Cruise Talk: Dunn's River Falls

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Dunn's River Falls

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Topic: Dunn's River Falls

Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 841

posted 04-10-2000 01:19 AM

We are wanting to climb Dunn's River Falls when we take our cruise in November. We will be travelling with our 8 year old daughter. Will she be strong enough to climb the Falls?

Has anyone gone to the Falls without taking a shor excursion through the cruise line? If so how did you get there?

Posts: 11 | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 04-10-2000 09:07 AM

Your daughter will love it. It's really not that bad. They scrub the rocks daily to keep them from being slippery. The water is kind of chilly though. But it's refreshing. I have heard horror stories about people falling and breaking bones. But it looked safe to me.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 04-10-2000 09:18 AM

Cruiser:
One has to be careful when climbing the falls due to the smooth and slippery rocks that are used for footholds. The falls are within the park in Ocho Rios so one has to pay to enter weither you climb the falls or not. For a fee there are guides that will help you climb the rock stairs to the top. My wife decided not to climb the falls so she took the wooden walkway. There are special slippers that can be rented at the falls that are very necessary to take the climb. I believe it was MagnumPI that called them aqua shoes. These shoes were included in the price of the excursion with Carnival. Also if you take along items that you don't want to get wet there are lockers that can be rented. We did not take a cruise line excursion and hooked up with a taxi at the pier as did many other people and every thing worked out ok for us. Others recommend not going it alone in Jamaica.

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

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 04-10-2000 10:00 AM

I disagree about taking an 8 year old to climb Dunn's River Falls. It can be very dangerous. If the person behind her was having trouble, she wouldn't have the stength to pull them up. Sure there are guides there but they usually are at the head of the line. When my husband climbed it he wore a pair of old running shoes and he had trouble himself and with the lady behind him. I took the walk way. Those rocks are slippery and there have been a lot of accidents.

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

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 04-10-2000 10:42 AM

Cruiser; I personally would take the ships tour! We do not usually do not and go out on our own for half the price however, I think saftey is an issue here. It has not been that long since several lines threatened to pull out of Jamacia due to crime. I have heard that it has gotten way better and there are alot of good experiences from people out there. I just think the risks outway the benefits! When you get there you will know if your daughter can make the climb it is still worth the visit! Have fun
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 04-11-2000 07:25 AM

Cruiser, take your daughter. It will be something that she remembers for a long time if not the rest of her life. Make sure that she goes between you and your husband that way if there are any troublesome spots she will be fine. The rocks are slippy in some spots but generally not bad. Do rent the shoes either from your ship or from the falls. We had our own river walking shoes and they certainly help. They are a mesh/net shoe with a rubber sole. I would go with a ship tour, not on my own. Better safe than sorry. I'm still leary about Jamaica. You will find that the vendors near the falls are very pushy so keep a good grip on your daughter. They tried to approach my youngest because I guess they see them as the most vulnerable to their pitches and pleads.

Haveagreattime.

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

10X
First Class Passenger
Member # 2

posted 04-11-2000 10:42 AM

We climbed the falls in February, our second time. We took a ship's excursion, were assisted by 2 guides, and the climb was video taped. Yes there are some holes and slippery rocks but nothing to fear. No one in our party of about 50 people was injured. The guides took lots of pictures for us and a water proof camera will help. I helped a lady climb the falls who weighed in at a solid 250 lbs or more. She did have some trouble but managed to complete the climb. She was beaming with pride at the end. If she can do it, I'm sure your daughter can too. By all means take her, and have a great time.

Posts: 51 | From: Lansing, MI USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

luvtacruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 679

posted 04-16-2000 08:07 PM

Though the falls are very pretty, I would not go again. The rocks were very slippery and tough for a short person to climb. The guides suggest that the chain be man, woman, man. I had a woman next to me (I am also a woman) and we lost contact a few times and I had difficulty pulling myself up the rocks. I don't think I would take my 8 year old daughter -- in my opinion it was too dangerous. Once the climb is complete, you must walk through the marketplace where we were constantly approached.

