Jamaica Rafting Excursions

Hi, this is our first cruise, and we are stopping in Falmouth Jamaica. Can anyone recommend the best water rafting for a family with kids (12 year olds)?

We don't want the bamboo rafting.

Thanks!

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

If you look over on the portion of Cruise Critic devoted to Jamaica, located here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111

you will find tons of info. Be aware it is unlikely anybody has used more than one vender, so a comparative "best" is unlikely.

We have done the bamboo rafting. It was fun and safe.

Be sure you bring insect repellant and dress in anti-mosquito type clothes otherwise, you run the risk of chikungunya fever which is rampant in Jamaica and other areas of the Caribbean.

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/

We did river tubing on the White River in Jamaica through Chukka Caribbean Adventures - it was great! Very safe with just enough rapids to keep it interesting. There are several natural shoots - it's just a great day of tubing.

http://chukka.com/book-jamaica/keyword/tubing/

The bamboo rafts seem to be one area where there are lots of mosquitos. We were on a cruise to Jamaica last November where someone who did that came back covered in infected mosquito bites. We didn't have that problem on the White River - no bites at all.

If your kids are ready for White Water Rafting, here it is:

http://www.whitewaterraftingmontegobay.com

The rapids are class 1 and 2 and flow class 3.

Of the above 2 excursions, I liked the tubing better. If you have tubed on the Guadelupe River in Texas, it is similar in terms of fun and excitement, but much cleaner and you can't beat the natural beauty in Jamaica.

How do you tell if a mosquito bite is "infected"?

We did river tubing in Falmouth a few years ago. It was a half day excursion through RCCL. It was very good. Quite sedate but you could get off half way and go on a rope swing i think. It was a nice relaxing morning.

How do you tell if a mosquito bite is "infected"?

If there is pus present in the bite, that indicates the mosquito that bit you has some sort of infection in its mouth part. It may or may not be chikungunya fever as they carry so many diseases. The best solution is to avoid getting bitten in the first place.

The presence of pus and flu like symptoms indicates the need to see a doctor ASAP especially if your glands swell up.

I'm sure you have probably heard this but if I every find myself on a cruise and it docks in Jamaica I will stay on the ship. Its just not worth it. Unless something has changed that place has some serious issues that I just don't want to be a part off. Once was enough.

JK