Chance of port change 3 weeks out due to safety issues. “Jamaica”

[newcruiser1956]

Yah, how ridiculous. Chicago and NYC are nothing in comparison to the danger in Jamaica. You get off the ship and feel like prey, immediately you feel unsafe, immediately you feel their evaluation..... can snatch your purse, can they snatch your designer sunglasses right off your head, immediately you will be harassed, not asked nicely to buy like in Mexico, you will be harassed to buy.

 

You have not been there in years and preaching this garbage?? There is no attacking you like prey when you get off the ship, you are in a protected guarded area... there is no one bothering you. I was there 5 days ago, when were you there???

 

Outside of the gates, I did go to several of the shops, there were police on the streets, I did not feel unsafe and no one bothered me. They are doing their best to protect the tourist so the ships will keep coming.

[southt00]

Darn. Having been to Falmouth several times, we planned to stay on the ship this time and enjoy the amenities while everyone else was out touring. Looks like we may have a few more fellow passengers to share the ship with. :-)

[ColinIllinois]

Yah, how ridiculous. Chicago and NYC are nothing in comparison to the danger in Jamaica. You get off the ship and feel like prey, immediately you feel unsafe, immediately you feel their evaluation..... can snatch your purse, can they snatch your designer sunglasses right off your head, immediately you will be harassed, not asked nicely to buy like in Mexico, you will be harassed to buy.

 

You have not been there in years and preaching this garbage?? There is no attacking you like prey when you get off the ship, you are in a protected guarded area... there is no one bothering you. I was there 5 days ago, when were you there???

 

Outside of the gates, I did go to several of the shops, there were police on the streets, I did not feel unsafe and no one bothered me. They are doing their best to protect the tourist so the ships will keep coming.

 

The very fact that you are in a "protected, guarded area" tells you immediately that Jamaica is not a safe place. If it was there wouldn't be a need for that to exist. The murder, rape, assault and robbery statistics don't lie. I'm glad you were fine when you went a bit out of the safe zone but it was an illusion of safety.

 

If the Jamaican government itself has part of it's country in a State of Emergency and most governments are issuing danger alerts for tourists...then it's not safe.

[Peachypooh]

To be fair there are isolated parts of some US cities where it is probably as bad as Jamaica. The only difference being is that locals know to stay away and they are not advertised as a vacation spot. Tourist spots in NYC are nowhere like Jamaica however when I worked in a city hospital in a very crime ridden area in Newark NJ yes it was. The difference being everyone knows it isn't a prime vacation spot. Cruiselines do their best and I have visited more than one port where there was a sign posted/in the dailies that it was not recommended to go alone outside of the port gates.

[Meanee]

To be fair there are isolated parts of some US cities where it is probably as bad as Jamaica.

 

Sure. Those spots are very rare though. There are some places where people who are lost are given police escorts (like Camden, NJ) to get out. But when it comes to Jamaica, most of the island is like this. There are some areas where it's safe, while in USA it's other way around. And unlike some other places with high crime rate, criminals in Jamaica don't care if you are tourist or not, you are a target. In other high-crime nations, tourists are usually left alone, not to scare them away.

[Peachypooh]

Sure. Those spots are very rare though. There are some places where people who are lost are given police escorts (like Camden, NJ) to get out. But when it comes to Jamaica, most of the island is like this. There are some areas where it's safe, while in USA it's other way around. And unlike some other places with high crime rate, criminals in Jamaica don't care if you are tourist or not, you are a target. In other high-crime nations, tourists are usually left alone, not to scare them away.

 

You are right about the areas being few and far between. In addition to Camden a couple of streets around New Brunswick specifically around Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and right off the turnpike the neighborhoods in Elizabeth however the rest of the state is beautiful. That said,glad to hear that in some places tourists are left alone. I have been treated in a scary manner by locals on some islands and I am pretty sure I look like a grandmother tourist who would not be able to run away too fast LOL.

[ColinIllinois]

 

No it just means that they take protecting tourist very seriously.

 

Well, of course they do, but why do they have to put so much effort in to keeping tourists safe? BECAUSE JAMAICA ISN'T SAFE. lol

[gbcruise]

We were just in Falmouth and were picked up and taken to a resort in Montego Bay. We felt comfortable at all times. We however, would never just walk out of the Falmouth part and start wondering, you will not feel comfortable at that point. If you have any worries make it a ship day, plenty to do on the ship.

[newmexicoNita]

We were in Montigo Bay last year and loved it. We did an AI near the port. We were really looking forward to going to another AI as we loved Jamaica. I hope in a months time some of this has worked itself out. We would be sad if we had to stay on the boat.

glad you loved the place, I think you are in the minority. If for no other reason, the people are rude and very pushy. Years ago we enjoyed our AI there but not Jamaica overall. We have been there a couple of times on cruises, it just isn't our thing.

