What port have you felt the most uneasy??

[corolla3tc]

I would have to say Ocho Rios so far. Before going, I read many threads about it and decided to play it safe (as safe as you could be) and book a ship's excursion. We went zip lining up in the mountains and I was really glad that we did. Jamaica is definitely poor and has more than it's share of problems but at the same time, it is such a beautiful place as well. After the excursion you had your choice of being dropped off at the Taj Mahal shopping center or directly at the port. We opted for the shopping center and it was a bit intense. Upon heading back to the ship it gets more intense. Many others had mentioned running the 300 yard gauntlet, that's what it felt like. I didn't feel threatened so much but maybe a bit on edge with heightend awareness, especially after reading so much about it. We kept walking and politely said no thank you to multiple offers for tours in personal vehicles and other things. I'm not getting into somebody I don't know's car in my own town let alone one in another country. Do people actually accept these offers? I think the biggest part that makes it seem so intimidating is that there are so many people just hanging out on those streets just watching the cruise passengers go by.

[SMSACE6]

pickpockets.

 

all i kept reading were all the tricks and distractions to take your stuff, including mobs of kids.

 

so i wore a pair of shorts under my trousers and kept all my stuff there.

 

and then flying out of there to go home (we flew into paris), seeing security with rifles was just too much (same as the casinos in aruba).

 

What I remember about Rome.....getting my rear end pinched...a lot! Even back then my posterior, wasnt that spectacular, was a little scrawny actually! But those sneaky devils would pinch, and I would turn around ready to scream at them, and couldnt tell who did it! :D

 

And in Paris, my friend did get pickpocketed in the Metro.

[H82seaUgo]

What I remember about Rome.....getting my rear end pinched...a lot! Even back then my posterior, wasnt that spectacular, was a little scrawny actually! But those sneaky devils would pinch, and I would turn around ready to scream at them, and couldnt tell who did it! :D

 

 

and what did your wife think of this?

[lizjoemom]

pickpockets.

 

all i kept reading were all the tricks and distractions to take your stuff, including mobs of kids.

 

so i wore a pair of shorts under my trousers and kept all my stuff there.

 

and then flying out of there to go home (we flew into paris), seeing security with rifles was just too much (same as the casinos in aruba).

 

Yes, it is true that they warn you constantly about pickpockets but that is pretty much all over major cities in Europe. We never felt unsafe,especially in Rome, we were just careful about our money. However, Paris, is a different story, I know a couple of girls who went to Europe last year with my daughter, who when they took a weekend trip to Paris who felt very unsafe. The hotel that they were staying in and the neighborhood was very seedy to the point that they found a new one. Also know someone who was pickpocketed on the train in Paris, his bad for going to an ATM and putting his money in his pocket.

[SMSACE6]

and what did your wife think of this?

 

LOL....We were 3 college girls, on one of those summer trips, "eurail" pass, 12 countries in 10 days!!!!!!!!!!!!! They got pinched too!:D

[OCruisers]

I would have to say that Jamaica used to be my number one, BUT that was all changed when I took a Southern Carib cruise that called in Caracas/LaGuaira, Venzuela...before we even got to the port, many times we were told by the Cruise Director that if you were not on a shore excursion, DO NOT get off the ship, it is not safe here!

We were greeted at the end of the gangway by military personnel with machine guns, it was overall a very scary place, on our tour to the city of Caracas, our tour bus was at points pelted by rocks and bottles thrown by the locals.

Needless to say Carnival dropped it as a port call...

 

As mentioned on previous posts here, Mr.Pete and I both agree with you on Caracas! :eek:

 

Thank goodness, no mass market cruise lines are any longer making port stops there.

 

---> There's a big difference in ports where vendors make you feel uncomfortable from those which really are NOT safe.

[SMSACE6]

As mentioned on previous posts here, Mr.Pete and I both agree with you on Caracas! :eek:

 

Thank goodness, no mass market cruise lines are any longer making port stops there.

 

---> There's a big difference in ports where vendors make you feel uncomfortable from those which really are NOT safe.

 

My parents went to Caracas on a cruise about 10 years ago, and they also felt very unsafe there. Some ladies from their dinner table didnt listen to the warnings not to go off on their own. They were lucky not to have been hurt, but were very shaken up when they got back to the ship.

My parents did a ships tour, and even then, they felt quite nervous and unsafe.

[jules815]

Ocho Rios.

[OCruisers]

My parents went to Caracas on a cruise about 10 years ago, and they also felt very unsafe there. Some ladies from their dinner table didnt listen to the warnings not to go off on their own. They were lucky not to have been hurt, but were very shaken up when they got back to the ship.

My parents did a ships tour, and even then, they felt quite nervous and unsafe.

