The Caribbean island of Jamaica is one of the most popular vacation spots. Reggae, Bob Marley, jerk chicken, and Blue Mountain coffee are all products of Jamaica. The island of Jamaica is unique in that it has three major cruise ports: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth. There’s also Port Antonio on the northeastern shore, which, while not suited for most large ships, attracts boutique cruise lines and private boats.
Whether it’s researching the island’s pirate history or British colonial past, rum sampling, or exploring rivers, waterfalls, and rainforests, Jamaica has something for everyone. Cruisers may find their happy zone in Jamaica, whether it’s hiking or lounging on a white-sand beach.
A day on the island, whatever entices your interest in Jamaica, might be the highlight of a Caribbean cruise. We looked into numerous Jamaica cruises, and these are just a handful of the many alternatives available, which vary in length, price, ship, departure port, and date.
1. Viking Ocean Cruises
Panama Canal and Central America Cruise
This 15-day cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and stops in seven countries. The voyage begins in Key West, the southernmost point in the United States, before continuing to Cozumel via the Gulf of Mexico. Guests may learn about the island’s Mayan and colonial history, which is located off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The ship spends a day in Belize before continuing to Roatán, off the coast of Honduras. The ship will stop in Costa Rica’s Puerto Limón before arriving in Colón, near the Panama Canal’s entrance. A thrilling partial transit through the 1914 canal is followed by a day at sea before actually arriving in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where passengers can visit a rainforest, waterfall, sample rum, or have high tea at a historic house.
Visitors have two days to relax and enjoy the ship as they cruise the Caribbean Sea before returning to Fort Lauderdale. Viking Orion and her Ocean Fleet sister ships can accommodate up to 930 passengers and provide cooking lessons, a spa, a fitness center, and a range of dining options.
2. Carnival Cruise Line
Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
This five-day cruise on the Carnival Sensation begins in Miami and ends in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, after a day at sea. Guests can go swimming with dolphins, hiking up to a waterfall, ziplining through the jungle, horseback riding along the beach, or simply relax on the beach. The ship lands in Nassau, the Bahamas after a day at sea for a catamaran cruise, snorkeling, swimming, or partying. The ship docks in Miami the following day.
A steakhouse, Italian restaurant, Guy’s Burger Joint, Chef’s Table, Cantina, pizza, and sushi are among the eating options available onboard. Adults can relax in the Serenity Adults Retreat or at a spa, or they can socialize in a tavern, club, or piano bar. Seuss at Sea includes a character parade, interactive storytime, arts and crafts activities, and a character breakfast for children. For age-based groups, Camp Ocean provides supervised activities such as games, music, dancing, movies, video games, and children’s meals.
3. Oceania Cruises
12-night Idyllic Islands Cruise
The cruise leaves from Miami on the Sirena and arrives the next day in the Bahamas at Great Stirrup Cay, where visitors can relax on the beach, indulge in a spa treatment, and dine at the Jumby Beach Grill buffet, food truck, or taco bar. The following day is spent at sea en route to Port Antonio, Jamaica, where visitors can swim, snorkel, climb Somerset Falls, or go rafting on the Rio Grande.
The ship arrives in Oranjestad, Aruba, after another day of cruising. White-sand beaches, island tours, an ostrich or butterfly farm, coral bays, a casino, and golf are among the activities available. Downtown eateries and duty-free shopping are just a short walk away. The ship docks in Willemstad, Curacao, the following day, where passengers can explore Seaquarium Beach, swim, dive, sample real Curacao liqueur, tour art galleries, and discover the island’s culture and heritage at The Museum Kura Hulanda.
A half-day trip to Kralendijk, Bonaire, comes next, where you may see pink flamingos, marine turtles, and donkeys in sanctuaries. The cruise docks in Grenada’s St. Georges before heading to St. Kitts for a day at sea. Look for white-sand beaches, cafés, and artisan shops selling colorful batik cloth gifts. Guadeloupe is the next port of call, where visitors may enjoy fresh seafood, Creole cuisine, and great French cuisine.
During your time at sea, Sirena has a pool bar, piano bar, casino, spa, shopping, and enrichment programs, as well as a selection of restaurants and afternoon tea. The voyage concludes in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Caribbean’s easternmost island and home of Mount Gay Rum, stunning beaches, and delectable cuisine.
4. Royal Caribbean Cruises
Six-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day Cruise
This trip departs from Miami and stops in CocoCay, Bahamas, for a day at Thrill Waterpark, which features North America’s largest waterslide, a wave pool, an Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool, beach cabanas, and the Coco Beach Club. There’s Chill Island for some peace, as well as hot air balloon tours for spectacular vistas. The following day is spent at sea, with guests having access to the spa, fitness center, ice skating, and children’s activities.
The ship docks in Falmouth, Jamaica, halfway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, where passengers can partake in activities like horseback riding, river tubing, duty-free shopping, hiking to a waterfall, or high tea at the historic Good Hope Estate. The following day is spent in Labadee, Haiti, where you can do everything from ride an alpine coaster to rest on a sandy beach. There’s also Arawak Aqua Park and an over-water zip line.
The ship returns to Miami after another day at sea, where guests can select from a range of restaurants and activities.
5. Disney Cruise Line
Seven-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral
The voyage begins at the Kennedy Space Center, where tourists can see the facility before boarding the Disney Fantasy. On the route to Cozumel, Mexico, the ship’s entertainment, freshwater pool, kids’ groups, restaurants, and games provide much to enjoy the next day at sea. Guests can snorkel or dive among the coral reefs, browse for handcrafted Mexican handicrafts, or simply relax on the beach.
The next port of call is Grand Cayman’s George Town, where passengers can visit a botanic garden, swim at Seven Mile Beach, and shop at the town’s stores and restaurants. Optional activities include a zip line experience, waterfall hike, catamaran cruise, horseback ride, or dolphin encounter the next day in Falmouth, Jamaica. While traveling to Disney Castaway Cay, spend the next day at sea enjoying the numerous amenities of the Disney Fantasy.
There’s a water park, white-sand beach, walking trails, snorkeling lagoon, boat rentals, teen hideout, and adults-only Serenity Bay on this exclusive island designated for Disney Cruise Line guests. The ship cruises overnight for the return to Port Canaveral after a day of pleasure.
