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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Ocho Rios, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands?
in Travel
DH and I and a few friends are taking a cruise in March. We will have a day in Ochos Rios, Jamaica and a day in the Cayman Islands.
Does anyone have any favorite things to do at either of these ports? We've checked out the "excursions" from the cruise line, and are considering a few different things, but I would love to hear suggestions from people who have been there!
Re: Ocho Rios, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands?
Those are great ports! When I've been, I enjoyed:
Ocho Rios - Climbing Dunn's River Falls; Hired a private driver/tour guide who was amazing.
Grand Cayman - Sting Ray City!
I would highly recommend you NOT book your excursions through the cruise line. They tend to be more expensive and also more likely to cancel if they don't meet their quota or the weather looks iffy. There are plenty of reputable third-party vendors. No, you won't miss the boat - they are well aware of departure times. I'd recommend looking on CruiseCritic.com to see what vendors others have used. I've also used ShoreTrips.com in the past.
We're definitely considering Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman! We have heard awesome things.
And we are definitely looking into other options besides booking the excursions through the cruise line. I will check out the websites you suggested!
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I echo PP's comments, re: Dunn's River Falls and also Stingray City. Both would be my first recommendation for the area.
I haven't been back to Jamaica in years, but we felt that it had really gone downhill in terms of safety / feeling secure when we were there last time as compared to the two previous times - unless things have dramatically improved, I would exercise caution about venturing away from the port without a guide / someone who knows where you're going. My mom and brother went shopping in a local market (outside the port area) and got surrounded by guys who basically took all their money - but they got out okay so that was all that matters!
If you don't want to do Dunn's River Falls, we also did a rafting tour down the Marta Brae (sp?) river which we enjoyed a lot - very simple, floating on bamboo rafts, but fun (at least at the time). I still think Dunn's River Falls is the best attraction in the area (I think they usually pair it with a trip to the Fern Grotto).
In the Caymans, I can't recommend Stingray City enough (if you've never done stingray swimming)! Other options include spending the day on Seven Mile Beach; going to visit the town of Hell (you can usually do that in conjunction with a trip to Stingray City); or just doing snorkel / SCUBA (if certified). It has the best snorkeling I've seen in the Caribbean so if you can do a Stingray City / snorkel combo tour I think those are the best - you won't see anything but stingrays (and lots of people) out at Stingray City.
The Caymans are totally safe so walking around there or going it on your own is not a problem. Have fun!
We went with Captain Marvin's - they were great!
In Ocho Rios we did a tour outside of the cruiseline (which was fantastic and much cheaper) and went river tubing and climbed Dunns River Falls. After the excursion, everyone asked to be dropped off at Margaritaville which was a great time. Stay in your bathing suit and enjoy the water trampolines on the beach and the waterslide and pool in the restaurant. The waterslide starts on the roof and goes through the bar and dunks you into the pool -- so much fun!
In Grand Cayman, we went parasailing, and then the boat dropped us off on Seven Mile Beach near a beachside restaurant and bar. We ate lunch and enjoyed some drinks, and rented some lounge chairs. We also rented jet skis and had a blast on those, then went back into town to do some souvenier shopping before returning to the ship.
A lot of people will suggest Sting Ray City or Hell in Grand Cayman which I've heard are a lot of fun as well.
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