Montego Bay - Things to do

I'm looking for some opinions/suggestions on Montego Bay. We're a family of five cruising in September. Kids will be 17, 13, & 10. I'm really leaning towards staying onboard while in this particular Port. None of the excursions look appealing to me. And, from what I've seen on YouTube, several look like we'll be packed in and herded like cattle. Excursions get expensive really quick with 5 people. And I'm trying to save the bulk of the excursion funds for Cozumel. I have considered trying to go to Scotchie's. I've also wanted to take the kids to Margaritaville. But, the reviews are mixed just enough to concern me. I just can't decide if it's worth it getting off the ship just to eat. We've never been there so I don't know much of anything about it. Anybody got anything they could share on this place? Thanks y'all!

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Buy an all day pass to Sunscape resort. You won't regret it. The kids will love it. All you will need to take with you is an empty stomach and bathing suit

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Jamaica is a beautiful island and definitely worth seeing. I highly recommend you look on the ports of call boards and TA for reliable providers who can escort you about. You don't have to spend a lot of money for an island tour.

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I would definitely try to make the trip to Scotchies!! It's on my bucket list. The reviews on both CC and Trip Advisor are AMAZING!!!!!!

We've stayed at Sandals MBJ, 4 times, but it was YEARS ago. We never ventured out.

Margaritaville is always FUN!!!!

I say do BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!!!

Buy an all day pass to Sunscape resort. You won't regret it. The kids will love it. All you will need to take with you is an empty stomach and bathing suit

 

 

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The Sunscape Resort looks amazing. I'm probably not looking in the right place. But, all I've been able to find are the prices for actually staying at the resort. Do you happen to know how much the day passes are? Thanks!

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We went directly to a paid beach. It was around $5 each, and it cut down on vendors trying to sell you stuff. We snorkeled there, and brought our own equipment. Cruise ship snorkel excursion was 50 feet away from us and they paid lots! We also got to parasail. Jamaica is beautiful, but the poverty is an issue. So are drugs. Others in our party tried to shop first, but ended up coming quickly to the beach. They were propositioned and offered drugs multiple times.

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We went directly to a paid beach. It was around $5 each, and it cut down on vendors trying to sell you stuff. We snorkeled there, and brought our own equipment. Cruise ship snorkel excursion was 50 feet away from us and they paid lots! We also got to parasail. Jamaica is beautiful, but the poverty is an issue. So are drugs. Others in our party tried to shop first, but ended up coming quickly to the beach. They were propositioned and offered drugs multiple times.

 

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What beach did you go to? I am wanting to parasail, do you mind sharing how much it cost?

Doctors cave beach. It is $6 to get in. It's been 5-6 years since we were there, but I believe it was around $60-75 to parasail, per person, depending on if you were going single, double or triple.

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The Sunscape Resort looks amazing. I'm probably not looking in the right place. But, all I've been able to find are the prices for actually staying at the resort. Do you happen to know how much the day passes are? Thanks!

 

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Go to resortforaday dot com and you will see the details. I believe it is $80

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Unfortunately, Montego Bay doesn't have a lot to offer other than beaches close by. Even though it is $ for 5 people, I would do an excursion thru your ship. We did the zipline and our bus driver was a great tour guide, learned so much about the country and had a blast. At the zipline the crew was hysterically funny and safe, took good care of the kids in our group. Then they took us to Margaritaville afterwards, then back to ship. It was a fun day. We got to see the mountains and jungle, just beautiful scenery that you don't get on many other islands. Worth the trip inland for that. If you don't do the zipline, there are other excursions that will take you into the breathtaking scenery.

I think Scotchies is in Ocho Rios, and don't think you want a 2 hour ride to get lunch. There are places in Montego Bay that get good reviews for same type food and atmosphere, Pork Pit is the name of one.

my video of the zipline:

robin

Thank you guys. I'll look into all of these some more. My daughter (10) swears she would love to Zipline. I'll figure something out by September. I'm just really not looking forward to the drug dealers. If I can somehow avoid them all together, AND enjoy an excursion where we're not packed in like sardines, that'd be great. If not, I gotta find out sooner or later the pros/cons of staying on the ship (with kids) while in port!

