5 Caribbean Cruise Ports That Some Say Are Overrated (And Why)

The identical cruise port can have each adoring followers and disgruntled passengers. In spite of everything, many features of cruising are subjective, and the subject of cruise ports isn’t any exception. So, what cruise ports within the Caribbean are getting the least quantity of affection on-line?
A social media put up with over 200 feedback opened up a can of worms to disclose some locations that weren’t effectively obtained by a bunch of cruisers. The query within the title requested, “What’s the most overrated cruise ship port within the Caribbean?”
When folks on a Reddit put up began speaking about essentially the most overrated or disappointing ports within the Caribbean, a number of locations saved developing. Whereas everybody’s journey is totally different, many felt these ports fell quick, typically as a result of pushy salespeople, feeling pretend, or simply not having a lot pleasure proper close to the ship.
Primarily based on their feedback and the ports most frequently talked about, listed here are 5 Caribbean cruise ports that some cruisers imagine are overrated:
1. Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau was the port talked about most frequently as a disappointment within the feedback. Many cruisers discovered it onerous to chill out close to the port, with a number of complaining that “locals harass and haggle manner an excessive amount of.”
Others have been sad with excursions, together with expensive resort day passes or animal encounters that didn’t meet expectations, feeling like “$500 down the tubes” for his or her household. For lots of people, the sensation was clear: “Any cease in Nassau is a quiet day on the ship for us.”
Learn extra: 5 instances you need to keep on the cruise ship when in port
Nassau just lately underwent a $300 million renovation challenge and has drastically improved since then. Some cruisers could not have been there just lately, however even for those that have been there just lately, apparently the port nonetheless has some work to do.
2. Cozumel, Mexico
Cruisers had combined emotions about Cozumel. Whereas many agreed that the underwater world is implausible – with one saying, “Get underwater in Cozumel, the reef and sea life are unimaginable” – the land expertise didn’t impress everybody. Some discovered the world close to the port “fairly boring” in comparison with what they anticipated and felt that “The port is nice to keep away from,” which means you typically must journey away from the ship to seek out the very best experiences.
Personally, Cozumel is certainly one of my favourite ports within the Caribbean and I like to snorkel there and infrequently go to Chankanaab Park once I’m there. There’s a ton to do in Cozumel, however maybe it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.

3. Jamaica (Ocho Rios / Falmouth)
Jamaican ports like Ocho Rios and Falmouth made some cruisers really feel uncomfortable. They talked about feeling unsafe or overwhelmed by fixed strain from distributors.
One commenter merely said they keep away from “Any in Jamaica,” whereas one other shared the depth of their adverse intestine feeling by saying, “That place scared…me, we acquired off, the ship and acquired proper again on.”
4. Freeport, Bahamas
Freeport was typically referred to as a “throw away port” within the remark part of the put up. Cruisers extensively felt there wasn’t a lot fascinating or simple to get to close the ship. The port space itself was seen as unappealing, main one consumer to jokingly evaluate the view upon arrival to having “rolled into city to get an oil change!”
Admittedly, the port does have a robust industrial really feel, and it takes a superb little bit of driving to seek out the recent spots to get pleasure from when in port.
5. Costa Maya, Mexico / Belize Metropolis, Belize
Although situated in several nations, Costa Maya and Belize Metropolis have been typically talked about collectively within the Reddit thread. It is because many cruisers felt they shared the same concern: the speedy port or metropolis space is commonly disappointing or feels a bit pretend, prefer it lacks authenticity.
As one cruiser warned about visiting them, it “It’ll damage your day!” The frequent feeling was that the port space itself, or town middle in Belize Metropolis (which some discovered “terrible”), wasn’t the principle draw. As a substitute, cruisers felt “the factor to do is get out to the cays [or take other excursions],” which means the very best experiences – like visiting historical ruins or pure websites – require touring a distance away from the port space.

Backside Line
This record is basically all primarily based on opinion, and also you may need a totally totally different viewpoint of those ports.
What one cruiser finds disappointing, one other would possibly completely love. It actually simply goes to point out that your expertise at any cruise port could be very totally different relying on what you’re on the lookout for and what you select to do.
Don’t let this record utterly resolve your plans however possibly use it as a heads-up to perform a little additional analysis on these ports in the event that they’re in your itinerary.