Is this reasonable for a private tour?...

[kendallison]

I just contacted Marva Shaw with knowjamaica.com to get a quote but I have no idea if it's a good deal or if I'd be better off hailing a random cab. We are 2 families traveling together... 4 adults, 4 kids aged 6, 6, 9, and 9. For her to take us around all day long (say 7 hours) not including admission to any parks etc. would be $200. Is this comparible to other private companies? Thanks? I've heard she's great but any other suggestions?

[rarodg2]

We are planning on using Peat Taylor for our private tour. His price seems to be a little less. Check out his website for prices and activities. http://www.peattaylor.com I hope that helps.

Rebecca

[txcruiser21]

You might want to check out a-z jamaica planners. We plan to use them on our cruise this month Belinda gave me a great rate. Can post after the cruise to let you know how the tour went. You can check out their website a-zjamaicaplanners.com

 

Good luck!

[awsmrn]

Which port in Jamaica are you going?

[JGR01]

In Jamaica .. DO NOT HAIL A RANDOM CAB.

 

I cannot suggest any of the tours .. that is somewhat your decision. What I could suggest is trying one of the expensive all-inclusive resorts there.. they will offer day-rooms and transport and lunch. That would be FAR more relaxed than touring.

 

The moment you get off the ship .. you will be barraged with 'taxi Maaan' or 'grass Maaan' or other things.

 

Jamaica in general is not horribly safe.. keep your witts about you .. most of your money left on the ship and only one credit card with you. DO NOT randomly pick cabs or vendors. Either go with the private group, a pre-arranged all-inclusive day-package or something the ship organizes.

 

I have a friend who has friends in Negril .. she stays put once she gets there even though she is traveling with a local man. The main tourist spots are very busy when ships are in ..

 

Tho I can suggest looking for 'salt shrimp' as a local delicacy!

[awsmrn]

We toured with Phil Lafayette. The following are posts we made regarding Phil and his tour. It's a bit long but informative.

 

 

Our new Jamaican family member

Just returned home from our Victory cruise. The Island of Jamaica would not have been a life changing experience without our good friend Phil Lafayette. The lessons we learned will stay with us our entire lives. We feel fortunate to have met a proud Jamaican Patriot who showed us a side of Jamaica that goes unseen by Worldly standards. There is not enough time or space to explain the impact that Phil's tour had on our lives. If anyone wants us to elaborate please feel free to e-mail us at angawsmrn@sbcglobal.net.

Phil has become a part of our family. He opened his heart and taught us that there is more to life than living. You will not go wrong with a tour from Phil. The knowledge and heart he brings to you will make you shine bright.

 

**********************************************************

 

Ocho Rios: We booked a tour with Phil Lafayette. He first took us to Dunns Falls. This was a wonderful experience!!! The water was cold but we loved it. They film your tour so you can purchase a video or DVD. The DVD was $40 and well worth it, what a hoot watching our group!!! The guides will take pics of you with your camera. They are great fun and will ask for a tip at the end. You can rent water shoes for $5 or buy your own before leaving home. Phil then picked us up and gave us a tour around town. He shared with us about his home, his culture and the everyday life of the Jamaican people. Phil is a proud Jamaican and enjoys sharing his heart and soul. He then took us for a river tubing excursion. This was a beautiful and peaceful way to experience some of the land of Jamaica. We then toured Fern Gully and stopped by a small restaurant for some Jamaican cuisine. After lunch he dropped us off for some shopping. If you are looking for a trust worthy tour guide full of heart and fun give him a call.

 

**********************************************************

 

Phil Lafayette not only gave us a tour he also taught us about Jamaican traditions in a way that is utterly indescribable and their daily lives. We take a lot of things for granted here in USA. He showed us first hand what Ocho Rios was all about not only tourist things but also how the locals survive. He introduced us to some very lovely locals. Althogh they may not have a lot of material things their hearts and spirits seemed genuine and pure. It is very hard to explain "life chaging" but that is what he did for our family.

 

**********************************************************

 

His tour starts 30min after the ship docks. He will have someone waiting at the end of the dock, look for his name on a sign. After everyone gets there they will escort you to Phil where he is waiting for you with his bus.

He then will drive you to Dunns Falls where he drops you off. You will pay $15 per person to enter the falls, they will charge another $5 to rent water shoes (i suggest you take your own as they come in handy for other excursions and the tubbing). You spend about 2 hrs. at the falls. A tour guide will take a group of you up the 600 ft. of falls. There will be plenty of photo ops. They will also be video taping your group. You can purchase a video or DVD of the group. Our DVD was $40. It's a blast to watch. The guides are great and make the long climb fun. The guides will be asking for a tip at the end. Each group has 2 guides. Phil will be wating in the parking lot at a designated time. For us it was 1105.

