Jamaica - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

KATHY B · 07-16-2005, 08:23 PM

If an hour of torrential rain can wipe out the roads in Jamaica, just imagine what a hurricane will do.

canarymoon · 07-17-2005, 05:54 AM

Here are two first-hand reports from an individual on the southern coast of Jamaica. The reports are from yesterday late afternoon, and there is just over an hour between the first and second.

#1 17:02

Hello from the soggy South Coast. If I were a good reporter I would go out and look at the rain gauge but that is not going to happen. It is raining heavily now, although there is very little wind. The sea is pretty serious though. The sound we are hearing the most is the booming on the beach and the reef that is a kilometre away. I see on the satellite pictures that the eye of the storm is west of us so I am just wondering what the back end of this storm is holding. The local police say there isn't much trouble on the road, in terms of flooding - everyone is staying in so that is good. More if there are any developments.

Ann

#2 18:29
I just signed off an hour ago and things deteriorated here. Heavy, heavy rain, stiff breeze and the sea is really climbing and booming. I guess we are just that much closer to the centre of the storm to make the difference. I wonder how things are in Negril. The NHC said the NE quadrant would be the worst and that appears to be the case here. I leave near a galley and it is rising fast and really moving. You can see how cars get washed away by them. My rain gauge says 4 inches so far today. I am hoping this passes soon. Will advise.
Ann

Lightshine · 08-06-2005, 12:01 PM

I see references to Barrett and Taylor excursions...do they work out of Montego Bay? I would appreciate some details and examples of their tours. We are going there in January I think.

whitehme · 08-24-2005, 10:17 PM

You can have Jamaica. We spent a week there a few years back. "Regular" Jamaican people are wonderful, but the thieves and conmen that hang out at the tourist ports are awfull. Not including the incident where we were held up at knifepoint on a beach in Negril, another example would be an old lady who comes by, gives you a bit of fruit to taste, and then asks for $5.00.

When Jamaica cleans up the ports, we'll go baqck. The island is beautiful.

Bunti · 08-31-2005, 03:06 AM

We had a wonderful experience in Jamaica. A private tour operator -a-z Jamaica travel, (a transplanted englishwomans company ) made our day a delight.

We ran into no threatening or intimidating behavior. We toured lovely gardens, ferngully and a plantation, had lunch at the falls, toured a school and the pottery factory then went to the beach for awhile and had a cool drink. This was in Ochos Rios in November of last year.

It is interesting how different each of our experiences are.

JodiBB · 08-31-2005, 03:28 AM

We've been to Jamaica 5 times and each time, we've stayed on the island on a resort vs. staying there for a day as a ship's excursion...we've never regretted a single trip nor had a bad experience.

It's a beautiful island...but it IS a 3rd-world country and people need to remember that...

Krazy Kruizers · 09-04-2005, 11:07 AM

We spent a week there back in the early 80's - hated it!!

Since then we have taken several cruises that stop there. Have done a lot of tours - all good. Hate Montego Bay for a port. Ocho Rios much better.
The natives are just too aggressive.

JMcClay · 09-05-2005, 03:42 PM

Hello there,

What would be an approraite fee for a private tour for three people?
I know the entrance fees are seperate.

Thanks
Janet

Ziggy7 · 01-02-2006, 03:51 AM

Great information thread, Thanks!

JodiBB · 01-02-2006, 04:11 AM

Montego Bay isn't the best port of the 2...Ocho Rios IS much better and if you need to dock at Mo Bay, I suggest you get a private tour set up or get on an excursion that will head you over to Ocho Rios...

The most important thing to remember is that the natives aren't aggressive...they are assertive, but if you maintain a respectable level of assertiveness back, they will respect you and leave you alone. It is a 3rd world country and just like in Mexico, where children harass you for Chicklets (the gum), these people are just trying to share their wares and make some money...personally I find the children in Mexico more annoying!