 

I can certainly why!

[Almost Packed]

Miami, FL. Got off the beaten path....had to go looking for a liquor store lol. Won't do that again lol.

 

That's not to say i'd never go back. Of course I would. But I felt more uneasy in this particular neck of the woods then anywhere else i've been to.

 

But honestly, crime can happen anywhere. My BFF's dh was robbed at gun point at a 7-11 in our old hometown-nice little hometown, family oriented etc. etc. 2 blocks from the police station. So really, you just never know.

[Cruachan]

Anyone have a port that stands out in your mind that you would NOT return to?

 

Definitely Goole. The place is full of tatooed, shaven headed, muscle bound thugs smoking roll ups and cursing and swearing in an incomprehensible South Yorkshire dialect.

 

And that's just the women - you should see the men!!! :eek::eek::eek:

 

J

[cruisegal96]

Belize City we did not feel safe to go outside the "shopping" area of the port. If I had it to do again, we wouldn't get off the ship until our tour time. The outer island excursions are great, but the port is horrible. Locals hanging outside the fence around the shopping area, very scary. We haven't been to Jamaica in several years. I've always heard you don't want to venture out on your own there. We never felt uncomfortable on any excursions there. There are only a select few islands that we've been to that we would venture out on our own: St. Thomas, St. John, Grand Cayman & Cozumel. I think a ship scheduled tour in Jamaica would be fine.

[PaulMedik]

PaulMedik,

 

I just think your experience would lead to you a different conclusion than your original statement alluded to. Based on your trip reports I know you're a great family man, as am I. However, based on my experience as a commissioned Army officer, I can tell you that your family could be put into more danger by carrying out the actions you described earlier.

 

 

 

4hunters,

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

My family's safety is foremost in my mind at all times and even more so on excursions in other countries. Before I would take any action I would first insure my family's safety. If they were with me and I was approached by someone with such a request I would ignore them and move on even if they had the child in their arms; anything so apparent has to be either a setup, a trap of some sort, or the actions of a deranged individual.

 

I certainly should have clarified that I would not endanger my family at any time for any reason. When my family's safety is involved I am the most heartless person on the face of the earth. ;) I do believe in having a good time and sharing exciting experiences with them, but taking a chance to correct any crime is not an experience I would expose them to.

[hpreece]

Belize is my vote. We attempted to do Belize on our own though.

Samana gets a simlar bad rap from people who have attempted to do it on their own. But my experience in Samana was awesome...my favorite port.

[Captain Carnival]

Belize and............Miami!! :eek::D

[sandytoes03]

I spent a truly wonderful day in Ocho Rios. We booked an excursion and went to a Sandals resort for the day. Truly outstanding.

 

My least favorite port is Belize. I didn't feel unsafe on our excursion, but it was a long tender ride, very long bus ride, and the countryside was somewhat pretty, but the town was really run down. We did the cave tubing and it was our honeymoon, so it's a fun memory, but now that we have kids and have already done that tour, I just can't really see what's for us in Belize. I'm glad we had the day we did, but don't feel compelled to go back.

 

I also don't like San Juan. I haven't felt unsafe there, but I don't like the place as a port of call. We've done old town, forts, jungle, etc, and I don't have a desire to back. There are no really good beaches nearby, and it just doesn't hold much interest for me.

[elgato2]

Agree with most previous posts...Belize is scary on your own...lots of people in your face... selling drugs..hair weaves..all the usual..but VERY AGGRESSIVE..not a very pleasant place to just walk around town...also..very hard to find shops that carry 'basics' that we usually replenish in the ports..(ei..diet Coke etc). That being said we have been there several times..have found the tours (not ship sponsored) wonderful.

It is just a beautiful place with lots to explore..and are going back again this year.

Only been to Jamaica once..another good place for escorted tours only..and Limon, Costa Rica might be right up there for aggressive and rude, pushy taxi drivers.

And, yes..feel the same about Miami..don't even like to cruise out of there!

[arpie05]

I don't like Nassau. I did not feel uncomfortable in Jamaica or St. Thomas (but the gang shooting was a week after we were there :( )

 

I also agree about New Orleans. Would prefer to NOT cruise from this port! Want Carnival to go back to Mobile!! Guess we will look at Galveston next since Dream isn't getting all the 2.0 upgrades.:(:(

[cawagner]

We didnt hear anything good about Dominican Republic, not really looking forward to this stop. We have decided we are going to stay on the ship at this port. We will enjoy the ship with no crowds and do the steakhouse in the evening :)

[CatzNCruisesCA]

About me: I have traveled a fair bit to the Caribbean and Mexico, and I can say I've never felt afraid anywhere. I think the thing to remember is not to judge an entire country/nation based on one part of a city or maybe even a lack of understanding about the culture.

