Discovering the Wonders of Jamaica

I did my best to prepare Marlowe for our trip to Jamaica—there might be some hills, but there would also be an abundance of delicious food, tropical fruits, beaches, jungles, and plenty of sunshine! That said, we were all incredibly excited to visit Jamaica. Alex had been expressing his desire to go for a few years, and taking our Dinogo Cruise seemed like the ideal way to get there. Why spend a fortune on flights when we could simply sail in the warm sunshine with gentle seas? We were fortunate to experience exceptionally smooth sailing. I had been a bit anxious about my previous vertigo making things tricky, but thankfully, it was smooth sailing and a delighted Drea (and family too).

The weather in Ochos Rios was practically flawless as well. It felt similar to Florida but with less humidity and a refreshing breeze that would occasionally sweep through. We arrived fully equipped with swimsuits, sunglasses, and a bit of cash to enjoy the beach town.

As soon as we disembarked from the port, we made our way to a nearby vegan (Ital) restaurant. I had no doubts about finding good food in Jamaica—there were three or four eateries just a stone's throw from the ship (what a win!).

We dined at a restaurant called Cala Ital. We decided to order 'a little bit of everything,' along with some refreshing juices and smoothies. The place even featured a small shop inside! I picked up some neem toothpaste and two fantastic tonics—a herbal blend designed to give your body an extra lift. I truly believe this contributed to my great feeling throughout the vacation. I was thrilled to discover it was made by someone I used to know back in Miami! He was the one who used to sell us handmade Jamaican patties at the health food store I once managed. How random is that?! What a small world! This serendipity is one of my favorite aspects of cruising and travel overall. We enjoyed such incredible food at the other ports we explored on our last cruise!

We then made our way up the hill to some stunning botanical gardens—stopping along the way to pick up some fresh fruit, of course! 🙂

At the very summit of the hill, we reached the most breathtaking botanical garden. It was an incredible place. I found myself daydreaming about how wonderful it would be to acquire the land and restore it to the charming hotel it once was. Waterfalls, natural pools, and lush greenery surrounded us everywhere. We began with a guided tour before spending the remainder of our time wandering through the jungle on our own. Our guide was a delightful older gentleman—he introduced us to many plants we recognized from home, as well as some fascinating species we had never encountered before. One, in particular, was a fern-like plant that retracts when touched! I wish I could recall its name; it was one of the coolest things I had seen in ages. Just another reminder of nature's wonders.

A bit like home—only even better.

If you appreciate flora and fauna—or simply enjoy being in a jungle-like environment—I highly recommend the brief hike to Shaw Park Gardens or any of the other local gardens you can explore. Jamaica is incredibly lush and boasts stunning waterfalls—certainly part of the reason why so many people return!

hummingbird discovery.

hello, rooster friends!

After exploring the gardens, we stopped by a quaint beach close to the ship so Marlowe could splash in the water, Alex could relax, and I could savor (two) coconuts—before returning in time for our departure. We made our way back to the ship as clouds began to gather, but honestly, I don’t think it ever rained! At least not before we set sail. It was a lovely day—easygoing, enjoyable, a bit sweaty, but wonderful, and something I wish I could experience again right now 😉 We’re so thankful for these fun, easy, and breezy moments spent together.

Alex mentioned that if I could live on the ship and sail from one island to another indefinitely, I would probably jump at the chance. And he’s right. I absolutely would. I’d joyfully sail and explore forever, making sure to visit Jamaica several times along the way 🙂