through DCL. I heard not so great things about some of the adventure courses but we just did the house tour and then explored the grounds. The small bird sanctuary was awesome and the staff there was great. Spent tons of time with my daughter and she literally had the birds eating out of her hand. We didn't do the food package but if you were hungry there is food to buy there. It was an affordable easy excursion and we stayed about half a day

 

[CamColt]

Anyone do the Jamaican bobsled excursion? It looks like a lot of fun!

We did the Tranopy Adventure which includes the bobsleds and zip lining, and enjoyed it very much. It was a long day however, which was a negative for my kids (then 16 and 19) but besides being away from the ship for so long, it was a good time.

To the OP, while I certainly understand not wanting to spend a lot of time on the bus, when we did this tour, I ended up feeling like the ride was part of it. Our tour guide talked almost the whole time, giving us all sorts of info about Jamaica. She got all the kids involved, and even the adults when she told us all our names in Patois (the Jamaican dialect). I actually learned a few things. At the end she said she had some spiels planned for the ride back however she saw most people were asleep and instead just played some Bob Marley music. Of course I cant say all tour guides are like this, but I definitely felt this ride was more than just a ride.

 

[J*e*n]

We did the bobsleds... and if I could scream this from the top of my lungs DONT DO IT!

It was the WORST day of our trip, it made Jamaica miserable. It was awful....

First off, it's not just bobsleds, they take you to some water park also... it's a LONG bus ride away to get to the places.

We get on the bus, after we see everyone else is in swimsuits with towels we figure out there is also some water fall hike after. They take us to where the chair lift is to get to the bobsleds... it was beautiful! You could see so much from the top- especially when it broke for 45 minutes while we were at the top in the scalding sun in JUNE. There were a ton of other cruise ships there also so a lot of people.... We did the bobsled (it's about a 4-5 min ride and it was a cool experience - but DON'T do it if you have any kind of back problems. It's ROUGH). After that, we went to the water fall but it was SO packed that it took forever. SO many people in our group were so mad at the situation and just lost patience with the tour guides that we all sat out while a few people did the hike (we didn't do it because we didn't even know about it...). We sat for probably 2 hours because it was SO backed up from all the other cruise ships.

We got back to the port over 2 HOURS late and about 45 minute before all aboard.

If we ever do Jamaica again, I'd just want to do the activities around the port. As we were hustling back to the ship it looked like there was a lot of fun free stuff to enjoy right where the ship parked.

But don't... don't don't don't... do the bobsleds. (in my opinion)

 

[algae]

We did the bobsleds... and if I could scream this from the top of my lungs DONT DO IT!

We just got back from Jamaica (DCL Fantasy 18Feb-25Feb.) We really liked the bobsled ride. We signed up for the tranopy tour as that was the only option at booking time that had the bobsled. The excursion was:

- 45 minute ride to Mystic Mountain
- ride a ski lift to the top of the mountain
- bobsled ride: very short if you don't brake at all. Very fast, possibly rough ride, but really fun. Do NOT ride this if you have any physical issues. Otherwise, you'll probably have to use the brakes the whole way down and that's not how to enjoy the ride. I recommend you don't brake at all
- not a very good free lunch -- for adults: jerk chicken; fried fish; beans + rice; punch
- zip lines half-way down the mountain -- fun if you play along with the operators
- ski lift down to the parking lot
- 45 minute ride back to the port
- about 3 hours left to shop at the port

We don't regret taking the excursion, but we'd want to be able to ride the bobsled twice.

 

[Laurie907]

Definitely book an excursion that gets you away from the port. The port doesn't do Jamaica justice, Jamaica is such a beautiful place!

 

[ChicosWife]

We did the bobsleds... and if I could scream this from the top of my lungs DONT DO IT!

It was the WORST day of our trip, it made Jamaica miserable. It was awful....

First off, it's not just bobsleds, they take you to some water park also... it's a LONG bus ride away to get to the places.

