A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth
A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth
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Poslek
Washington DC, DC169 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
I traveled on RCI Freedom of the Seas to Falmouth and it was ok. The port is greatly kept and has plenty of shops, and some activities (hair braiding, massage, and trolley tour of the city). We decided to go on trolley to see the city. The tour was interesting as we went around the city and stopped at Anglican church that is being restored. We did not make any other stops. The tour cost $20 pp and lasted about 1.5 hours.
As you leave the gates of the port to go to the city, you may find lots of people trying to sell you tours, selling you stuff or begging for money. Sadly, there is lots of poverty in this area of Jamaica. I did not feel unsafe, just a bit harassed by so many people asking me to look/buy/give.
Jamaica does have beautiful beaches that we drove by.
Note - we went out of the gates to go to Montego Bay and stopped to shop for souvenirs. Later realized that inside the port, the prices were cheaper than outside. So, no advantage for going outside the gates for shopping.
As you leave the gates of the port to go to the city, you may find lots of people trying to sell you tours, selling you stuff or begging for money. Sadly, there is lots of poverty in this area of Jamaica. I did not feel unsafe, just a bit harassed by so many people asking me to look/buy/give.
Jamaica does have beautiful beaches that we drove by.
Note - we went out of the gates to go to Montego Bay and stopped to shop for souvenirs. Later realized that inside the port, the prices were cheaper than outside. So, no advantage for going outside the gates for shopping.
Written February 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amypmom23
Chattanooga127 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
We stopped at Falmouth on a Royal Caribbean cruise. (They collaborated with the Jamaican authorities to develop the port, so they essentially own the port area, although not on paper the way they do with Labadee, Haiti.) The immediate port area was what you would expect from a cruise ship-owned port- lots of shops that they promoted on the cruise, selling mostly jewelry but also some crafts, a few performers. The ship will give you, free, a coupon book that includes various free things you can collect from the gemstone merchants, like loose mystic topazes or a charm bracelet, if you are into that kind of scavenger hunt for fun. You need to go outside the gates to find the real Jamaica, however. You can do that by taking a very expensive Royal Caribbean excursion, or you can go the riskier route & find a local to explore with. We opted for the latter (strongly against RC's advice) & had a great time. While we had no recommendations other than from the vendors in the marketplace that we did not know, we can now recommend for you, if you want to snorkel, asking for Shaw the cabdriver to take you to his friend Erbie's boat for snorkeling. It's not fancy, but its a bargain. (& they WILL bargain with you over the price.)
In the port, the liquor store is happy to offer samples of their wares to shoppers without checking id's, so you might want to supervise your teens in that general area. If you're shopping for crafts, don't buy the first thing you come to- some of the artists are much more talented than others, and as you'd expect, they are also willing to bargain, so look around. The vendors in the market outside the gate are much more aggressive about trying to wave you over than the ones inside the gate, so select your shopping venue accord to which style you prefer.
My girls got a great kick out of the vendor that would machete the top of the coconut off right in front of you & insert straws for your drinking pleasure- just finish it before you get back to security, as produce is not allowed on the ship.
In the port, the liquor store is happy to offer samples of their wares to shoppers without checking id's, so you might want to supervise your teens in that general area. If you're shopping for crafts, don't buy the first thing you come to- some of the artists are much more talented than others, and as you'd expect, they are also willing to bargain, so look around. The vendors in the market outside the gate are much more aggressive about trying to wave you over than the ones inside the gate, so select your shopping venue accord to which style you prefer.
My girls got a great kick out of the vendor that would machete the top of the coconut off right in front of you & insert straws for your drinking pleasure- just finish it before you get back to security, as produce is not allowed on the ship.
Written November 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bman24
Chicago, IL15 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
I have to start with a positive. I loved the port itself, and the people in it, but not outside the port. Outside he port is very dangerous. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE THE PORT! I REPEAT, DONT GO OUTSIDE THE PORT!!! We made the ring decision of going to a beach outside the port. We walked outside and the first thing we see is a butt load of taxi drivers waiting right outside the gates. We already knew the name of the person we were looking for, and we said who, but everybody had to say that they were that person. We had to LOOK AT NAME-TAGS to make sure that they were the right person we were looking for. When we found our guy, we were led down a street that looked straight out of hell. Grafiti on walls, people staring at you like they want to rob and kill you, people watching you every move, people following you, and so much more. I felt bad for the people there. We were led down an alleyway, and I would say, it was sketchy. I was scared for me and my family. When we got to the the beach, I will say, it was beautiful. It was secured and enclosed. Very safe too and nice. Also, the port had many shops and restaurants. Also had a marketplace. Very secure security to let us get back on our Disney Cruise. Made me feel better.