[Master98]

I just got a reply from NCL regarding the situation in Jamaica:

 

"Thanks for getting in touch with us. The safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority. We have strict safety protocols in place and communicate and cooperate with local authorities regarding security matters at the destinations our ships visit. In the event of any developing safety concerns in the areas we visit, we have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid such areas. While this warning is specific to certain zones, we always communicate with our guests before going into port of call to use caution, be safe and be alert when going ashore, no matter the destination. There are currently no reports of concern in tourist areas, HOWEVER we will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, we are not planning to alter any existing itineraries."

[ColinIllinois]

I just got a reply from NCL regarding the situation in Jamaica:

 

"Thanks for getting in touch with us. The safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority. We have strict safety protocols in place and communicate and cooperate with local authorities regarding security matters at the destinations our ships visit. In the event of any developing safety concerns in the areas we visit, we have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid such areas. While this warning is specific to certain zones, we always communicate with our guests before going into port of call to use caution, be safe and be alert when going ashore, no matter the destination. There are currently no reports of concern in tourist areas, HOWEVER we will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, we are not planning to alter any existing itineraries."

 

That's just about what you would expect them to say at this point.

[jackcat16]

That's just about what you would expect them to say at this point.

I had emailed them as well. Still waiting for a reply but it will probably be the same.

[jackcat16]

I just got a reply from NCL regarding the situation in Jamaica:

 

"Thanks for getting in touch with us. The safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority. We have strict safety protocols in place and communicate and cooperate with local authorities regarding security matters at the destinations our ships visit. In the event of any developing safety concerns in the areas we visit, we have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid such areas. While this warning is specific to certain zones, we always communicate with our guests before going into port of call to use caution, be safe and be alert when going ashore, no matter the destination. There are currently no reports of concern in tourist areas, HOWEVER we will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, we are not planning to alter any existing itineraries."

Thanks for sharing.

[PTC DAWG]

This thread seems a little overblown, IMHO....

[jackcat16]

This thread seems a little overblown, IMHO....

For those of us traveling to this port soon it’s not. So bye.

[Meanee]

I just got a reply from NCL regarding the situation in Jamaica:

 

"Thanks for getting in touch with us. The safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority. We have strict safety protocols in place and communicate and cooperate with local authorities regarding security matters at the destinations our ships visit. In the event of any developing safety concerns in the areas we visit, we have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid such areas. While this warning is specific to certain zones, we always communicate with our guests before going into port of call to use caution, be safe and be alert when going ashore, no matter the destination. There are currently no reports of concern in tourist areas, HOWEVER we will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, we are not planning to alter any existing itineraries."

 

You can't expect a response any different than this, no matter how they feel. Saying too much will open them to liability. Either from people cancelling reservations thinking things will change, to people getting hurt and suing NCL because NCL had info that Jamaica is not safe and still went there. Or from Jamaica government, if they have some sort of contract to supply the country with tourists for certain benefits.

[rigs32]

I was curious to see how the crime statistics compare for locals versus tourists, so I looked them up.

 

Tourists:

In 2016, the Embassy’s consular section received reports from Jamaican police or the victims themselves of eight U.S. citizens murdered; 39 U.S. citizens robbed; 18 U.S. citizens raped/sexually assaulted; nine U.S. victims of aggravated assaults; seven incidents of domestic violence involving Americans; two instances of child abuse involving American children; and 106 missing persons cases reported. These numbers are not all inclusive, as many crimes (rape, sexual assaults) are often not brought to the attention of the Embassy or to the police.

 

Total:

In 2016, Jamaica saw an increase in murders and shootings but a reported decrease in other serious, violent crimes. The rise in murders could be attributed to violence perpetrated by gangs involved in lottery scamming. Most violent crimes, including 81% of all murders, involve firearms. There were 1,350 murders (the highest figure in five years, and an increase of 11.8% from 2015), 1,216 shootings, 449 aggravated assaults, 480 rapes, 1,415 robberies, and 1,268 break-ins recorded in 2016. With a population of approximately 2.9 million people, Jamaica continues to have a high homicide rate (36.1:100,000), which places it among the top-five highest (per capita) national homicide rates in the world.

[Steveaustrale]

This should make for interesting reading

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/10-murders-over-12-hours_123749?profile=1373

[Melody7]

Just chiming in that we were there last week and had a nice time on an organized food tour. Never felt unsafe. There was a visible, good natured police presence. That being said, I wouldn't really wander around the city without a solid destination and basic tourist precautions due to likelihood of getting hassled more than anything.

 

And if you still feel uncomfortable, the secure port area is quite nice. Lots of shops and restaurants.

 

Did you go with Jamaica Culinary Tours? I am considering this for my trip in April and I'd reallynlike to hear more of your experience, especially in terms of your feeling of safety while walking around. Thanks!