A tropical Caribbean paradise, home to reggae music, idyllic beaches and fascinating history, Jamaica provides its visitors with unforgettable and unique experiences.
The ports of Jamaica are incredibly important to the island’s tourist industry. Before the pandemic, in 2019, there were over 1.5 million cruise passenger arrivals, making up around a quarter of Jamaica’s total visitors.
Cruise ships offering Caribbean cruise holidays have five Jamaican cruise ports where they can stop. Although the island is only 146 miles long, with most attractions within easy reach, learning more about which of Jamaica’s cruise ports you are docking at will help you plan your visit and make the most of your time on this beautiful island.
Below, we share essential information on Jamaica’s cruise ports, including where cruise ships dock in Jamaica, how to get from Jamaica’s cruise ports to the city centre and what to do in Jamaica on port days.
An overview of Jamaica’s cruise ports
Of Jamaica’s five cruise ports, four are on the island’s north coast, and one is in the south in the capital of Kingston. The busiest three used by most cruise lines are Ochos Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay. Port Antonio and Kingston are used less frequently and only by a couple of cruise lines.
Read on as we review each of Jamaica’s cruise ports in turn, focusing mainly on the top three and briefly touching on the other two.
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is Jamaica’s busiest cruise port, located on the island’s north coast. It is used by most leading cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Cruise ships dock at one of two piers in the port, The Turtle Bay Pier or James Bond Pier. Nearby to Jamaica’s cruise terminal at Turtle Bay Pier, you’ll find the town’s bustling shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, the James Bond pier is a little further away, but still only a fifteen-minute walk to the town centre.
When exploring options for how to get to Jamaica’s attractions from the cruise port, local taxis are available. However, check the fixed fares of the officially certified ones to ensure you get a fair price. Cruise lines also offer a range of fantastic excursions, taking away the worry of getting around Jamaica.
If you love nature, you’ll have plenty of options when looking for what to do in Jamaica near this cruise port. Explore the spectacular waterfalls, flowers and plant life at Shaw Park Gardens in Ocho Rios or swim with dolphins at the nearby Dolphin Cove.
For the more adventurous, a great option when looking for what to do in Jamaica on port days is Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios. Here you can take a chairlift above the treetops of this tropical seaside rainforest, glide above its canopy on a zip wire or take an exhilarating ride on a bobsled through the forest below.
Falmouth
Jamaica’s cruise port in Falmouth is also found on the island’s north coast, about 60 miles from Ochos Rios. This Jamaican cruise terminal underwent significant redevelopment in 2011, reopening with the name of Historic Falmouth Cruise Port. Its new facilities now include a large shopping centre.
Leading cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, stop in Falmouth in the winter. Their cruise ships dock at one of two piers, where you’ll also find restaurants, bars and more shops within easy walking distance.
With plenty to do in the area around the cruise port, many cruise guests opt to stay here on port days. However, it is also worth exploring the Old Town, as some of the best activities nearby Jamaica’s cruise port in Falmouth revolve around the town’s impressive architecture and history.
Many of Falmouth’s original buildings are still standing, and you can take a walking tour of the city to see the best of them or even book a horse-drawn buggy tour for a remarkably unique experience.
Montego Bay
Although Montego Bay is not as busy as the previous two Jamaican ports, it is still visited by most of the leading cruise lines. Furthermore, P&O Cruises, Cunard and Ambassador Cruise Line favour stopping here rather than in Ochos Rios or Falmouth.
Known as Montego Bay Freeport, the facilities at this Jamaican cruise terminal are relatively limited compared to those at the other two ports. However, you will find duty-free and souvenir shops, toilets and tourist information.
Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second-largest city and a lively tourist hotspot. The distance from the cruise port to the city centre is approximately 3 miles. Therefore, when considering how to get there from the cruise port, walking in the Caribbean heat is not really advisable.
Taxis are available, but again, be sure to choose a licensed vehicle and expect to pay around $5.00. The Hop-On-Hop-Off shuttle, which stops at the main attractions, is also a good option, and you can often buy tickets on board your cruise ship.
As well as the vibrant bars and restaurants in the city, you’ll also find some gorgeous beaches nearby, offering amazing swimming and snorkelling opportunities. There are also plantation houses in the area, which provide a fascinating insight into the island’s history.
For golf fanatics visiting Jamaica’s Montego Bay cruise port, take a look at the nearby world-class golf courses, which are both stunning and challenging.
Port Antonio
Jamaica’s cruise terminal of Port Antonio is situated on the island’s north-eastern coast. It is smaller than the three main ports and is used by cruise lines such as Silversea and Seabourn.
Although there is less to do near Jamaica’s cruise port in Port Antonio, you can expect a more leisurely experience in a charming, up-market location. The distance from the port to the town centre is about a mile or a 15-minute walk. Here, you can explore its elegant historical buildings and craft market.
A popular thing to do here in Jamaica on port days is to take the bamboo raft down the tranquil river and discover the beauty of the Rio Grande Valley.
Kingston
Although Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, only a couple of cruise lines, such as Silversea and Marella, opt to dock here, with others preferring the Jamaican cruise terminals on the north coast.
However, in Jamaica’s capital, there is plenty to do on port days. As a UNESCO-recognised city, Kingston is rich in art, history and fantastic cuisine. Visit the Bob Marley Museum or stop at Usain Bolt’s restaurant for a quick bite to eat.
Other popular excursions to choose from when looking for the best activities by Jamaica’s cruise port in Kingston include visiting the Blue Mountains or enjoying a rum tour at the Worthy Park Estate.
If you have any questions about Jamaica’s cruise ports or would like to book a Caribbean cruise that visits the island, please get in contact with our cruise specialists.
