Jamaica Cruises

Written by Jeff Heath

Jamaica's waterfalls, jungles, rivers, mountains and beaches attract tourists year round. This lush, tropical island is the third largest island in the Caribbean and is located about 500 miles south of Miami - just 100 miles south of Cuba. Cruises to Jamaica are offered throughout the year by most major cruise lines. Jamaica is often included as a port of call on 5-Day and 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise itineraries. Jamaica has two popular cruise ports - Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Ocho Rios is a small Catamaran Cruises, Negril

city of less than 10,000 people. Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica. Jamaica is an island paradise with a very laid back lifestyle and very hospitable natives; however, cruise ship passengers should be prepared for an onslaught of aggressive street vendors hawking souvenirs.

Jamaica Shore Excursions

Climbing the 600-foot cascading waterfalls at Dunn's River Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica. Cruise passengers can hail a taxi at the cruise terminal and head to the falls with a pair of old sneakers and a bathing suit. Although the falls are usually very crowded, the scenic climb is a very refreshing experience. Admission is $6 and guides are available. Most cruise lines offer a trip to Dunn's River Falls with a local tour (4 hours - $50). Beach horseback riding at Chukka Cove Polo Cliff Diving, Negril

Club (4 hours - $75) offers passengers a chance to ride horses on the beach and into the ocean. Other shore tour options include a River Tubing Safari (6 hours - $60), River Rafting on the Martha Brae (5 hours - $50), and various snorkeling and scuba tours are also available. From Montego Bay, passengers can enjoy the Belvedere Plantation Tour (4 hours - $45) or a Montego Bay Highlight Tour with shopping (4 hours - $26).

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean cruise ships Explorer, Navigator and Voyager offer 7-Night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami with stops in Jamaica. Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas stop in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Ocho Rios) Dunn's Rivers Falls, Ocho Rios

and Hispaniola. Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas also offer 10-Night and 11-Night Circle the Caribbean Cruises with stops in Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Aruba, and Curacao.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Paradise, Carnival Victory, and Carnival Triumph offer 7-Day Western Caribbean cruises from Miami with stops in Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Grand Cayman and Cozumel. From New Orleans, Carnival Inspiration offers 7-Day Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Jamaica (Montego Bay), Grand Cayman and Cozumel. From Miami, Carnival Inspiration offers 5-Day Western Caribbean Cruises with stops in with stops in Jamaica (Ocho Rios), and Grand Cayman.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Century offers 7-Night Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale with stops in Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West.

Holland America

Holland America's ms Maasdam offers a 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise from Jamaica Grand Pool, Ocho Rios

Fort Lauderdale with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Ocho Rios), and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas). Holland America's ms Veendam sails from Tampa on a 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise with stops in Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Montego Bay), and Cozumel.