Going to Ocho Rios & Caymans. Looking for a beach with access to hotels so that we can use their facilities ie restaurant, bar & pool. We are a group of 17 and don't really want to go on the excursions, find they are way to crowded. Would like to go to a hotel/beach even if we have to pay a surcharge for the day.....any suggestions?
Thanks
Leigh

Not to be flip or anything, but my suggestion would be to stay on the ship and relax by the pool. They are not crowed on port days and you won't be paying a surcharge...

I know its no the same as a beach, but it might be worth considering not to have to run the guantlet of taxi drivers and pressure salesman...

quote:

Originally posted by Leigh:
Going to Ocho Rios & Caymans. Looking for a beach with access to hotels so that we can use their facilities ie restaurant, bar & pool. We are a group of 17 and don't really want to go on the excursions, find they are way to crowded. Would like to go to a hotel/beach even if we have to pay a surcharge for the day.....any suggestions?
Thanks
Leigh

No suggestions for a hotel beach, Sometimes there is an excursion that is exactly that but I don't see one for Ochos Rios. However, Jamacia is one of those islands that if you get off the tourist path you can get in a lot of trouble. Before you reach out on your own get good advise from the Cruise Director and or social host on what Taxi to get and where you can go and be OK. My daughter, the dancer, will more often that not never leave the ship in Jamacia.

However climbing Dunn River Falls was special and with a group of 17 you could all do it as one long guided line. Try Chauffeur for a Day 15 people (excursion) and go to the falls. It will be a little pricy but spread over 15 people could be worth it and you know the chauffeur has been cleared by the cruise line.

A group of 17 is its own excursion I love 7 mile beach on Grand Cayman. There have also been a lot of posts about Rum Point, but I can't personally recommend it since I haven't been there. You would need to take a cab as it's a long way from where you tender to. 7 mile has plenty of hotels surronding it, but there are also stands for refreshments.

As CruiseDad states, Dunn's River Falls is a must do in Ocho Rios. Also, as he says, do not go out on your own. That is one island where it is not a good idea to go without an organized tour, preferrably a ship's tour. If you do go to Dunn's on your own, stick in good sized groups. With 17 that shouldn't be too hard. Best wishes for a wonderful cruise!

Thanks to all of you, myself, I wold love nothing more than to stay on the ship but...there are others who want to tour around and check out the beautiful beaches. Maybe we can do both.
again, thanks.
Leigh

do your homework well before you go. Jamica is one port we dont get off of the ship. Even the U S has travel warnings for Jamica. It is not the safest port to visit

Grand Cayman:
We are planning on taking a private tour to Stingray city. Our group is nearing 20. The cost is about $30.00 per person. I was suprised at how cheap it was per person, but I guess the large group really helped.
I dont think I can say which one or anything, but I will tell you how I found them. Maybe you can do the same.
I just typed in Stingray City tours to the google bar. Tons came up. I checked the tour companies out on different "vacation rating" sites. We are still discussing three different options, but I think we have decided the private tour was the most economical.
MAybe this will help you.
Emily

Emily8, you will love Stingray City, it is a ball. If you have time, check out 7 mile beach, it is beautiful. We did Stingray City in January since my hubby had not done it before. I actually saw him smile and laugh a few times. It's a great tour!

I think I will be checking out 7 mile beach, just kind of want to kick back and enjoy the nice water & sand, the rest may want to take the sting ray excursions so thanks for your input.
Leigh

quote:

Originally posted by penny3333:
Emily8, you will love Stingray City, it is a ball. If you have time, check out 7 mile beach, it is beautiful. We did Stingray City in January since my hubby had not done it before. I actually saw him smile and laugh a few times. It's a great tour!

I also recomend Sting Ray City. It was really amazing, and somewhat creepy to be out of sight of land and be walking in the ocean among Sting Ray. The tour I was on took photos and then took orders for a CD of pictures of you with the Sting Rays. I don't know if that is a standard practise and we were a little cautious that it was a rip off. But it wasn't. CD came in the mail and the photos were great. I don't remember the tour group name but it was booked through the excursion desk on the ship.

I would also suggest asking in the Caribbean Port Chat section. Lots of good info there about the ports.

Dwayne

We were to Ocho Rios in Jan & although we don't usually like to venture out in Jamaica, we did walk to the Island shopping center as did a lot of people. Depending on where you dock it's still a short walk to the center & no one bothered us except to ask if we wanted a taxi. The shopping center is well guarded to keep out the locals from bothering you. We watched a cultural show at 10 AM which was quite interesting which lasted about 20 minutes. (no charge other than a tip if you wanted to give one) & we headed for Margaritaville which is also in the center for a quick drink. They have a swimming pool there which was mostly for the kids & the place is located right on the beach all in view of the cruises ships. There are loads of shops in the center so you really don't have to travel else ware although you could easily walk to the Tajah Mahal shopping center. It provided us with an inexpensive day in Jamaica since we've see most of it's highlights many times. If you haven't climbed Dunn's River Falls it's close by to get to by taxi or if you go by tour from the ship it's a short ride by catamaran which we did it on a Princess cruise last year. If you go on you own by taxi you will be hassled by the shop owners when you leave the falls so be prepared & travel in a large group.