Cruise Talk: Ocho Rios Jamaica

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Ocho Rios Jamaica

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Topic: Ocho Rios Jamaica

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 11-09-1999 11:19 AM

I'll be sailing the Carnival Triumph in December and was wondering if anyone had done the horseback riding in Ocho Rios. With all the contraversy about Jamaica just wondered if it was a good and/or safe excursion to take.

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 11-09-1999 02:03 PM

You might be interested in the post, under "Ports of Call and Destinations", dated
July 1, 1999, "IS JAMAICA REALLY THAT BAD" by Larryorvis. The opinion of most of the people is "stay on the ship". This may help you. I haven't been to Ocho Rios in years but the last time I was there I swore it would be my last. If you cannot find this post, let me know and I will e-mail the page to you. You can reach me through this posting.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 11-09-1999 02:36 PM

Thanks for the advice. Looked at the varied contraversy in the forum. Real mixed emotions. I'd definately stay with a ship tour if I do venture off the ship. I'd be happy to stay on board but the guy I'm traveling with has never been on a cruise let alone in the caribbean so I want to make it a possitive experience. I find that once you've seen one island you've seen em all. Nice in their own way but all selling the same wares and offering some good and some bad.

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 11-09-1999 05:21 PM

I agree with you. Every island seems to be the same, though I do like Barbados, in fact we stayed there for 2 weeks one time. They all sell the same junk - think it is made in one place and then distributed to the various island vendors. You will be smart to stay with the ship's tours. Have a great time.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 11-09-1999 07:07 PM

Cruiseman I know how you feel. I will be in Ocho Rios in two weeks and I'm hearing two opposing sides. Friends are telling me not to miss Dunns River Falls, and others are saying to stay on the boat. What to do.

I'll probably take a chance on a cruise tour to the Falls.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 11-09-1999 09:42 PM

Magnum

It is hard to determine exactly what to do. I've been to the falls several years ago and while it was a good adventure the haggling and getting from point A to point B left something to be desired.

The horseback riding tour sounds like alot of fun but it makes me wonder just how safe it is being in the open even if it is a ship organized tour.

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Natalie
First Class Passenger
Member # 347

posted 11-11-1999 01:38 PM

I am going to Ocho Rios in December and plan to take the tour to the Dunns River Falls or the Rafting - let me know what you decide to do once you are there and whether it was good or not. Have to say that we are visiting six ports of call on our cruise and Jamaica is the one I am least looking forward to as I have read bad reviews. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

Natalie (sailing on New Year's Day!)

Posts: 61 | From: Yateley, Hampshire, England | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 11-11-1999 03:46 PM

I'll be back home on Dec. 6...will let you know.

In your case I hope Jamiaca is ready for Y2K.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Natalie
First Class Passenger
Member # 347

posted 11-15-1999 01:26 PM

As long as they serve beer and the sun is shining I don't care!!!

Natalie

Posts: 61 | From: Yateley, Hampshire, England | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

chucka
First Class Passenger
Member # 527

posted 11-15-1999 02:22 PM

I have not walked the Falls, but did take the raft and really enjoyed that. It was like going back in time, very peaceful and romantic. We are going to do it again.

Posts: 15 | From: Cambridge, MA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 11-15-1999 05:08 PM

At the Falls is there time to actually swim, or can you just kick back and enjoy the view. The brochure says to bring swim clothes.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 11-15-1999 06:57 PM

No you can't actually swim but you get soaking wet climbing the Falls so you have to wear a swim suit. Also make sure you have an old pair of running shoes for the climb as the rocks can be sharp. If you don't want to climb the Falls you can just walk up the ramp watch the other climbers.
If you have never seen a picture of the Falls look in various cruise brochures - I believe that HAL has a picture of it or look on the Net. Have FUN!!!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 11-17-1999 07:32 AM

MagnmPI:
Sympatico is very right on the sharp rocks. We sailed Carnival and they offered a type of slipper or sandal that we should of (rented) on ship. We arrived at the falls and had to (rent) a pair of very cheap rubber slippers. These slippers did have good gripping ability, the rocks are very slippery and one could be injured easly. If you do not want to contend with the wet gym shoes there are alternatives.

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 11-17-1999 12:19 PM

Thanks for the tip guys...nothing beats being prepared. I know exactly what kind of shoes you're talking about. I'll know now to bring them.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

asoowal
First Class Passenger
Member # 485

posted 11-27-1999 10:34 PM

There is a great beach at the foot of the falls, and good swimming to be had. I prefer taking a cab and going to the falls on my own. We do have to stop at the driver's "aunt"s flea market, but the bus stops at the company's own flea market.

Posts: 68 | From: Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

irishiz
Just Boarded
Member # 943

posted 12-04-1999 05:20 PM

I was in Ocho Rios about 4 years ago. Yes there is a place to swim at the bottom of the falls as someone else mentioned. I wasn't crazy about the falls, you all hold hands and form a human chain, and walk up the rocks. I got bored and went to the stairs that run along the falls and watched everyone else. At the top of the stairs was a local flea market. I was approached several times here to buy pot, so you might want to be ready for that. The people can be very pushy, hopefully you know how to say no (firmly). I would definitely go with a cruise tour here. Some of the people seem pretty scary. I'm from the South side of Chicago and used to some rough neighborhoods, but I definitely wouldn't venture off here on my own. One woman started touching my friends long hair in the marketplace (not the flea mkt) and said she WOULD be braiding her hair. My friend told her that would be fine, but she's not paying any money for it. Well, of course, that was the end of the braiding! I was surprised that the majority of shops were run by Indians. I thought it would be Jamaicans running it...Whatever you decide, hope you have a good time. Definitely get off the boat and see something. In Feb. I'll be on a cruise that includes San Juan and Nassau. I'm not crazy about either place, but I'll be checking them out even if just for a few hours. There's got to be a few good things that these islands have to offer. Have fun!

Posts: 6 | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 12-07-1999 12:51 PM

Well after all my preparation Voyager of the Seas skipped Jamaica due to high winds and choppy water at the port. According to the crew the captain made 2 attempts to try to port the ship but it turned out to be too difficult. I love extra sea days though...so I was't too disapointed. Since I love cruising so much I know I'll be back anyways.

I'm still glad I bought my aqua socks prior to the cruise. They were $9.99 at home but $19.99 on the ship.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Gordy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1018

posted 01-19-2000 02:08 AM

Other than the Blue Cave Castle in Negril, Dunn's River Falls is the only thing worth going ashore for in Jamaica. And it's not all that great. I know that will make readers mad, but I can't imagine wasting another dime of my money or second of my time on such a bitter place. (I have friends who were born and raised there and some who have been able to escape.) The resorts all try to keep guests on resort grounds. That really should tell you something.

Posts: 24 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

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