cruise death jamaica

Royal Caribbean halts cruise for search and rescue mission after man jumps overboard

• Updated: May. 29, 2024, 9:05 p.m. |
• Published: May. 29, 2024, 2:35 p.m.
• Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A cruise passenger on the Royal Caribbean “Icon of the Seas” cruise jumped overboard, prompting a search and rescue mission where the passenger ultimately was found dead.

The passenger jumped from the 1,200-foot-long ship shortly after it left Miami, Florida, for Honduras Sunday morning, according to a statement from the Coast Guard obtained by The New York Post.

Once people noticed the emergency, the ship immediately halted its operations and the 2,350-person crew conducted a search-and-rescue mission. The ship stayed put for two hours, according to Cruise Hive.

The passenger was brought back onboard in critical condition. He eventually died of his injuries.

It is unclear what caused the man to jump, although his identity is being kept secret for the privacy of the deceased individual and his family.

The “Icon of the Seas,” which is the world’s largest cruise ship, took its maiden voyage in January 2024.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com .

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected] . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/18/2024), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement , and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 12/31/2023).

© 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved ( About Us ). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.

YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here .

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

• GET EMAIL ALERTS
•   Weather

Search location by ZIP code

'he was my everything': osceola county man drowns while vacationing in jamaica, wife says.

• Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied!

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

A woman in Osceola County is mourning the death of her husband after he died while they were on vacation in Jamaica.

Yolissa Blakes said she and her husband, Damian Benjamin, took a cruise to Jamaica last week.

She said Benjamin was making a name for himself as a tattoo artist in Kissimmee and hoped to one day open his own shop.

“He just had an eye for it,” Blakes said. “He'll make anything look real.”

For Blakes, it was her husband’s compassion that brought them together for 11 years.

“I had a heart attack at 29,” Blakes said.

A couple of years ago, Blakes had open heart surgery.

She said her husband was by her side in sickness and in health.

“He was just there for me nonstop, always. All these years,” she said.

So as a thank you, Blakes booked them a cruise to Jamaica. They departed last Monday.

“That was my gift to him,” she said. “He was happy.”

Blakes said last Wednesday, after the cruise ship arrived in Jamaica, they visited the Blue Hole in the town of Ocho Rios. She said the excursion was not booked through the cruise line.

“He wanted to jump in the waterfall. And I was against it in the beginning because I was scared,” she said. “He wanted me to go with him. And I just couldn't because my heart. So I just made the decision, ‘OK, if you want to go, go.’ And that was the last time I saw him.”

Blakes said her husband drowned. He was 32.

“What happened with Damian, I don't want ever to happen to anybody else again,” she said. “I had to see him die.”

Blakes said Benjamin was a son, brother, husband and father.

“You know how they say when you pass away, they become angels?” she said. “But, Damian was the angel here on Earth already.”

Blakes said he always took care of his sisters, mother and daughter.

“He was my everything,” she said. “He was my life.”

Blakes got home on Saturday. The first thing she did was get a tattoo in his honor.

“It says, ‘Damian. We only part to meet again,’” she said.

In a statement, Carnival Cruise said: “Carnival's Care Team is supporting the family of a guest who died ashore while Carnival Sunrise was in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Wednesday. Our thoughts are with the guest's family at this time.”

Top headlines:

• Florida police reveal how 2-year-old found in gator's mouth died
• First Warning Weather Impact Day: Storms bring strong winds across Central Florida
• Man arrested for starting fires at Marion County hospital

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Human Interest

Carnival Cruise Line Says Passenger Died 'Natural Death' on Its Ship After FBI Said It Was 'Suspicious'

The cruise line said the victim died following "a medical situation" on the boat in a new statement released Tuesday

Abigail Adams is a Human Interest Writer and Reporter for PEOPLE. She has been working in journalism for seven years.

The passenger who died on a Carnival Cruise Line ship over the weekend likely died a natural death, according to the company.

In a statement on Tuesday, the cruise line said "all indications" suggest the woman died of a medical condition while on board Carnival Sunshine in The Bahamas, according to NBC and CBS News.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) previously labeled the Feb. 27 death as "suspicious."

"It appears that this was indeed a medical situation that sadly resulted in the death of a guest," Carnival said in Tuesday's statement, per the reports.

The cruise line did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was found unresponsive on Carnival Sunshine last Monday as the ship sailed to Nassau, according to a statement released Sunday by the FBI Columbia field office.

Medical staff and crew members attempted to revive the woman, the FBI said. The victim was later pronounced dead on the ship.

The cruise line previously said the Sunshine returned to Charleston, S.C., on Saturday.

