getting off ship in Jamaica

[bhunter]

We are planning on a day at Sandals Ocho Rios and want to get there ASAP. Sailing on the Oosterdam Oct 31st. What is the best way to get off the ship as quickly as possible when not using the ships shore excursions?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[peaches from georgia]

I would be in the Queens Lounge (or wherever they tell you to congregate for tender passes) very very early to be first on line! Those with HAL shore excursions at that early hour will be given priority for passes, but then it is first come first served, so get there early and I do mean EARLY!

Of course if you are in a suite- S or PH- you will be given tender passes in your suite the night before and will go straight to the tender gangway when the ship is cleared, so you won't have to worry at all about meeting in the Queens Lounge. ;)

[FlorenceItaly]

We are planning on a day at Sandals Ocho Rios and want to get there ASAP. Sailing on the Oosterdam Oct 31st. What is the best way to get off the ship as quickly as possible when not using the ships shore excursions?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I will be in Jamaica, via Celebrity, in early November. Were you able to arrange going to Sandals Ocho Rios on your own, and if so, could you please share the details? Thank you.

Marie

[bhunter]

Marie,

I've been to Jamaica several times and ususally do a tour with a reserved driver but this time we are just taking a taxi. According to Sandals the resort is 10 minutes away so figure I can't get in to, to much trouble. As I remember there are plenty of taxis outside the gate who are begging people to ride with them.

I have experienced pushy sales people on the side of the streets before at Jamaica but a firm "no thank you" has always worked.

I believe the daily rate at Sandal's is $70usd pp and includes all guest amenities except private room. So free drinks around the pool and on the beach. All non motorized water sports and meals are included as well.

For details on what else might be included you can contact Sandals at 1-800-sandals.

[FlorenceItaly]

Bhunter - I was going to ask you to post when you return, but we both leave the same day....My cruise leaves Oct 31, also. As of current, the only plans I have now are to hang out at Margaritaville, but I am open to suggestions, and Sandels sounds nice :). Also, I am thinking about arranging a private tour with one of the local operators...Ionie McBeam.

Thanks for your help.

Marie

[divinggirl]

I stayed at Sandals OR last Labor Day weekend, and I hope you enjoy it. I will caution that the beach is rather small, and steer clear of the dude selling paintings on the beach there. He's not superpushy, but just a bit annoying. The property itself though, is beautiful and well maintained. The swim up pool bar is very cool.

If you plan to snorkel, plan on going on a boat trip, as the snorkeling off the beach there is not good. The pier on the right at the edge of the property offres the best chance of seeing any cool fish.

Enjoy your Appleton's pina coladas, they're the best!!

Nikki

[bhunter]

Marie,

Sandals is great if you've been to Jamiaca before, if not definitely look at a tour quide or do the sruise ship's shore excursion. If you you haven't already, check out the Port Of Call topic and go to the Jamaica link. There is a lot of good advice. Dunn's River Falls is a must see, the rest is whatever activities you might find of interest. Shopping should be at the bottom of the list. The tubing is great fun with a group. By the way this is assuming you are going to Ocho RIos and not Montego Bay. Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are a long bumpy bus ride apart. Hope you have a great trip!

Nikki,

Thanks for the info! My mind is already at the swim up bar and I can taste the Pina coladas. I just wish my body was there.

Peaches,

Thanks for the info. When you say early do you mean an hour, 2 hours or 4 hours?? Thanks again!

[FlorenceItaly]

We will be in Ocho Rios from 7am-5pm. I HAVE been to Jamaica, but it was almost 18 years ago, and it was on a land vacation. I can't even remember if it was Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. After that, I had no interest in returning, but in all fairness it has been a LONG time.

I am not a fan of shopping so no worry there :).

Is Sandals a couples resort??? I am traveling solo on this particular cruise, but will be with friends.

Marie

[bhunter]

If you are stayin with them the resort is for couples only but for a day pass it probabaly wouldn't matter. Here is a link to their web site. http://www.sandals.com/main/ochorios/or-home.cfm

[peaches from georgia]

I was making the assumption that you had to tender in Ocho Rios when you asked how to get off the ship quickly. Do you know for sure that you have to tender? If not, be at the gangway when the ship docks and you can get off immediately when the ship is cleared.

[FlorenceItaly]

Thank you!! :). I have emailed them to inquire about a day pass. I'll let you know what I hear.

Marie

[Esme]

We have never tendered in Ocho Rios.

Back in the '80's you had to tender in Montego Bay, but now there is a dock.

[fiona508]

Is Sandals a couples resort??? I am traveling solo on this particular cruise, but will be with friends.

Marie

It is not a couples resort - it is a heterosexual couples resort. Gay couples are not welcome there.

[FlorenceItaly]

I am a very happily married woman of 21 years, but unfortunately, my dh will not be accompanying me on this trip. I am traveling solo, but meeting other friends from the board, which are primarily women, so I guess this is not an option for me this trip.

Marie

[grandma bev]

Sandals there is lovely. We were taken out in one of their boats to snorkel and the snorkeling was interesting, because it was where a river poured out of the jungle. Short taxi ride from the pier. I'm sure you can arrange your day pass by e-mail.

Bev

BTW, no structural damage from the hurricane - they flew all their guests to other Sandals Resorts on St. Lucia and Antigua for several days, and they also will give them a complete new vacation, including airfare due to their "hurrican guarantee". Classy resorts.

[cruzincurt]

Who actually gets off the ship there?

[FlorenceItaly]

I probably would NOT, but this is a repositioning cruise and there are only about 5 ports on this 12 night cruise, so thought I would........

Marie

[Krazy Kruizers]

This is not a tendering port.

HAL does not get to use the new big pier - Princess and RCI helped pay for it and use it estensively.

HAL is at the industrial pier 99% of the time - so count on being there.

There will be lots of cabs there - some will quote prices that are rediculous to get anywhere. If you think the price is too high, walk away, wait a few minutes, and approach another cab driver. Try to get one that will be taking more than 2 people to where you want to go.

[Zeta3]

If you don't meet the Sandals "couples" requirement you might try Beaches. They may have a day pass for similar all-inclusive amenitites, of course depending on the time of year there may be a lot of kids but it is definitely worth a shot.

[morriganfae]

It is not a couples resort - it is a heterosexual couples resort. Gay couples are not welcome there.
They honestly do not let gay persons/coupled or otherwise into this resort?? I know there are places in the Caribbean that are not exactly gay friendly but jeez to actually state that is amazing to me!

Morriganfae~

[divinggirl]

If you don't meet the Sandals "couples" requirement you might try Beaches. They may have a day pass for similar all-inclusive amenitites, of course depending on the time of year there may be a lot of kids but it is definitely worth a shot.

Beaches is across the street from Sandals and NOT directly on the beach...there is a portion on the beach, with a bar and restaurant but the main resort is not beach front. Also, the bathroom out there (one that I saw) was kind of nasty...But you have to cross a Jamaican street to get back and forth between parts of that resort, not a fun thing to have to do. We had to walk there once from Sandals to get to the dive boat and that was fun, let me tell you....

About their heterosexual couples only policy, it's always been like that. There are many other gay-friendly resorts in Jamaica, so Sandals chooses to not permit gay couples, unfortunately. I believe the same is true of Breezes couples resorts as well, although I'm not sure.

Nikki