Ship activities when at port?

[FLIP FLOP GAL]

Sailing on the Getaway in a few months. We have no intentions to get off the ship when we dock at Ocho Rios, so, I'm curious as to how active the ship is when at port. Can my kids still play in the pools? Are all dining options open?

[cmdchiefthom]

My wife and I would rather have a sharp stick in the eye than go to Ocho Rios, however we were on the Epic earlier this year, and while in the port, we went to the Margaritaville in the port complex and had a blast. It was safe, and fun, had a small beach, so you might want to think about it.;)

[Doughboy139]

My wife and I would rather have a sharp stick in the eye than go to Ocho Rios, however we were on the Epic earlier this year, and while in the port, we went to the Margaritaville in the port complex and had a blast. It was safe, and fun, had a small beach, so you might want to think about it.;)

 

I agree with this post, I was in Ocho Rios last fall on the Dawn and I went to Margaritaville as well. You can see it from the ship. they have a restaurant there and a nice beach head. If you buy a drink you get to have a beach chair to use. Its not that far of a walk from the Ship.

[Doughboy139]

I agree with this post, I was in Ocho Rios last fall on the Dawn and I went to Margaritaville as well. You can see it from the ship. they have a restaurant there and a nice beach head. If you buy a drink you get to have a beach chair to use. Its not that far of a walk from the Ship.

 

Here are some photos that I took.

 

This is the view of Margaritaville from the Ship

 

 

This is the Entrance

 

Here is the view of the Ship from the beach

 

[hansolosmom]

We haven't done NCL but we've done other lines and stayed on board while in port. It's usually nice and quiet. The pools are open and not crowded. Usually only the buffet or the "fast food" type places are open for meals, since some crew members get some time off in ports.

 

Wanted to add, if you can find a review with the dailies it should show what meal options are available.

Edited July 13, 2015 by hansolosmom

[LrgPizza]

Sailing on the Getaway in a few months. We have no intentions to get off the ship when we dock at Ocho Rios, so, I'm curious as to how active the ship is when at port. Can my kids still play in the pools? Are all dining options open?

 

 

Jamaica is the most beautiful spot on that cruise. If you fear venturing away from the ship, I agree with the others that Margaritaville is fun, and you can see from the pictures that it sits at the end of the pier.

 

Yes, pools will be open. Only a few limited dining options will be open. I'm not sure about other activities.

[Coastalbreezes]

Looking at my dailies from May, there are not a whole lot of activities on board while in port. Some examples: Trivia, spa specials, water slides, shuffleboard and ping pong, arts and crafts, ropes course, an occasional movie in the atrium and mini golf.

Only O'Sheehans, Flamingo grill and buffet were open for lunch.

 

Tracy

[negn]

I enjoy the quiet of the ship. No crowds at the pools or for deck chairs. No lines at the buffet or bars.

They usually have some spa specials if that is your thing,though.

[FLIP FLOP GAL]

My wife and I would rather have a sharp stick in the eye than go to Ocho Rios, however we were on the Epic earlier this year, and while in the port, we went to the Margaritaville in the port complex and had a blast. It was safe, and fun, had a small beach, so you might want to think about it.;)

Thanks for all of the responses. A little background, my wife and I love exploring...not worried about ports being unsafe. We are not choosing to go to shore in Jamaica because we are a same sex couple traveling with our two small kids...and, well...for a lack of better words, Jamaica just don't care for the gays. LOL. That's putting it nicely - Jamaica is actually very very unfriendly for all LGBT people.

 

We just aren't willing to risk anything with our littles ones accompanying us. Not to mention - it's a principal thing - I don't want to give any more of my money to someone who is so anti-gay (besides the port charges the cruise ship already gives them).

 

So, we are going to take advantage of a less crowded ship and enjoy the kiddie play areas, spa for mommies, etc etc.

 

Thanks again!

