Margaritaville Snorkel, Beach Break and Caribbean Party

My friend and I are going to be on Oasis of the Seas in December visiting Falmouth as one of the ports. We booked this excursion through Royal Caribbean but we had second thoughts (:confused:) because we just learned that Jamaica is NOT the best snorkeling place to go. Plus the fact that Maragaritville pool is small. We would appreciate any review on this excursion if any of you have been on this excursion before. Because RC has limited excursions and doesn't give us many options that we like. We'd settle for any independent excursions if any of you can give us some suggestions. We'd like to go to the beach or do some water activities like parasailing. Give us some idea about the distances and taxi prices to the particular beaches. We are weighing on independent excursions or RC excursions not because of the beaches and activities but the fact that we the ladies need to be on the safe safe side because we are concerned about these Jamaicans "hovering" over the tourists. RC tours would be much better and safer but not much to go on. That's why we need your input on this one. Your help is very much appreciated! Thank you in advance! :D

We have also booked this excursion because it is close to the ship and sounds more fun than the alternatives (bamboo beach club and red stripe beach).

Looking forward to getting some reviews on this excursion!

I have been looking for information also. Very little out there. One woman responded to my post that they pick you up at the port and take you to Montego Bay where you board a brand new Catamaran. Then they take you to their beach which she said was beautiful. Drinks were provided while on the catamaran.

I wanted more information on the beach, snorkeling, the food and if anything is provided once you return to Margaritaville.

From the Royal Caribbean forum today :-D

MARGARITAVILLE SNORKEL CRUISE

FYJ4

Welcome brief & waiver signing at Margaritaville :10

Walk to pier :10

Load Catamaran & safety brief :15

Sail to pre-selected snorkel site :20

Anchor, and Snorkel :35

Sail to White Sand Beach (Drinks now served) :25

Disembark at White Sand Beach :15

Beach Break at White Sand Beach 1:15

Reboarding :15

Sail back to Port of Falmouth :20

Disembark Catamaran at Port of Falmouth :10

Walk to Margaritaville :10

Afternoon party and entertainment at Margaritaville 1:00

If you have done this excursion, how much walking is there? My Dad may do it (not snorkel though) and was worried about having to walk from the ship through the water to the beach?

From the Royal Caribbean forum today :-D

These "numbers" doesn't explain anything. What the heck does that mean? :confused:

These "numbers" doesn't explain anything. What the heck does that mean? :confused:

I think it is the amount of time you spend doing each thing. For example, "anchor, and snorkel :35" I took to mean you would snorkel at that location for 35 minutes. I found it confusing at first but that was how it was explained to me.

I think it is the amount of time you spend doing each thing. For example, "anchor, and snorkel :35" I took to mean you would snorkel at that location for 35 minutes. I found it confusing at first but that was how it was explained to me.

Yes, that is what it means. Time spent for each activity/stop.

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I think it is the amount of time you spend doing each thing. For example, "anchor, and snorkel :35" I took to mean you would snorkel at that location for 35 minutes. I found it confusing at first but that was how it was explained to me.

Thank you for the clarification.

Yes, that is what it means. Time spent for each activity/stop.

 

 

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Thank you for the clarification. :)

I was on this tour last week on the Indy. The tour left from the port area, about a five minute walk to the catamaran pier from the tour meeting point. The catamaran was new and nice. We were on the catamaran for about a half hour before stopping to snorkel. Not much to see snorkeling. Awful rum punch was then provided. We then traveled a short distance to the Margaritaville day beach and spent about an our there. You do not pull up to a pier here, you must get to the beach by going down the catamaran stairs into the water and then walking in the water to the beach. There are lounge chairs to use for free. There were drinks and snacks for purchase. It was about a half hour back to port and they then escorted us to the Margaritaville in the Foulmouth port (which everyone can go to for free, so I don't know why this is advertised as part of the tour since nothing is provided to you here). This tour was okay, but I wouldn't book it again.

Thank you for your feedback.:)

