CP and Ocho Rios Questions

[pucarter]

Hey Everyone!

I've got 2 questions about Ocho Rios:

1) I read someone else's post that said they were supposed to stop in Ocho, but the CP was too big?!? Can anyone clarify? I'm really looking forward to our stop there in July -- were just there on Mariner in January.

2) Speaking of Mariner and OR, I saw that the ship's photographer had taken some great shots of people at Dunn's River Falls. Does Princess do the same thing? Have a photographer at DRF? It would be a great family photo op, to my way of thinking.

Thanks for any light you can shed on these topics!

Rebeccah

[verwirrt]

Rebeccah,

Sorry, now answers, but a couple of questions.

I see you liked Ocho Rios and are anxious to return. What we your favorite things to see and do? Did you do a ship excursion or do a private booking? Any recommendations?

I know these questions belong on the Ports of Call boards, but it seems people very rarely look at those. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Will be on the Star in November and I, too, am wondering if our ship is 'too big' to dock there.

Sharon

[marlinmike]

I too am booked on a CP cruise with a Ocho Rios itinery so I was concerned. A while ago I happened to print up all itineries leading up to the date of my cruise (July 31st). Don't ask me why, I just did it. When I read the posting about the person who made the "too big" comment I looked up the itinery of that cruise and it said Montego Bay.

[pucarter]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]MarlinMike, you are right! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] I was really looking forward to Ocho Rios. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Thanks for the heads up, though...

Sharon,
We did not do any shore excursions in Ocho Rios. Instead we went to the VERY TOURISTY mall right off the ship that has Margaritaville in it. We had a great time! Paid a few bucks to walk through the Reggae Museum (I've been a reggae fan since 1984 and I even have DH saying "Ska" now when we hear the influence [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]). Paid a lot more bucks to get very "happy" in Margaritaville. Bought some FANTASTIC candles in a little shop -- was looking forward to getting more.

As far as the photos at Dunn's River Falls that I mentioned before, everyone looked to be having a great time. And the falls are more like stepping stones. It was neat (from the pictures).

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

Rebeccah

[seastar2]

Was on the Island in Feb..went to OR instead Columbia..Had really wanted the later.. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Took a shore excursion that had a "viewing" of Dunns falls. Walked the steps next to the falls, part of the way down and then back up looks like people havainga good time..Saw photographers but not sure if from the ships or other tour groups....Watch out for the "market area" when leaving the falls complex the sales people are very agressive ..if you even stop they are in your face...I saw a few interesting things but didn't stop to look after the first few feet.

Then we went to the mall and Margertaville..had a few drinks and called it a port to check off the list. Sops there are pricey but at least you can look.

Cunard Vistiford 1991,1993
Cunard Princess 1992
Royal Princess 1996, 97, 98
Star Princess 2002
Island Princess 2004

[GloriaF]

I interpretted the "too big" for Ocho Rios differently. Didn't the review say that there were other ships at the port in OR and that the Princess ship was too big to fit? I thought that they meant Princess wouldn't fit because the other ships had gotten there first and all the berths were filled. That was why they substituted Montego Bay. Do you think that could be a reasonable explanation??

Gloria

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001
Grand Princess, Western,April 2002
Regal to Hawaii, April 5-20, 2004

[torbs]

I spoke with a crew member while on the CP. We stopped at Montego Bay instead of Ocho Rios (not scheduled to on inaugural) It is not the size of the ship but the amount of traffic (ships) that may change the destination. Voyager class ships dock there no problem and they are bigger than the CP.



Caribbean Princess 4/3/04
Navigator of the Seas 8/03
Voyager of the Seas 6/01

[torbs]

Clarification, we were scheduled for Montego Bay.



Caribbean Princess 4/3/04
Navigator of the Seas 8/03
Voyager of the Seas 6/01

[pg.]

Dunns River Falls are not exactly " stepping stones", they can be slippery and in some places you need a hand up. We did them while young and fit, they were very fun, but not for anyone with mobility problems, or kids under say 6 or so.

[verwirrt]

Thanks for all the input. We are considering booking a private tour. Should we reconcider? Opinions? Thanks Rebeccah for you comments. I wish people would visit the ports of call forum more often.