Carnival said it believes the initial response to the emergency medical "was appropriate," per the reports.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

FBI officials previously said the death posed "no threat to any other passengers" and that the incident was isolated.

An FBI Evidence Response Team processed the passenger's room after the ship returned to the Charleston port on March 4.

"Both the deceased and her husband were debarked in Nassau," a Carnival spokesperson previously told PEOPLE, "and Bahamian authorities have already investigated the circumstances and are conducting an autopsy."

Related Articles

Integrity First, Compassion, and Excellence in All We Do

Cruise Ship Law Blog

1 Dead; 3 Hurt in Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion Accident

Written by LM&W Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is made up of attorneys who are nationally recognized industry leaders in the field of maritime and admiralty law. Our team of cruise lawyers has well over two centuries of combined experience, has successfully handled over 3,000 cases, and has recovered over 300 million dollars in damages for our clients. Several of our attorneys have even been selected to “Best Lawyers” ® by US News & World Report every year as far back as 2016.

Yet another cruise ship shore excursion accident has occurred. Was tour operator safety to blame?

It was only a month ago that our shore excursion accident lawyers wrote about a serious tour bus crash Tortola. One would think that cruise lines would begin taking the necessary steps to prevent their guests from getting hurt during what should be a fun and, above all, safe tour. However, accidents continue to happen. Now, it appears as though yet another cruise excursion has led to injuries for passengers sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean vessel.

According to a post published on Royal Caribbean’s website , 21 cruise passengers sailing aboard the Independence of the Seas ship were involved in a serious shore excursion accident after their transportation vehicle suffered a traffic accident in Falmouth, Jamaica today.

A Royal Caribbean’s post explained that the passengers were on their way back to the ship after enjoying a shore excursion at the popular Dunn’s River Beach when the tour bus was involved in a four-vehicle collision. One passenger was killed in the traffic collision while three others were taken to a local hospital with injuries. The cruise line also stated that some of the ship’s crew members went to the hospital to offer their assistance. The cruise line has also asked readers to keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers.

But what exactly went wrong?

According to reports, the tour was a cruise-sponsored shore excursion. However, we still don’t know who was responsible for the accident. All that our shore excursion accident lawyers know thus far is that the bus crash took place on the Carey Park main road in Trelawny, a Cornwall County parish located in northwest Jamaica. An article by the Jamaica Observer provided additional information on the accident, explaining that a Toyota Corolla motor car, a Freightliner truck, and a Toyota Hiace van were also involved in the crash.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first shore excursion accident to happen – and most likely won’t be the last.

The shore excursions cruise passengers can choose from are often run by operators who don’t always abide by the highest standards in safety. Many excursion operators don’t even have a proper license to conduct their tours, and may not even thoroughly inspect their vehicles or excursion equipment before usage. Bus drivers may try to rush in order to get to their tour site or back to the vessel on time, which can cause serious accidents. Plus, many of the roads that excursion buses travel on are steep and narrow, and just one wrong move can lead to a severe collision in which cruise passengers are injured, or worse, killed.

Though cruise lines may sponsor certain tours, they don’t always want to take responsibility for any shore excursion accidents that may occur. Cruise lines tend to shift blame away from themselves and claim that they don’t actually have any ties to the tour operators. So, when victims actually turn to the cruise lines for assistance in recovering compensation for their injuries or losses, they are often turned away.

Luckily, victims have another option – turning to an experienced cruise ship shore excursion lawyer for assistance. An attorney who specializes in cruise line tour accidents and injuries can help victims understand their legal options, and if they have a viable claim, can assist them in filing a case. If you or a loved one were involved in the tour bus crash in Jamaica, or any other shore excursion accident, contact our firm today for a free consultation to discuss your rights.

UPDATE (January 21, 2016) : Since the posting of this blog, our maritime lawyers resolved a similar cruise ship shore excursion accident case involving several Royal Caribbean passengers who were hurt when their tour bus crashed in St. Maarten. We represented all of the passengers aboard the bus who were injured and made a successful, confidential recovery for each of them. You can read about the excursion accident details here .

Request Free Consultation

Don't forget to share this post!