We just did this tour last month. You meet at the port like mentioned before. The catamaran was beautiful and the staff very helpful and friendly. The do not serve alcohol before you snorkel but you can get pop and water. Alcohol was served after snorkeling on the way to the beach and on the way back to the port. When we went the seas were very rough and people were getting sick. Two of my children were among those ill. The staff was very attentive to them. You snorkel for about a half hour. My oldest son said if you swim a little further out there was more to see. The beach is near where you snorkel. They pull up as close as they can to shore and you walk through the water to get to the beach. Again, the staff was very attentive and helped carry bags (and people sometimes) to shore. Once there you walk maybe 200 feet to the beach past small run down shops. Locals are there trying to sell things to you while you walk to the beach. Once at the beach, there are lounge chairs you can use. There wasn't enough for everyone when we were there. Staff at the beach sell drinks and a limited variety of food. To be honest, my Mom called the diet coke (it was fountain coke) undrinkable. The beach is about 150 feet across-large enough but not very big. It was soft, white sand. Locals were waiting on both sides of the beach (maybe 4-6 on each side) and seemed to be taking turns walking across asking if you wanted to buy live lobsters, bracelets, needed your hair braided, selling fruit. I think I was asked 6 times if I wanted my hair braided. They were polite when I said no but it was annoying after awhile. It didn't help that my mother kept telling each person that wanted to sell her something that I was in charge and to ask me. LOL! There were several stray dogs roaming the beach that people fed and petted. I have small children and we have cats and dogs so my kids aren't afraid of animals. It did make me nervous that these dogs were encouraged to roam around the beach though. Again, they did seem friendly but you never know. The person who seemed to be the coordinator at the beach was even feeding them. It me, it was encouraging them to stay.

It was an okay tour. My husband and I agreed that it seemed new and they still have some kinks to work out. I think I would have liked it better if we would have had less people selling stuff to us on the "private beach" or more control with the number of merchants allowed to solicit. I would have preferred they kept the dogs off the property too. I appreciate the attentiveness of the staff on the catamaran but, overall, it just wasn't what I expected.

I should mention because I asked before we went-this would not be the best tour for someone with mobility issues. My dad has bad knees and walking through the water to the shore would have been difficult for him. I'm 5'1" and, for me, walking through the water (which was rough) it was waist deep for me. It may not have been on a calm day though. My dad is also a larger guy and walking up the steps to the catamaran from the water would have been challenging for him. We all struggled a bit due to the rough seas. The staff on the boat helps pull you up and guides you onto the boat. Luckily my Dad did not go on the tour with us. He doesn't snorkel for fear he wouldn't be able to pull himself back onto the boat. He thought about just skipping that portion and doing the beach with us. I'm glad he didn't. He would have struggled getting back onto the boat (which would have embarrassed him) even with assistance from the staff.

This isn't a criticism against the tour either. I just wanted to give feedback in case someone else has the same question.

Anyone been on this new excursion?

Do they make the boat ride fun, Music, drinks etc or is this tour kinda boring.

Is snorkeling any good? The last time I snorkeled and scuba dived in Jamaica, there was very little coral and just small fish. Visibility was about 50'

Can you snorkel from the Beach?

I Just don't want to do the long drive to Ocho Rios, so hoping to try this new excursion.

Thanks in advance

Wayne

Following. Want to hear about this excursion. Considering booking for our March sailing on Oasis.

Anyone been on this new excursion?

Any info would be appreciated.

But all you are really paying for is 35 min. of snorkeling & 1hr. 15min. at a beach. Margaritaville is right by the port--anyone can go there for free & it is safe to get to.

If you want an excursion, Jamaica is the one place I recommend one. We have done ziplining, golf & Dunn's River Falls (all on Princess) and would recommend them all, especially ziplining.

We will be doing Margaritaville this time...or perhaps a bit of time on a deserted ship!

I am the poster who posted the times listed above, which I received from Royal before our cruise. My family of 14 went on this tour. Overall, I was disappointed. The tour was disorganized as we had to sign consent forms on the pier before boarding the catamaran. Lecture 50-60 people scrambling to sign forms for parents and children. It was chaotic and took a long time. Once boarded, it was a nice ride to the snorkeling spot but the snorkeling was not very good. Very few fish to see.

After that, we were taken to a beach bar and private area with lounge chairs. This was right next to several beach huts where people lived! This is not shown in the photos. The natives are not permitted past a certain point, but it was no "paradise".

One thing to note...once we were dropped off at the beach, the catamaran went back to the pier to pick up the tour group that did not include snorkeling. You have no option but to sit on the beach and wait for them to return.

Also note, you must walk through the water to get to the beach.

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Quick review

This was a good not great excursion. It beat driving to Dunns Falls.

The snorkeling was quite good. The key was to get with Courtney and ask him to show you the sights on a snorkel tour. We saw an eel and 2 lobsters and quite a bit of fish. Courtney knows all the hidden holes etc. The snorkeling was better than the snorkeling we did in Grand Cayman out by Sting Ray city.

My wife and I our certified divers and have dove/snorkeled Jamaica in the past. Jamaica has improved in the last 20 years. They our really cracking down on the illegal spear fishing.

We had a Great day. Weather was good , the jerk chicken at the beach was really good along with the drinks. We thought the free punch was good on the return trip. No real complaints. When got back to Margaritaville we just skipped that part and returned to the ship to drop off snorkel gear etc. We had plenty of time to walk around and shop and revisit Margaritaville etc

I would recommend this trip if the weather looks good. Beats spending the day in a Van.