Excursions not through the Cruise Lines

[natezdad]

Has anyone used a company for excursions in Montego Bay and Grand Cayman to book excursions (not through Carnival)? I am considering a Stingray Island tour in GC and possibly the Dunns River falls tour in MB. Any advice?

 

[Cruizer]

I used Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman to go to Stingray City in June 2007. He may be retired now. At any rate he usually gets great reviews. We did more than we did via the ship's tour in August 2004 and the group was smaller. Beyond that I didn't think he was any better than the ship's tour in 2004. Another independent that gets good reviews is Native Way. I have not used them, but will likely try them the next time I am in Grand Cayman.

As far as Dunns River Falls, it is very close to Ocho Rios and thus a long way from Montego Bay. You are going to be spending a LOT of time traveling. If you use an independent company, and you are late, the ship will leave without you. If you use a ship's sponsored tour that is late, the ship will wait for you. Given the distance you are going to travel, this is something to think about. So, if you go the independent route, I highly recommend that you take your passports and credit cards with you in a waterproof bag. Given that, you don't need anything more than a taxi. You can do Dunns River Falls on your own. The guide on the falls will put you in a group.

That said, I would recommend that you do something interesting that is a little closer to Montego Bay. Then when you are in Ocho Rios you can go to Dunns River Falls.

Here are some pictures from Dunns River Falls ...

And Stingray City ...

 

[natezdad]

Thanks for the information. Dunns looks way over crowded and a lot less appealing now. Any other suggestions on what to do in Montego Bay that is closer to the ship? I have 2 kids (11 and 8) to plan for as well, so I have to keep them in mind. I am coming in on the Conquest, do you know if that is at GeorgeTown?

 

[jkmcroot]

We used Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman as well and it was the best excursion we had ever been on. I really recommend you check them out for Sting Ray City. It was the best excursion. My kids were 10 and 7 at the time and they still talk about it. We also took the kids to Dunns River Falls. It's crowded but I think they enjoyed it. It's a long hike up the falls and very rocky and slippery and yes, there are a lot of people.

 

[Cruizer]

Thanks for the information. Dunns looks way over crowded and a lot less appealing now. Any other suggestions on what to do in Montego Bay that is closer to the ship? I have 2 kids (11 and 8) to plan for as well, so I have to keep them in mind. I am coming in on the Conquest, do you know if that is at GeorgeTown?

I was guessing the Conquest, but you only listed two ports and the Conquest goes to three (I believe the third is Cozumel). I have not been to Montego Bay (yet). I've been to Ocho Rios twice. Yes, Dunns River Falls is very popular. Those pictures were taken during school vacation and there were two ship with over 7500 passengers in the port. Dunns River Falls is a lot more fun than it looks and the water is cool (not cold not warm - just right for a hot day when you are climbing up rocks).

Since I have not been to Montego Bay I really cannot help you there. However, be advised, the street vendors in Jamaica are very aggressive. Keep your kids hand occupied (give then something to carry and hold the other hand) or you are going to end up with some $1 and $2 souvenirs that you really didn't want.

 

[vacations4us]

We went last year on the conquest to the same ports. At Montego Bay Jamaica we went thru carnival to the Margaritville excursion it was a pretty far drive but very nice place to go. Very clean, they had water trampolines, plenty of lounge chairs, the food was really good, and also jet skis to rent. Just be careful if you walk very far in either direction up the beach guys will try to sell you drugs etc. But felt safe in groups of several people. And in the Grand Caymens we did the pirate excursion thru the ship, our son was 5 and girls were 12, & 16 everyone really liked it. Beautiful water to swim in and the kids get to walk the plank and jump off the sides. We didnt go off on our own because we were a little worried about getting back to the ship on time, and with carnival we didnt have to worry about it. Loved both of these ports and hope to go back to them again soon!!!

 

[MeauxMum]

Great information here. I'm also going to the same places on the Conquest on August 30. Have not booked excursions as of yet. Thanks for the great tips and advice!

