Let's talk about Jamaica excursions!
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timandlesley
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I signed us up for this one. There are some tripadvisor reviews and YouTube videos of it and it looks like it'll be perfect for our group. I'm excited to see the Jamaican forest and clear water.
Thanks so much for this, found it on Youtube, looks great!
Still trying to decide.. I can book stuff Sunday. Jamaica is the one port we will use a tour either Disney or Courtney tours I'm thinking. Kids ages 8 and 10.
Blue hole or river tubing or dunns or horse back riding or mystic mountain bobsled. Choices!
Blue hole or river tubing or dunns or horse back riding or mystic mountain bobsled. Choices!
MattMatts-Momma
311 Miles from the Wilderness Lodge!!
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- Jun 15, 2006
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I posted this on the Western excursions thread, but I probably should have posted here.
We were on the May 24th Western sailing on the Fantasy, which I think was the second trip the ship made to Falmouth, Jamaica. I know I read a lot of posts where people said they were just going to stay on the ship in Jamaica because of safety concerns.
We decided to do an excursion with Courtney Taylor Tours to the Blue Hole/Secret Falls. I read a ton of reviews on Tripadvisor on the Blue Hole/Secret Falls and also on Courtney Taylor Tours. All of the reviews were excellent, so I felt comfortable booking an excursion with them.
The port in Falmouth is beautiful and the vendors we encountered were not the least bit aggressive, a simple no thank you was all it took, they didn't hassle you. They have your typical souvenir shops and also a "craft" market that had some interesting items. They also had a little stand that sold Jamaican Beef Patties, they were delicious!
When we arrived we asked someone who worked within the port where we should go meet for a Courtney Taylor excursion. The lady gave us directions to the meeting spot and once there, we were promptly greeted by our tour guide the "legendary" Samantha. She is also the young lady I arranged the tour with online and via email. All of my emails were promptly answered by her. We were grouped with a couple of other families from the Fantasy. This gave us a small discount on the transportation fee to the Falls, which was nice.
She was going to be our guide to the Blue Hole/Secret Falls for the day. The shuttle bus accommodated approximately 22 people and had ice cold A/C. The ride to the Falls was about one hour and twenty minutes. It is just past Dunns River Falls. During the trip there, Samantha did an excellent job providing information and some history of Jamaica. She really did an excellent job with the 9 kids we had in our group. She even sang some Bob Marley songs and had the bus join in with her. We were all very pleased with her as the guide.
Our van
The ride to the Falls was very scenic trip through the mountains. Jamaica really is beautiful.
My son up front co-piloting the driver
Once at the Falls, we were greeted by our guides there. I don't remember the names of the guys we had. Also, there was a girl who took everyone's camera in the group and took pictures for them as they climbed the Falls or jumped into the Blue Hole. The shuttle bus driver stayed behind in the shuttle and watched everyone's bags. We were one of the first groups to arrive, so we had the place to ourselves. The place was beautiful, a tropical rainforest. There is one restroom there, had a sink and toilet, very basic.
The guides also did a really good job with helping the kids and adults climb the Falls. There were various height jumps you could do into the Blue Hole. The first jump everyone did had to be at least 10 feet down. You don't have to jump if you don't want to. I will say that the water was very chilly to me, but no one else seemed to mind. I think our group spent close to two hours there.
This shot is off one of the highest jumps.
Here the guides are helping my husband down the waterfall to jump
I want to add this piece of important information, the price to go to Blue Hole only covers your admission to the property. The guides that are there to assist you, work only for tips, they do not receive pay. So tip the guides and the girl who takes the pictures for you. The amount is up to you. We also tipped Samantha and the shuttle driver.
After we left they brought us to a place called Scotchies, where we could have gotten lunch. I think this place also has great reviews. We opted not to stop and get something to eat (long story....)
Next, we stopped at a private beach, it was on the way back to the ship, but I am not sure where exactly. The wasn't an admission charge to us, but they did have a bar where you could get a drink and probably some food. It was a nice place and again we weren't bothered by anyone while we were there.
The "legendary" Samantha and my kids arriving at the beach
We arrived back to the port with at least two hours to spare and had enough time to browse through the shops, craft market and eat a couple of the Jamaican beef patties.
All in all, we had a great day and a wonderful time and would not hesitate to use Courtney Taylor Tours again.
