Cruise to Montego Bay: 6 Best Attractions to Do During a Cruise

Thousands of people cruise to Montego Bay every year, and its popularity as a cruise destination is showing no signs of diminishing. With pristine beaches, lush rainforest, vibrant marine life, and a permanent place in pop culture, it’s pretty easy to see why it is such a hot spot for cruisers. If you are planning your first voyage to this gorgeous Caribbean island, it can be a little daunting to plan out your itinerary, with all the options available to you. To help you out, we’ve got a list of our favorite things to do in Montego Bay during a cruise.

Cruise to Montego Bay to experience the vibrant Hip Strip 

One of the simplest and most satisfying things to do in Montego Bay is indulge in a little Caribbean capitalism at the aptly named Hip Strip. In this vibrant neighborhood you will find a wide variety of shops, restaurants, food stalls, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues for your enjoyment. This is where you can get a proper look at Jamaican culture and help support the local community while you are at it, while getting a taste of local cuisine like authentic jerk chicken, curry goat, and fresh seafood. Make sure to pick up a souvenir to remember your cruise to Montego Bay while you are here!

Explore Doctor’s Cave Beach 

The main reason many people cruise to Montego Bay is to catch a little sun on the pristine beaches, and for that you will want to head to Doctor’s Cave Beach. Fortunately, you won’t have to go far, as it is located right in the middle of the Hip Strip. There are few things in this world that heal the mind and relax the body more than a paradisal stretch of beach with unimpeachable white sand combined with the gentle crashing of crystal clear waters on the shore. Once you are here, you will never want to leave, but you will have to pull yourself away for the many other things to do in Montego Bay that will require you to depart from the beach!

Cruise to Montego Bay to visit the Historic Rose Hall 

A cruise to Montego Bay doesn’t have to just be about fun in the sun and sipping rum. There is also plenty of history here, and history nerds will have plenty to sink their teeth into at the historic Rose Hall and Cinnamon Hill. What was once a plantation house built during colonial times has been transformed into a museum where you can learn about the European upper class who lived in places like this. For anyone who likes a good ghost story, this is where the infamous White Witch of Rose Hall resided, who is said to have murdered three of her own husbands. Previous owners have claimed that the house is haunted by her ghost, including Johnny Cash who owned it before his death. There are also a couple of world-class golf courses here, which leads us into the next item on our list of things to do in Montego Bay.

Play golf at world-class courses on your cruise to Montego Bay

It is entirely reasonable to book a cruise to Montego Bay just for the golf courses, but even if you aren’t an avid golfer, there are some great courses here that are worth checking out. As mentioned earlier, there are amazing golf courses at Rose Hall and Cinnamon Hill. The Cinnamon Hill course was designed to combine both coastal and inland tropical vibes, while the White Witch Golf Course is an 18-hole course that is set upon rolling hills with a variety of obstacles. Other courses include The Tryall Club with its impressive villas, which rated as one of the best golf vacation venues for its challenge and its beauty, and the Half Moon Golf Course, a serene walking course that is good for novices and experts alike. If there weren’t so many other great things to do in Montego Bay, you could easily justify spending an entire vacation just at the golf courses!

Related: Cruises for Golfers: 6 Destinations Every Golfer Will Love

Take part in an adventure! 

If you’re the adventurous type and are looking for a little more excitement, there are tons of things to do in Montego Bay that you are going to love. Experience the world under the water at Montego Bay Marine Park, where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving to get up close and personal with coral reefs and tropical marine life. Thrill seekers can head to Mystic Mountain, where you can zip-line through the rainforest, bobsled down a mountain, or get a bird’s eye view on the SkyExplorer chairlift. For a more lowkey adventure, take a bamboo rafting trip on Martha Brae River right through the rainforest. You’re likely only going to have a day or two during a cruise to Montego Bay, so choose your adventure wisely!

Visit the Bob Marley Museum on Your Cruise to Montego Bay

Finally, our last recommendation for things to do in Montego Bay is to visit the Bob Marley Museum. Bob Marley goes with Jamaica like peanut butter goes with jelly, and this museum is dedicated to his legacy. It was once his home, which he purchased back in 1975, before being transformed into a museum by his wife, Rita Marley. Here you can see many of Marley’s personal treasures, learn more about the iconic musician’s life, and even get a Bob Marley souvenir at the gift shop. They’ve also got an 80-seat theater, a photographic gallery, a record shop, and the One Love Café where you can grab a bite to eat. 

Ready to book your cruise to Montego Bay? Visit Cruises.com — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offers and all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise line loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com or call 800-288-6006 today.