Arriving at Montego Bay

[dingadong]

Looking for some information from those who have done this.  What was the procedure?  I seem to remember at Barbados we went straight from plane onto bus?  The queues when we got to ship were just awful, especially after long flight and left to stand in heat.  Do you have to collect your luggage or again,  is it taken straight to ship?  Do you think it might be worthwhile getting a private taxi to ship?  Someone on another board said that coach required a police escort.  Last time we were in Montego Bay, were travelled quite freely and safely by taxi.  Appreciate all thoughts and advice.  TIA 😊

[Toxteth OGrady]

Back when I booked my (first) cruise the agent said that an unexpected bonus was that having dumped your luggage at Gatwick the next time you see it is in your cabin- so Im going with that. I am flying with TUI as well though.

Im expecting to queue  as that seems to be the likely thing to do- Im hoping they bring drinks around or one of us can beak of to grab one?

[AlanCruise]

We last went through Montego Bay in 2018, but then it was not quite as good as Barbados (where the coach comes to the plane).
The bags were taken direct from the plane to the ship, passengers had to go into the terminal building where immigration took place in a corridor and you then went out a side door to the coaches.
There was a very confusing immigration form to complete!

[dingadong]

Last time we were in Jamaica, it was for a hotel holiday.  We paid for the VIP experience (or whatever is was called) - met off plane, someone got your cases, fast tracked through immigration/customs and taken to a lounge whilst someone found our pre arranged transport.  Well worth it!   I know from our experience in Barbados, it was great being transferred straight to bus, but lordy - when we got to ship, it was carnage.  We must have queued in total for around 2 hours - which included out in the sun and then up and down staircases waiting to be processed.  I am worried about having to repeat that experience, because it wasn't pleasant.  People were visibly unwell and until you got into the processing hall, there was no water! This was on old Celebration.  Just hoping its a bit sleeker now.

[Toxteth OGrady]

Just back from cruise which started and ended at Montego Bay. Yes straight onto coach which was given a Police escort (which made for a lively and interesting trip!). 

A long but constantly moving queue under shelter for 15 minutes tops but TUI staff were on hand readily handing out drinks of water 

[paularmstrong]

used Mo Bay lounge on way back , fast track through ques and once in it was great , 

[Wacktle]

On 3/21/2023 at 4:33 PM, paularmstrong said:

used Mo Bay lounge on way back , fast track through ques and once in it was great , 

How did you book the Mo Bay lounge?

 

[paularmstrong]

We went there with friends and they booked it in uk before we went , i think this is the best way as i tried to access club lounge in barbados airport 2 weeks ago , didnt book and they were full , no room at the inn

[jd-mac]

Having worked in the aviation industry for 15 years, I consider Montego Bay airport to be in a class by itself and I don't mean that in a good way!!

[Manchester is blue]

We have visited Jamaica many times,… well over 20 and fly via Montego Bay airport. It’s absolutely fine,  and in in my opinion quite a bitter more user friendly than Manchester, our local airport. 
Club Mo bay is great. We usually use it exiting Jamaica. We do not find it necessary for arrivals.

we book it via the link on Tripadvisor, but have also booked via VIATOR. Enjoy man.

[Cliffholl55]

We have the Lounge booked after the fiasco at Barbados airport earlier this year.  Booked through TUI

[Wacktle]

On 9/5/2023 at 3:04 PM, Manchester is blue said:

We have visited Jamaica many times,… well over 20 and fly via Montego Bay airport. It’s absolutely fine,  and in in my opinion quite a bitter more user friendly than Manchester, our local airport. 
Club Mo bay is great. We usually use it exiting Jamaica. We do not find it necessary for arrivals.

we book it via the link on Tripadvisor, but have also booked via VIATOR. Enjoy man.

Do you have a preference between Tripadvisor and VIATOR? I was looking at booking direct with the airport because it seems to be a bit cheaper. Have you done it that way at all? I am a bit wary of the "reserve now and pay later" options on Tripadvisor and VIATOR. Is that the way you do it? If so, it must work?

[Cliffholl55]

I may be wrong but thought TUI was a good price. £26 each against £28 on trip. ?
and can cancel with full refund 

[Wacktle]

1 hour ago, Cliffholl55 said:

I may be wrong but thought TUI was a good price. £26 each against £28 on trip. ?
and can cancel with full refund 

Unfortunately TUI Flightextras show it as "full" for the date we want. I tried Flightextras via another travel company too, in case it is a glitch, but it returned the same message. MoBay airport's website and both TripAdvisor and Viator show availability. 

 

[Manchester is blue]

9 hours ago, Wacktle said:

Do you have a preference between Tripadvisor and VIATOR? I was looking at booking direct with the airport because it seems to be a bit cheaper. Have you done it that way at all? I am a bit wary of the "reserve now and pay later" options on Tripadvisor and VIATOR. Is that the way you do it? If so, it must work?

Hi Wacktle, we have a blue light card so more recently use VIATOR as they sometimes give us a discount, but really it doesn’t matter, we have found both sites user friendly.

Regards

Edited September 8, 2023 by Manchester is blue