If your going to the port, stay in the gates. It’s a safe place, inside the gates. If you get a taxi outside the city, make sure you double check everything. If you leave with a verified Disney taxi, your fine. Just try not to leave the port without a taxi. Thanks for reading this
If your going to the port, stay in the gates. It’s a safe place, inside the gates. If you get a taxi outside the city, make sure you double check everything. If you leave with a verified Disney taxi, your fine. Just try not to leave the port without a taxi. Thanks for reading this
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becca C
Napoleon, OH40 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We book this tour $98 each person description was completely different than the tour 17 people. 3 hour tour waited over 30 minutes to leave. Royal caribbean symphony of the sea cruise. Nov. 15 2023. Was a complete disappointment we stopped at a church for about 5 minutes were in traffic with a driver that didn't even talk to us. One lady in our van of 10 squashed hot adults summed it up by saying they drove us through the getto of Jamaica. It was a ruff ride up a hill to the so called historic mansion Over grown run down house on a hill. We had no water for 3 hours and our food that was included in our price was awful a little 6 inch plate everything was pilled in one ,plate only to find out this food was in our van since we left the ship. I refused yo eat it. We were supposed to see many other things and were completely taken advantage of. I would never do this tour or recommend.
Written December 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gingercollier
Saint Louis, MO38 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The shuttle we took was dilapidated with barely functioning air conditioning. The route was strewn with trash and not scenic at all. The church was closed so we could not see inside. The Barrett home was interesting. The tour guide kept checking her cell phone and seemed bored constantly reciting the same script for each group. Our driver Richard was the only highlight. He went out of his way to show us local fruits along the drive since we showed interest in local information.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SherylWeil
Logansport, IN8 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
When we disembarked our cruise ship for the day in Falmouth, we wanted to get a taxi from Falmouth to Montego Bay. We walked to the taxi hub and they preceded to put us on a bus for 20 plus people, and they wanted us to wait until the bus was full. My husband got off and started looking for a personal taxi, and of course they said we had to take one of theirs because the ones outside the gate were dangerous. Well guess what, we went to the dangerous side and got the BEST taxi driver ever. She was wonderful and FAR from dangerous. So if you go to Falmouth and need a taxi driver, her name is Mariesha Swaby and her number is 18762802890.
Written October 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pennybob
Dunedin, FL247 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We have been to Jamaica a couple of times and, in my opinion, Royal Caribbean ships stop at Falmouth because it is one of the safer places on the island. Unless you have a guided tour to Dunns River Falls, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Rafting on the Martha Brae or some other escorted tour, there is no reason to get off of the ship. Kingston is, and has been, a dangerous place. We have been there once and we will never go back. Jamaica is a tarnished jewel with a tremendous wasted potential. The port has a secure, captive, shopping area with the usual items plus Blue Mountain coffee.
Written December 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joepar
Glenview, IL24 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
The tour is supposed to include a visit to a sugar plantation. We basically just stopped on the side of the road where the guide told us there used to be a sugar plantation. There was really nothing to see at all and the talk included very limited historical info. They could have stopped anywhere and no one would know the difference. The rest of the tour is boring and the school is a ploy to get donations.
Not sure why the cruise stops in Falmouth. There is nothing to see or do there and no beach. The good excursions require 2 hours of round trip transportation to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.
Not sure why the cruise stops in Falmouth. There is nothing to see or do there and no beach. The good excursions require 2 hours of round trip transportation to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.
Written January 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isis G
Houston, TX1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Family
Me and my family were on the royal Caribbean cruise last month and we booked a private tour through our travel agent by name of Sheila. When we disembarked the ship in Falmouth we met with Sheila was waiting with our name on a board. She was so pleasant and helpful and asked us what would we like to do and we decided to go to Dunn's River Falls and she gave us all the tips what to expect as a tourist in the island. We had a great time at the falls and we still had time. Sheila took us the town of Ocho Rios the flea market and while driving back we wanted to have a taste of the food and Sheila told us not to worry there is a rest stop just before the port. We stopped at Vibes Club formerly known as Club Cali. The service was ok and the food was great Sheila told us to try the Oxtail with broad bean, Jerk Chicken and a well chilled Red Stripe beer. Then we went shopping at the same place there is huge gift shop by the name of Rainbow Stores the shop was busy with tourist and Yolanda took a minute to greet us and we were looking around with no one to pressure felt very comfortable and Yolanda gave us bargains and we were introduced to Joshua the manager for the store we pleasant young man with a lot of knowledge my husband and Joshua started talking about sports and kept themselves busy we got the best bargains at this store I would recommend anyone visiting Falmouth to stop and say hello to Joshua and his team.
I wanted to suprise my husband for his birthday and Joshua told me he could have Cuban C*gars shipped to us in the United States and Joshua said you know what you pay me when your husband is happy when he sees it. I said we have traveled a lot and have never come across such customer service. Joshua made my year when the postal service dropped off the box with my husbands name ....... Thank you Joshua. ..... You are the best.
I wanted to suprise my husband for his birthday and Joshua told me he could have Cuban C*gars shipped to us in the United States and Joshua said you know what you pay me when your husband is happy when he sees it. I said we have traveled a lot and have never come across such customer service. Joshua made my year when the postal service dropped off the box with my husbands name ....... Thank you Joshua. ..... You are the best.
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NWGAL61
Pacific Northwest211 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
We found this short 1 hour trolley tour at a stand in the port. For $22 each they take you on a small 1 hour tour of some old churches, a small beach & back to the port. Locals seem none too happy about the business going on inside the gated area of the port because as our trolley was exiting they commented about making the cruise industry rich and doing nothing for the local people.
Written May 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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