A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth
A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
58 reviews
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Poslek
Washington DC, DC177 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
I traveled on RCI Freedom of the Seas to Falmouth and it was ok. The port is greatly kept and has plenty of shops, and some activities (hair braiding, massage, and trolley tour of the city). We decided to go on trolley to see the city. The tour was interesting as we went around the city and stopped at Anglican church that is being restored. We did not make any other stops. The tour cost $20 pp and lasted about 1.5 hours.
As you leave the gates of the port to go to the city, you may find lots of people trying to sell you tours, selling you stuff or begging for money. Sadly, there is lots of poverty in this area of Jamaica. I did not feel unsafe, just a bit harassed by so many people asking me to look/buy/give.
Jamaica does have beautiful beaches that we drove by.
Note - we went out of the gates to go to Montego Bay and stopped to shop for souvenirs. Later realized that inside the port, the prices were cheaper than outside. So, no advantage for going outside the gates for shopping.
As you leave the gates of the port to go to the city, you may find lots of people trying to sell you tours, selling you stuff or begging for money. Sadly, there is lots of poverty in this area of Jamaica. I did not feel unsafe, just a bit harassed by so many people asking me to look/buy/give.
Jamaica does have beautiful beaches that we drove by.
Note - we went out of the gates to go to Montego Bay and stopped to shop for souvenirs. Later realized that inside the port, the prices were cheaper than outside. So, no advantage for going outside the gates for shopping.
Written February 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
amypmom23
Chattanooga133 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
We stopped at Falmouth on a Royal Caribbean cruise. (They collaborated with the Jamaican authorities to develop the port, so they essentially own the port area, although not on paper the way they do with Labadee, Haiti.) The immediate port area was what you would expect from a cruise ship-owned port- lots of shops that they promoted on the cruise, selling mostly jewelry but also some crafts, a few performers. The ship will give you, free, a coupon book that includes various free things you can collect from the gemstone merchants, like loose mystic topazes or a charm bracelet, if you are into that kind of scavenger hunt for fun. You need to go outside the gates to find the real Jamaica, however. You can do that by taking a very expensive Royal Caribbean excursion, or you can go the riskier route & find a local to explore with. We opted for the latter (strongly against RC's advice) & had a great time. While we had no recommendations other than from the vendors in the marketplace that we did not know, we can now recommend for you, if you want to snorkel, asking for Shaw the cabdriver to take you to his friend Erbie's boat for snorkeling. It's not fancy, but its a bargain. (& they WILL bargain with you over the price.)
In the port, the liquor store is happy to offer samples of their wares to shoppers without checking id's, so you might want to supervise your teens in that general area. If you're shopping for crafts, don't buy the first thing you come to- some of the artists are much more talented than others, and as you'd expect, they are also willing to bargain, so look around. The vendors in the market outside the gate are much more aggressive about trying to wave you over than the ones inside the gate, so select your shopping venue accord to which style you prefer.
My girls got a great kick out of the vendor that would machete the top of the coconut off right in front of you & insert straws for your drinking pleasure- just finish it before you get back to security, as produce is not allowed on the ship.
In the port, the liquor store is happy to offer samples of their wares to shoppers without checking id's, so you might want to supervise your teens in that general area. If you're shopping for crafts, don't buy the first thing you come to- some of the artists are much more talented than others, and as you'd expect, they are also willing to bargain, so look around. The vendors in the market outside the gate are much more aggressive about trying to wave you over than the ones inside the gate, so select your shopping venue accord to which style you prefer.
My girls got a great kick out of the vendor that would machete the top of the coconut off right in front of you & insert straws for your drinking pleasure- just finish it before you get back to security, as produce is not allowed on the ship.
Written November 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bman24
Chicago, IL15 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
I have to start with a positive. I loved the port itself, and the people in it, but not outside the port. Outside he port is very dangerous. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE THE PORT! I REPEAT, DONT GO OUTSIDE THE PORT!!! We made the ring decision of going to a beach outside the port. We walked outside and the first thing we see is a butt load of taxi drivers waiting right outside the gates. We already knew the name of the person we were looking for, and we said who, but everybody had to say that they were that person. We had to LOOK AT NAME-TAGS to make sure that they were the right person we were looking for. When we found our guy, we were led down a street that looked straight out of hell. Grafiti on walls, people staring at you like they want to rob and kill you, people watching you every move, people following you, and so much more. I felt bad for the people there. We were led down an alleyway, and I would say, it was sketchy. I was scared for me and my family. When we got to the the beach, I will say, it was beautiful. It was secured and enclosed. Very safe too and nice. Also, the port had many shops and restaurants. Also had a marketplace. Very secure security to let us get back on our Disney Cruise. Made me feel better.