We were on the May 24th Western sailing on the Fantasy, which I think was the second trip the ship made to Falmouth, Jamaica. I know I read a lot of posts where people said they were just going to stay on the ship in Jamaica because of safety concerns.
We decided to do an excursion with Courtney Taylor Tours to the Blue Hole/Secret Falls. I read a ton of reviews on Tripadvisor on the Blue Hole/Secret Falls and also on Courtney Taylor Tours. All of the reviews were excellent, so I felt comfortable booking an excursion with them.
The port in Falmouth is beautiful and the vendors we encountered were not the least bit aggressive, a simple no thank you was all it took, they didn't hassle you. They have your typical souvenir shops and also a "craft" market that had some interesting items. They also had a little stand that sold Jamaican Beef Patties, they were delicious!
When we arrived we asked someone who worked within the port where we should go meet for a Courtney Taylor excursion. The lady gave us directions to the meeting spot and once there, we were promptly greeted by our tour guide the "legendary" Samantha. She is also the young lady I arranged the tour with online and via email. All of my emails were promptly answered by her. We were grouped with a couple of other families from the Fantasy. This gave us a small discount on the transportation fee to the Falls, which was nice.
She was going to be our guide to the Blue Hole/Secret Falls for the day. The shuttle bus accommodated approximately 22 people and had ice cold A/C. The ride to the Falls was about one hour and twenty minutes. It is just past Dunns River Falls. During the trip there, Samantha did an excellent job providing information and some history of Jamaica. She really did an excellent job with the 9 kids we had in our group. She even sang some Bob Marley songs and had the bus join in with her. We were all very pleased with her as the guide.
Our van
The ride to the Falls was very scenic trip through the mountains. Jamaica really is beautiful.
My son up front co-piloting the driver
Once at the Falls, we were greeted by our guides there. I don't remember the names of the guys we had. Also, there was a girl who took everyone's camera in the group and took pictures for them as they climbed the Falls or jumped into the Blue Hole. The shuttle bus driver stayed behind in the shuttle and watched everyone's bags. We were one of the first groups to arrive, so we had the place to ourselves. The place was beautiful, a tropical rainforest. There is one restroom there, had a sink and toilet, very basic.
The guides also did a really good job with helping the kids and adults climb the Falls. There were various height jumps you could do into the Blue Hole. The first jump everyone did had to be at least 10 feet down. You don't have to jump if you don't want to. I will say that the water was very chilly to me, but no one else seemed to mind. I think our group spent close to two hours there.
This shot is off one of the highest jumps.
Here the guides are helping my husband down the waterfall to jump
I want to add this piece of important information, the price to go to Blue Hole only covers your admission to the property. The guides that are there to assist you, work only for tips, they do not receive pay. So tip the guides and the girl who takes the pictures for you. The amount is up to you. We also tipped Samantha and the shuttle driver.
After we left they brought us to a place called Scotchies, where we could have gotten lunch. I think this place also has great reviews. We opted not to stop and get something to eat (long story....)
Next, we stopped at a private beach, it was on the way back to the ship, but I am not sure where exactly. The wasn't an admission charge to us, but they did have a bar where you could get a drink and probably some food. It was a nice place and again we weren't bothered by anyone while we were there.
The "legendary" Samantha and my kids arriving at the beach
We arrived back to the port with at least two hours to spare and had enough time to browse through the shops, craft market and eat a couple of the Jamaican beef patties.
All in all, we had a great day and a wonderful time and would not hesitate to use Courtney Taylor Tours again.
MattMatts-Momma
311 Miles from the Wilderness Lodge!!
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- Jun 15, 2006
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I added some pictures.
timandlesley
<font color=darkorchid>The tag fairy may not but t
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We just returned from Jamaica and can't say enough WONDERFUL things about Chukka tubing tour in Falmouth Jamaica. If you have any questions let us know. We are a family of 4 and had an outstanding time. The Martha Brae river is so beautiful and the guides are funny, nice and accommodating. The transportation to and from the port was wonderful. The BEST port excursion we have ever done and just LOVED it!!!! Highlight of our trip for sure!
Lesley
Lesley
timandlesley
<font color=darkorchid>The tag fairy may not but t
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I have a 10 and a 13 year old and we LOVED chukka River tubing, could go on and on about it, we had a GREAT time!
