I want to thank you for the tour! I was not going to exit the ship however after viewing this, I feel secure enough to walk around there. Thank you for sharing.
I went to school in Falmouth. I use to do so much in Falmouth. Passed by the old wharf for ages and then all of this. It is beautiful. Falmouth really got a beautiful face lift. Thanks so much for sharing. Quite interesting.
Very beautiful video! Unfortunately, you will always have people who will never be happy with anything, and more times than not they themselves do not individually contribute to Jamaican businesses. What these same people fail to mention is that these tourist areas and businesses were built by Jamaican laborers and are also paying a salary to its Jamaican workers in the shops and other buildings.
The port is designed to allow one of Royal Caribbean's largest Oasis Class vessels to dock on either side of the peninsula. That would be a 13,000+ guests not counting crew. On this day it was just the Grandeur of the Seas with just 1,996 guests on the sailing.
@@techwb Okay, that isn't many people. I have noticed other videos of this port also look sparse. It kind of reminds me of St. Kitts, where you just get off and shop and don't seem to really experience the island unless you take an excursion.
Yep, the area outside the gates isn’t the nicest so few venture out unless on an excursion. The port gets a lot of visits, but it seems to be on the rarer side that two ships visit on the same day so it’s not often that they are over 50% capacity.
The people that work the shops in the port live locally. Some of the chain stores bring in people from other islands who then live locally but most are locals working in the shops. They also have permits so that the locals can operate stores as well as a straw market. It's not the same as if the passengers were walking through the village shopping in those stores, but without the built up port most gusts would likely stay on the ship and never venture into the village at all or spend any money in the region.
Every sightseeing place (museum, historic site, or even garden) in every country and in every city of the world is a "tourist trap" and also there ARE plenty of things to do. For example, obviously, there are shops for people to spend money if they choose to. Also, its called a "Port" for a reason. Its a transitional drop-off point, not a theme park!
Of crs , easy thg tht if u kno how to flex u get better weed for better price$$$getting weed is not the problem..... Dnt bother go to strange places tho.. U dnt know wht u doing so stay safe let them come & go.....
One gets the impression that some people would only be happy if things remain the way they were with people walking around with basket of fruits on their heads.Sound like they are upset to see improvements in Jamaica.
If I want to visit a fake destination, I'll just go to Epcot and visit the countries of the world. At least, they have restaurants that serve food that at least mimics the countries fare. I don't want to go to "Jamaica" to eat DQ, Nathan's Hot Dogs and whatever local restaurants I can go to at home.
Esther, the fake destination is also part of an 8 billion dollar a year industry ripping off the people who invested in the port that Royal Caribbean Cruise line wanted built. It's all explained here royalcaribbeancruiseline.blogspot.ca/
I did Epcot before my 1st cruise 2yrs ago & I gotta say, at least EVERY "country" at Epcot has all natives of that country. I was speaking french in the France land it was so intimidating haha
Takesha Latham I looked into it before going (along with 1 or 2 other beaches that are offered by Royal Caribbean), but wasn't very pleased with the reviews and comments I was seeing. Most people seemed to complain about passing through high security check points and other items that made them feel uncomfortable for their safety. Instead we ended up just staying in the port and enjoyed the ship. The port was beautiful and Margaritaville was fun. They were just finishing up the pool at the time. It certainly didn't feel like a wasted day staying in the port area, but would have been nice to visit a beach if the reviews were had been a bit more positive.
***** That was January 2014, so a lot could have changed. I would check some of the more recent reviews and see if the security concerns are still present.
***** That's what I've read also but the reviews on Royal's excursion page are generally positive. I'm still considering this b/c nothing else in Falmouth looks that appealing and I don't feel like traveling over an hour or more to any of the other excursions so it might just be a Port/Margaritaville day as well for us.
100% of the money you spend in this little gated "port" is owned by and goes directly back into the cruise line. Nothing for Falmouth Jamaica. If the tourists want to experience the real Jamaica they are going to have to venture out of that gate. If concerned about safety or being harassed by vendors, take a guide with you, there are plenty that would be happy to help for only a few dollars and they will keep any aggressive vendors at bay while ensuring you see everything without getting lost. Then you can enjoy everything the markets have to offer, including food, entertainment, products and more. And you will know that any money you spend actually went into the community and not back into the cruise line who already has plenty of money.
