Jamaica is among the hottest stops on any Caribbean cruise itinerary. With its vibrant and distinctive tradition, tropical panorama, picture-perfect seashores, and accessible location, it’s no surprise it is among the area’s most sought-after cruise locations. We’re going to delve into 5 Jamaica cruise ports to assist in giving you extra of an understanding of what’s obtainable for an upcoming cruise trip.
Jamaica’s 5 Primary Cruise Ports
Little question you’ll need to know the preferred Jamaica cruise ports. Not solely will this aid you perceive what you may anticipate, it should aid you get probably the most out of those ports of Jamaica. From thrilling excursions to having the chance to discover the island nation’s wealthy historical past and tradition, and even understanding which cruise strains go to which ports, it’s time to know extra!
1. Montego Bay Cruise Port
- Location: Northwestern Coast of Jamaica (approx. 3 miles west of downtown Montego Bay)
- Port Kind: Pier
- Cruise Strains: Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Marella Cruises, Viking Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises
The Montego Bay Cruise Port is Jamaica’s third busiest cruise port, so there’s a good likelihood you’ll cease right here in case your cruise itinerary requires a cease in Jamaica.
The port is situated alongside the northwestern coast of Jamaica, so it’s simply accessible for cruise ships touring from Cancun or the cruise ports of the Dominican Republic. Not solely is the Montego Bay Cruise Port located within the excellent location for cruise ships, but it surely additionally gives cruise ship passengers entry to Montego Bay’s quite a few sights.
Montego Bay is Jamaica’s fourth largest metropolis by inhabitants, and it gives guests fast entry to lots of the sights that make Jamaica such a preferred vacationer vacation spot. With loads of eating places serving scrumptious Jamaican dishes and flavorful rum cocktails, it’s good for these hoping to get a real style of Jamaican delicacies.
Past the meals scene, the cruise port additionally permits passengers to buy souvenirs and duty-free designer objects from a few of the world’s most recognizable manufacturers. Colourful buildings and murals additionally encompass the port. Plus, town can also be recognized for its placing seashores, like Physician’s Cave Seaside and Tropical Bliss Seaside.
For many who are a bit extra adventurous, there are quite a few tour suppliers that work with cruise strains to take departing passengers out for thrilling experiences, like snorkeling within the Montego Bay Marine Park and zip-lining adventures within the tropical countryside exterior of town.
2. Falmouth Cruise Port
- Location: Northern Coast of Jamaica (approx. 20 miles east of Montego Bay cruise port)
- Port Kind: Pier
- Cruise Strains: Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Movie star Cruises, Holland America Line
Falmouth Cruise Port is much less busy than Montego Bay Cruise Port, but it surely nonetheless generally is a bustling place, with many cruise strains that includes it of their itineraries. The Jamaica cruise port is especially utilized by Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, however another cruise strains, lots much less.
The port additionally gives guests a extra historic have a look at what makes Jamaican tradition so distinctive. With well-preserved colonial-era buildings and cobblestone streets, you’ll really feel like you may have been transported into the previous.
Most guests take time to discover Georgian structure, just like the historic Greenwood Nice Home. The city additionally boasts quite a few eating places and avenue meals distributors the place you may pattern iconic Jamaican dishes, like jerk rooster, curry goat, and Jamaican patties.
If taking a stroll again in time isn’t your factor, the city of Falmouth can also be located close to loads of nature trails and rivers that lend nicely to excursions. Mountaineering fanatics ought to take into account the 9 Mile Bob Marley Stroll.
You’ll stroll alongside tropical climbing paths to go to the birthplace and grave of the legendary singer. Most excursions additionally function a totally catered lunch made up of native delicacies. It’s a must-do for nature fanatics and Reggae followers alike. There’s additionally rafting on the horseshoe-shaped Martha Brae River.
3. Kingston Cruise Port (Port Royal)
- Location: Southeastern Coast of Jamaica (approx. 120 miles southeast of Montego Bay cruise port)
- Port Kind: Tender
- Cruise Strains: Marella Cruises, Sebourn, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises
Positioned a brief distance from the shoreline of Kingston, the capital metropolis of Jamaica, Port Royal gives cruise passengers an expertise in contrast to every other. In its heyday, the port was even often known as one of many world’s most infamous pirate haunts, which explains its historic title, “The Wickedest Metropolis on Earth.” Unsurprisingly, this distinct previous has given the port an enduring and distinctive feel and look that can be a memorable a part of any cruise trip.
