Jamaica Vacation

Jamaica Cruise

jamaica cruise

Approximately half of the Caribbean's two million annual cruise travelers visit the island of Jamaica to enjoy the beautiful Jamaica beaches and warm Jamaica weather.

The popularity of Jamaica cruises stems from their onboard amenities and activities, and their ability to offer travelers a taste of many ports. Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's most visited destinations, so you'll need to plan ahead for your cruise. During the high season, cruises are often booked months early. Booking your Jamaica cruise yourself will ensure that you get what you're looking for.

Most cruises to the Caribbean leave from Florida from the cities of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Tampa. A Western Caribbean cruise can take you to Jamaica, where you will most likely enter through one of these ports: Montego Bay, Port Antonio or Ocho Rios.

When booking your own Jamaica cruise, you may want to call the cruise line directly, or use their Web site for research. You'll want to think carefully about which line you choose, matching the style of your Jamaica cruise vacation to the style of the ship. While some may choose a family-friendly cruiseline, others may prefer a more glamorous ride.

Wintertime snow and holidays find many northern travelers seeking the warmth of Jamaica, and Jamaica cruises between December and early April are extremely popular – a fact reflected by a higher price tag. New Year's Eve, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter are the most popular times for Jamaica cruises.

Springtime cruises are one way to cut costs and still enjoy a cruise in the Caribbean. However, don't forget hurricane season. While many travelers avoid the entire region, you'll find the lowest costs, and most times the ride is only slightly more bumpy than usual. Budget-conscious travelers especially should not rule out this season, which takes up much of the year.

Jamaica Cruise Itineraries

Depending on your Jamaica vacation time, you can book a cruise that lasts for two days, or for two weeks. However, first-time cruisers might want to start with a shorter trip, perhaps docking in one or two spots.

Wherever you dock, on-shore activities will be arranged by the cruise line. Snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, golfing, and tours are just a few of the options most often offered by cruiselines. Such on-shore activities will cost an extra $25(USD) to $100(USD) per person. Reserve such activities when you book, or add them on after you board, but remember that space may be limited.

Remember that, when traveling by cruise, your time on the island will be limited. Consult the cruise director to find out how long you'll have on the island, it will help you plan your excursions. If you're less interested in the pre-planned activities, or more interested in exploring Jamaica on your own, you'll find there are plenty of things to do. Port Antonio is known for the beautiful nature surrounding it, while Ocho Rios is known for its native dishes and bargains. Montego Bay is a resort town with a little bit of everything.

Jamaica Cruise Cost

Jamaica cruise costs will, of course, be different based on any number of factors. The most important of the factors will be luxury level, cruise length, and number of people traveling. Surprisingly for some travelers, a single occupancy rate is higher than a double occupancy rate.

While most of your travel, from activities and entertainment to dining, is included in the price of your room, high-ticket items like shore excursions and beverages, especially alcoholic beverages, are not included. However, some cruise lines may even include these extra items. Tip may also be included in the bill.

What To Bring On Your Jamaica Cruise

When packing there are a few things you'll need to remember. While you'll be spending your days enjoying a sun-filled vacation, your nights will almost inevitably include meals that are classified as evening casual, informal, or formal. This means you'll need to pack diversely, but the caution is also not to over-pack.

Remember that your cabin will likely be small, and you'll need to make the best use of the space you have. It's recommended that travelers include bathing suits, lightweight and light colored shirts, shorts, and other cover-ups, flip-flips or sandals, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim for additional protection from the sun. But for the nights you'll want to keep a pair of nice slacks and a collared shirt for men, and a sun dress or nice pants and a blouse for women. When traveling on a cruise “informal” can mean a suit and tie and cocktail dress, while formal dinners require black tie attire.

Jamaica has its own standards for dress. It is considered inappropriate to wear beachwear into towns. Shorts, pants, and skirts are acceptable, but women should avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing, which is also inappropriate.