 

[Jim]

I would urge you to consider Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman. Since you tender into the port (all ships tender to avoid damage to the coral reef), it is easy to get to Captain Marvin's. Step off the tender, walk out to the street, turn LEFT, go down two blocks, on the RIGHT is a small group of storefronts. Captain Marvin's is there. Go in, sign in, a van will then take you to the other side of the island where you will board, newer, clean, well run boats! There are several crew members so you will be very well cared for, as well as assisted once you arrive! They guys are super!!!!!
They will return you to the office at the end of the excursion...you are downtown so you can browse, shop or head back to the ship!

Google Captain Marvin's and review their web site....

 

[natezdad]

I just booked my half day excursion with Captain Marvins!!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

How about Montego Bay? Has anyone booked with jamaicacruiseexcursions.com. The web site says Island marketing Limited. Im thinking about booking a catamaran tour with them that goes to Margaritaville and a few other stops.

 

[Boat boy]

In Montego Bay, contact Carolyn Barrett of Barrett adventures. (Google search) She will pick you up from the dock and spend the whole day with you.

here's what we did: 1 . Went to beautiful Rose Hall Beach and swam and drank and rode the big banana behind the ski boat
2. Went up into the hills to see a real life Jamaican neighborhood
3. Went to a local craft fair where you weren't hassled at all
4. Went to a local jerk chicken restaurant (never, ever would have gone there on our own!! based on how run down it looked. But the food was great, inexpensive, the rest rooms clean and they had plenty of red Stripe!).
5. We then went to <Margaritaville before returning to the ship

It was a wonderful day and Carolyn was great and very inexpensive (about $20 per person)

 

[serene56]

I would reconsider Dunns Rivers Falls from Montego Bay- You will spend considerable amount of time (4 hours round trip) to get to the falls.
The Falls are nice--dont get me wrong-- just not from Montego Bay.

I also would not do sting ray city with the cruiselines--you arrive enmasse with at least 100 people. Going with a private vendor they take you away from the crowds.

 

[EJK021]

To Natezdad: I would suggest a word of caution to any trip not booked through your Carnival Cruise ship. First, I've sailed Carnival 9 times, Royal Caribbean 1 time and Norweigan Cruise lines twice. Whether it is being chicken or not, I've always booked through the ship as there is one big benefit - if your tour is delayed, or something happens, the ship will wait for your return. My group did a cruise to Panama in January 2008 and the shore tour we took was the transit through 1/2 the canal with the tour ending on the Pacific side and we had to bus back to the Caribbean side. Traffic was crazy with volume and road construction and we were still at least 15 miles away from the ship at our sailing time. At lot of the people on the bus thought the ship would leave without us but our guide said not to worry - and what happened next was something way out of the ordinary. A Panamanian police vehicle with lights and sirens going passes us and takes up a position in the front - there is another one to the rear. We literally had a police escort back to the ship (don't know who pulled those strings) and there were other police a bigger intersections that waived our "convoy" through. We got back to the dock approx. 30 minutes or more past sailing time but the ship was still there. Don't know how it is in GC or Jamaica but that extra in Panama was unbelievable. The tours may cost more via the ship, but if you don't know what it's like where your going it can give you piece of mind.

I'm spending a ton of bucks for my shore tours for my Carnival Dream cruise in September - but I've never been there and have no idea what to see so I'm going the easy way and booking through Carnival and hoping for the best - never had a problem before, don't expect any now (even though it is the maiden voyage for this ship I'm sure the tours are the same as for previous ships).

Hope you and the family have a good cruise.
Ed

 

[Mmketeer]

For Montego Bay

I would suggest contacting Phil in Ochios Rios. He is a really great local guy that I have used many times and he can recommend someone to use in Montego Bay. I believe he once told me of an american woman in Montego Bay that runs her own excursion company. I am sure he can give you her info to contact. Check out his webiste for his contact info.

PS
The falls at Ochios are sooo worth it!

http://www.phil-lafayette-tours.com/Tours.html

 

[Mr. Utley]

I would stick with a group tour in Mo Bay, preferably with the cruise line. There are some unsafe areas. I would be more adventurous in Grand Cayman. Captain Marvin may be 100 by now, but there are other private charters that are cheaper and less crowded than the cruise line stingray encounters.