MousseauMob
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- May 14, 2005
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Has anyone done the Chukka Horseback Ride and Swim with Lunch, either with or without Dunn's River Falls?
Club Disney Chandler
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Just returned Saturday and we did zip lining and bobsledding. Tons of fun, part was me, DW, DS(14), and DD(13). Its a long day, met in WD theater at 7:15 am, drove about 75 minutes, got on the chair lift to go to top of mountain, (takes a family picture at tower 11). Broke into smaller groups for zip lining, did 5 lines and a 20ish foot vertical drop that got us to the fifth chair lift tower. Had to take chair lift back to bottom, stayed on lift to go back to top of mountain. Had lunch up there, jerk chicken was great but sauce was pretty spicy, I had them put it on side and was happy with that decision. Hot dogs were not so good, kids didn't like them at all. After that did the bobsled. If you do the zip lines and bobsledding be sure to get in the line on the left, the line on the right is just for bobsledding only and moves much slower. Bobsled run is fast and fun, we enjoyed about half of it until my daughter's iPhone jumped out from between her knees and fell to the forest floor 
. When we returned the GM happened to see her crying and rushed over to see what was wrong, told him about phone and he got an approximate idea of where it fell out and sent an employee to try to find it. About 30 minutes later he returned with her phone 
after that did some shopping, rode lift to bottom of mtn, waited for other family in our van to return and headed back to ship. Got back to ship around 3:00. All in all was a great time, tour guide was very knowledgeable and very nice, zip line guides were amazing and super nice as well. GM was beyond helpful and all the employees in the gift shop were super caring, they all came up to my daughter to let her know they would probably find her phone. The people of Jamaica were all so incredibly nice. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
On a side note it was really cool to see how excited the Jamaican cast members on the ship were the day before we sailed there. Most had family visiting them while docked. DCL was very gracious in letting friends and family of cast members join them on the ship to see where they worked.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
. When we returned the GM happened to see her crying and rushed over to see what was wrong, told him about phone and he got an approximate idea of where it fell out and sent an employee to try to find it. About 30 minutes later he returned with her phone after that did some shopping, rode lift to bottom of mtn, waited for other family in our van to return and headed back to ship. Got back to ship around 3:00. All in all was a great time, tour guide was very knowledgeable and very nice, zip line guides were amazing and super nice as well. GM was beyond helpful and all the employees in the gift shop were super caring, they all came up to my daughter to let her know they would probably find her phone. The people of Jamaica were all so incredibly nice. I would do this again in a heartbeat.On a side note it was really cool to see how excited the Jamaican cast members on the ship were the day before we sailed there. Most had family visiting them while docked. DCL was very gracious in letting friends and family of cast members join them on the ship to see where they worked.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Bear3412
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Thanks for sharing you experience and posting here.
Your feedback is priceless.
Others ? ? Please post here.
luvavacation
DIS Veteran
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- Nov 23, 2006
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- 913
My family was on the sailing that just returned this Saturday, 6/14/14. We did the Royalton Resort excursion. We loved it!
I was originally going to try to book this on my own, but no one at the resort could give me the same answer, nor were any of my emails returned, when I asked about the day passes and availability. Three times I called, and only once did anyone even know what I was talking about, and I was told that they sell out of the passes, so I would have to buy a room if I wanted to enter the property. With all the uncertainty, I just decided to pay the money and do the Disney excursion to this resort. At least I know what I am getting with Disney!
The ride was maybe 5 minutes, you do pass some shantys that people live in that you just can't believe they live in. It was worse than what we have seen in the Bahamas.
The resort itself was fantastic. Great pools, great food and drinks all included, a water park of small slides and big slides that looked fun but we never went to, and a small beach with perfect sized waves in the afternoon, when the winds picked up. In the morning, the beach was very, very calm. There was seaweed, in spite of the people sweeping the beach trying to clean it up. Until you get used to the seaweed floating by your legs, it is a bit disconcerting, but eventually you just forget about it.
The coffee and gelato "store" (included) had fantastic coffee, and though we did not try the gelato, the pastries they offered were also very good.
Around lunch, a barbecue was set up where jerk chicken and pork were being made. Very, very tasty. Also spicy, but I like spicy, so I was happy to try something Jamaican whilst in Jamaica!