Published on January 14, 2016

Categories: Cruise Ship Accidents , Cruise Ship Injuries , Royal Caribbean

Get Free Consultation

Related Articles

The tragic incident near Boca Chita Key, where a small boat and a yacht collided resulting in the loss of …

Our Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Attorneys Protect Victims’ Rights Reports indicate that incidents of rape and sexual assault on cruise …

As the 2024 cruise season began, most eyes were on Royal Caribbean and their newest ship, Icon of the Seas. …

Blog posts by LM&W

Our Lawyers Awarded for Having The Highest Level of Legal Ability and Ethics Our firm is proud to announce that …

Those who have been injured working on a cargo ship, bridge, or port, and those whose loved ones passed away …

INTEGRITY FIRST, COMPASSION, AND EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO

• Name * First Last
• I would like to receive news from LM&W, P.A. and participate in the firm’s marketing programs
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Passenger dead after jumping off the world’s largest cruise ship

A passenger has died after jumping from the world’s largest cruise ship on the first night of his week-long voyage, officials said.

The unidentified man jumped from Royal Caribbean’s new 1,200-foot-long Icon of the Seas — which holds 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members — soon after it left Florida for Honduras on Sunday morning, the Coast Guard told The Post.

“The cruise ship deployed one of their rescue boats, located the man and brought him back aboard,” the Coast Guard said.

“He was pronounced deceased. Beyond assisting in the search, the US Coast Guard did not have much involvement in this incident,” the agency added.

The Post has reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment.

According to CruiseHive , the ship was only about 300 miles from PortMiami at the time of the incident.

The ship stopped for about 2 hours while members of the 2,350-person crew helped the Coast Guard accomplish its search and rescue mission.

The jumper was brought back onboard in critical condition before he succumbed to his injuries, the report said.

Guests aboard the 7,600-passenger ship have shared videos about the rescue mission, some expressing shock that he was initially found alive.

Others shared clips of the rescue boats heading away from the cruise ship to retrieve the passenger.

The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship , took its maiden voyage in January of this year.

The 1,200-foot-long ship has 20 decks and is nearly the size of four city blocks. It boasts a 17,000-square-foot water park with six waterslides and seven pools — including the 40,000-gallon Royal Bay, which is the largest pool at sea — and Absolute Zero, the largest ice skating rink at sea.

There are also a theater, a carousel and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges aboard.

Skip to main content

The Jamaica Star

Latest News

American citizen dies while snorkeling in Dominica

The police in Dominica have confirmed that a 73-year-old American visitor died after he had gone snorkeling with his wife and others at Champagne beach in Pointe Michel, a small town on the island's southwest coast.

He was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

The authorities said that Howard Taylor who was visiting the island as a cruise ship passenger, was snorkeling with his wife and others, when his body was found floating in the sea.

The police said that an investigation has since been launched into the tragedy that occurred over the weekend.

We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on Twitter @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.

View the discussion thread.

Other News Stories

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Carnival Cruise Line confirms passenger's death after reported fall from ship's deck

Fox News Flash top headlines for Nov. 18

Fox News Flash top headlines for Nov. 18 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com

Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed the death of a passenger who reportedly fell from the deck of the Carnival Horizon on Friday night.

The passenger died after falling from the ninth deck of the ship to the fifth, just as the ship was returning to PortMiami, according to CBS4 .

NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK CAUSES CRUISE SHIP TO EVACUATE; HUNDREDS SICKENED

Carnival extended its support to the guest’s family, the cruise line said in a statement shared with Fox News.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest’s family.” — Carnival Cruise Line

“We can confirm the death of a guest on Carnival Horizon as the ship was returning to Miami on Friday evening,” a spokesperson for the cruise line said. “Our CareTeam continues to provide support to the guest’s family and we cooperated with the standard law enforcement investigation when the ship arrived to PortMiami on Saturday morning."

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest’s family.”

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

A witness who spoke with CBS4 said she “knew something was up” when she noticed an area of the fifth deck was blocked off by staff. She said a member of the cabin crew confirmed the guest’s death, telling the witness “he passed away” following the fall.

The passenger reportedly fell from an upper deck of the Carnival Horizon (seen here in Italy in 2018) to a lower one. (iStock)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Carnival Horizon was returning from a 6-day cruise of the Western Caribbean, with stops in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

Royal Caribbean passenger dies after excursion boat sinks on way to private island in Bahamas

The two-tiered catamaran was carrying the passengers to the blue lagoon island near nassau, bahamas, by ap and nbc6 • published november 15, 2023 • updated on november 16, 2023 at 9:39 am.

A U.S. tourist died in the Bahamas after an excursion boat carrying more than 100 people sank while traveling to a private island, police said Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told The Associated Press that the unidentified 74-year-old woman from Broomfield, Colorado , was on a five-day vacation with her family when the boat sank late Tuesday morning.

24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

The rest of the passengers and crew members were rescued. Two other unidentified people were taken to a medical facility, police said, but their conditions were not immediately known.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the 74-year-old woman died. Police said in a statement that the woman was found unresponsive as they helped pull the passengers and crew members from the water. They said she was given CPR and then taken to a dock where she was declared dead.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean confirmed that the woman had been a passenger on one of their ships and was participating in a shore excursion.