If you are asking me, I'd say it really depends what you are looking for, and what you would enjoy more. The port shown in this video is the walled off "made for tourists" port. When I went into Falmouth I couldn't even get in there. Cruise ship people only! It is owned by the cruise line and there is no local culture there. Prices will be set to "tourist rate" for these little shops which are set up and also owned by the cruise line. Yes, the shops do employ a few, select locals, or ship them in from other islands, but it just isn't the same. If you want to wander around the nice, safe little cruise line port then by all means this is the place to hang out, but you will not be seeing Jamaica, or Falmouth. If you wish to see the real Falmouth Jamaica, you have to go outside the gates. Perhaps you can hire a guide or even a simple taxi driver to show you around. I would definitely recommend this as if you wander around without a guide the locals will be more aggressive trying to sell their wares. It's all good, safe, but annoying, so the driver or guide can fend them off plus you wont get lost. I would visit the market if you are there on a Wednesday and get fresh, locally grown organic fruits and veggies. The market also has all kinds of other stuff too. They also do shows at the main square to attract cruise ship tourists, steel drum band etc. And stop in for a real authentic Jamaican patty right there. Best you've ever had. If you have time, book a local driver to take you to a nice tour like floating down the Martha Brae on a raft, exploring the haunted Rose Hall Great House, or having high tea at a local plantation. There is lots the "real" Jamaica has to offer! Just need to ask!
Well, that's what I was asking. I actually DO want to venture away from the port, but I want to make sure we're safe and not getting hounded by vendors. So I was wondering how to go about hiring a reputable tour guide. We're already doing two beach days, and there's already a bar and pool on the ship, so I have no interest in doing the beach or heading to Margaritaville (except to maybe snap a picture or two with the kiddo). I was thinking that a sightseeing tour with notable places around the port might be nice. Rose Hall or Martha Brae sounds good. I've heard there's a bird sanctuary somewhere around there, and that sounds like it might be up our alley, too. I already had no interest in doing a cruise line tour, since those usually turn out to be glorified high pressure shopping trips. I've just never booked outside the cruise line, so I have no idea what to expect or how to go about doing so.
Turtle river falls, awesome bird sanctuary there, much like Dunn's falls, but less.. tourists. There are a ton of drivers in Falmouth but I don't have a number I can give you, perhaps contact a few tour companies that work in the area find them online to get a driver, you can set up all your tours with them and set up a schedule. Chukka tours comes to mind, quite reputable. The ones we use are hired through the villa rental management company when I stay there. I think most of their driver vans say "Juta Tours" on them. Drivers are great, and they don't mind waiting at the car while you take all the time you want at your attraction. It's also legal to have drinks in the van as long as you are not the driver, so pick up a six pack of red stripe and driver will keep it in a cooler for you. Be sure to get them to stop at Scotchie's for the best Jerk Chicken meal on the island. All these suggestions are located within a fairly close drive from Falmouth.
I know it's blasphemy, but I'm not a huge jerk chicken fan. (I know. Something is deeply wrong with me.) I do love a good Jamaican patty and fried plantains, though, and I want to try out some ackee and saltfish since I've never had it. Chukka sounds familiar. I'll see if I can't find them and arrange a tour, and I'll definitely look into Turtle River Falls. Thank you so much for the suggestions.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville store and restaurant is disgustingly dirty and incredibly overpriced with very marginal food quality. Service was incredible slow and the workers must be paid pennies because they were all rude. My visit there was a sad let down. Jamaica as a whole however, was very cool.
I want to thank you for the tour! I was not going to exit the ship however after viewing this, I feel secure enough to walk around there. Thank you for sharing.
I went to school in Falmouth. I use to do so much in Falmouth. Passed by the old wharf for ages and then all of this. It is beautiful. Falmouth really got a beautiful face lift. Thanks so much for sharing. Quite interesting.
I'm going there in 5 weeks. I'm very excited.
My beautiful country
Looks different then when I went in the early 90's
I miss Jamaica
Me too but hate wht they did w/F-town.. 🤢☹️😮
Very beautiful video! Unfortunately, you will always have people who will never be happy with anything, and more times than not they themselves do not individually contribute to Jamaican businesses. What these same people fail to mention is that these tourist areas and businesses were built by Jamaican laborers and are also paying a salary to its Jamaican workers in the shops and other buildings.
this is absolutely not falmonth jamaica , that's the gated park i saw outside from the original falmonth town ...
