8 of the best Jamaica cruises for every type of traveler (2023)

FAQs

What is the best cruise port in Jamaica? ›

Ocho Rios on Jamaica's northern coast is the island's largest and best-located cruise port. It offers easy access to two of Jamaica's top attractions—Dunn's River Falls and Mystic Mountain, where you'll find bobsledding and zip-lining—and several of Jamaica's most popular activities.

Jamaica Cruises: Cruise to Jamaica. Royal Caribbean Cruises.

If you're not able to wait for ports of call (or don't have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise.

If a traveler isn't too keen on the luxury side and wants something a little more exciting, adventure cruises are a great option. This type of cruise is more about the destination than the ship, and these exotic destinations are all over the world.

The best time for a Caribbean cruise is from December to April when the weather is dry, sunny, and clear skies on most days. The ideal cruising conditions of mild temperatures and calm waters typically last throughout winter and spring, making it the prime Caribbean sailing season and very traveler-friendly.

December through April is the peak season for Caribbean cruising. During this time, you'll experience the best weather and some of the most entertaining holidays and festivals.

If you are traveling to Jamaica on a cruise, you may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. However, we strongly recommend you obtain a passport before travel in case an emergency requires you to disembark and return by air. You do not need a visa for tourist travel up to 90 days.

The Ocho Rios cruise port is the country's largest and sits centrally among top Jamaica attractions.

Jamaica's main cruise ports, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth, are equipped to handle the largest cruise ships afloat and offer a full range of services and facilities. Beautiful Port Antonio is an idyllic call for boutique cruise ships and megayachts.

Yes, cell phones work on cruise ships. Travelers can connect to the Wi-Fi facilities available onboard or use their cellular data on cruise ships. Therefore, you can make calls and texts from cruise ships. You can also make video calls from a cruise ship.

Can you use cell phone on cruise ship? ›

Download the Connect@Sea app.

This app uses the ship's wireless service, so you'll still have to buy a package. But the app allows for ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship, and onboard calling and texting. If you want to be accessible at all times, download this app to your Apple or Android device.

You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.

The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

July is the hottest month in Jamaica, with a maximum temperature of 91°F. January is usually the 'coldest' - although you'll still find highs of 82°F.

Jamaica's beach destinations, such as Negril and Montego Bay, are popular with tourists and locals alike. For a bustling city, you can't beat Port Antonio or the capital of Jamaica, Kingston. Or for cruise ports, docking in at Ocho Rios is always a great experience (plus there's plenty to do, too)!

We recommend that you book anywhere between 3 months to a year before you want to travel. However, last minute tours are possible up to a day before travel date.

The best times to visit Jamaica are late November through late April during the dry season. The worst times to visit Jamaica are August through October during the Caribbean hurricane season.

September and October are the cheapest months to visit Jamaica and still offer sunshine despite the chance of rain. The springtime is a good time too, offering sunny weather and cheaper prices without big crowds of tourists.

January to March is the peak travel season to the island – room rates can spike to more than $700 per night at some hotels.

Is it safe to go to Jamaica right now? ›

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk. Please read the entire Travel Advisory. Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common.

Although vaccines are not required, we encourage all guests 5 years of age and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination.

Port Antonio

This town is safe for anyone living in it. Be it a resident or a visitor. Port Antonio should be the perfect destination for people concerned about their safety.

The Wonder of The Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, at the Falmouth Pier in Trelawny on December 1, 2022.

The most popular attraction within walking distance is Ocho Rios Bay Beach, otherwise known as Turtle Beach. The beach is a 10-minute walk to the east of the port. Just look to the left on arriving at the docks. Food services are available such as snack shop and picnic facilities.

A number of cruise lines stop in Jamaica, and the island is unique in that there are three main cruise ports: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth.

The Port of Kingston is located on the world's seventh largest natural Harbour. The port is strategically located on the north/south-east/west axis through the Caribbean, approximately 32 miles from the trade routes passing through the Panama Canal.

Ocho Rios Jamaica | Cruises to Ocho Rios | Carnival Cruise Line.

Can You Still Text for Free in the Cruise Line's App if you Bring Your own HotSpot? Yes, of course! As long as you have the app downloaded on your phone and you're on their free wifi, you can use the app to text on a cruise ship for free.

