Question About Excursion in Ocho Rios, the Catamaran Sailing and Beach Tour

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Has any one that went to Ocho Rios ever done the Catamaran Sailing & Beach Tour? This sounds interesting but I am concerned for DH does the Catamaran actually dock at a dock at the beach or is it one of those things where you have to jump into the water and walk ashore. DH does not swim at all nor does he like to get wet due to wearing a hearing aid. When ever I go snorkeling he just stays on the boat and watches. This tour looked like a fun scenic type of tour since it went by Dunn's Falls. Hope some one who has taken this could give us a little bit more info.

Here's info from HAL'S web site.


Catamaran Sailing & Beach Tour


Board a catamaran pierside and sail 45 minutes to a secluded, private cove, passing by Dunn's River Falls and Laughing Waters. Rum punch, fruit punch and soft drinks are served on board. Sail into Christopher Columbus Cove to sunbathe, or visit the spectacular underwater world with a snorkel and mask. Snorkeling equipment is provided as well as lessons for beginners. A snack will be served at the beach and a bar will be available at an extra charge. Restrooms and fresh water showers are available.


Thanks so much.

[Nasmas]

My advice is don't do it. We were on a cruise in 2000, I think and did the Fury Catamara in Cozumel and it was a blast. So, we booked the one in Ocho, and it was a total dud. The crew was not very proffessional, and they were more interested in selling their junk than providing the guests with any help. If you can, do the Fury in Cozumel. It was great, the crew was very professional and helped the beginners with the snorkling. In Ocho Rios, they anchored in small cove and we were on our own. The only thing they said was watch out for the jelly fish. I don't remember what the snacks were but we didn't eat anything. The punch was awful. I was really afraid to drink it but that's all there was. Others may have a differing opinion of this and if we hadn't just been on the Fury which we thought was wonderful, this might not have been so disappointing. If you do it, I'd like to hear your opinion when you get back.

[smidge]

Nasmas, your comment 'they were more interested in selling their junk than providing the guests with any help.' was so true for us. We went on the Victory at xmas with our 4 children 19-25 and grandma 84. Ochos Rios was extremely unpleasant. We felt like we were constantly being assaulted to buy things. Our kids were having to have beat off people who were trying to sell them a 'a little Bob Marley, mon'. We wanted to take a taxi to the Dunne Falls but were somehow railroaded onto a bus that was part of a tour. We said we didn't want it and they said 'no problem' You just get the ride there and back. Once we were on the bus we were trapped because they jam you in so thick you can't move and it turned it was going shopping first--then it was 'oh an additional charge of $10.00 per head to get into the Dunne Falls--once there another additional $5.00 for shoes because you need them to go in the water. ( We passed but went in the water anyways without the shoes and did just fine) The Falls were nice and the beach at the bottom was pretty but the experience of the people was horrid. Plus at the end you had to go through a gauntlet of merchants again selling their wares who all said 'no pressure mon' but were on you like wolves to buy their trinkets. By the end all I wanted to do was get back on the ship. Our kids were very keen to explore the ports but this was one port where they said 'hey we're coming back to the ship with you. This is too much beating off these guys that are wanting to sell us the Bob Marley.' We're Canadian and don't usually complain and generally hold less conservative attitudes about 'soft drugs' but the whole experience was too 'in your face for us'.
What have other people thought of Ochos Rios? Maybe this was just a one time bad experience??