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However, a polite “no thank you” is usually sufficient to curb their advances. Built in the late 18th century, Greenwood Great House was once the home of the Barrett family, one of Jamaica’s wealthiest and influential families. Many of the historical items remain in the Great House, giving you a glimpse into the life of plantation owners in the 18th century. Renowned golf architect Robert von Hagge designed the White Witch golf course.
Fun Things to Do in Montego Bay on a Cruise Day in Port
The shuttle has stops close to all main attractions in Mo'Bay - Hip-Strip, Margaritaville, Doctors Cave and Downtown. The days when haggling was mandatory to avoid a serious rip-off are long gone. Almost all destinations have standard fares and these only depend on how many passengers will be in the cab - check caribya.com or juta.com for Taxi Fares. However, be aware that to return to the ship, taxi drivers in town (or wherever you heading) may try to increase the return fare. Alternatively, you can visit a few other 18th-century plantation houses such as Bellefield Great House (a 15-minute drive from the port) and Greenwood Great House (a 40-minute drive).
Behind the Scenes: Do They Drive the Boats at Jungle Cruise?
Within this terminal, visitors will find a tourist office booth, duty-free shops, and souvenir stalls, all aimed at enhancing the experience of cruise passengers and visitors to Montego Bay. Upon docking at Montego Bay Freeport, cruise passengers have a variety of options for exploring and experiencing the vibrant city of Montego Bay. One of the most popular activities is to embark on a tour of the city and it’s surroundings. From the world-famous Doctors Cave Beach to the breathtaking Dunns River Falls, there’s no shortage of natural beauty and cultural highlights to discover. Visitors can also indulge in some retail therapy at the Hip Strip, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, the Montego Bay Craft Market is a must-visit for those looking to purchase unique Jamaican souvenirs and handicrafts.
Enjoy a relaxing golf day on your cruise stop
However, walking around tourist areas is safe and allows you to explore local craft stalls, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s just over a mile from downtown Montego Bay to the Hip Strip, so it’s ideal for strolling through the Caribbean port town. Montego Bay is also known for it’s vibrant nightlife, and cruise passengers can take advantage of the citys lively entertainment scene during their visit. From beach parties to reggae clubs, there are plenty of options for those looking to dance the night away and immerse themselves in the local music and culture. Jamaica's second-largest city after Kingston, Montego Bay is a market center for locals, in addition to being a package tourism hotspot for Canadians, Americans and Europeans. For 300 years after, the British ruled Montego Bay, and the town was a center for plantations and the slave trade.
It wasn't until the late 1800's that tourism really began to gain a foothold there. It's an industry that still supports the local economy today, along with banana, sugar and bauxite exports. Otherwise, cruise line shore excursions to beaches often take passengers to resort beaches for the sake of a better overall experience. Adventurous cruise visitors can raft and kayak on the mild Great River. They take excursion buses inland to the starting point, drift down river to the ocean and reach Great River Bay about seven miles south of the cruise port. Prices vary somewhat depending on whether they involve a raft or kayak.
7 Best Cruises to Jamaica - Travel + Leisure
7 Best Cruises to Jamaica.
Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The city comes alive after dark with a variety of clubs, bars, and live music venues. Whether youre looking to dance the night away to reggae music or relax with a cocktail at a beachfront bar, Montego Bay has something for everyone. It also has a sports deck, piano lounge, and a handful of dining venues.
There is a staircase parallel to the waterfall so you can walk alongside and take beautiful pictures of the falls. Next to the beach is located Old Hospital Park, a small waterfront park great for sunset views and family picnics. Doctor’s Cave Beach is relatively small and can be crowded due to its popularity, especially when ships are in port. There is an entrance fee of around $6 per person, plus an additional charge for beach chairs and umbrellas.
Visit Montego Bay Marine Park for unforgettable diving or snorkeling experiences
Mystic Mountain is an entertainment complex 90 minutes east of the cruise port that offers “bobsledding”, zip lining and other activities in one package. Prices depend on the program, but $125 to $150 per person is common for this seven-hour tour. Montego Bay is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Jamaica and one of the major Jamaican cruise ports located in the north-west of the island. All cruise lines offer excellent shore excursions (aka Shorex) and tours of Montego Bay. Besides the sightseeing options mentioned above, the cruise traveler should consider independent tour operators such as Jamaica Tour | Viator | Tours by Locals | Shore Trips | Shore Excursions. Arriving at the village, you are greeted with warm hospitality, including drumming, chanting, and Reggae music.
Night Western Caribbean CruiseDetails
It’s good to note that all-inclusive day-pass availability is limited for cruise passengers. Sunset Beach Park is an all-inclusive beach resort, perfect for relaxing on your day in port. This beautiful beach offers cruise passengers a relaxing and fun-filled day in the sun. Activities include a buffet lunch, free drinks, a freshwater swimming pool, a swim-up bar, and motorized beach activities.
Situated next to Walter Fletcher Beach, at the Hip Strip entrance, this sandy beach features crystal clear water and a relaxed vibe. This beach is mainly popular with locals and is perfect for those looking for a laid-back atmosphere with reggae music and drinks, away from the touristy crowded places. The unique feature of Dead End Beach is that it’s the ideal spot for plane-watching. So you can experience the thrill of planes landing there occasionally.
Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s northern coast is the island's largest and best-located cruise port. It offers easy access to two of Jamaica’s top attractions—Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain, where you’ll find bobsledding and zip-lining—and several of Jamaica’s most popular activities. In Ocho Rios, you can ride horses on the beach, take a tour to learn about Bob Marley and the roots of reggae music, or relax on sandy beaches.
The itinerary includes two sea days, offering plenty of time for lounging by the pool or relaxing by the spa. Or try your hand at the ship’s ropes course and catch a show at the onboard comedy club. Cruise ships dock a few miles outside of Montego Bay proper at the Montego Freeport port -- a rather unsightly complex surrounded by office parks. It's a five-minute, fixed-rate ride into Montego Bay from there ($5). (There are memorial statues there dedicated to his courage.) Sharpe was hanged for leading the Christmas Slave Rebellion of 1831, but by 1838, slavery was abolished.
It boasts 32 restaurants, bars, and lounges and has a spa that offers a selection of more than 120 treatments. The cruise makes its first stop in Grand Cayman before stopping in Aruba and Curacao. Its last stop is Falmouth, Jamaica, a town with cobblestone streets lined with Georgian architecture that sits between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. From Falmouth, cruise passengers can opt to ride a bamboo raft along the Martha Brae River, climb to the top of Dunn’s River Falls, or lounge on the beach.
The Marine Park at Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a great place to arrange sea excursions. Located in the center of the harbor area, the park occupies 15 acres of crystal clear waters, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and tropical coral reefs. It’s the perfect destination for diving, snorkeling, bird watching, catamaran cruises, and glass-bottomed boat excursions. How can you make the most of your day in Montego Bay on a Caribbean cruise? Here are some of the most popular shore excursions for swimming, horseback riding, snorkeling, ATV adventures, and zip lining. Many cruise ship passengers say that some taxi drivers try to take advantage of tourists and charge more for the return fare.