Guests have a wealth of prospects when deciding how they are going to take pleasure in their time in Kingston. This historic and bustling metropolis generally is a historical past buff’s playground, with loads of Seventeenth-century structure, just like the stays of Fort Charles and the tilted Giddy Home, which was shifted to a 45-degree angle following a serious earthquake in 1917.
Since Kingston’s core is only a quick drive from Port Royal, many cruise guests will take time to benefit from the metropolis’s cultural experiences, just like the Bob Marley Museum and town’s well-known Coronation Market. With numerous eating places, bars, and shops, you shouldn’t have any problem filling your time in Kingston.
Since it’s arguably Jamaica’s busiest cruise port, Port Royal can also be house to quite a few respected tour firms. Get pleasure from horseback using, hikes, ATV journeys, and driving excursions to a few of Jamaica’s most iconic vacationer stops. It’s primarily visited by smaller luxurious strains.
4. Ocho Rios Cruise Port
- Location: Northwestern Coast of Jamaica (approx. 70 miles east of Montego Bay)
- Port Kind: Pier
- Cruise Strains: Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, NCL, TUI Cruises, P&O Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Royal Caribbean
The Ocho Rios Cruise Port is comparatively near the Montego Bay Cruise Port however gives guests a barely completely different environment and expertise. Fairly than being a extra bustling metropolis, Ocho Rios acts as extra of a resort city. Most passengers can be heading by way of the Turtle Bay Pier and Cruise Terminal, which may dock to 2 mid-sized ships or one bigger vessel.
With numerous tour operators providing a variety of fulfilling day journeys to cruise ship passengers, it’s an incredible place to benefit from the pure aspect of Jamaica’s magnificence. Whether or not you like to benefit from the solar and waves of a white sand seashore, or you might be extra drawn to the motion and pleasure of an journey tour, it is possible for you to to seek out what you might be on the lookout for in case your cruise ship lists Ocho Rios as one in all its ports of name.
There’s additionally a small city that caters to vacationers, so you may take within the sights and sounds of native avenue performers, take pleasure in scrumptious and genuine Jamaican delicacies, or just wander the streets taking images and buying reasonably priced souvenirs. You’ll even discover a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on the town if you wish to unwind with tropical cocktails. There are many native cafes which might be strolling distance from the port.
Whereas the city and seashores close to the cruise port are perfect for these on the lookout for a extra relaxed expertise, the plush greenery and gorgeous waterfalls surrounding the port are the actual sights. In truth, Ocho Rios truly means “Eight Rivers” in Spanish, so it’s no shock that the area gives rafting, waterfall hikes, and all types of different thrilling nature experiences.
In case you have the pleasure of visiting Ocho Rios as a part of your cruise itinerary, be sure you take advantage of it. You’ll rapidly notice why so many Jamaicans and overseas vacationers select the area because the vacation spot for his or her holidays.
5. Port Antonio
- Location: Northeastern Coast of Jamaica (approx. 126 miles east of Montego Bay cruise port)
- Port Kind: Pier
- Cruise Strains: Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Port Antonio is taken into account the least in style cease for cruise ships on our checklist, but it surely nonetheless gives a lot for these listed as a cease on their upcoming cruise itinerary. Quite a few seashores and coves supply guests the chance to take pleasure in a peaceable afternoon, which generally is a welcome alternative to distance your self from the crowds on board your ship.
With that mentioned, Port Antonio isn’t simply recognized for its tranquil seashores; additionally it is situated close to some iconic Jamaican websites, just like the well-known Blue Lagoon and the Rio Grande River. If you wish to spend a while listening to rolling waves and taking in some sunshine, the seashores of Frenchman’s Cove are additionally near the port. There, you can find beachside distributors providing chilly drinks and engaging snacks and courses the place you may take pleasure in seashore yoga and meditation.
Transportation to those iconic websites is pretty easy, with many native transport organizations working with visiting cruise strains to make sure that passengers are returned to their respective ships in time for departure.
