Safe shopping in Montego Bay?

[4mycats]

A bunch of us will be sailing on the Conquest June 13 & we would love to find out where the best places to shop (and safest)are in Montego Bay. Having been to Jamacia before, I realize that shopping experiences are not always the best. I just hate to stay on the ship as I am with several first time cruisers & I want them to enjoy each port (they are shopaholics!) Any help & advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Judy in Nevada

[LSUtraveler]

One of the places you might try is right off of the ship outside of the terminal. You can walk there. Leave the building and trun left and you'll walk right into a bunch of shops.

Of course there are more places in town but generally you're better off with a tour group or someone recommended off of this board.

MoBay is a place you either like or don't. We personally have done all the tours. The falls and rafting are great but it takes so long to get to them from MoBay.

We generally go to Margarittaville, eat and swim, come back to the ship and shop outside the terminal. No hassells there.

Good luck.

1/16/05 Conquest Cruzin' Crazies!
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[mvbsm]

wE HAVE STARTED A THREAD IN THE rOLL cALL SECTION FOR THIS CRUISE, PLEASE JOIN US THERE! wE ALREADY HAVE QUITE A FEW IN OUR GROUP. sEVERAL OF US ARE FROM THE pHOENIX AREA--YOU AREN'T TOO FAR AWAY. hOPE TO CATCH YOU THERE!

[tjevans]

Best places . . . it's arguable, but I'd say there are none.

There is a "shopping guide" on the Conquest and she gives a shopping lecture either the first or second sea day. At that lecture, there are shopping pamphlets describing the recommended stores, including location, for all three ports.

I found Mo Bay, even in the recommended shops, to be full of high pressure salespeople. I wouldn't go there voluntarily again.

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Carnival Conquest 4/18/04

[4mycats]

Thanks for the great info everyone! I think we will stay with the terminal shops. Will head over to check out the thread on our cruise!
Judy in Nevada

[bamadeedee]

I have to agree, the shopping in Montego Bay is a bit on the scary side....make sure you keep a tight hold on your handbags and the men need to keep their wallet in a front pocket instead of the back....a small child ran into my husband and tried to take his wallet....and he was really good at what he was doing...thankfully he wasn't sucessful!! We got a cab outside the ship and the driver took us to Rose Hall and then he drove us around sight seeing and he took us to shopping areas and actually went with us and told us the places to avoid and then dropped us back off at the ship. He as well worth the $60 that we paid (total for 4 people)...don't venture off of the main shopping areas to the back roads....never thought we'd get back when we were there the first time.....Have fun....and keep a watchful eye out for the locals!