The state department stuff if pretty accurate. And so is the Gleaner check out the headlines sometime on line and you will see what is happening in JA However, the best window into the culture is The Western Mirror. It's sad to see how naive the average tourist is ~ a little sun, little beach ~ clear turquoise water, little ganja and every ting cool mon...little do they know the ethics of necessity that permeates the Island.
I was on Conquest in March and did the shore excursion WET AND WILD. It was a blast and the crew were fantastic. I then returned in May and stayed two weeks with a great guy I met while there on first trip. NEVER was I scared or felt threatened. The people of Montego Bay are very friendly. Yes, being in a new country is over whelming but I think like any where you have to be cautious. I spent an entire day and early evening by myself and was never in any danger. Also, if you ever are in Montego Bay, book directly with the WET an Wild Catamaren tour, it is great fun, and half the price the ship charges you. You are 150% safe on this excursion. btw, returning this next week for the Sum Fest.
I have been to Jamaica twice, once for a land vacation and once as a port call during a cruise. I recently thought that Jamaica was getting a bum rap, but the more I read of all the incidents and unstable situation in the capitol, I have to agree that the cruise lines should drop this country as a port stop. The dope/marijuana dealers are very aggressive, even in the shopping zones. I believe that the young females are just the "eye candy" to distract and lure tourist away from busy areas in order to rob them. Tourism has a major impact on the economy there, so if the cruise lines refuse to stop there maybe the government will get more serious in protecting tourist and locking up the drug dealers.
We went to Jamacia in Oct 2007 and took the Carnival sponsored horseback ride. The bus driver, tour guides, and staff at the horseback ride place were all very attentive and had our safety as their first priority. There was even a guy that walked out of the wooded hills we were ridiing and a couple of the tour guides rode over to him and then some other guides showed up in a 4WD vehicle and the guy scurried away. All in all we had a good time, but wouldn't spend the money for the horseback ride again. We did have an encounter with a shop owner from India that was in the little group of shops just outside the terminal (which we were warned about but went anyway). The lady thought that everything we looked at we were going to buy and when I told her that we weren't she called me a M----- F----r. We were also approached about buying dope but when we declined the guy went away. So take heed, beware at the shops just outside of the port, even though there are plenty of security police around. We're going back in Jan 2009 on the Conquest, so welcome any suggestions on what tours are worthwhile and which are not. Happy Sailing!
The sections on Crimes and Victims of Crimes per above are sort of SCARY!
This is taken directly from the State Department site: CRIME: Crime, including violent crime, is a serious problem in Jamaica, particularly in Kingston. While the vast majority of crimes occur in impoverished areas, the violence is not confined. The primary criminal concern of a tourist is being a victim of theft. In several cases, armed robberies of Americans have turned violent when the victims resisted handing over valuables. Crime is exacerbated by the fact that police are understaffed and ineffective. Therefore, tourists should take their own precautions and always pay extra attention to their surroundings when traveling, exercise care when walking outside after dark, and should always avoid areas known for high crime rates. As a general rule, valuables should not be left unattended, including in hotel rooms and on the beach. Care should be taken when carrying high value items such as cameras, or when wearing expensive jewelry on the street. Women's handbags should be zipped and held close to the body. Men should carry wallets in their front pants pocket. Large amounts of cash should always be handled discreetly.
The U.S. Embassy advises its staff to avoid inner-city areas of Kingston and other urban centers, such as those listed in the section on Safety and Security, whenever possible. Particular caution is advised after dark in downtown Kingston. The U.S. Embassy also cautions its staff not to use public buses, which are often overcrowded and are a frequent venue for crime.
To enhance security in the principal resort areas, the Government of Jamaica has taken a number of steps, including assignment of special police foot and bicycle patrols. Particular care is still called for, however, when staying at isolated villas and smaller establishments that may have fewer security arrangements. Some street vendors and taxi drivers in tourist areas are known to confront and harass tourists to buy their wares or employ their services. If a firm "No, thank you" does not solve the problem, visitors may wish to seek the assistance of a tourist police officer.
Drug use is prevalent in some tourist areas. American citizens should avoid buying, selling, holding, or taking illegal drugs under any circumstances. There is anecdotal evidence that the use of so-called date rape drugs, such as Rohypnol, has become more common at clubs and private parties. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other illegal narcotics are especially potent in Jamaica, and their use may lead to severe or even disastrous health consequences.
Relatives of U.S. citizens visiting Jamaica and U.S. citizens who are prisoners in Jamaica have received telephone calls from people claiming to be Jamaican police officers, other public officials, or medical professionals. The callers usually state that the visitor or prisoner has had trouble and needs financial help. In almost every case these claims are untrue. The caller insists that money should be sent to either themselves or a third party who will assist the visitor or prisoner, but when money is sent, it fails to reach the U.S. citizens in alleged need. U.S. citizens who receive calls such as these should never send money. They should contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy's Consular Section at telephone (876) 702-6000 for assistance in confirming the validity of the call.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm.
No cruise ships call on Kingston which is on the other side of the island from both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
There are new port facilities being built to accommodate the new behemoth RCI ships, so expect the number of cruisers visiting Jamaica to continue to increase.
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Carnival halts shore excursions in MoBay after robbery
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The sections on Crimes and Victims of Crimes per above are sort of SCARY! 
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