Caribbean Bottom 5 List

[packercruising]

That could very well be but we were on a tour that included Dunn's River Falls. If you follow the maps and directions to get back on the bus it takes you right through the area everyone said they didn't like. If we every had this desire to see Dunn's River Falls again we would go back the way we cam in.

[cruzeluver]

I think with a little research, and asking the right questions, anyone could find something to like in almost any port. I am still waiting to accosted by pushy vendors in Cozumel. Yeah they will walk up to you and ask you to come in their stores, but a simple "no thanks" has always done the trick.

[barbarah33]

Having been fortunate enough to go on over 20 Caribbean cruises I don’t think I have ever been to an island that I just hated from the beginning. Every place has something to offer on at least your first visit there; some tour that interests you. These are the places that I never need to go to again but I am glad I have been to all of them at least once. (Okay, I have been to them all many times but I never need to go back.)

 

Jamaica

Caymans

Martinique

Barbados

Freeport

[Creole Girl]

Bottom of the list is Dominica. I could not stand it and never want to go back.

 

I see that a lot of people dislike Jamaica, but I have been 3 times and would go again in a heartbeat. Twice land based and once on a cruise. I do not care for Montego Bay. Not because of the people, I just did not like the layout or beaches. The people are GREAT!!!!!

[newmexicoNita]

Bottom of the list is Dominica. I could not stand it and never want to go back.

 

I see that a lot of people dislike Jamaica, but I have been 3 times and would go again in a heartbeat. Twice land based and once on a cruise. I do not care for Montego Bay. Not because of the people, I just did not like the layout or beaches. The people are GREAT!!!!!

isn't it amazing how we differ. This is what makes these boards both informative and interesting, plus fun: top of my list (almost) for islands we loved: Dominica, bottom: Jacaica. We ddidn't like Dominican Republic, but loved Dominca, The people were friendly (for the most part) the island clean and or tour outstanding plus we were impressed with the versatility of the island, beautiful beach area, tropical gardens, walking paths, water falls, and a nice shopping area just to mention a few of the things that attracted us. Nmnita

[jandjfun]

[

QUOTE]

Really, I dislike Cozumel pretty much for the same reasons people listed against Jamaica (Ironically enough we loved Ocho Rios)...

 

I don't know if you should take my post to heart as I noticed many people listed our FAVORITE ports as their worst :rolleyes:.

This is exactly why I go where I want, and make up my own mind. We are actually going on the Mariner cruise BECAUSE it includes Jamaica. And we are excited about it.

However I really do appreciate all the opinions I read. It makes a person at least prepared for the worst and hope for the best. I have also read that if you take private tours in Ocho Rios you are sort of protected from the rudeness by the guides. True or False?

By the way my least favorite port was San Juan. But in all fairness, we got there pretty close to dark, and only stayed a couple of hours.

[clackey]

I don't know if you should take my post to heart as I noticed many people listed our FAVORITE ports as their worst :rolleyes:.

This is exactly why I go where I want, and make up my own mind. We are actually going on the Mariner cruise BECAUSE it includes Jamaica.

Yes, my dear, I concur. If we were all alike, life would be pretty boring. Just because I didn't like Costa Maya doesn't mean that I don't want to go back. I'll do more research and find something else to do. I've seen some nasty reviews of Jamaica but I will have to see it for myself.

[newmexicoNita]

this is what makes these post so interestin. We do all look for something different in everything in life. Many people I know love ST Lucia, we had a bad experience which was enough to put this island toward the top of our least favorites. It is individual experiences that form most of our views in life period. NMnita

[kalemke]

One mans garbage is another mans treasure! Isn't it funny how differnt we all are. One thing in common though - we love to cruise!

HATED - Martinique....rude rude rude people. I am not sure it is because the people are French because we...

LOVE - St. Martin (so much so that we went back the following year for a weeks stay and cannot wait to go again - we stayed on the French side.

[5668200]

1. Jamaica

2. Nassau

3. Jamaica

4. Cartegena, Columbia - kind of scarey

5. Jamaica!!

[Hollyhawk]

I have never been to Jamicia and most likely never will based on the posts on here and there are alot. No before someone tells me the I might go and like it, it seams that too many people have issues. It is kinda like someone trying something to eat and saying "EEEEWW that taste like crap, here you try" I don't care to try it, I might like it, but there are many other things in the world to eat.

Yea like uni.

[sparkly]

We were terrified getting off the ship in Dominica 5 or so years ago. So scary! It was like we were dropped off in hell. We made it past the waiting cab drivers etc. and meandered around town, stepped over a dead dog, dodged a few chickens. We then heard childrens voices and saw an open air elementary school. We were enchanted and stood by the gate, then a woman asked in a lilting voice "May I help you?" We replied that we were teachers from America. The woman who was the principal came down and opened the gate and invited us in to school. We first went into the kindergarten room, about 60 children!!! They stood up and said in unison, "Good morning teachers". We were in love! Those children were immaculate! Tiny, little pristine uniforms white, white socks. (which was so amazing as we had seen women washing clothes via a spigot in the street!"

The lovely principal was so interested in how school works in the states. She really wanted the kids to start learning about computers, althought there was not a computer to learn on.

The art on the walls was ancient Dick and Jane stuff, all depicted with white people just like my elementary school in the 50s.

We have since always tried to avoid mass market excursions and research ways to go local. We always bring small school stuff to bring to the local schools.