Nice tour, very few people hmm 🤔?
The port is designed to allow one of Royal Caribbean's largest Oasis Class vessels to dock on either side of the peninsula. That would be a 13,000+ guests not counting crew. On this day it was just the Grandeur of the Seas with just 1,996 guests on the sailing.
@@techwb Okay, that isn't many people. I have noticed other videos of this port also look sparse. It kind of reminds me of St. Kitts, where you just get off and shop and don't seem to really experience the island unless you take an excursion.
Yep, the area outside the gates isn’t the nicest so few venture out unless on an excursion. The port gets a lot of visits, but it seems to be on the rarer side that two ships visit on the same day so it’s not often that they are over 50% capacity.
@@techwb That's a shame. We'll have to check into excursions then. I saw the gate and wondered.
where are the local Jamaican businesses? how do the government intend to combat poverty when it won't even promote Jamaican enterprises.
The people that work the shops in the port live locally. Some of the chain stores bring in people from other islands who then live locally but most are locals working in the shops. They also have permits so that the locals can operate stores as well as a straw market. It's not the same as if the passengers were walking through the village shopping in those stores, but without the built up port most gusts would likely stay on the ship and never venture into the village at all or spend any money in the region.
Margarita ville, is Jamaican owned and publicly traded on the Jamaican stock exchange .You could by shares if you wanted to do so.
I'm dizzy from the Camara spinning
This looks like a total tourist trap, with absolutely nothing to do.
Every sightseeing place (museum, historic site, or even garden) in every country and in every city of the world is a "tourist trap" and also there ARE plenty of things to do. For example, obviously, there are shops for people to spend money if they choose to. Also, its called a "Port" for a reason. Its a transitional drop-off point, not a theme park!
Will I be able to find weed to smoke when we port at Falmouth ?
Of crs , easy thg tht if u kno how to flex u get better weed for better price$$$getting weed is not the problem..... Dnt bother go to strange places tho.. U dnt know wht u doing so stay safe let them come & go.....
One gets the impression that some people would only be happy if things remain the way they were with people walking around with basket of fruits on their heads.Sound like they are upset to see improvements in Jamaica.
If I want to visit a fake destination, I'll just go to Epcot and visit the countries of the world. At least, they have restaurants that serve food that at least mimics the countries fare. I don't want to go to "Jamaica" to eat DQ, Nathan's Hot Dogs and whatever local restaurants I can go to at home.
That's why I hate cruises
Esther, the fake destination is also part of an 8 billion dollar a year industry ripping off the people who invested in the port that Royal Caribbean Cruise line wanted built. It's all explained here royalcaribbeancruiseline.blogspot.ca/
I did Epcot before my 1st cruise 2yrs ago & I gotta say, at least EVERY "country" at Epcot has all natives of that country. I was speaking french in the France land it was so intimidating haha
It's a port. You can take a taxi and go wherever. they have brochures and maps there to guide you
It's not very colourful. Where are the bright, beautiful, Caribbean colours?
Its a very old historic Georgian town. Why would you expect to see today's modern Caribbean or rasta colors?
@@artlover4375 hahahha lmao. You are correct, its a historic town. This is how all parties decided how it should remain.
Derek, have you been to Red Stripe Beach? Is it worth the $29.00 pp Royal charges?
Takesha Latham I looked into it before going (along with 1 or 2 other beaches that are offered by Royal Caribbean), but wasn't very pleased with the reviews and comments I was seeing. Most people seemed to complain about passing through high security check points and other items that made them feel uncomfortable for their safety. Instead we ended up just staying in the port and enjoyed the ship. The port was beautiful and Margaritaville was fun. They were just finishing up the pool at the time. It certainly didn't feel like a wasted day staying in the port area, but would have been nice to visit a beach if the reviews were had been a bit more positive.
***** That was January 2014, so a lot could have changed. I would check some of the more recent reviews and see if the security concerns are still present.
***** That's what I've read also but the reviews on Royal's excursion page are generally positive. I'm still considering this b/c nothing else in Falmouth looks that appealing and I don't feel like traveling over an hour or more to any of the other excursions so it might just be a Port/Margaritaville day as well for us.
