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First, I apologize to Mel for not responding to her post earlier - I must have missed it. Wish you would have sent me an email and I would have been happy to respond.
As for Ocho Rios, there is a Jimmy Buffet's Margaritville right at the pier - this is a nice place to just go to the beach, grab a bite or a drink, and not venture too far inland.
As for what makes Jamaica a bit unsafe is just the nature of the situation. It's a relatively poor area and you'll come across alot of begging. Plus, crime in the area is fairly high because of the employment rate.
With that said, as long as you stay on the beaten path, you'll be fine. Overall, the people are very nice and accommodating and you'll not have any problems. But if you go away from the normal areas, you may find problems. The same can be said with any big city in America for that matter.
But for families, the usual shore excursions are relatively short, leaving time for other things to do. This is why i personally prefer to go to an all-inclusive resort for the day. You get great food, free watersports, and a wonderful day at the beach without any worries. There are couples' resorts and family resorts, so there's something for everyone.
And if you're not interested in spending a day at a resort, then there is a long list of shore excursions offered by the cruise line as well as independent companies that are safe and will keep you busy.
And, worse case scenario, you can always just do a little bit in the port and spend the rest of the day enjoying the ship.
Pete
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