Jamaica~

[zebra]

I also voted I don't know as we have also been there and not experienced any of the above.......

[coloradocruisers]

I suppose there are incidents everywhere, but this one sounds pretty scary....

http://www.cruisecrazies.com/forums/index....&hl=jamaica

[deb1220]

WOW! Kevin....thanks for posting that! Unbelievable! Alls we experienced was guys hassling us to buy drugs, etc.

[Longboysfan]

On another thread Jamaica is being touted as an unfavorite dangerous Port of call ..

the quick question:

Should the Cruise Industry abandon Jamaica as a port option on their Caribbean runs until the Island can stabilize and ensure the safety of all passengers and guests?

They have been saying this for too many years Joey.

The people who the ships benefit do not care enough to get things cleaned up like the Bahamas did in the early 80's. This last time there I was running on the side of the road - wearing a Jamacian shirt for soccer. And 2 drivers - when there was no one on the other side almost hit me. Not my fun port. Then the constant selling when they were contracted to just take us to town. Then dropping at the wrong place - their friends stop..... Then the trying to sell when not near a market or tourist area.... and on..... and I do not remember seeing any police about.

The problem being the ships have to stop somewhere in the Western Caribbean.

You can only take Mexico and Grand Cayman so many times before it is played out.

So the cruise lines are stuck there till new ports open - Cuba - when the Castro brothers call it a day.

I could see the lines operating out of 3 ports there and maybe a port like beach setting in the west.

Saves the lines $$$$ in operating costs going from any port in Florida.

[Sparkyboi]

I personally voted YES.

There are many reasons why I made this vote, as it is a fairly unsafe country. I have been there several times (a few time for work) and i can honestly say it is not one of my favorites. One of the big reasons is their policies on equal rights, drugs, violence etc...

I have many friends who are part of the GLBT community and the fact i can turn on a radio and hear songs talking about burning them in a fire (all in patois of course) does not sit well with me.

I have landed in Kingston and Mo Bay before and my god, before your out the the airport you CAN buy any drug you want.....i have been approached on the beach....last time at the Trelawny Starfish "HEY BIG MON......WAN NA GIT SOME OF DA HAPPY GRASS? POWDA?" not my idea of a relaxing vacation.

Kingston and Spanishtown are probably some of the most scariect places i have ever been. SOOO dangerous to be "white" and alone....a colleuage was held up on a bus a knife point as we headed back to the offices of the mission we were at. They specifically tols us to have a "black" jamaican resident with us at all times, which we did but still happened. This was many years ago now...but still.

Now i know that this is not representitive of all Jamaicans, as there are people like this everywhere from the US, to Canada to Asia and other Caribbean countries...i have met some of the warmest people in Jamaica as well.

Some of the people on this board is saying yes its beautiful, i never has a problem when i went for my land vacation...Just remember....your not REAAALLLLY in jamaica when your sitting within the 4 walls of your luxury non-jamaican owned resort...Sure Jamiaca is great when you sitting on the beach of the Riu or in the restaurant....stilll dont mean oyu cant buy drugs from the bell-boy.

Jamiaca is ok, it has its problems, but until they are resolved i try not to go....plus i dont want to spend my hard earned cash in a place that is so, pardon the expession "ass-backward" in their policies and where any of my GLBT friends can physically be shot down and burned for doing absolutly nothing. That country does not deserve my $$$, although sometimes you have to spend a little.

I unfortunently will be stopping here in January to the port of Ocho Rios....Never sailed into Jamaica....i am already "antsy" as i remember the pressure and uncomfortableness I felt last time I was at Dunns River and in Negril. I will make this a ship day or possibly use my contacts to get a day pass to a local resort.

I think Jamaica just needs an over-haul.

[lindasuelucas]

voted i don't know. both sides have valid points.

[BSCorvette]

I also voted I don't know. There are places to avoid in Jamaica, just as there are in Washington, DC.

I would NEVER cruise to Washington D.C.

[Ellie]

YES! Dump it!

We've been to Jamaica a few times as a port of call and did not feel comfortable. The locals were all over the beach area, blasting their music, making suggestive remarks to the young women, and imposing themselves upon everyone to sell their drugs. There are plenty of places to see where this ghetto atmosphere is not present.