100% of the money you spend in this little gated "port" is owned by and goes directly back into the cruise line. Nothing for Falmouth Jamaica. If the tourists want to experience the real Jamaica they are going to have to venture out of that gate. If concerned about safety or being harassed by vendors, take a guide with you, there are plenty that would be happy to help for only a few dollars and they will keep any aggressive vendors at bay while ensuring you see everything without getting lost. Then you can enjoy everything the markets have to offer, including food, entertainment, products and more. And you will know that any money you spend actually went into the community and not back into the cruise line who already has plenty of money.
Any particular recommendations around this port? We'll be headed there in May.
If you are asking me, I'd say it really depends what you are looking for, and what you would enjoy more. The port shown in this video is the walled off "made for tourists" port. When I went into Falmouth I couldn't even get in there. Cruise ship people only! It is owned by the cruise line and there is no local culture there. Prices will be set to "tourist rate" for these little shops which are set up and also owned by the cruise line. Yes, the shops do employ a few, select locals, or ship them in from other islands, but it just isn't the same. If you want to wander around the nice, safe little cruise line port then by all means this is the place to hang out, but you will not be seeing Jamaica, or Falmouth. If you wish to see the real Falmouth Jamaica, you have to go outside the gates. Perhaps you can hire a guide or even a simple taxi driver to show you around. I would definitely recommend this as if you wander around without a guide the locals will be more aggressive trying to sell their wares. It's all good, safe, but annoying, so the driver or guide can fend them off plus you wont get lost. I would visit the market if you are there on a Wednesday and get fresh, locally grown organic fruits and veggies. The market also has all kinds of other stuff too. They also do shows at the main square to attract cruise ship tourists, steel drum band etc. And stop in for a real authentic Jamaican patty right there. Best you've ever had. If you have time, book a local driver to take you to a nice tour like floating down the Martha Brae on a raft, exploring the haunted Rose Hall Great House, or having high tea at a local plantation. There is lots the "real" Jamaica has to offer! Just need to ask!
Well, that's what I was asking. I actually DO want to venture away from the port, but I want to make sure we're safe and not getting hounded by vendors. So I was wondering how to go about hiring a reputable tour guide. We're already doing two beach days, and there's already a bar and pool on the ship, so I have no interest in doing the beach or heading to Margaritaville (except to maybe snap a picture or two with the kiddo). I was thinking that a sightseeing tour with notable places around the port might be nice. Rose Hall or Martha Brae sounds good. I've heard there's a bird sanctuary somewhere around there, and that sounds like it might be up our alley, too. I already had no interest in doing a cruise line tour, since those usually turn out to be glorified high pressure shopping trips. I've just never booked outside the cruise line, so I have no idea what to expect or how to go about doing so.
Turtle river falls, awesome bird sanctuary there, much like Dunn's falls, but less.. tourists. There are a ton of drivers in Falmouth but I don't have a number I can give you, perhaps contact a few tour companies that work in the area find them online to get a driver, you can set up all your tours with them and set up a schedule. Chukka tours comes to mind, quite reputable. The ones we use are hired through the villa rental management company when I stay there. I think most of their driver vans say "Juta Tours" on them. Drivers are great, and they don't mind waiting at the car while you take all the time you want at your attraction. It's also legal to have drinks in the van as long as you are not the driver, so pick up a six pack of red stripe and driver will keep it in a cooler for you. Be sure to get them to stop at Scotchie's for the best Jerk Chicken meal on the island. All these suggestions are located within a fairly close drive from Falmouth.
I know it's blasphemy, but I'm not a huge jerk chicken fan. (I know. Something is deeply wrong with me.) I do love a good Jamaican patty and fried plantains, though, and I want to try out some ackee and saltfish since I've never had it. Chukka sounds familiar. I'll see if I can't find them and arrange a tour, and I'll definitely look into Turtle River Falls. Thank you so much for the suggestions.
OMG! Stop spinning! I feel nauseous from watching this!
Ric Rivera 😂😂😂😂😂
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville store and restaurant is disgustingly dirty and incredibly overpriced with very marginal food quality. Service was incredible slow and the workers must be paid pennies because they were all rude. My visit there was a sad let down. Jamaica as a whole however, was very cool.
Jnij
So now instead of a real town it's a L. ATT.... 😢❣️🙄😠😠😠Them mash up Falmouth it done f a I c....... Smh
My beautiful country