Posts: 18 | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 04-17-2000 10:06 PM

I never climbed the falls but I saw enough. I think they are dangerous and would not want to take the chance and ruin my vacation. Our cab driver told us there are many accidents where people get hurt.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sunnie
First Class Passenger
Member # 1265

posted 04-27-2000 03:42 PM

My daughter who was 14 and my son who was 12 and myself at the time went to climb Dunns River Falls. Let me say my husband was the smart one because he walked the side platform and taped our climb. You could have put us on America's Funniest Home Videos. I think it was the most stupid thing I've ever done in my adult life. The guides were ignorant and not helpful at all. Half way up, my daughter and I got off. My son (go figure) decided to continue the climb with the rest of our tour group and made it to the top (and wanted to do it again). The whole time I watched my son climb, I held my breath for fear he would fall and be injured. I suggest you put your daughter between you and your husband and she will be fine (she'll probaby have a ball). We put my son between myself and my daughter. in front of my daughter was another lady and behind me was a 3 year old little girl. I was too worried about my daughter, my son, and the little girl behind me and myself to enjoy the falls. I think if I had a 200 pound man in front of me and behind me, I would have loved it. Don't depend on help from the falls guides. Last note, when we got back to our ship, that evening we noticed numerous young people (20-25 range) with broken ankles, arms, and legs. The falls are fun but the key word is to be cautious.

Posts: 10 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 04-27-2000 05:58 PM

And what excursion were these unfortunate 20 - 25 year olds on. Might I also ask what they were "ON" when these "ACCIDENTS" happened.
Did you happen top ask if these individuals were consuming alcohol or other substances which seem to be readily available in Jamaica.
We noticed no broken or bent limbs after our day in Jamaica. I must admit though that I would not take a 3 year old to climb the falls. That parent should be shot with a ball of their own .... IMHO

Haveagoodone.

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

10X
First Class Passenger
Member # 2

posted 04-28-2000 02:47 PM

Both times my wife and I climbed the falls we had great guides who made it a lot of fun. They can't help everyone since there are usually so many people in each group. Group members rely on each other to annouce spots where there may be rough walking or slippery spots. Group members also assist each other as needed. There were not any injuries to anyone during either climb. The next time I'm in Jamaica, I'll do it again.

Posts: 51 | From: Lansing, MI USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 04-28-2000 07:01 PM

I would second the reply of everyone and say that caution is the keyword. Last time I cruised to Jamaica, I climbed "Dunn's River Falls. There were times when the chain of people stopped and I was standing almost perpendicular to the surfacre of a slippery rock with ice cold mountain water running over my feet. Also make SURE you have secure tennis shoes or reef boots on. I had reef slippers and they kept slipping off!! While I was climbing, I SAW a middle aged man fall about 20 feet. This man was not drinking at all, he simply lost a grip and slipped. As far as your daughter, there are also deep pools inbetween the fall that are pretty deep and cold. You don't have to climb the falls to enjoy them. There are stairs along the falls you can safely walk up and enjoy the pools along the way. Good luck.

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

100%Ruddfan
Just Boarded
Member # 1383

posted 06-25-2000 09:13 PM

We climbed the falls last year and it is a great experience. I'm not sure about an 8 year old I think it would be OK. Alot of how your climb goes depends on the people around you I would keep your daughter between you and your husband and you should be fine. 4 of us did the bike ride and then climbed the falls we got along fine and kind of broke out on our own. 2 people that went on the cruise with us climbed at a differnt time and there was an older lady in very poor health that our friend had to help the whole way and they didn't have as much fun. They should not have let her try and ruin it for everyone. Our friend was wore out!! Good luck and have fun

Posts: 6 | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 841

posted 06-29-2000 07:25 PM

Thank you to all who replied to my question. I guess the best advice is to go to the Falls and then decide if my daughter can handle it.

Posts: 11 | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

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