If your going to the port, stay in the gates. It’s a safe place, inside the gates. If you get a taxi outside the city, make sure you double check everything. If you leave with a verified Disney taxi, your fine. Just try not to leave the port without a taxi. Thanks for reading this
If your going to the port, stay in the gates. It’s a safe place, inside the gates. If you get a taxi outside the city, make sure you double check everything. If you leave with a verified Disney taxi, your fine. Just try not to leave the port without a taxi. Thanks for reading this
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pennybob
Dunedin, FL250 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We have been to Jamaica a couple of times and, in my opinion, Royal Caribbean ships stop at Falmouth because it is one of the safer places on the island. Unless you have a guided tour to Dunns River Falls, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Rafting on the Martha Brae or some other escorted tour, there is no reason to get off of the ship. Kingston is, and has been, a dangerous place. We have been there once and we will never go back. Jamaica is a tarnished jewel with a tremendous wasted potential. The port has a secure, captive, shopping area with the usual items plus Blue Mountain coffee.
Written December 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SherylWeil
Logansport, IN8 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
When we disembarked our cruise ship for the day in Falmouth, we wanted to get a taxi from Falmouth to Montego Bay. We walked to the taxi hub and they preceded to put us on a bus for 20 plus people, and they wanted us to wait until the bus was full. My husband got off and started looking for a personal taxi, and of course they said we had to take one of theirs because the ones outside the gate were dangerous. Well guess what, we went to the dangerous side and got the BEST taxi driver ever. She was wonderful and FAR from dangerous. So if you go to Falmouth and need a taxi driver, her name is Mariesha Swaby and her number is 18762802890.
Written October 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joepar
Glenview, IL25 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
The tour is supposed to include a visit to a sugar plantation. We basically just stopped on the side of the road where the guide told us there used to be a sugar plantation. There was really nothing to see at all and the talk included very limited historical info. They could have stopped anywhere and no one would know the difference. The rest of the tour is boring and the school is a ploy to get donations.
Not sure why the cruise stops in Falmouth. There is nothing to see or do there and no beach. The good excursions require 2 hours of round trip transportation to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.
Not sure why the cruise stops in Falmouth. There is nothing to see or do there and no beach. The good excursions require 2 hours of round trip transportation to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.
Written January 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Isis G
Houston, TX1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Family
Me and my family were on the royal Caribbean cruise last month and we booked a private tour through our travel agent by name of Sheila. When we disembarked the ship in Falmouth we met with Sheila was waiting with our name on a board. She was so pleasant and helpful and asked us what would we like to do and we decided to go to Dunn's River Falls and she gave us all the tips what to expect as a tourist in the island. We had a great time at the falls and we still had time. Sheila took us the town of Ocho Rios the flea market and while driving back we wanted to have a taste of the food and Sheila told us not to worry there is a rest stop just before the port. We stopped at Vibes Club formerly known as Club Cali. The service was ok and the food was great Sheila told us to try the Oxtail with broad bean, Jerk Chicken and a well chilled Red Stripe beer. Then we went shopping at the same place there is huge gift shop by the name of Rainbow Stores the shop was busy with tourist and Yolanda took a minute to greet us and we were looking around with no one to pressure felt very comfortable and Yolanda gave us bargains and we were introduced to Joshua the manager for the store we pleasant young man with a lot of knowledge my husband and Joshua started talking about sports and kept themselves busy we got the best bargains at this store I would recommend anyone visiting Falmouth to stop and say hello to Joshua and his team.
I wanted to suprise my husband for his birthday and Joshua told me he could have Cuban C*gars shipped to us in the United States and Joshua said you know what you pay me when your husband is happy when he sees it. I said we have traveled a lot and have never come across such customer service. Joshua made my year when the postal service dropped off the box with my husbands name ....... Thank you Joshua. ..... You are the best.
