Looking for something different in Jamaica than your ship’s shore excursions?
Try a relaxing beach day at an all-inclusive resort with Jamaica For A Day.
Falmouth, Jamaica is the “newest” port of this popular Caribbean island. Recently, a collaboration between the government of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean began a revitalization construction project to the tune of $250 million. So what to do when you get there?
But next came the decision of what to do. While there is a plethora of cruise line shore excursions from which to choose, I wanted something laid back, carefree and beachy. And a chance to break away from the other 2,000 people on the ship. Enter Stuart Cohen.
Stuart, a long-time travel industry leader and innovator, has a company which offers an alternative to the traditional cruise line shore excursions: JamaicaForADay.com. Simply, you can spend a very relaxing day at a premium all-inclusive resort for the cost of, or less than, most ship’s shore excursion. I was very curious to see how this all fell into place.
After we docked in Jamaica, with my hotel pass and transfers to/from the ship in hand, I followed the flow of cruise guests through the Disney-esque themed Falmouth port area and found the collection of tour buses waiting for their passengers. I approached one of the uniformed Falmouth tour/information directors and informed her that I was to board a bus to go to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort with JamaicaForADay. “Oh,” she said with a grin, “You are part of Stuart Cohen’s group.” Everyone knows Stuart.
A few minutes later, I boarded the clean and air-conditioned mini-bus and we were on our way. Mr. Earl – the driver, and I chatted for the entire twenty minute ride. The newly repaved roads made for a very pleasant and sometimes scenic drive along the north coast. Once at the resort, there was a guard that checked my pass and a couple of seconds later we were at the covered front entrance.
My colorful wristband was attached and I was on my own to enjoy the resort. I could stay until 6PM…but I’d miss my ship so I requested that the mini-van return at 3:00. That would give me about five hours to take my tour, enjoy the beautiful beach, have lunch and still have time to relax. Maybe try the lazy river.
Here’s how I spent my day:
Or maybe grab a tube at the Sugar Mill Water Park and try the lazy river. I wasn’t sure what to try so I just kept wandering around, snapping photos and enjoying the scenery. It was still about one hour until the restaurants opened for lunch, so I decided to try the Monday Special drink, “Tropical Dreams.” And since drinks and food are included with the excursion and I wasn’t driving anywhere, I thought it a great idea to enjoy a pre-lunch foo-foo Tropical Dream.
If you’d like to try this at home, it’s an easy recipe. One ounce of mango rum, coconut rum, creme de banana and vodka; two ounces each of orange juice and pineapple juice and a speck of grenadine syrup. Shake it all up, pour over ice and sip. Excellently tropical!
- Full access to resort amenities including Private Beach and Pools.
- BIG NEWS: enjoy Sugar Mill Falls Water Park with tube slide and lazy river.
- Unlimited lunch & snacks to quench your hunger.
- Unlimited beverages like sodas and juices.
- Unlimited house brand drinks to quench your thirst like beer, wine, tropical and frosty drinks.
- All beach lounge chairs and beach towels.
- Non-motorized water sports including Snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, volleyball, aerobics, and tennis.
- Participation in daily activity program.
- Live daily entertainment.
- Bathrooms available for changing.
- If your ship departs late (like Oasis of the Seas), you can stay through 6:00PM if your cruise ship departure time permits a later stay!!!
If you are wondering what the cost is for this JamaicaForADay shore excursion, it’s $90 per adult and $75 per child. This also includes the $15 round-trip transfers. It’s a seamless way to enjoy a wonderfully relaxing day in Jamaica without all the hustle and bustle of the ship’s tours. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: Even though my day at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort was sponsored by JamaicaForADay.com, the opinions in this post are based solely on my own experience. I am never under any obligation to write a favorable review and there’s always a possibility that the cruise, hotel, food are not up to par. If that were the case, I would be compelled to state it as such. My visit to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort met and exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Stuart, for the opportunity to review and experience your company’s shore tour in Jamaica.
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
Sherry Laskin Kennedy says
Hi Cat,
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. I think you and Alan will love the Oasis. And Jamaica. I really enjoyed my excursion with …For A Day. Away from the crowds and hubbub. There are some nice shore excursions offered through the ship too, but it’s really all a matter of personal preference. Have a blast and bon voyage! Hope to meet up with you on a cruise someday soon!
Sherry
Cat England says
Sherry,
I love following your travels. Maybe one day we meet in one of the cruises!
Thank you for this review. We are going on the Oasis on April 11th and were wondering what to do in Jamaica. Most reviews that I’ve seen complain about safety and some of the pictures I’ve seen of the Dunns River Falls look so crowded. This tour sounds perfect! And so much cheaper than what Royal Caribbean is charging ($140).
I will definitely check jamaica for a day out.
I was going to say enjoy your travels, but I know you will 🙂
Cat
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Lisa,
If you visit, you’ll find everything you need to reserve your trip. Thanks for reading the article and have fun! BTW…You’ll love the Oasis of the Seas!
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Mary Ann,
I agree! It’s a quick ride over to the resort and it’s nice to be with a smaller group, too! Thanks for reading the article!
Sherry
Mary Ann says
Jamaica For A Day is sooo worth it. It’s less expensive than the cruise line’s rate, it will probably be a smaller group (more manageable and nicer to meet fellow travelers), and your stay at the resort will be a little longer. If I remember correctly, it only took’s only a 20-30 minute ride. I definitely recommend JFAD!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reading my article! You can find all of the info that you need at http://www.resortforaday.com/Jamaica-s/1818.htm including prices and booking online. I was at the Hilton Rose Hall. Have a great time on the Oasis of the Seas. Don’t miss the Aqua Theater and Ice Skating shows! In fact, this is one of the only ships (plus the Allure of the Seas) that I went to every specialty show during the cruise…they’re that good.
Bon Voyage!
Sherry
Lisa Tassielli says
Hello! How much is the day pass, and does this include transportaiton? How far is this from the ship port? We will be sailing in on the OASIS of the Seas in June, 2014.
Thanks!
Lisa
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi – thanks for your comment. Please go to the website JamaicaForADay.com and check their rates. There is not much to see or do outside of the Falmouth compound-like port area on your own. RCCL has a port area tour however and that would be the way to go if you just want to see the Falmouth. JamaicaForADay.com provides a very good beach experience at the hotel, meals included. Have fun…and like any tourist anywhere in the world or even at home, always be aware of your surroundings. Bon voyage!
Sherry
maryann says
This sounds too good to be true. A group of us are going to Falmouth next month. Would you know if it’s still good deal and safe to travel outside the realm of RCCL? Is it still $90? The one-day pass for Grand Cayman’s resort is pretty steep? Is it worth it? We’re a party of 8 (if we all decided to go) Thanks