Jamaica’s lush landscapes, vast sandy beaches and dramatic mountain scenery make for an idyllic tropical getaway. Since this island nation is in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, it’s rare to see itineraries that go to Jamaica and nowhere else. Usually, cruises to Jamaica include port stops in the Bahamas or Mexico, along with other island nations like the Cayman Islands and Aruba.
The main cruise ports in Jamaica are Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Falmouth. If you book a boutique or small ship cruise, you might be able to visit the more remote Port Antonio.
We typically see cruises to Jamaica from these US ports:
Fort Lauderdale
Galveston
Jacksonville
Miami
New Orleans
Orlando
Tampa
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, though it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated travelers as of April 2021. It recommends that you delay travel if you are not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.
When traveling, follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for COVID-19 test results — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.
Most cruises to Jamaica are included as part of a Western Caribbean itinerary so you can pair a Jamaican port with other popular destinations including the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. Here are some of the top cruise companies that’ll get you there in style:
Best for your buck: Norwegian
Set sail for as little as $60 a night and still get all the bells and whistles that come from Norwegian’s resorts at sea. A wide range of accommodation — from solo studios to family-sized suites, an extensive choice of included dining options and exciting onboard entertainment and activities are all on the agenda.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Catering to cruisers of all ages, Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships make it easy for multigenerational families and groups to vacation together. You’ll find a packed roster of onboard entertainment, kids clubs and adventure activities like rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice rinks and tons of space to relax or to learn something new.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
Price matches
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Let your youth reward you with MSC’s cruise deals for 18- to 29-year-olds. Once onboard, soak up the sun in the many outdoor spaces including the adults-only pool, enjoy big theater performances and dance the night away at one of the many bars, lounges and the nightclub at sea.
With its expansive onboard entertainment, seminars, classes and well-planned shore excursions, Holland America manages to marry all the amenities you’d expect on a modern ship with the charm of a classic cruise journey. Onboard you’ll find live chamber music, and BBC Earth Natural History content and movies. And rest assured that your stay will be comfortable in modified accessibility staterooms.
It figures that the company that brought us the Love Boat would be our top choice for romance at sea. Couples massages, movies under the stars and dining for two options can all be found on board and for something extra special, catch the sunset over drinks on your private balcony in one of the spacious suites.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card, JCB
Price ($-$$$):
How we picked the best cruises.
When choosing cruises for this list, we looked at the quality of routes available from each cruise line, prioritizing well-paced itineraries with port stops at key destinations around Jamaica.
We also considered dining onboard, weighing the number, variety and overall quality of restaurants against passenger reviews. Finally, we weighed cabin amenities against each price point, looking for cruise lines that are known to deliver the highest value.
Additionally, we sought out customer reviews on travel websites and personal travel blogs, considering first-person experiences and each company’s overall reputation.
When is the best time to cruise to Jamaica?
Overall best time to visit: Once the hurricane season tapers off, November to mid-December is when you’ll find great weather and fewer crowds. Late April through May is considered the shoulder season when the rain is yet to arrive and the islands and ships are less crowded.
A great year-round destination, Jamaica’s temperatures seldom vary from lows in the 70s and highs in the 80s with a humidity that sticks around 70%. However, there are a few things to consider to help you plan for your ideal holiday.
Peak season. Late December to March seems to be the most popular time to visit when it’s cold up north but practically showing off with sunny days in Jamaica.
Storm watch. Hurricane season is from June to November but storms are most likely between August and October. This doesn’t stop most cruisers, though, as cruise ships are adept at avoiding the worst of the weather. Make sure you’ve considered cruise travel insurance to cover your trip and avoid any disappointments.
Key festivals and events. Jamaica is festive most of the time but there are some top events you might want to include in your travel plans including the Junkanoo parade, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Bob Marley Week, Carnival and Reggae Sumfest.
What are the must-do cruise excursions in Jamaica?
Sure, Jamaica’s got its share of world-class beaches (hello, Seven Mile Beach?) but there’s certainly more to enjoy if you’re looking for something a little bit different.
Dunn’s River Falls. Spend a couple of hours swimming — and climbing if you’re feeling adventurous — in Jamaica’s daredevil falls surrounded by tropical scenery.
Rastafari Indigenous Village. Learn about the Rastafarian lifestyle as you get to know the life of local farmers, artisans and musicians.
Ziplining. Boasting one of the longest zip lines in the Caribbean, you’ll get to take in Jamaica from a whole new perspective as you sail down a 1,600-foot cable.
Mystic Mountain. Race through a tropical rainforest by bobsled on an adventure inspired by the famous Jamaican Olympic team.
Irie Blue Hole. A 20-foot cascading waterfall overlooks hazy blue waters deep enough for diving and cliff jumps as well as a rope swing so kids can swing Tarzan-style.
Montego Bay catamaran sail. Enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer as you snorkel in the clear waters and admire the coral and marine life.
What should I pack for a cruise to Jamaica?
A swimsuit (or two), sunscreen and flip flops are a must for soaking in the sun both onboard and at the beach. For adventures further inland, pack some comfortable walking shoes and water shoes if you’re planning to do any water activities and hiking. Most cruise lines have at least one formal night or specialty restaurant that encourages you to look the part so make sure to include something nicer as well.
Up to $1,000 to spend on board with Norwegian Cruise Line
Just book your next cruise vacation with Priceline Cruises and get up to $1,000 to use as a liquor, dining, and spa credit, along with other purchases made on the ship! T&Cs apply.
Exclusive – up to $1,000 to spend on board, plus 10% off shore excursions! T&Cs apply. Ports of Call: Miami, Fl, Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Miami, Fl
A cruise to Jamaica makes this upmarket destination accessible to everyone. Stop dreaming about the salty, tropical island vibes and find out what it’s really like with these top cruise deals.
Cristal Dyer is a travel writer at Finder. She has been writing about travel for over five years and has visited over 40 countries around the world. Cristal currently travels full-time, writing about her favourite cities and food finds, and she is always on the lookout for amazing flight deals to share.
With babysitting and tot-friendly activities, these are the best cruise lines for toddlers that will have your little one smiling at sea from ear to ear.
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