Get out there and meet people!

[cruiseapril]

Sparkly- Very interesting post. We were in Dominica last year. Everyone onboard had been warned about the cab drivers and that downtown Roseau was a bit rough, but we met the kindest folks on the streets and in the stores. One storekeeper told us all about the town of Roseau- where to go etc. He was very kind. Our morning in Roseau was memorable.

[sparkly]

Thanks,April.

I think we are on the same wavelength! Those cabbies were a tad scary though!:D

[watchdiva]

Our least favorite port is Nassau - we no longer even get off the ship.

 

One of our favorite ports (in over 20+ years of cruising) was Montego Bay, Jamaica. We booked a private tour for just hubby and I, were taken way up into the mountains, swam in crystal clear pools, met some fantastic locals and had one of our best times ever! Our driver was fantastic, stayed with us the entire time and even waited for us at the beach where we ended our day. He parked right in front of the beach and escorted us onto the property - his name was Deacon and he certainly contributed greatly to our sense of safety and security!

 

In each port that we visit, we research extensively and try to book private tours so that we can go where we want, when we want. Neither of us likes to shop so we tend not to encounter "pushy" vendors.

 

We also loved Costa Maya - we took a tour to Mahajual (sp?) and spent the day at a pristine beach with NO strolling vendors trying to sell you something.

[sparkly]

Actually, while no major big fan of Nassau by any means, i have to grudgingly say it looked a whole lot better last spring than it ever has. (not certain how many drinks i had on shore:D

[cruiseapril]

Hi again Sparkly- We went to Nassau for the first time in April.

 

Our expectations were not high- but we were pleasantly surprised that we enjoyed it (Atlantis & beach, carriage ride, and Ardastra Zoo-long day) and did not find many of the problems sometimes described.

 

We're wondering if it has improved? We're going back this April and will check it out again. Hope to find it ok. Will do a port review when we return.

[ali07]

I had never wanted to go to Jamaica because of things I had heard. We did an RCI cruise with a stop at Ocho Rios in March, and I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to Ocho Rios in the least. However, Ocho Rios turned out to be THE BEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE TRIP!!!! We did a river tubing safari. It was so well done and the people that we met were wonderful (not pushy in the least). I want to go back now and do it again...:)

 

Same trip I thought Grand Cayman fell into my "bottom five". It was an entire day of waiting (for the tender, for the excursion bus, for the excursion boat, for the tender again...) I'm not in a hurry to go back there...

 

Lession learned - everyone has their own experiences and opinions and sometimes you just need to try something for yourself:)

[SANDY BEACH]

I must share a positive side of Jamaica since it is receiving so many bad reviews. It was 39 years ago when I was on vacation with a girlfriend and the Navy ship came in. This is where I met my husband. Jamaica will always be special to me; however, even back then I remember not feeling so safe with the locals----but ohhhhh that Navy Blue. Hopefully, next year (on our 40th) we will cruise on a ship that stops there. I must see it one more time.

[goneclear]

I have visited most the caribbean islands and have not had a bad experience yet. (will visit all again) I am really suprised by the amount of people who dislike Jamica and it is one of the stops most cruise ship lines use. Tourism is the main money earner for Jamica also so I hope someone who is in authority may see this site some day so they can make some changes for the better. Most people think St, Thomas, Jamica, Cozumel, Nassau and PR when you mention the caribbean. The fact is that there are so many other beautiful islands but they just dont have the infrastructure to handle the large cruise lines.

[smarks]

My #1 is G.Cayman. The people are not friendly, rude and just don't want us there. Laid back is great, but lazy on ship day is a big no no. I have been there 7 times and each time is worse. The beaches are beautiful, diving is great, people working in stores don't want to be bothered, cab drivers are rude. I hope Carnival (the only cruise line for me) will take notice and change there itenarary.

[newmexicoNita]

My #1 is G.Cayman. The people are not friendly, rude and just don't want us there. Laid back is great, but lazy on ship day is a big no no. I have been there 7 times and each time is worse. The beaches are beautiful, diving is great, people working in stores don't want to be bothered, cab drivers are rude. I hope Carnival (the only cruise line for me) will take notice and change there itenarary.

the only positive thing about GC is the snorkeling and feeding the Sting Rays. Of course I would put a few other islands in the "I don't care if you ever return" catagory. The sad thing is, we are supporting them: St Lucia, certainl Tortolla and St thosmas. NMnita

[hockeymom97]

I am so VERY surprised to see Jamaica keep coming up on everyone's lists - and now I'm also very worried!! I have been to Jamiaca many, many times (at least a couple of dozen) where I was staying in a private residence in Negril. These were some of the best vactions I have ever taken - but then again this was also approx 12 years ago and I never spent any time in Ocho Rios and the only time I saw Montego Bay was coming into the airport.

 

This November will be my first time stopping in Jamiaca on a cruise. We will be stopping in Ocho Rios and our plan is to visit Dolphin Cove to swim with the dolphins. I'm thinking this will take up a good part of our day. Maybe Dunn's Falls after that. Since everyone seems to have had poor experiences in Ocho Rios, does anyone have any suggestions on how to plan ahead and make it better - if that's possible? I will be traveling with my BF and my 10 yr old son. :confused:

[cruiseapril]

newmexicoNita- Can you tell us more about Tortola? I didn't realize there were problems there.