Is Jamaica safe? Should you only get off the ship there if you have a shore excursion?

Question

I'm going on RC's Mariner of the Seas in September '08 and one of the stops is in Jamaica. I've heard some bad things about Jamaica (ie high crime and proverty, etc.). So is it true that you should only get off the ship if you have a shore excursion planned? Thanks for any tips!

Answer 1

jamaica is gorgous and my faviort port. like pp said, dont go past the tourist parts. in ochos rios go to dunn river falls, the fern gullies, the garden, or the shopping near the port. dont go shopping outside the port area.anouther option is to go to a resort such as beaches, sandles, etc..also the is a margeritaville with a waterslide right near the port. alot of the crime is in areas out of the tourist parts and in areas such as kingston. you just have to be smart like you would be anywhere else.

they do inspect your bags before you get back on the ship so dont bring any drugs back to the port

i personally dont know why people dont get off the ship when it stops there we never do a shore excursion with the cruise line we do it on our own. also a good tour guide is a woman named martha shaw she will give you a tour at a resonably good rate. just google her name and you will find the web site

Answer 2

I was there last Feb (Ocho Rios) and it was pretty bad. There were tons of children begging everywhere along with panhandlers EVERYWHERE you looked. We took our own cab over to Sandals Resort-not that great btw--and the cabbie offerend us every drug known to man--also he couldn't drive and he was stoned! If i were you I would stick with a cruise shore excursion or go to a really nice resoert and get a day pass--otherwise for 2 women it is sketchy at BEST! Good Luck and BE CAREFUL!

Answer 3

I have been to Ocho Rios (which is your stop also) twice on two different Royal Caribbean ships (the Navigator and the Freedom).  Yes the street vendors are pushy and aggressive.  Yes there is poverty.  But safety is not linked to either of these two (there is crime in Los Angeles and New York also).

I would not venture too far out of the port area on my own.  However, I have never felt unsafe in Ocho Rios.  As long as you stay with a group or stay in the touristy areas you will be fine.

As you walk down the dock away from the ship, on your right is a shopping center.  It is safe to go there.  Inside the shopping center there are no street vendors.  Between the shopping center and the ship is a small beach.  You might find some street vendors there.  You may have to firmly say no for them to believe you mean it, but you are still safe.  

To the left as you walk from the ship is a beach.  I was there in August 2004 (but did not go there in June 2007).  At the time is was one US dollar to enter.  I believe the name of the beach is Turtle Beach.  The sand feels more like powder.  

Within this beach there are "water toys" (paddle boats, wave runners ...) for rent.  However, there are no street vendors to bother you.

Do not under any circumstances buy any drugs from the street vendors (they are just as illegal in Jamaica and the seller might also be working with the police).  You might get offered other things.  You just have to say no in a firm voice so that they understand that you mean it (it works - I had to do it several times).  

That said, many cruisers will not get off the ship in Jamaica.  If you don't feel comfortable walking around the area, then don't get off the ship.  However, don't go too far beyond the tourist areas around the dock unless you are with a group (the group does not have to be an organized shore excursion).

Answer 4

You'll be okay, don't worry.  My sister and I both went there for our  honeymoons.  Make sure that you don't go alone and also make sure that you stay around a lot of people such as shoppers and passerbys.  Just blend in with the people and don't be afraid to interact with Jamaicans.  They are very friendly towards americans.