He will then drive you the river for tubbing. This is $20pp and takes about 45min. Very relaxing.

Phil then takes you on a tour of Ocho Rios including Fern Gully. You stop by for some lunch and then it's off for shopping. The shopping area he took us to was just a short walk from the ship. We were at the shopping area at 2:30 and needed to be back at the ship by 3:30.

Phil is flexable with your time and what you want to do. Just let him know what you want.

The shopping area was ok, lots of little shops. We probably would not have done much shopping here but this was our last port and we had not done any shopping at the other ports. We only hit about 4 shops and had all we needed.

The only thing I would have done differently was to take our digital camera. We did not realize that you could leave your belongings on his bus for safe keeping while you are out getting wet.

If there is anything else I can help answer please let me know. I really think your group will enjoy Phil.

 

 

Hope this info was helpful.

[kendallison]

Thanks for the replies!

 

awsmrn... we will be in Ocho Rios.

 

Here's an update... I've talked with the other family we're traveling with and we've decided we don't want to do the falls because our children won't climb them. We would however like to go tubing on the river and then go to a nice beach where we won't be hassled. What would be the best way to do this? Beach suggestions?

 

I really appreciate all your advice about not getting a taxi! I should really get one of the recommended tour guides (there seem to be about 4 that have rave reviews here) or book something with the ship.

 

I'd just like to say that this cruise forum is awesome! The last time we went on a cruise was our honeymoon 12 years ago and we were clueless about everything. I am learning so much. I've alrady booked 1 private excursion in Grand Caymen that I never would have had the guts to do without this forum!

[lhbsurf]

We also booked with Phil Lafayette. We have 2 adults (well, three since my 15 year old is considered an adult ) and 1 child. We're doing both the falls and the tubing and are paying $55 for adults and $45 for the kid. He has a website which describes the tours and lists prices:

 

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

 

We tried to do Ocho Rios on our own last time and were not impressed. Am hoping for better trip this time, since the kids will be with us and I think Phil's tour is just what we're looking for. I've asked to end the day at Margarativille. Our ship seems to be in port longer than most, so we have a bit more time.

 

Good luck - I agree - these forums are invaluable. We have found the information to be accurate for all the tours we've booked. I love it!

 

Laura

[awsmrn]

Even if you don't want to do the Falls you can still contact Phil for a more individualized tour. He works for you and your time.

[kendallison]

Thanks! I've sent Phil an email.

 

lhb.... We would also love to end our day at Margaritaville!

[4boys4mom]

Try Trevor Hudlin also. We have 11 going (5 adults and 6 kids). Trevor is taking some of us to the falls and some of us tubing. And then we'll get back together and see a plantaition, Wassi Pottery Factory, Native Village, Fern Gully, Shopping at Soni Plaza and dropping us off at Island Village (Margaritaville is there). We are paying $30 for the adults doing the falls and $35 for the tubing, the kids were a bit less. Those prices include admissions. You can reach trevor at :) Trevorhudlin(at)hotmail.com:) . Good luck and shop this like you would anything else.

[jbsteven]

I was in Montego Bay at Christmas time in 2004 and rented a cab (Toyota mini bus) for about $200-$225 for the whole day. The guy drove us all the way to Bob Marley's tomb (3 hours from the Ritz Carlton) and then to the Dolphin encounter in Ocho Rios (another 1.5 hours). then the 3 hour drive back. $225 or so for the whole day.

 

so if someone is gonna charge $200 or so for transportation for the whole day then it seems reasonable.

[Gardendog]

We went in March, family of 3 and used Ato Z. Belinda was great to work with. I forgot the price, but it was a private tour, just us, so the driver, Mickey took us where we wanted to go. Ending the day at Margaritaville sounds nice, but the people on my ship did not think much of it.

[jamindi]

I've said it so many times, I feel like a parrot, but I just can't street how important it is to travel in a vehicle that is fully licensed and carries an insurance policy that is equivalent to that offered by the cruise ships (i.e to the point where they will cover airlifting you home.) It's such a big deal to me. Anyway, the only company I found that offers that is Holiday Services, that's http://www.holiday-services.com.

 

Ask for Jennifer and she can recommend a nice beach.

[coiran]

$200 for 8 people for 7 hours seems very reasonable - that equates to $25pp - I don't think you will find anything any better.

 

Ron

[twinkletoes4445]

You might check with Ionie McBeam. We had a wonderful time with Lewis (her husband). I emailed her and told her where we wanted to go, and she fixed us up! No matter who you decide to use, have a great time! :)

 

Here's her website....

 

http://www.ocho-rios.com

[Lightsluvr]

Phil sounds like the way to go in Ocho Rios. His website says $55 PP for the falls and tubing. Another post here indicated they paid (additional?) $20 PP for the falls and $15 PP for tubing. That makes $90 PP plus tips for the day???