[cml4958]

Thanks for all of the responses. A little background, my wife and I love exploring...not worried about ports being unsafe. We are not choosing to go to shore in Jamaica because we are a same sex couple traveling with our two small kids...and, well...for a lack of better words, Jamaica just don't care for the gays. LOL. That's putting it nicely - Jamaica is actually very very unfriendly for all LGBT people.

 

We just aren't willing to risk anything with our littles ones accompanying us. Not to mention - it's a principal thing - I don't want to give any more of my money to someone who is so anti-gay (besides the port charges the cruise ship already gives them).

 

So, we are going to take advantage of a less crowded ship and enjoy the kiddie play areas, spa for mommies, etc etc.

 

Thanks again!

 

It's really sad that you have to worry about this. I do appreciate the fact that for the sake of your children, you'll skip the port. Have fun on board while you're in port and have a great vacation!

 

Carrie

[slhopper]

Thanks for all of the responses. A little background, my wife and I love exploring...not worried about ports being unsafe. We are not choosing to go to shore in Jamaica because we are a same sex couple traveling with our two small kids...and, well...for a lack of better words, Jamaica just don't care for the gays. LOL. That's putting it nicely - Jamaica is actually very very unfriendly for all LGBT people.

 

I am truly sorry that you feel unwelcome in a port just because of who you love. I hope that you have an extra special, wonderful time on ship :)

[LrgPizza]

Thanks for all of the responses. A little background, my wife and I love exploring...not worried about ports being unsafe. We are not choosing to go to shore in Jamaica because we are a same sex couple traveling with our two small kids...and, well...for a lack of better words, Jamaica just don't care for the gays. LOL. That's putting it nicely - Jamaica is actually very very unfriendly for all LGBT people.

 

We just aren't willing to risk anything with our littles ones accompanying us. Not to mention - it's a principal thing - I don't want to give any more of my money to someone who is so anti-gay (besides the port charges the cruise ship already gives them).

 

So, we are going to take advantage of a less crowded ship and enjoy the kiddie play areas, spa for mommies, etc etc.

 

Thanks again!

Part of me wishes you'd just flaunt it all over Ocho Rios as a way of metaphorically flipping them off, LOL! But I understand your decision, especially with the kids involved.

[FLIP FLOP GAL]

Part of me wishes you'd just flaunt it all over Ocho Rios as a way of metaphorically flipping them off, LOL! But I understand your decision, especially with the kids involved.

Ha. Funny. We aren't the showy type - not our style. Plus, it's not a matter of just not wanting to get dirty looks...Jamaica is known to have violence towards homosexuals. Just this March, there was a report of a young gay man who was stoned to death (gruesome video is available, I can't watch it...horrible). The police don't do anything about it, sometimes, it's reported that they have participated in the violence. Horrible stuff.

 

Am I willing to risk any danger to my kids...nah...I'll take advantage of the spa discounts instead!

Edited July 14, 2015 by FLIP FLOP GAL

[Medtech2]

Ha. Funny. We aren't the showy type - not our style. Plus, it's not a matter of just not wanting to get dirty looks...Jamaica is known to have violence towards homosexuals. Just this March, there was a report of a young gay man who was stoned to death (gruesome video is available, I can't watch it...horrible). The police don't do anything about it, sometimes, it's reported that they have participated in the violence. Horrible stuff.

 

Am I willing to risk any danger to my kids...nah...I'll take advantage of the spa discounts instead!

Wow, I knew many countries are unfriendly to gays but did not know about the violence. Horrible! I, too would keep my kids on board.

 

DH and I stayed on board during a port day once and actually enjoyed the arts and crafts. Your kids might enjoy it, besides the fun of the slides and waterpark.

 

I think there would be plenty of things to do, not boring at all.

 

Have a fun and SAFE cruise!

[cb at sea]

About 1/4 of the passengers will stay on the ship on port days....there's plenty to do... the pools and bars are open...casino and shops are closed. It's a great way to spend the day, if you don't want to leave the ship.

[BamaVol]

I hope some day you're able to enjoy every port in the world. Meantime, we had no desire to get off the ship in Freeport, so spent the day in a shady spot on the pool deck. No crowd in the pool, no line at the bar.