We are going on a 5 night cruise this fall and have narrowed our choice to two identical sailings on the same ship. The only differece is that one week the ship make a stop in Ocho Rios and the next week it stops in Cozumel instead of Ocho Rios. Which of these two ports did you prefer and which cruise itinerary would you select? <BR><BR>Must pay deposit in three days so rapid reply is appreciated.<BR><BR>John

I would pick Cozumel. Been to both places. I love the snorkeling at Chankanaab park- most fish I've seen anywhere! Driving is on the right, you can rent a scooter or car and explore. The roads in Ocho Rios are bad, drivers are crazy, and it's not too safe to venture out by yourself.

Linda is exactly right,enough said !!!!

John - given a choice between Ocho Rios and anywhere else in the universe - take anywhere else in the universe. Many people on cruises to Ocho Rios don't even bother getting off the ship. Many (not most)natives are unfriendly, pushing drugs and even threatening tourists. There are horror stories of cab drivers taking unsuspecting cruisers to remote places on the island and robbing and beating them. I can't attest to those rumors but I can tell you I felt uncomfortable enough that if I ever go back, I will not get off the ship. The flea market area in town is surrounded by chicken wire ten feet tall - and I'm not sure if its to keep the riffraff out or in.

Depends on what interests you. If you are interested in snorkeling, go to Cozumel. If you are interested in seeing beautiful tropical vegetation, go to Ocho Rios. My kids actually preferred Ocho Rios. They thought Cozumel was run-down and grubby-looking, though it was raining so we didn't get to Chankanaab and only went shopping in town. Ocho Rios, on the other hand, was beautiful, mountainous, and very green. We booked a tour with Peat Taylor, who was the friendliest and most entertaining guide we've ever encountered. He took us to Dunn's River Falls and then gave us a tour of the island which was entertaining and informative. He never allowed anyone to harrass us or pressure us, and he was very flexible and accommodated everyone's preferences. All that for less than what the ship's tours would have cost us. I would much rather go back to Jamaica and I would book with Peat again. Do a search on this board and the Ocho Rios board in the Ports of call section for Peat Taylor.

I concur with Anna (see I can be serious as well - LOL)<BR><BR>Coz for snorkeling / scuba<BR><BR>Ocho (with Peat !) for Dunss River Falls and beautiful scenery

A cruise may not be the best way to get an impression of a place. I have been to both ports several times and like each for different reasons.<BR><BR>I have never had any problems with the Jamaicans. I dress conservatively when I am on the islands and maybe once someone offered me drugs. But usually, I don't get hassled. I do get flirted with a lot by Jamaican men, but a polite "no thank you" does the trick.<BR><BR>Treat the Jamaicans with respect and you will get respect back. I have several friends that are far more affluent than I am and they absolutely love Jamaica - they go there for 2-3 weeks.<BR><BR>The big draw for Ocho Rios is tropical vegetation and mountains and active activities like mountain biking, horseback riding, climbing Dunns River, etc.<BR><BR>Cozumel has nice beaches and reef. Cozumel is not perfect. I have encountered children begging in the streets and have seen taxi drivers cheat people and have been sold shoddy goods, but over all the people are nice, there can be good buys on Mexican goods, but the biggest claim to fame are the beaches, the snorkeling and the diving. There are Mayan ruins on the main Yucatan Penn. but then going to them gives you no time to explore Cozumel.<BR><BR>Think about what you would like to do, what activites most interest you and the people you are traveling with. Don't expect either place to be Disneyland and to have unrealistic perfection.

Yikes! I just noticed I must have been disoriented when I posted. I meant, do a search at cruisecritic.com on the ports of call board for Peat Taylor. There is no ports of call board here at Fodors. I knew that.