An expert guide to Jamaica's cruise ports
With sun, sea, sand and rum in abundance,
it’s no wonder Jamaica is a dream destination
for so many cruise fans.
MONTEGO BAYMontego Bay is a thriving port that offers visitors all they need for a memorable tropical holiday. Sun-soaked beaches, historic plantations, tropical gardens and lush countryside add up to plenty of options on a port stop.
BEST SIGHTS
Doctor’s Cave Beach If you think of Jamaica,
you’re bound to picture
white sands and a sparkling
blue sea. In the early 1920s,
a famous British osteopath
declared that the water had curative powers after
swimming here – a claim
that helped shape the future
of Montego Bay and the
famous five-mile Doctor’s
Cave Beach.
Today the beach
is a great spot to spend a
relaxing day away from your ship, soaking up some Caribbean sun with a
Jamaican beer in your hand.
Rose Hall Great House
Overlooking the ocean about
20 minutes from Montego
Bay, Rose Hall Great House
is a restored plantation home
that was built in 1770. Legend has it that Annie Palmer – aka the White Witch of
Rose Hall – once ruled the roost here with her
supernatural powers.
Today
her home is decorated with
furniture from the period
and you can step back in
time on a tour. For a spooky
extra, try the candle-lit
version – you might even
glimpse a ghostly sighting
of the wicked witch herself.
Montego Bay Cruise
If time allows, book a day trip
with Dreamer Catamarans
(dreamercatamarans.com).
You’ll glide across the
twinkling Caribbean,
enjoying the sound of reggae
on board, and you can stop
to swim and snorkel in the
Montego Bay Marine Park.
Then head on to Jimmy
Buffett’s Margaritaville for a play on the waterslides
and maybe a glass or two of
liquid refreshment.
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BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Rehab Sports Bar
Looking for a classic
Jamaican atmosphere? This lively hangout has it in abundance (if you want
to look like a local, the most
popular drinks are the
buckets of beer and mini-Guinness shots).
Rehab also
hosts regular mixologists
who whip up a nice line in
day-glo cocktails, and on
weekends you can enjoy live
music and DJ sets as you sip.
The Houseboat Grill
Postcard-blue waters
surround this floating
restaurant in Bogue Lagoon,
not far from Montego Bay’s
main port. Choose a table
on the open-air top deck and
you can enjoy a fabulous
view as you eat.
Seafood is
the standout star of the
menu (see the rave reviews
online), and if you’re here in
lobster season (July to
March) don’t miss the
celebrated scotch bonnet-
spiked lobster linguine.
Ocho
Rios
Once a snoozy fishing
village, Ocho Rios is now a busy port stop. ‘Ochi’ as it’s called locally is
quieter than Montego Bay,
though not as relaxed as
Negril, and unlike other
resort towns in Jamaica, the
beaches here are not the focal
point. Instead, Ocho Rios is
known for its picturesque
waterfalls, luxuriant gardens
and lazy rivers.
BEST SIGHTS
Dunn’s River Falls
One of Jamaica’s most popular
attractions, Dunn’s River
Falls features 180 metres of
terraced cascades. With the
help of a guide, you can climb
the limestone tiers to the top
of the Falls, slide down the
smooth sections of rock, and
swim in the cool lagoons at
the base. If you visit just one
attraction while you’re in
port, make it here.
Green Grotto Caves
For something a bit different,
the Green Grotto Caves are an ideal destination. These
limestone caverns were once
used by the native Arawak
people, and were also the
reputed hideaway of escaped
slaves and Spanish settlers
fleeing from the British.
In
more recent times, they
featured in the Bond movie
Live and Let Die. On a guided
tour you’ll learn about the
history of the caves and see
some incredible stalactites
and stalagmites, as well as
an underground lake.
The Blue Hole
This attractive natural
wonder is a deep sinkhole
that gets its name from the
distinctive turquoise waters
that fill it. Here you can also cliff dive and jump
into the pools from the
rope swings dotted around.
It’s the perfect destination
for a day trip if you fancy
doing something a little
more energetic.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Ochos Rios Jerk Centre
Jerk-style cookery, using
spices and chilli as a dry rub
or marinade, is a Jamaican
tradition, and the best jerk
joint in town serves excellent
pork and chicken in quarter-
pound helpings, along with
heaps of flavourful sides.
There are daily specials, the best being escovitch fish and classic curry goat.
Miss T’s Kitchen
For another true taste of
Jamaica, Miss T’s Kitchen is a rustic restaurant and
bar that offers a selection of healthy, home-style dishes
and drinks in a lush garden
setting. Located in a quiet
cul-de-sac off Main Street
in the heart of Ocho Rios,
it’s a great place to enjoy
a tasty lunch with a lively
‘roots’ soundtrack.
FalmouthOnce a quiet coastal
town, Falmouth was
revived in 2011 with the reopening of the port.
You’ll find a variety of shops
in the terminal, as well as in
the town’s original Georgian
buildings – a reminder of its
days as a major player in the
sugar trade.
It’s a little rough
around the edges, but take
time to explore Falmouth’s
cobbled streets and you’ll
discover an engaging mix of
old and new Jamaica with a low-key vibe that’s unlike
anywhere else on the island.
BEST SIGHTS
Hampden Rum Tour
Next to reggae, rum is
Jamaica’s most famous
export. You’ll get a taste for
it at the Hampden Estate
distillery, where they produce
a powerful Pure Single
Jamaica Rum, using a
process that’s been around
for more than 260 years.Take the distillery tour and
you’ll also see more of the
breathtaking countryside, as well as getting a look inside
Hampden Great House and
enjoying a bite to eat too.
