Jamaica in November?

[kathi]

I think this is the first week for a DCL port stop in Jamaica. It would be great to hear experiences with both DCL port adventures and folks who opted to go off on their own. We sail over Christmas and I know there are many guests on upcoming cruises who are struggling with Jamaica activities, with many being cancelled.

Edited to add: I have been to Jamaica in the past - I'm trying to understand what is going on CURRENTLY with Jamaica and DCL.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We love to tour historic homes - stateside & abroad. So on our first Western Caribbean we did the Taste of Jamaica at Good Hope Estate. It was terrible. The bus ride was really long and the lady in charge of the excursion serenaded us with various Bob Marley songs. We got to the stop, where they dropped us at the gift shop for 45 minutes before the 'bus was ready' to take us to the house on top of the hill. We were supposed to get a guided tour of the house (which kinda happened. The docent said, "this is the master bedroom...this is the mistress' bedroom...") and then we were to get fed. Which also kinda happened. Then they expeditiously took us back to the gift shop...for another 45 minutes before the big bus took us back to the pier. There was no serenade on the way back.

Not recommended at all. We consider Jamaica another sea day.

 

[dcassetta]

The challenge with porting at Falmouth is the distance to get anywhere. The Royalton Blue Water is an all-inclusive resort not far from the cruise terminal and they did offer day passes before the pandemic. Inside the secure port area is a Margaritaville with a nice pool area and bar/restaurant.

 

[Intr3pid]

Like Caymans, Jamaica has some of the best beaches in the Caribbeans - including its own 7-mile beach. Negril is 2 hours away, but Montego Bay and Och Rios are nearby. If you don't like any of the offered excursions, just head over to one of the beach resorts in these spots and enjoy the pool complex and the warm waters.

 

[kathi]

DCL has been cancelling excursions and usually we are comfortable going off on our own, but based on the current US State Department advisory, that does not seem prudent. We already lost Grand Cayman, I really wish they could have fit in a second stop at Castway instead of Jamaica.

Jamaica Travel Advisory (state.gov)

 

[Intr3pid]

DCL has been cancelling excursions and usually we are comfortable going off on our own, but based on the current US State Department advisory, that does not seem prudent.

Jamaica Travel Advisory (state.gov)

They have this or a worse advisory for pretty much every country in the world.

 

[fsjking]

We did a private tour last time we were in Jamaica and had a blast. We were able to do Dunn's, river tubing, and Blue hole. The biggest issue was we were rushed as it was like an hour van ride each way. It was sketchy at times, not going to lie. But it was one of the best times we've had at a port.

The flip side of that is Jamaica is not the kind of place to just explore on your own. On previous stops there, we've had cabies try and take us places other than where we told him we were wanting to go. We've been followed by locals and harassed(begging). And seen some things I'd rather not see. Granted that's a lot of the caribbean, but Jamaica just seemed worse. We leave the kids on the boat or at least not take them outside the port. If you want to explore, do a cruise excursion, or research reputable local tour operators.