Phil Review - November 10, 2006

[traveladdicted]

Trying this again - my apologies if this is a duplicate post.

I just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise with my bother, aboard the Carnival Victory. In Ocho Rios we booked a tour with Phil Lafayette after reading the great reviews on this site. I was a little nervous after reading a couple of negative reviews but after Phil responded quickly to the message I sent with my concerns I decided to give him a try anyways.

I’m glad I did! Phil is very funny and deeply in love with his country. We had a great time on the tour. We opted to just go to Dunn’s River and then the island tour and back to Margaritaville.

Dunn’s River is absolutely amazing. We had a spectacular time and had the extreme good fortune that it was just the 4 of us (my mom and I and a couple on the Phil’s tour) with a guide for the falls. We watched other groups go up with 20 or so people and it was just the 4 of us! Our guide took us up the unbeaten path a few times so we avoided the big groups – we thought we had a daredevil guide! It was great though, I would certainly do it again!

The island tour is a little boring even with Phil’s information and songs. I’m sure it’s partly because we were all a little tired after our climb.

I would not hesitate to recommend Phil to anyone traveling to Ocho Rios. He is very funny, flexible with plans and very knowledgeable about his home.

[MCManders99]

Thank You for your review. Like You, I was alittle worried after some of the negative but Phil answered my concerns pretty quickly. We just have to wait till April to do our tour. Can I ask a question? You said the island tour was boring. What was boring about it? Where did he take you on the island? Was there beautiful scenery? The reason I ask is we are doing DRF, Tubing and the island tour (minus the jerk restaurant stop) and I am hoping for some great scenery of the island for pictures. Thanks

[rnjhill]

Traveladdicted

 

Just thought I would say hi! This is the other travellers on the Falls tour. We also had a great time and we have told many people that Jamaica was a highlight for us. We also were concerned about negative reports about Phil but he definitely changed our minds. He was very informative about Jamaica but he did it in a fun and interesting way. Phil has also followed up with an e-mail to find out if we made it home safely.He even used our Jamaican names. If anyone has doubts about Phil, rest assured he does a wonderful job of showing off his home.:):):)

[DukeFamily]

Thank You for your review. Like You, I was alittle worried after some of the negative but Phil answered my concerns pretty quickly. We just have to wait till April to do our tour. Can I ask a question? You said the island tour was boring. What was boring about it? Where did he take you on the island? Was there beautiful scenery? The reason I ask is we are doing DRF, Tubing and the island tour (minus the jerk restaurant stop) and I am hoping for some great scenery of the island for pictures. Thanks

 

Like the OP, I got a little bored during the island tour portion, too. It just goes on and on.........and on. And again, like the OP reported, I was really tired after the climb up the falls. Not that the climb itself is SO taxing, I guess it's just because it's so hot, and it's a long day with an early start......by the time I was back on the little bus and comfy and getting dry, well, I was also getting vewy vewy sleepy! About all I remember of our tour was Phil pointing out Mick Jagger's house and then stopping somewhere along the way where we could take a few pics of the ship way down below. I DID perk up at M'ville, though, what with the free 'rita, then all the subsequent not-free 'ritas ;) , and shopping, etc. I must say, though, smart decision to skip the jerk stand. The meat was just gross.....really gross. Just have some snacks with all those margaritas!

[mexico5]

I am also booked on the tour, minus the jerk stop. I do not eat meat and even if I did, it does not sound appealing!

 

We will do our tour next Monday and I am glad that Phil sounds like a good choice!