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[ 10-26-2005: Message edited by: glynn ]
One word of warning in Jamaica - go on a ship's excursion and don't wander around on your own. It's too dangerous.
With all the damage that has been done to the piers in Cozumel, I think it will be a long time before cruise ships are allowed back to the island.
When are you sailing on your cruise?
The crime rate is on a par with Gary, Indiana, South Bronx, and East LA
quote:Originally posted by sympatico:One word of warning in Jamaica - go on a ship's excursion and don't wander around on your own. It's too dangerous.
Staying on the ship!
sympatico hit the nail on the head...
quote:One word of warning in Jamaica - go on a ship's excursion and don't wander around on your own. It's too dangerous.
..And have a nice day!
P.S. It may be a good idea to check out the cruise lines website of your ship and visit their SHORE EXCURSIONS section for each port. This will give you a great idea of what is offered and what may be to your liking...
[ 10-27-2005: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:My MOST FAVORITE all time activity reserved just for visits to Jamaica...Staying on the ship! ]
]
Mine too!
I wonder why cruise lines bother stop at Jamaica if it is so dangerous.
What’s the point of visiting a place if you are scared to walk down a street and have to be chaperoned by tour bus? There are so many other attractive ports in the world.
[ 10-27-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:Jamaica is well known and certainly an interesting destination - I guess hardly anyone is aware of this problem. (I never heard about it before)
This problem has been going on for years - it's not something new, but it's just gotten worse, in my opinion.
When we were in Montego Bay last Christmas on the Westerdam, there were policemen standing outside the cruise ship terminal warning people not to go off on their own. One of our passengers didn't heed the warning and was mugged.
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:...I only guess that this is not widely kown.
It's widely known by anyone that has been there!
Many hotel-resorts have there own beach with a fence. They suggest you do not venture out to towm, unless a Taxi takes you to an approved restuant and brings you back again.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:I'm sure that you will have a great 1st cruise! I wonder why cruise lines bother stop at Jamaica if it is so dangerous. What’s the point of visiting a place if you are scared to walk down a street and have to be chaperoned by tour bus? There are so many other attractive ports in the world.[ 10-27-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
Unless it improves Jamaica may end up like St Croix did, axed from the cruis ship port-of-call lists because of violence. I hated Jamaica and the brashness of its inhabitants, or at least the ones I met. Grabby, rude, in your face, and overall unpleasant. My Western Caribbean cruises are best when Jamaica is NOT on the itinerary.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:It's widely known by anyone that has been there!Many hotel-resorts have there own beach with a fence. They suggest you do not venture out to towm, unless a Taxi takes you to an approved restuant and brings you back again.
...yes - but not anyone has been there. Jamaica involves a lot of cliches which is why people want to go there - that there is a more seriouse problem with the crime rate than on other island is probably not know - which is why people still want to go there and why cruise are following this 'demand'.
When the problems with Jamaica reach a crescendo then they will suffer the same fate as St Croix. There will be warnings not heeded by the locals and government, then cruise ships will flock to the 'next best thing' in the Caribbean, what ever island or Central American country strikes their fancy at the time. However, we certainly DON'T need another port of call in Mexico...jeez.
How many years has it been since St Croix was axed from the list?
Maybe its Dunns River Falls and the rafting, the natural beauty that keeps the cruise lines coming back, it sure as heck isnt the locals. But if customer complaints reach a point where ultimatums are not adhered to Jamaica will 'go away' and return to it's lovely third world history and mannerisms.
I always said that Jamiaca as an island destination would be better off if you could get rid of the current inhabitants and replace them with Bermudans.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:I always said that Jamiaca as an island destination would be better off if you could get rid of the current inhabitants and replace them with Bermudans.
Not a popular idea with the locals, I assume!
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:The crime rate is on a par with Gary, Indiana, South Bronx, and East LA
Jamaica is just like Gary, Indiana (with palm trees).I'd stay on the ship there.
In Grand Cayman, I'd enthusiastically recommend Stingray City or snorkeling at the Coral Gardens. There are excursions that do either or both of these. Stingray City is just an exhilarating experience, and Coral Gardens is magnificent.
I was hit by the same con twice. Hey mon, I'm your waiter on the ship....can you loan me some money so I can go see my mother, I'll pay you back tonight when we get back on the ship. Do they think we Americans are stupid? Perhaps the con has worked so they use it again and again...perhaps there are passengers that are that gullible. I even tried to wear mirrored sunglasses and I was wearing headphones boppin to tunes...trying to pretend I didn't see or hear them trying to get my attention...so they grabbed my arm to get my attention and gave me their pitch which was of course a con. I said no mon, me no want none...and he left me alone.
I would always recommend to our passengers, DO NOT GO ALONE into Jamaica, you WILL BE HARASSED with question. It is ok, however to go on a tour put together by the ship.
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