Rose Hall Resort or Sunset Beach??

[Colts88]

I've heard good things about both places;however, I'd like to know if anyone has been to both or if you could tell me about your experience at either place. WE are thinking of going to Sunset, Beach but my husband is a little leary of going on a non-carnival excursion because we've been to Ochos Rios before and really got hounded by the locals to buy drugs. Any info would help.Thanks!

[texas greeneyes]

I have no experience with Rose Hall so cannot comment on it.

Regarding Sunset Beach, we were there this past November and were not hassled AT ALL. Sunset Beach is a private, gated resort, and this keeps street vendors and druggies out and away from you.

The $40 admission fee gets you all you can eat & drink, access to their pools and hot tubs, admission to their waterpark, and more. The people who served us there were unfailingly warm and friendly.

Sunset Beach is one of the best memories of my cruise. I'll be there again during my October cruise this year. :D

[jw4jg1mg2eg1]

I am also looking at Rose Hall Beach Resort & would very much like to hear some input on it. Thanks for any info.

[Truluv]

We took a Rose Hall excursion with RCL a few years ago. I don't know if it's the same one that is now being offered by Carnival, but it was wonderful. It was a pretty long drive in an air conditioned shuttle bus, which we enjoyed since it let us see more of Jamaica and a guide pointed things out to us. Rose Hall was very quiet. The Rose Hall guides were in uniform and a little hard to understand due to accents, but they took their jobs very seriously. The old house was full of breezes since it was on the top of a big hill. You'll find the story of Rose Hall's renovation on line. We were disappointed to learn that the story of Rose Hall is actually a tourist scam, but enjoyed seeing the house very much anyway. The gift shop was nothing to get excited about. A singer accompanied the rum punch in a cool basement lounge, and courteously requested tips -- a Jamaican "tradition". We then went to the Rose Hall beach club, which was a lovely private beach with no pan handlers at all. The lunch was so-so (we've never had a good lunch on an excursion -- the locals always seem to try to skim as much as possible and they never compare with ship's food), but the beach was terrific. Our kids rented a skiddoo, and had a wonderful time. The restrooms were clean, there were some palms and umbrellas for shade, and we still consider it one of the best beach excursions we've had. When we returned to the ship we discovered that the ship's side of the island had rain all day, but our side of Jamaica was sunny and beautiful. Just luck, I guess. Anyway, I'd recommend a Rose Hall excursion if it's anything like ours!

[sea_u_onboard]

If you're looking more for a tour type thing go for Rose Hall. If you want to relax and enjoy the sand and sun then Sunset Beach.

Sunset Beach reosrt keeps out the vendors. You will not be hassled. Catch a taxi/bus within the compound. Some drivers will ask you to call them to pick you up for the return trip but there will be PLENTY of drivers ready to take you back. You can see the resort from the ship - when you port just look to the right and you will see the red roof buildings. You won't miss the ship - you have plenty of time in port.

I haven't done Rose Hall but my SIL & BIL did and after we told them about Sunset Beach they wished they had gone there instead.

It really just depends on what you are looking for.

[jshawnh]

I have been researching both Sunset and Rose Hall. I called Rose Hall Resort and their day passes are 55.00 per day for adults, and 35.00 for children, all inclusive. They have non-motorized recreation(sailboards, etc.) and a new lazy river water park and slide, two pools. It is at the Rose Hall Wyndham resort. I believe this is the same excursion Carnival offers for about 79.00 pp. From the pictures, it appears to be more "tropical" than Sunset beach, with more palms etc. The reviews I have read rave about how beautiful the grounds are(not so great reviews on the hotel, but we won't be using that anyway.) They said it averages about 15 minutes from the cruise ship, depending on traffic.

I am considering going there instead of Sunset Beach, just to do something different.

Shawn

[sea_u_onboard]

I have to explain - my SIL and BIL simply did a tour of the grounds - they did not do the day pass. At the time they went this is all there was - no day pass through Carnival. They arrived - did the tour and left.

The price you quoted through Carnival probably isn't that bad considering that it will most likely include transportation that you would have to pay for on your own if you book seperate. I haven't been to Carnivals site to check - be sure to figure in any other costs.

[phinfan63]

I stayed at the Rose Hall Wyndham about 10 years ago (before they had the waterpark) and it was a wonderful hotel. The beach was very nice and clean. The grill by the pool had great jerk chicken and the drinks weren't bad either. I think I saw a price of $40.00 on their website.

We are considering doing this in October so if anyone goes, let us know how it was.