If seashores aren’t your factor, there are extra thrilling tour choices, like river rafting and snorkeling, in addition to historic websites you may go to, just like the Georgian-era DeMontevin Lodge and Folly Level Lighthouse.
Common Info for Visiting a Jamaican Cruise Port
Irrespective of which of Jamaica’s cruise ports you go to, it’s necessary to make sure you know what you may anticipate. That is necessary on your security and can aid you take pleasure in a seamless and memorable expertise.
At all times train warning when visiting an unfamiliar space. Whereas this isn’t distinctive to Jamaica, some areas of Jamaican cities might be harmful for foreigners, particularly after dusk. Keep away from entering into unlicensed autos when you are exploring the ports. As an alternative, keep on with official transportation choices or these supplied by tour organizers.
Petty crime, like pick-pocketing, may also be a difficulty in some extra crowded areas. We’d suggest being discreet and cautious with valuables. Take into account leaving worthwhile and costly objects, like jewellery and huge quantities of money, in a protected location on the ship, like your cabin protected.
You must also remember that some avenue distributors will try to make the most of vacationers. Perceive that you could be be charged a better value, so don’t be afraid to stroll away if one thing appears costlier than it ought to. You must also keep away from being aggressive when negotiating costs; as a substitute, be well mannered however agency.
Whether or not it’s Jamaica or every other port of name, we suggest maintaining your emergency contact data helpful. This could embody the contact data for the cruise line you might be touring with.
If you’re reserving an tour, we suggest going with one partnered together with your cruise line. Not solely will this imply that they’ve been vetted for security and authenticity, however the operators can be accustomed to your cruise ship’s departure schedule in order that they are going to get you again in time.
Continuously Requested Questions (FAQs)
What foreign money do you want in case you are visiting a Jamaican cruise port?
Whereas the official foreign money of Jamaica is the Jamaican Greenback, a lot of the main distributors will settle for the most important bank cards, like VISA and Mastercard.
For smaller purchases from native meals distributors and memento stalls, there’s a good likelihood they are going to settle for American {dollars}, however it’s not a assure. If you wish to play it protected, it may be a good suggestion to take out some native foreign money beforehand, particularly when you have a selected memento that you simply want to buy to recollect your time within the nation.
Are you able to drink the water in Jamaica?
To keep away from any abdomen points, we’d suggest sticking to bottled water when you are in Jamaica. Additionally, you will need to guarantee that you’re consuming from respected institutions with excessive sanitation and meals storage requirements.
Sadly, water remedy services in Jamaica are less than the identical requirements as these in america, so the faucet water will not be drinkable. Even in case you are in a restaurant, we advise paying further for bottled water and different drinks.
What’s Dunn’s River Falls and is it accessible from the primary cruise ports?
Dunn’s River Falls is situated simply exterior the city of Ocho Rios (roughly 10 miles away). The waterfalls supply a singular and gorgeous glimpse of Jamaica’s pure magnificence, which has made them one in all Jamaica’s prime vacationer sights. As such, quite a few suppliers supply shore excursions that transport cruise ship passengers to Dunn’s River Falls.
Given the truth that the falls are situated so near Ocho Rios, they’re accessible to most of Jamaica’s essential cruise ports, together with Ocho Rios Cruise Port, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, and Falmouth Cruise Port. If you need to go to the falls and expertise their cascading waters and jungle backdrop, examine together with your cruise line to see in the event that they accomplice with any native tour suppliers.
Last Phrases
With gorgeous seashores, picture-perfect jungle backdrops, and thrilling cities proudly displaying one of many world’s most original cultures, Jamaica’s cruise ports are sometimes one of many essential highlights of a Caribbean cruise trip.
Learn Additionally: When is the Finest Time to Cruise the Caribbean?
Irrespective of in case you are visiting the busier Jamaican ports, like Ocho Rio, Montego Bay, or Port Royal, or one of many island’s quieter areas, like Port Antonio, be sure you take the time to soak up every little thing Jamaica has to supply. Hearken to dwell reggae music, take pleasure in some jerk rooster, and chill with a rum cocktail. Extra importantly, have the kind of expertise you crave.
Whether or not enjoyable on a quiet seashore or an exciting journey to the plush jungles and rolling hills, Jamaica is there to be found and loved!