The Luminous Lagoon
Plankton may not sound
like the most obvious
nightlife attraction, but
the clue is in the name at the Luminous Lagoon,
where tiny bioluminescent
organisms cause the water to
light up at night, illuminating
the pool itself and any other
marine life in the water. As
one of only five locations
in the world where this
phenomenon can be seen,
it’s well worth a visit.
Martha Brae River
The lush countryside around
Montego Bay isn’t something
you want to miss, and one of
the best ways to experience
it is by rafting down the
Martha Brae River. It’s
a lazy three-mile journey
between jungle-fringed
banks, accompanied by
local guides who’ll tell you
all about the local flora and
fauna (and if you’re lucky,
they might sing you a little
reggae, too).
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Club Nazz & restaurant
If you want to try Jamaica’s
national dish of ackee and
saltfish – the equivalent of
scrambled eggs mixed with
dried cod – this is the place
to go. Order a side of banana
and cornmeal dumplings,
too, and you’ve got Jamaica
on a plate. Expect to walk
out full but happy.
Margaritaville
Reserved solely for the use
of cruise ship passengers,
Margaritaville’s Falmouth
location is a great place to
kick back and relax with a
rum in your hand (and
thanks to a swim-up bar,
you won’t even have to leave
the water to top yourself
up). There are all kinds of
attractions, including live
entertainment, the service is
legendary and the food is
fabulous, so you can easily
spend a whole day here.
Port
Antonio
Probably the most
fashionable cruise
call on the island,
Port Antonio features in the
1988 film Cocktail (still talked
about here as if it were shot
yesterday).
In this small,
bustling town you can get a
glimpse of the old Jamaica:
ramshackle but clean, with
a busy market and an
appealing mix of tin-roofed
shacks, grand old Georgian
buildings and a sprinkling of
modern brick and concrete.
BEST SIGHTS
Frenchman’s Cove
Named for the sailors who
sought refuge here after a
battle with the British, Port
Antonio’s most famous beach
is a stunning stretch of white
sand, nestled at the mouth of
a freshwater stream that
winds its way through the trees and into the sea. Find a shady spot and laze the day
away, admiring the dreamy
view of lush green cliffs and
turquoise water.
Reach Falls
Popular Reach Falls is an eco
attraction in the John Crow
mountain range where a
dramatic waterfall cascades
down a rock face into an
emerald river pool. It’s
beautiful just to look at – but
you can also take a dip in the
pool, so don’t forget to bring
a swimming costume.
Blue Mountain cycle tour
A great way to see the Blue
Mountains is on two wheels
– but don’t worry, book with
Blue Mountain Cycle Tours
and it’s downhill all the way.
A leisurely three-hour ride
with minimal pedalling will
give you a grandstand view
of the island’s lush, tropical
countryside, and lungfuls
of that fresh Jamaican air.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Wilkes Cuisine
This famous restaurant and
bar serves succulent steamed
fish, curry goat and grilled
lobster to an appreciative
clientele of locals and visiting
cruise passengers.
Roots 21 Bar & Kitchen
The special feature of this
popular eaterie is that its
roots run deep in both Indian
and Jamaican culture, so
you’ll find some great fusion
food along with friendly
service. Look out for their
signature dish – coconut
fish paired with roti and
pumpkin talkari.
Port Royal and KingstonWith a different vibe from the other ports on the island, Jamaica’s capital is surrounded by mountains in the north and coastline to the south. There’s lots to see and do here (music fans mustn’t miss the Bob Marley Museum) but an integral part of the capital’s cultural scene is its restaurants and local eats, made up of big flavours and satisfyingly authentic, traditional dishes. If you’re a foodie, this is definitely the place to go.
BEST SIGHTS
The National Gallery
Built in 1974, The National
Gallery of Jamaica is a
prestigious showcase for
contemporary, modern and
early work from Jamaica and
the wider Caribbean region.
Strolling through the five
permanent galleries, you’ll
be able to see everything
from pre-Columbian art
created by the island’s
indigenous communities
to pieces by some of 20th
century Jamaica’s most
celebrated artists, such as
Edna Manley and Mallica
‘Kapo’ Reynolds.
Bob Marley Museum
Don’t miss the chance to visit
reggae legend Bob Marley’s
house in Kingston, bought in 1975 and occupied by the
singer and his family until his
untimely death in 1981. The
property was later converted
into a museum and now
houses the great man’s
personal effects and
treasures. You’ll also find
an 80-seat theatre, a photo
gallery, a record shop and
gift shop where you can buy
reggae memorabilia.
The Blue Mountains
National ParkLooming over the northern
areas of Kingston, the Blue
Mountains shade the region
from the hot Caribbean sun.
A trip to the Blue Mountains
National Park is a wonderful escape for anyone hoping to
enjoy a bit of wilderness and
untouched beauty while
visiting Jamaica. Hiking to
the peak can take anywhere
from four to eight hours,
depending on where you
start and your experience.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Regency Bar Located at the Terra Nova Hotel, Regency Bar is as regal as it sounds. In recent years, the bar has been refurbished and has become a local hotspot, offering a wide selection of wines, beers, liquors and spirits, perfectly poured every time.
Ashanti Restaurant An eaterie that specialises in vegetarian and vegan options, this restaurant offers light yet filling meat alternatives. Appetisers include vegetable samosas and hot pepper soups, which will whet your appetite for a main of curried tofu or fried veggie balls served with a delicious pineapple sweet- and-sour sauce.