"We are saddened to hear that one of our guests passed away following an accident on a shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Our hearts are with the families involved and our Care Team has been activated to support them during this difficult time."

Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.

Kelly Schissell, a passenger on the catamaran, recalled the moments the ferry went down.

U.S. & World

Should dads bring their daughters into the men's bathroom or women's bathroom? We asked an expert

Migrants are rattled and unsure as deportations begin under new rule halting asylum

"So we were on a two tiered ferry to Blue Lagoon. We were almost there. We started to stop and turn to go into the Blue Lagoon area. And we kind of, I kind of thought like the captain was trying to be silly and like whip a shootie because we all kind of went forward, and the water kind of splashed up. And then all of a sudden, we stayed leaning forward," Schissell said.

Schissell also said that people didn't jump into the water right away as they were awaiting instructions from the crew, but never got them.

"You wonder why people didn't jump in right away. We were kind of waiting for the staff to tell us what to do, which they never did because they were too busy crying and freaking out," Schissell added.

Life vests were available, and those aboard were wearing them, according to authorities.

Police said the double-deck catamaran began taking on water after departing Paradise Island with a group of tourists headed to Blue Lagoon Island, a popular destination located just northeast of the capital of Nassau.

A video posted on social media showed some passengers yelling as the catamaran began listing on its right side, prompting tourists to slowly start jumping into the water as they swam toward nearby boats.

Police said the Royal Bahamas Defense Force also helped with the rescue, as well as nearby pleasure craft.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Royal Destinations
• Cruise Planner
• Make a Payment
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Beverage Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Update Guest Information
• Book a Flight
• Dining Packages​
• Royal Gifts
• Required Travel Documents
• Transportation
• Book a Hotel
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

Find Your Groove

Jamaica cruises.

Indulge in the good vibes and good times of Jamaica's island life.

Cruise to Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae which gave the world the soundtrack of its relaxed lifestyle, good-time-loving people and fearless optimism. As soon as you arrive, you'll sense how much this destination honors the sensibilities of its musical export. Soak your feet in pristine blue waters at Bamboo Beach Club in Ocho Rios. Splash around Dunn's River Falls, where cold, clear mountain water pours down on the rocks in mini-waterfalls. Journey into the rainforest at Mystic Mountain, and take the SkyExplorer chairlift above the treetops to the mountain's summit. Discover the magic with a Jamaica cruise.

Save Big With These Jamaica Cruise Deals

Explore more while spending less with Jamaica cruise deals onboard our best cruise ships

{{error.text}} {{error.link.label}}

Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

Go With The Flow

The best Jamaica cruises will let you explore adventure-packed experiences. You can drive down the scenic roads of Montego Bay, hike to the rushing waterfalls of Ocho Rios, and go horseback riding by the shore in Falmouth. 

THE GOOD BLUES

Lounging by the stunning blue beaches of Jamaica is only the start of your travel adventure. Go snorkeling along the coral reef at Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay, or hang out with scorpion fish and nurse sharks in Ocho Rios.

Lush Livin'

Jamaica is the perfect playground for adventurous hikers, those who want to explore the dense forests and caves, the craggy hills and the wild coast. Trek through lush rainforest at Mystic Mountain, or take the picturesque Mount Zion Hill Walk in Montego Bay.

Chart Your Own Course

Get out on the water in a kayak and explore the waters of Jamaica on your own terms. Take a River Rapids Adventure in Ocho Rios — explore on your own inner tube or in a kayak for two.

Rhythms and Rum

Spend some time getting to know the culture of this island nation. From distinctive keepsakes to the memories you'll make at its reggae-filled beaches, you're sure to bring a piece of something truly Jamaican back home after your vacation. 

A Piece of All Right

Whether you choose rum, coconut oil, jerk seasonings or wood carvings, keepsakes from Jamaica will give you a taste of the island even when you're back home. Check out the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay or Island Village in Ocho Rios for handmade local goods.

Get to know Bob Marley with a tour of his birthplace town, Nine Mile. Saunter the grounds of the Greenwood Great House, an 18th-century mansion, or discover Jamaican fine art at the renowned National Museum West.

In many ways, Jamaica is its music. No matter where you go on the island, you'll be dancing to reggae beats and feeling the good-time vibe of this global phenomenon. Head to Bourbon Beach to soak in the tones and the waves at the same time.

Best Jamaica Cruises

A cruise to Jamaica is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover Jamaica onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.