 

I totally agree with finzup-kt. I've traveled to the Caribbean, Mexico, Greece and Egypt (the latter two on my own) and I have never felt unsafe. I've even walked around Jamaica on my own. This is because I took the time to do a bit of research on the country and culture- how to dress, where not to go, what to say (and not to say), etc.

 

It's a shame that people totally exclude a country based on their perception of/ experience in a port area. A culture may have a different way of doing things - doesn't mean they're out to rob you or kidnap your babies. :D Of course I don't advocate putting yourself or your family in danger - there are places that are truly unsafe and should be avoided. However, don't let the fear of the unknown keep you from what could be a great onshore experience. Do you research - you'll feel more confident about the port area and you won't be taken off guard if you know what to expect. :)

[sharecruises]

I did not feel uneasy but I hated Falmouth

 

what a horrible waste ....over an hour to Ochos, about an hour to Montego Bay...nothing in the area except Royal Caribbean tours..

it is a joke

 

Falmouth looks charming, British colonial architecture, brand new but that is a facade....every little store is cheezy, they have all the diamond/del sol, tanzanite stores etc..

 

then they have cheesy stores with all sorts of made in china junk

NOTHING says "Falmouth" except some cheap fridge magnets

 

Falmouth was built to port the huge Oasis and Allure and to make money for Royal...what a dump it is

 

NO restaurants...no bars....no beach...

 

a couple little stands..."jerk" stand, drinks stand

 

I live in South Florida and you can see the same crap at any flea market, the same made in China bs, the same tye dye beach coverups....the same little food stands are right at the Swap Shop Flea market on Sunrise Blvd...same cheap stands

 

Falmouth is Jamaican for "stay on the ship"

 

Yes, Carnival has it's own "made for them" ports BUT at least they are nice

 

Grand Turk : free pool/loungers , large Martgueritaville

 

Puerto Maya Coz....3 Amigos, Fat Tuesday, some loungers on a rocky strip of sand

 

Mahogany Bay ....free loungers, beach bars

 

Costa Maya Mexico ....free pool/loungers, Margueritaville

 

Falmouth...nothing but facade, cheesy stores, huge line to get taxis and buses to pay to get out of there or take a RCI tour at inflated rates

How anyone can think it is fun to drive 3 hours or more extra to do the same stuff you can do right at the port in Ochos is beyond me

[T. Advisor King]

I totally agree with finzup-kt. I've traveled to the Caribbean, Mexico, Greece and Egypt (the latter two on my own) and I have never felt unsafe. I've even walked around Jamaica on my own. This is because I took the time to do a bit of research on the country and culture- how to dress, where not to go, what to say (and not to say), etc.

 

It's a shame that people totally exclude a country based on their perception of/ experience in a port area. A culture may have a different way of doing things - doesn't mean they're out to rob you or kidnap your babies. :D Of course I don't advocate putting yourself or your family in danger - there are places that are truly unsafe and should be avoided. However, don't let the fear of the unknown keep you from what could be a great onshore experience. Do you research - you'll feel more confident about the port area and you won't be taken off guard if you know what to expect. :)

 

I think this is a great post, especially the part about doing research. However, in my experience, many regulars to cruise vacations take cruises because they want it to be easy, and to have an element of luxury. They don't want to have to do research. They're not looking for the safe, but more gritty areas of a port.

 

That's not to say there aren't plenty of people like me who won't go to another country without researching basic information about it (demographics, political and economic information). But there are plenty who will never do research and never think of "doing-it-yourself".

[bobsfamily]

The port I HATE the most is that one that makes me disembark the last time!!! Hate it, hate it, hate it....

 

Having said that I have enjoyed every port in some way... maybe more in some than others. Some I may not go out of my way to go back to but if presented with a cruise that had that port it would not stop me from going.

 

One cruise years ago we stayed at the Embassy suites near the Miami airport... very glad there were tall walls, guards... nice inside but scary outside.

[CatzNCruisesCA]

I think this is a great post, especially the part about doing research. However, in my experience, many regulars to cruise vacations take cruises because they want it to be easy, and to have an element of luxury. They don't want to have to do research.

 

This is true. Plus it adds another element if one has kids - obviously, their safety trumps any sense of adventure the parent may have. Which is why I think it's great that Carnival has their own 'sanctioned' excursions. :)

[candigirl]

Being a So. Cal. girl,....quick inexpensive getaways to Mexico are often my best option for cruising. Despite all the "bad news" and Mexico bashing I find the people delightful and the ports friendly. I, of couse am glad I wasn't on that PV tour with the robbers, but I read worse in the paper every day...not to mention the evening news.