We get on the bus, after we see everyone else is in swimsuits with towels we figure out there is also some water fall hike after. They take us to where the chair lift is to get to the bobsleds... it was beautiful! You could see so much from the top- especially when it broke for 45 minutes while we were at the top in the scalding sun in JUNE. There were a ton of other cruise ships there also so a lot of people.... We did the bobsled (it's about a 4-5 min ride and it was a cool experience - but DON'T do it if you have any kind of back problems. It's ROUGH). After that, we went to the water fall but it was SO packed that it took forever. SO many people in our group were so mad at the situation and just lost patience with the tour guides that we all sat out while a few people did the hike (we didn't do it because we didn't even know about it...). We sat for probably 2 hours because it was SO backed up from all the other cruise ships.

We got back to the port over 2 HOURS late and about 45 minute before all aboard.

If we ever do Jamaica again, I'd just want to do the activities around the port. As we were hustling back to the ship it looked like there was a lot of fun free stuff to enjoy right where the ship parked.

But don't... don't don't don't... do the bobsleds. (in my opinion)

 

[ChicosWife]

So, the shopping/activities near the port isn't long enough to spend the day?

 

[Astro1]

We booked Jewel at Runaway Bay last month. My kids are ages 8 and 10 and loved it! Nice beach, awesome waterpark and delicious lunch. We booked through resortforaday dot com for MUCH less than dcl. If you compare the cost, it's crazy! Plus our bus was there at least an hour longer (arrived earlier) than the dcl group. It was about a 40 min ride and we enjoyed seeing some of Jamaica along the way. Very eye opening!

We did this tour as well and had a great time. We have 3 kids (6, 9, and 11) and they all loved the waterpark. There was plenty of food and drinks. We went with another family who had two girls also and everyone had a great time. Kids were worn out and took a nice nap on the ride back. I would definitely do it again next time.

 

[5Texans]

We were in Jamaica w/ our 5, 3 and 1 yr old DDs in October. We did a combo dolphin swim w/ Dunn River Falls. I found Jamaica the most difficult to plan with small children.

We had a good time on our excursion, but the bus ride was long. At the dolphin place there were water slides, a decent lunch, parrots, iguanas and snakes to take pictures with- this was a nice relaxing break from the rest of the tour where we felt constantly harassed by locals to buy whatever they were selling or tipping. The tour guides at Dunns, the photographers, and our drivers/guides for the day all had a very brusque manner and were always shouting which was intimidating to my girls and tiring for my husband and I.

Next time I will book a beach break +/- a room for a day for naps, etc.

I do not think that the shops etc at port will be very entertaining for preschool aged children, especially with everyone handing them things, shouting at them.

But, the Margaritaville looked like it might be good for a couple of hours with little ones.

Make sure and tell your kids not to let anyone hand them anything, or tell anyone their name, or the locals will try to make you pay for whatever "personalized" trinket they just accepted.

 

[Bear3412]

Mystic Mountain rocks IMO.
"website down" currently
substitute website info; http://www.rainforestadventure.com/jamaica-mystic-mountain/

At this site MM, you must take a ski lift to gain access to the mountain. For those with fear of heights..... Ski lift thru the jungle at heights of 70 feet minimum.


Book outside DCL and you will likely have a better experience.

The bobsled is memorable and unforgettable.
Of course the first run you are conservative and use the brakes.
The second run,... not so much.

They also have awesome ziplines for newbies. They run thru the forest canopy.

1st time there my 6 y/o and I linked cars. 1st run, brake applied periodically to access track.
2nd run no brake, all the way down. Oh my. My DD is .....
IRRC the front car has brake control. IOW I had no control. MY DD is a nutcase.
Or she just wanted to scare the daylights out of daddy.
Needless to say she succeeded.

Even on a DCL excursion you may buy extra tickets for the bobsled at the top.

My suggestion is book a private tour in advance.
Or, book private at pier for 1/2 the price.
All drivers within pier are vetted and licensed.

Bear right and negotiate on the way out of port. . IMO.
These folks/drivers are also known by the locals and operators of MM, DRF, etc.
This is good and helpful.
They will "work you in" to properties.

We have had wonderful experiences in Falmouth traveling to MM, DRF, BH, etc.

Of course traveling in a cruise sponsored excursion will be a herded crowed experience.
It may also limit you time and choices at said locale. You also have no say in the vehicle chosen for transport.

Research.

Good Luck

Jamaica is beautiful and rocks. Don't miss it IMO.
The locals are wonderful.
Don't believe all the fake news. (oops, sorry, couldn't resist)

Enjoy