Best Way to Enjoy Jamaica, Monteray Bay for the Day?

Do you mean Montego Bay? I never heard of a Monteray Bay there.

Due to the crime situation, I would stick with crowds and supervised things. This is not the time to roam around into local areas. Montego Bay is a big tourist site so this is not where you'll see a lot of "local flavor."

Dunn's River Falls is a fantastic trip but it's a ways from Montego Bay. I'm not sure how tight your connections are for that day. If you can get an official tour bus from the port along the north shore to the falls, take the tour with a guide (they are awesome, and you need an expert to help you walk up the falls safely), and get back in plenty of time, then fine. I'm not sure this is what you mean by "relaxing" but it's a natural wonder. But be sure you leave a big window of time for delays and traffic and so on.

I would talk to the cruise line about options. If you want another opinion, I'd talk to a good travel agent (there aren't so many around, but if you're a AAA member, you can get good and current info from their travel department even if you aren't booking your travel through them. It's a member benefit.

Otherwise, I would just shop a little and go back to the ship to relax. If most people are on the island, the pool and other features on the ship will be lightly used.

Seriously?! Google "Jamaica state of emergency" - the Jamaican government has declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY in 2018 due to an uptick in violent crime. "Local flavor" is NOT something you should go looking for. Just do an official cruise excursion.

I would be very careful venturing off in Jamaica on my own. Crime has gone up and that is an issue. Honestly, I would stick with the crowds and not wonder off.

We've gone on quite a few cruises and it's really easy to make your own excursion. I would first google things to do in Monteray Bay and see what comes up. Find the best beach, etc. You can easily take a cab from the pier to the beach. Some beaches you have to pay to access but trust me, the cab and admission will still be significantly cheaper than the ship's excursion price! It's been a while since I've been to Jamaica but is Monterey Bay where Dunn's River Falls is? That is pretty fun. Honestly, taking a cab to anywhere is pretty easy and fairly inexpensive. Jamaica has a really high crime rate though, so do not just walk around the non-tourist areas. I would have a definite plan and don't go to unpopulated areas at all.

On all our cruises I pack a lightweight, foldable beach blanket and small beach toys and we put those in our beach bag and and go. Most beaches will charge for lounge chairs. It's not usually super expensive, especially if you just get one to hold your stuff, but we prefer to just use our blanket.

Stick with the excursions offered by the cruise. Dunn's River Falls is a fun family activity. Most cruise lines offer an island excursion. I would not go on my own. When I went we were walking on the pier near the ship and my boyfriend and I were approached several times to buy drugs. It is an interesting place but whatever you do travel with a group.

I have heard of Montego Bay and it was on the northern side of the island. Dunn's River Falls are in Ocho Rios. There is a distance between the two.

It is possible the the crime has increased as it was over 40 years since I was there right after it broke away from England. My stay in Jamaica was for a week and we toured the whole island from Montego Bay to Kingston.

Remember the departure time so that you are back in time to board the ship as the ship will not wait for your return.

Do let us know how your travels went.

the other S.

i don't know jamaica, but don't try to do it all! if you're beach folks, find a beach that's close by and spend the day there. or plan to wander the town, browse the shops, graze your way through. one day isn't long enough to see much, and you don't want to stress yourselves by running around trying to get it all in.
khairete
S.

I’m not sure where in Jamaica this is, but years ago my family went on a cruise, we also had a day in Jamaica. We visited a home made of sea shells, the ones you can hear the ocean in if you put it up to your ear. I remember we had to take a taxi to this place & that was the scarest part. lol
They drive very fast & crazy!
It’s has been over 20 yrs so not sure what it’s like now. Good Luck & have a great cruise. As a child, about same age as your son, my family traveled a lot & cruises were my brothers & my favorite, lots of entertainment for kids. Hope it’s a wonderful family trip for you!