I wanted to suprise my husband for his birthday and Joshua told me he could have Cuban C*gars shipped to us in the United States and Joshua said you know what you pay me when your husband is happy when he sees it. I said we have traveled a lot and have never come across such customer service. Joshua made my year when the postal service dropped off the box with my husbands name ....... Thank you Joshua. ..... You are the best.
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SteveR066
Allen Park, MI272 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
We visited the Cruise Port of Falmouth Jamaica - as before there is nothing much to say about the cruise ports. As you depart from the ship you will enter a Shopping Zone. I will say that the people selling the Fresh Coconut and Mango's are worth a stop and buy. I purchased a fresh mango for $3 and the women pealed and sliced it up for me along with some sugar cane - WOW! Excellent our in laws had fresh coconut milk and later when they were done the women cut it up so they can have the coconut inside. - Overall a great experience and the people are great. Word of Caution as my family members insisted going outside the front gates - If you Must - Stay in a tight group - do no wander and do not stray far from the port - Remember once you cross the gate areas you are unprotected - we did venture down the street and it was the most uncomfortable feeling i ever had. There are licensed cabs that will take to you other places which i strongly suggest you do if you decide to venture off
Written March 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
150Rockwood
Brampton, Canada89 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
My wife and I just returned from our first cruise. Amazing. Our first stop was Falmouth. In the way of background, i was a little skeptical about this stop due to past reviews and other information.
Let me start off by saying that i was totally impressed by the cruise port. Great shopping and a must for your duty free liquor. Super clean port with beautiful people.
Now the town outside the gates.
A great indication of a small caribbean town. Great little shops, great prices and 2 or 3 red stripe beers for 5 bucks.
Is safety an issue. I guess you have to ask yourself is it safe walking around Las Vegas, New York city or ?????.
As a retired police officer, my wife and l felt safe. It is the same anywhere. Be aware of your surroundings and when asked if you need cab, trips or whatever, a very pleasant no thanks works wonderful.
A great port, a great town and great people.
This was our favorite stop on the cruise as you saw true culture.
Let me start off by saying that i was totally impressed by the cruise port. Great shopping and a must for your duty free liquor. Super clean port with beautiful people.
Now the town outside the gates.
A great indication of a small caribbean town. Great little shops, great prices and 2 or 3 red stripe beers for 5 bucks.
Is safety an issue. I guess you have to ask yourself is it safe walking around Las Vegas, New York city or ?????.
As a retired police officer, my wife and l felt safe. It is the same anywhere. Be aware of your surroundings and when asked if you need cab, trips or whatever, a very pleasant no thanks works wonderful.
A great port, a great town and great people.
This was our favorite stop on the cruise as you saw true culture.
Written October 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ebru A
Ankara, Türkiye1 contribution
Jan 2014 • Family
We were in Falmouth 2 weeks ago. If you are a cruise traveler and if Falmouth, Jamaica is in your itinieray, and 'f you don't prefer overpriced excursions and prefer local assistance, I would like to let you know about our lovely guide who found us just outside the port and offered us his services in the best possible and professional way. It was the best day of our whole cruise experience, thanks to Albert (Christie)! We were lucky that we found him, but if you don't want to leave it to luck, try to get in touch with him and make a reservation before your cruise starts. You will not regret it. He makes you feel like you are his relatives coming from abroad. He was very enthusiastic and sincere to show the best of his island. I wish we had more time but we will definitely be back. He was an expert for not just the Heritage Walks but all the neighborhood including the falls, Montego Bay, Negril, best jerk restaurants and local interesting shopping places. His e-mail adress is alchris123@yahoo.com and his phone number is +1 876 279 2132. Enjoy!
Written February 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth
- We recommend booking A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience A heartbeat of Jamaica - Discover Falmouth:
- Luminous Lagoon Small Group Tour from Ocho Rios (From $80.00)
- Luminous Lagoon Small Group Tour from Montego Bay (From $85.00)
- Luminous Lagoon Tour from Grand Palladium (From $150.00)
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay (From $51.29)
- Luminous Lagoon/Glistening Waters After Dark Tour (From $72.60)