Keep a watchful eye on your “airplane mode” setting, ensuring it's always on when you're on board your cruise ship. If you forget, you won't be charged for incoming calls you don't accept, but some service providers will charge for unread text messages that arrive while your phone is roaming.

How can I avoid cell phone charges on a cruise? ›

Data use onboard a cruise ship is ridiculously expensive, especially because it tends to add up quickly. Always remember to put your phone in airplane mode or turn off data roaming before you head out to sea and don't want to be smacked with a hefty bill upon returning home. Even in port, the rates get pretty high.

Cruise ships have cellular service that you can connect to. However, it's usually considered international roaming and means you'll be charged high rates to access. You likely know that instead of using a cell signal, you can hook your phone up to wi-fi and use the Internet to make calls, send texts, and surf the web.

Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to our onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. But, please be aware that cellular data used on the ship or in certain ports of call will result in charges from your cell phone provider.

If you are trying to reach a guest onboard the ship, you can make a call to their stateroom and optionally leave a message. Use of the phones for calls to a guest's stateroom is complimentary. Of course, it requires the guest to be in the room to answer the call and/or check the voicemail.

Wi-Fi on cruise ships will never be as fast (or reliable) as home. Yes, all cruise ships today offer an internet connection, but it might not be the seamless experience you've come to expect on land.

Today you pay for unlimited internet by the day, but you still typically pay for only one device. If you want more than one device connected to the ship's Wi-Fi you will have to upgrade or buy a different internet package. The price of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can range from $15 to $30 and more per device per day.

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT INTERNET ONBOARD

Most cruise ships offer their own supported internet connectivity, however from time to time you can connect to the internet using your phones 3G or 4g if you don't want to pay for the internet package from your cruise line.

Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

Travel Documents and ID Always Go in Your Carry-On

Identification is the single most important thing you need to keep in your carry-on (in addition to medication). In addition to boarding documents, cruise lines require all passengers to present government-issued identification in order to embark.

As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

What floor is best on a cruise? ›

Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much. The front and back of the ship are a no-no.

The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks.

Balcony cabins on cruise ships are more spacious due to the outside space. They have spectacular ocean views, fresh sea air, and a private seating area. Although these cabins are more expensive, the rewards of a private balcony sometimes outweigh the cost. If it fits within your budget, balcony cabins are worth it!

If seasickness is a worry of yours, the best way to avoid that is getting a room in the center of the ship. As cruise ships tend to bob on waves and slightly roll from side to side, the heart of the ship is its only part that stays virtually in the same place.

starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. Your decision will depend on a variety of factors, from your stateroom type to your cruise itinerary. Here are helpful tips for choosing which side of the ship will suit you best.

The truth, though, is this: There's no “better” side of the ship. It doesn't matter where you're going, or what river you're sailing on, or even what ship you're sailing aboard. Both sides of the ship are created equal.

Where is the Port? MONTEGO BAY is located at Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea in Jamaica at coordinates N 18° 27' 43.92" - W 077° 56' 23.07". The official UN/Locode of this port is JMMBJ. It is also known as MONTEGO FREEPORT.

A Royal Caribbean destination insider gives the scoop on this famous port. Nestled between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Falmouth is the perfect backdrop for discovery. Falmouth has been one of the most important and popular ports in Jamaica since 1769.

Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

Mainstream Cruise Ship

The most common and known type of cruise ship, marketed to suit the needs of the majority of passengers, with all sorts of standard resort features.

What is the most popular mode of transportation in Jamaica? ›

The best way to get around Jamaica is by taxi, whether you're coming from one of the airports – Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is the most accessible to the tourist areas – or making your way around town.

Ocho Rios also has lovely beaches like Turtle Beach and James Bond Beach. However, Negril's beaches are more developed than those in Ocho Rios. If you're looking for more of a secluded beach experience, Ocho Rios is the better choice. However, if you want more of a party atmosphere, then Negril is the way to go!

Conclusion: Both areas of the island are beautiful and are well suited for a relaxing vacation. Montego Bay is better for families with children and for those who don't plan to explore the island much. Ocho Rios is better for young adults, adventure seekers, and people who don't have children.

It is possible to swim all year in Ocho Rios.