The buffet also had some Jamaican foods, one which was called "bammy". Try it, if you see it. It looks like a pita almost, or naan bread. My eldest DD really liked it.
There were guards of a sort on the beach, as the resort is right next to an area of shantys. As you walk off the resort to the other beach right next to it, you will be approached by people offering you to come and see what they have to sell. We did not go, as we were discouraged from wandering off the property. I have no idea what was in the shantys, but I really had no desire to find out.
Everyone we met, from the driver of the excursion to the people that worked at the resort, were incredibly nice! We were very, very impressed, and it didn't seem to matter that we wore the wristbands that identified us as day guests instead of resort guests, we were treated the same. My family decided that, if we ever do go to Jamaica for an extended stay, we were definitely going to stay at the Royalton.
I highly recommend this excursion if you want beach and pools!
I was originally going to try to book this on my own, but no one at the resort could give me the same answer, nor were any of my emails returned, when I asked about the day passes and availability. Three times I called, and only once did anyone even know what I was talking about, and I was told that they sell out of the passes, so I would have to buy a room if I wanted to enter the property. With all the uncertainty, I just decided to pay the money and do the Disney excursion to this resort. At least I know what I am getting with Disney!
The ride was maybe 5 minutes, you do pass some shantys that people live in that you just can't believe they live in. It was worse than what we have seen in the Bahamas.
The resort itself was fantastic. Great pools, great food and drinks all included, a water park of small slides and big slides that looked fun but we never went to, and a small beach with perfect sized waves in the afternoon, when the winds picked up. In the morning, the beach was very, very calm. There was seaweed, in spite of the people sweeping the beach trying to clean it up. Until you get used to the seaweed floating by your legs, it is a bit disconcerting, but eventually you just forget about it.
The coffee and gelato "store" (included) had fantastic coffee, and though we did not try the gelato, the pastries they offered were also very good.
Around lunch, a barbecue was set up where jerk chicken and pork were being made. Very, very tasty. Also spicy, but I like spicy, so I was happy to try something Jamaican whilst in Jamaica!
The buffet also had some Jamaican foods, one which was called "bammy". Try it, if you see it. It looks like a pita almost, or naan bread. My eldest DD really liked it.
There were guards of a sort on the beach, as the resort is right next to an area of shantys. As you walk off the resort to the other beach right next to it, you will be approached by people offering you to come and see what they have to sell. We did not go, as we were discouraged from wandering off the property. I have no idea what was in the shantys, but I really had no desire to find out.
Everyone we met, from the driver of the excursion to the people that worked at the resort, were incredibly nice! We were very, very impressed, and it didn't seem to matter that we wore the wristbands that identified us as day guests instead of resort guests, we were treated the same. My family decided that, if we ever do go to Jamaica for an extended stay, we were definitely going to stay at the Royalton.
I highly recommend this excursion if you want beach and pools!
Renysmom
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oklamomof4boys
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My son really wants to do this! He has a heart disease and his cardiologist needs more information about it before he will approve it. I hope we can find someone who has done it!
oklamomof4boys
DIS Veteran
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- Apr 4, 2006
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- 1,317
My son really wants to do this! He has a heart disease and his cardiologist needs more information about it before he will approve it. I hope we can find someone who has done it!
jujubiee4
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- Jan 5, 2013
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Thank you Thank you for everyone posting!! Jamaica is the one port i have had trouble booking. My kids definitely want to zipline!! However i want something besides that...possibly the blue hole? Is there time? Im waiting to hear back from Courtnay tours and liberty tours. I have real thrill seeking teens/young adult daughters and the tubing on the zipline combo looked tame. Too bad they didn't offer ziplining/white water rafting.
Keep your reviews coming...thanks!!!
Keep your reviews coming...thanks!!!
We are a family of 3 (son age 12) and will be on the same cruise as you guys. We have booked a tour with Courtney Taylor to go the Blue Hole. tour consists of being collected at the port, trip is around an hour or so to the Blue Hole, lunch, some shopping and a beach (if we want) then back to the ship again. Reviews of Blue Hole on trip advisor were great. We have done Dunns River Falls previously along with tubing on the white river but felt under a lot of pressure from guides at the falls to buy the DVD etc. Hoping Blue Hole is less commercialised! Enjoy the cruise!
MousseauMob
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- May 14, 2005
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Please report back your experience.
Hopefully someone that has already done it will chime in also.-
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