What not to do in Falmouth

[Landsharks]

We were on the Mariner March 3rd cruise which is our 6th and the 2nd time to take the Cozumel, Georgetown, Jamaica trip. We were excited to return to Jamaica as our last visit was an enjoyable beach day in Montego Bay and this was our first time visiting the new port in Falmouth. Excursions are the safe and easy route for touristy sightseeing, but I tend to avoid the “tourist on a bus” routine unless the location is a significant distance and someplace I really want to visit such as the Maya Temple Xunantunich in Belize (an excursion which I highly recommend). For most ports I like to visit with the locals, shoot tons of photos, then have lunch or sit on a beach. Unfortunately, the city of Falmouth was not the type of place to mingle in with the locals unless you like incessant badgering to buy something or you want or to be taken somewhere by someone you don’t know. We left the “secure” area of the port crossing Trelawny Street heading down Falmouth Street directly into the street vendors. I’ve enjoyed the interaction like this at other ports and I’m always polite as I understand their need to make money and I’m on their turf. This time they were so overbearing it became increasingly unpleasant to be there. It took thirty minutes to make it two blocks and out into the town square where we were asked by yet several more drivers “where do you want me to take you”. I explained over and over that all I wanted to do is take photos and sit and have a cold drink. About this time someone asked if I wanted them to escort me around to take photos. I was too shell-shocked to realize it was one of the Falmouth tourism courtesy officers who are there to assist the tourists. Still being cautious, I politely refused and we started heading back. Another man approached wanting to sell two cd’s for $10. As I was looking at them, I remembered the really bad cd’s I bought like that in Nassau and I said “no thank you”. He dropped the price to $5 and I again said no. He became irritated and said “how about free, is that price good enough for you”. About that time another of the courtesy officers stepped in and ran him off. We quickly ducked down an open ally and back to the security of the port where my wife did the rest of her shopping. For those wondering about this port, this is definitely a place to take an excursion and get out of town. Otherwise, stay on the ship or do your shopping in the secured area of the port.

[Bella O]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. We will travel to Falmouth on our next cruise, and everything we have read says not to go out of the gates solo. We too, do not like most ship excursions, and plan on doing a private tour with a local company for the day. The takeaway seems to be if you don't have anything planned, plan on staying on the ship!

[monicajay]

We left the gates and walked to the Scotia Bank to get picked up for our privately planned beach break to Time and Place. As soon as we mentioned we were already booked we were left alone. It didn't seem any worse than what we have experienced in Belize or Dominican Republic.

 

Upon return to Falmouth, we walked around the market, people were not at all pushy at that time. We stopped and had a beer and one of the outdoor micro-bars and had some good conversation with locals. Red Stripe 2/$4 after negotiation.

 

This is a very poor port and I think the pushiness has come from people trying to make a living and they don't realize that our culture does not appreciate it