aconstantino saw things this way:
Overall
1
Shops near port were fine- tour of the area- felt very unsafe, November 21, 2014
Reviewer: aconstantino
Pros: Only the shops near the port- which belong to Royal Carribean
Cons: Felt unsafe on the tour around the area-
The shopping near the ship were fine. Once you left the area it was not safe. I know there are other areas I am sure that are not as bad, but the area we toured made you feel unsafe. I have been to other countries where the areas were so poor, but did not feel personally unsafe. I will not go to Jamaica again.
reiff0616 saw things this way:
Overall
1
Outside the gates - gees, April 11, 2013
Reviewer: reiff0616
Pros: The port inside the gates is very high-end = great and expensive
Cons: Vendors/"beggers" crazy aggressive - worse than ever
This was our first time cruising into Jamaica but we have gone via air to all-inclusive resorts there before. We loved the port area but the people selling things are CRAZY aggressive. Just steps outside the port there are many vendors. One vendor actually grabbed my 5-year-old daughter, pulled her in her booth, and put a bracelet on her. We booked a shore excursion though the web, not our cruise (MSC), and saved almost 50 percent. Again, at Dunn's River Falls the guides force you to going with them up the falls PULLING you and rushing you, destroying what would have been a great experience. At the top of the Falls they try to sell you a fake video going up the Falls, don't buy it, just another scam. As you think it is all over, when you leave that area they force you though another area of VERY aggressive vendors. The grab you, ask you your name, and carve it into wood trying to force you to buy their "craft." Glad I went to the port and the Falls, but I never plan on going back unless they improve their act. The poverty in Jamaica is rampant and apparently the darn Americans giving in to their tactics has made it almost unbearable, and, yes, I am American.
mvanlaan saw things this way:
Overall
5
Nice stop ... but did not venture on our own, March 1, 2013
Reviewer: mvanlaan
Pros: Dunns River Falls, very clean cruise port
Cons: Shore excursion guide that tried too hard to "be cool"
This was our first time cruising into Jamaica. We loved it. Due to concerns about the dangers out on the town on our own, we booked a shore excursion through our cruise line (Celebrity). We went to Dunn's River Falls and then to Dolphin Cove. Both stops were excellent. Dunn's River Falls was unique enough that I would put it on the "have to do" list -- one time. The only negative was our guide for the day ... he was trying too hard to impress us. He sang to us and it was horrible (very embarrassing). The cruise port, itself, was clean and vendors were all polite and it was a positive experience. It was the nicest cruise port of any that we've seen so far (out of seven cruises). The poverty in Jamaica is bit more than what we've seen in our other stops, so that's a bit depressing.
geeva saw things this way:
Overall
4
Better than I thought compared to first experience in Jamaica 12 years ago., August 3, 2012
Reviewer: geeva
Pros: Safe and felt comfortable.
Cons: Didn't venture into town too much to feel any negativity.
We did go on an excursion to Rose Hall ziplining. First time ziplining with my kids and we truly enjoyed it. Would recommend to anyone. Was scary initially but the zipline employees are very funny, humorous and kept everyone entertained. Great experience and would definitely do it again. Great view of the ocean from up in the mountain while ziplining. Did a little shopping by the port. Don't hesitate to bargain. Bargain all you can.
TimCurry saw things this way:
Overall
4
A nice up-and-coming port, December 1, 2011
Reviewer: TimCurry
Pros: Brand-spanking new port
Cons: Not a whole lot to do in town -- got to get out of town to have fun
Falmouth's port is now almost all done -- earlier reviews said it was still a major construction site. But now the majority of the area is finished and what construction remains is in the background. Falmouth as a town is a nice mix of real-world Jamaica and old-world colonial architecture. The day we arrived, we'd planned an excursion for the afternoon, but had the morning free. We wandered town for a bit, but it was hard to get a sense of the area. The local sellers and tour guides were friendly and not pushy; they excepted a "No, thank you" graciously. If I had to to it again, though, I think I'd have shelled out the money for a short little guided walking tour, just so I felt like I had a better understanding of the area and comfortable knowing where to go. Later in the afternoon, we did an excursion to drive dune buggies on the grounds of the Good Hope Estate. We never actually got to see the Estate (which is the focus of other tours that are available) but we had a blast driving around the grounds of the plantation. By the end we were covered in dirty and dust, but it was well worth it! Chukka (the excursion company) has rather nice facilities to wash up at when you're done. They even had lockers and showers if we'd known to bring changes of clothes with us. The dune buggies and the ride through the countryside were one of the highlights of our entire cruise.