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Hi. I totally get your concern about the safety of your family. I have been to Jamaica 6 times now and have never stayed on the ship. I have ALWAYS used a private tour company for the vary reasons you mentioned, the crowded bus rides carnival forces you on. Marva Shaw n Courtney Taylor tours are awesome companies. They will cater to your every desire. Their business depends on every positive review and make sure you are happy. They protect you from the peddlers n drug trade. They will take you to any location you want or they will make your iteniary for you if you are new to Jamaica. We are going again this weekend and can't wait for scotchies. They gave several location around Jamaica not just Ocho rios. Don't stay on the ship. We are using Marcia shaw this trip. I truly love them!

Take a taxi or the Hop on Hop off bus to Doctor's Cave beach. Minimal cost, nice beach right in town. When you are done withe the sand and sun, you can walk about 6 blocks down the hip strip to the Port Pit. It's just past Margaritaville. If you are hot from the walk, or if the kids want to hit the water again, stop into M'Ville, Mom & Dad have a drink on the deck and watch the kids do the slide or play on the water toys (if they are still there). Then head to the Pork Pit for some authentic jerk!! After that catch a cab back to the ship. Fun, easy and inexpensive day.

Take a taxi or the Hop on Hop off bus to Doctor's Cave beach. Minimal cost, nice beach right in town. When you are done withe the sand and sun, you can walk about 6 blocks down the hip strip to the Port Pit. It's just past Margaritaville. If you are hot from the walk, or if the kids want to hit the water again, stop into M'Ville, Mom & Dad have a drink on the deck and watch the kids do the slide or play on the water toys (if they are still there). Then head to the Pork Pit for some authentic jerk!! After that catch a cab back to the ship. Fun, easy and inexpensive day.

Yes, the Pork Pit is on our itinerary for now. I've wanted to at least stop by Margaritaville and have a drink. That seems to be simple enough. I've never been, so I don't know the layout, or know where to find a "tourist" map that shows stuff like that. However, we may wait until Grand Cayman for our beach day. We are chartering a snorkel trip for Cozumel. So, no beach day there.

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Yes, the Pork Pit is on our itinerary for now. I've wanted to at least stop by Margaritaville and have a drink. That seems to be simple enough. I've never been, so I don't know the layout, or know where to find a "tourist" map that shows stuff like that. However, we may wait until Grand Cayman for our beach day. We are chartering a snorkel trip for Cozumel. So, no beach day there.

 

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Just tell the taxi driver to drop you off at Margaritaville or the Pork Pit. They are both on the "Hip Strip" and you will pass the Pork Pit first. There will be lots of taxis in the area.

To be honest, I wouldn't even bother with Margaritaville unless you just want to say you went there. I wasn't impressed with the area last spring. It is run down, the merchants are aggressive, and we were offered drugs multiple times (with our child with us). Margaritaville itself will also be packed full of people.

Montego Bay would be a beach day or organized tour for me.

Go to resortforaday dot com and you will see the details. I believe it is $80

 

 

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http://www.resortforaday.com/Jamaica-Day-Passes-s/1818.htm

Doctors cave beach. It is $6 to get in. It's been 5-6 years since we were there, but I believe it was around $60-75 to parasail, per person, depending on if you were going single, double or triple.

 

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You can triple? Would love to go up with both my daughters.

Jamaica was the port I was least looking forward to but ended up being my favorite, since we had an amazing tour guide. We (me, husband and 6 yo daughter) cruised this past March and stopped in Falmouth. We hired a guide for the day, Errol Bowen, who I got as a rec from this site, and he was lovely. We messaged back and forth a couple of times before our trip. I gave him some ideas of what we wanted to do. He was waiting for us when we got off our ship and took us to Konoko Falls & Park, a beautiful private beach, and lunch at Scotchies where we got to eat authentic Jamaican jerk chicken. He even stopped on the side of the road and bought us some sugar cane to try. I would highly recommend him!!!

Errol Bowen

errol@traveljamaicatours.com

http://www.traveljamaicatours.com

1(876) 855-5919

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