Ocho Rios cruise port guide
While the name Ocho Rios means eight rivers in Spanish, a truer reflection of its name (considering the city has four rivers) may stem from its earlier Spanish name of Las Chorreras, referring to its waterfalls. In either case, it’s precisely its existing rivers, beautiful waterfalls and crystalline sea that promise to awe visitors to Jamaica who have a passion for the lush outdoors. For an unforgettable experience on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise, try one of the many outdoor MSC excursions offered on the city’s rivers, such as kayaking, bamboo rafting and tubing, or try climbing one of its famous waterfalls. A must-see attraction is Dunn’s River Falls, where a guide will lead you up along an almost 600-foot stretch of naturally terraced river bed as part of a human chain. Once up on top, enjoy a breath-taking panorama worthy of photos, and explore a craft market and numerous shops. Or ascend Konoko Falls to admire the tropical gardens with sinuously shaped flowers and a mini zoo of exotic birds and reptiles, before embarking on a gastronomic farm-to-table experience and traditional Jamaican buffet lunch in the hills of Claremont at the organic Murphy Hill Farm, on an exclusive Martha Stewart excursion for MSC. Music lovers can’t help but pay tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley. Journey to Bob Marley’s Nine Mile, a nearby mountaintop village, to see the birthplace and final resting place of the star. The MSC excursion includes a visit to a small Ethiopian-style church housing the marble mausoleum in which Marley’s remains have been entombed along with his guitar. And James Bond fans can take heart in the fact that it was here in Jamaica in the 1950s and 1960s that author Ian Fleming created 007 and wrote every one of the 14 books featuring the stealth secret agent from his villa at nearby Oracabessa Bay. Scenes for the 1962 movie “Dr. No” and the 1973 film “Live and Let Die” were filmed in and around Ocho Rios.
About Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios ('Ochi') is a beach resort town on Jamaica's north coast in Saint Ann Parish. The signature attraction is Dunn's River Falls — a 600-foot terraced waterfall that guests climb in a human chain, one of the Caribbean's most-visited attractions. Mystic Mountain offers bobsled, zipline, and waterslide in a rainforest setting. DCL Western Caribbean itineraries (Fantasy, Treasure) call here. Nearby: Ian Fleming's GoldenEye estate and Bob Marley's birthplace.
Ocho Rios — "Ochi" to locals — is a beach resort town on Jamaica's north coast in Saint Ann Parish, with a population of approximately 16,671. Despite the Spanish name meaning "Eight Rivers," the name is almost certainly a British mispronunciation of the original Spanish "Las Chorreras" (the waterfalls) — named for the nearby Dunn's River Falls. Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1494; the British seized it in 1655.
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Cruises visiting Ocho Rios
Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.
Sailing soonest
Western Caribbean From Miami, FL
Carnival Horizon · Caribbean · 6 nights
from $718
$119 / night
17 Night Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise
Celebrity Summit · Caribbean · 17 nights
from $1,681
$98 / night
Western Caribbean From Miami, FL
Carnival Horizon · Caribbean · 6 nights
from $431
$71 / night
16-Day Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Miami: Mexico & Jamaica
Norwegian Joy · North America · 16 nights
from $1,939
$121 / night
15 nights West Caribbean from Miami
MSC Poesia · Caribbean · 15 nights
from $1,378
$91 / night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, FL
Carnival Dream · Caribbean · 14 nights
from $1,372
$98 / night
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