Jamaica Cruises
From LoveToKnow Cruises
Jamaica cruises are a favorite with honeymooners and active cruisers. With an astonishing range of physical terrain and natural features, from white sand beaches and lush jungle to tumbling waterfalls and 7,000-foot mountains, Jamaica offers visitors many natural attractions as well as a rich culture and history. This distinctive island is a popular port of call for Western Caribbean Cruises, typically for seven-day or longer voyages.
Arriving in Jamaica
Cruise ships have two options in Jamaica: the popular port of Ocho Rios or the port city of Montego Bay (Mo Bay). Both ports are on the island’s northern coast, with Montego Bay approximately seventy miles further west, and both destinations are equipped to serve even the largest ships with modern docks and typical tourist shopping areas. While both ports of call are within reach of the most popular Cruise Shore Excursions and attractions, they are sufficiently far apart that passengers do not typically interact and crowds may seem smaller than other popular destinations.
When arriving at the port, passengers on Jamaica cruises are treated to a stunning view of Jamaica’s startling mountains, which dwarf even the largest cruise ships. Both ports are well-designed to offer sweeping views of the arrival point as well as easy access to shopping and shore excursions.
Necessary information about Jamaica:
- English is the official language but most Jamaicans speak a richly accented local dialect that combines different languages into a lyrical speech. Visitors will have no problem speaking English.
- The Jamaican dollar is the official currency and is equal to approximately two U.S. cents. U.S. currency is widely accepted.
- Crime, especially preying on tourists, continues to be a problem in Jamaica and individual explorations are not encouraged, particularly after dark or in out-of-the-way areas.
Cruise Ship Shore Tours in Jamaica
There are many popular shore tours in Jamaica that range from cultural explorations to dramatic discoveries of the island’s natural wonders. Yacht cruises, golf resorts, Dunn’s River Falls tours, historical tours, safari adventures, river rafting and tubing, horseback riding, canopy adventures, and Dolphin Cove expeditions are only a sample of the organized tours available from both Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Because of the island’s high crime rate, cruise ships frequently encourage their passengers to stay with organized tours or remain within the well-regulated downtown shopping district.
Jamaica Cruises: Sightseeing
Whether you choose an organized shore excursion or prefer to blend with the locals by arranging your own island exploration, you must be sure to visit some of Jamaica’s most popular attractions, including:
- Dunn’s River Falls: This breathtaking waterfall cascades over 600 feet to the beach below in a terraced descent. Tourists can climb the falls, forming a human chain behind an expert guide, or they can simply descend via the adjacent boardwalks to partake of the magnificent views. Locker rentals are available, and aqua shoes are highly recommended.
- Dolphin Cove: The highlight of this small nature preserve is a lagoon with several tame dolphins that visitors can touch, play with, or swim with, depending on the fee they wish to pay. Limited walking trails are well-marked to point out various native plants, and a small shopping center offers typical souvenirs.
- Island Village: Adjacent to the cruise pier in Ocho Rios, this shopping extravaganza covers four acres and includes not only shops, but also different museums, art galleries, and outdoor concert venues.
- Reggae Xplosion: This museum in the Island Village complex explores the origination and history of the distinctly Jamaican music.
- Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville: Another part of the Island Village complex, this world-renowned bar is perfect for imbibing guest, with a rooftop whirlpool and waterslide to complete the outrageous attraction.
- Fern Gully: is a former riverbed converted to a magnificent rainforest preserve south of Ocho Rios that has been cultivated with hundreds of varieties of wild ferns.
- Brimmer Hall Estate: This working plantation east of Ocho Rios offers daily guided tours through tropical fruit orchards and coffee fields. The Estate includes a fine restaurant for guests to sample a wide range of Jamaican delicacies.
- Rose Hall Great House: This famous plantation home just east of Montego Bay has a rich Jamaican history, including slavery, witchcraft, and murder, events which have led to many ghostly legends.
- Rocklands Wildlife Station: South of Montego Bay, this bird sanctuary offers guests the opportunity to hand-feed finches and doves and interact with Jamaican doctor birds.
- Beaches: Visitors have their pick of numerous delightful beaches in both Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. While many resorts line the better venues and restrict beach access, public beaches are plentiful. To find less crowded areas, venture further from the cruise dock.
- Jerked Meat: Though not a physical attraction, this Jamaican staple is a don’t miss treat for visitors. The meat (chicken, pork, or beef) is heavily marinated in a potent blend of spices and slowly roasted until it slips easily from the bone. Jerked foods can be found at many local eateries, and culinary-inclined visitors can pick up spices and rubs to replicate the taste at home.
Jamaica Cruises: Necessary Precautions
Jamaicans know that tourists bring plenty of business to their island, and many locals seek to exploit unsuspecting guests. Prices for handcrafted items are often grossly inflated and haggling can be fierce, but is welcomed. Vendors are very insistent, even aggressively pushy, but polite, firm refusal is effective and the prevalent attitude is “no problem, mon.” Couples in particular will be targeted by aggressive sales pitches, with craftsmen offering the woman a “free gift” if only the man would buy the accompanying piece, because it’s bad luck to separate the pair.
Jamaica is truly an island paradise and a perfect destination for cruise passengers. With excursions and attractions ranging from sedentary historical tours and shopping venues to adventurous waterfall climbs and canopy tours, every guest will go home feeling they’ve become just a little more mellow with island life.
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Comments
Chris - Jamaica is a relatively distant destination, and that makes it hard for cruise lines to have a voyage only to Jamaica. In general, ships will also call on Grand Cayman, Haiti, Key West, or Mexico in addition to stopping in Jamaica, but you do not have to get off the ship at those other ports if you aren't interested. Most ships will offer spa discounts and other great deals for passengers who choose to stay onboard during ports of call. That said, however, itineraries are always changing and you should contact a cruise travel agent for the latest updates.
-- Contributed by: MayntzI was wondering if it was possible to take a cruise just to Jamaica with no other destinations.
-- Contributed by: chrisKrystal - For information on cheaper sailings, check out these articles: Discount Cruises, Discount Carnival Cruises, and Managing Money on a Cruise Ship. Be aware, however, that most cruises to Jamaica are on 7-night or longer voyages, which are naturally more expensive, though those articles will give you tips on saving some money. Best wishes!
-- Contributed by: MayntzThis page has been accessed 2,885 times. This page was last modified 22:03, 18 February 2008.
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