Westward Winds

Work your visit to Jamaica into a  Western Caribbean cruise . Hang out with stingrays in  Grand Cayman , snorkel coral reefs in  Labadee, Haiti , and splash around in the waterfalls at Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls.

From Rivers to Ruins

Combine your Jamaican adventure with an exploration of nearby Mexico. Take in the adventurous vibe of "Ochi," or Ocho Rios, then explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum and the bustling beaches of  Cozumel and Cancun .

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Jamaica Cruises Insider

The island has fairly good weather all year long, but it's good to know that the rainy season comes in May and then again from October to November. Jamaica also has a hurricane season that lasts from June 1 to November 30. November and December is a great time to visit: The likelihood of storms is low, and the weather is still warm while it's colder in more northerly climates.

Licensed local taxis are known as "contract carriages" and always display a red license plate. They operate under fixed rates and these can be seen inside the cabs. If you want to save money, opt for route taxis, a service that runs like buses and picks up others along the way. These also have red license plates.

Food And Culinary Paradises: The Best Travel Destinations For Foodies

Top 10 Things To Do: Caribbean Islands

Long Weekend Cruises

If you rent a car, remember to drive on the left lane.

Bargaining is acceptable and expected at the local markets and souvenir stalls.

For delicious food at a discount, stop by the local street vendors: They serve some of the island's most delicious, authentic fare.

LOCAL CUISINE Spice and Everything Nice

A blend of old and new influences, Jamaican cuisine incorporates the flavors of the indigenous peoples that once inhabited the island and the Europeans that once landed on its shores.

The Right Kind of Jerk

Jerk chicken is the fragrant, smoky and spicy dish that's arguably Jamaica's culinary claim to fame. This spicy barbecued chicken gets its red-hot flavors from a special rub, usually including Scotch bonnet peppers and sweeter spices like allspice and nutmeg.

AN UNLIKELY PEAR

You might not think of fruit and fish together, but Jamaican cooks have turned this unlikely pairing into a distinctive dish. Ackee and codfish incorporates the fleshy, yellow seeds of the tropical, pear-shaped ackee fruit with salted cod. The result is a light but filling protein-packed dish that's typically served over rice for dinner or with dumplings for breakfast.

Double Bammy

The history of bammy goes way, way back. Originally eaten by Jamaica's indigenous inhabitants, this flatbread is made from the starchy root vegetable cassava. It's then soaked in coconut milk and then fried to perfection. Enjoy them on their own in for breakfast or alongside fish or jerk chicken at lunch or dinner.

RELATED PORTS

A visit to Jamaica opens up a world of possibilities in the Caribbean, making it easy and exciting to venture to other countries during the same trip. After choosing your favorite Jamaica cruise port, why not stop to snorkel the coral reef off Labadee, Haiti, or experience the colorful Cozumel and Cancun in Mexico?

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico

Falmouth, Jamaica

Cozumel, Mexico

Mazatlan, Mexico

Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico

Ensenada, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Huatulco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Manzanillo, Mexico

Related Destinations

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Death Trap! - Dunn's River Falls and Park

• Caribbean    
• Jamaica    
• Saint Ann Parish    
• Ocho Rios    
• Ocho Rios - Things to Do    
• Dunn's River Falls and Park

Death Trap!

My wife daughter and I went on an organised tour to Dunns River Falls on August 7th 2012 after arranging it through Royal Caribbean cruises who we were sailing with. My wife fell and broke her arm. She had an open compound fracture and could not be treated by the ships doctor. We were thrown off of the ship with little help by the Falmouth Port Authority and ended up in hospital for three days with my wife having an operation and a metal plate put in her arm to keep it together. I would advise that anyone attempting this climb to ask if a risk assessment had been carried out that day on the falls, otherwise forget it! Fortunately we had comprehensive insurance but it was hell trying to get through to them from Jamaica and very expensive in phone calls with all the documentation needed to proceed with the operation. Ruined our honeymoon!

the tour is beautiful, the falls are a true wonder of mother nature--a bit scary and intimidating when you look up and know there is no way out but just to go up hill.--- there is no rope to hold onto or bars--- they do a human chain or you can just do it on your own.......the most extreme thing i've done, and if i can do it anyone can.......i believe there should be an age limit--children no younger than 7

The Dunn's River Falls were beautiful. The excursion was worth it; however, everyone had to hold hands to walk up through the falls and that might not be the most comfortable for some people. It didn't take much time so I would recommend doing it. The guides will be looking for tips when you are through and you have to walk through a shop area on your way out where the vendors are SUPER aggressive so just run through it!

Great fun.You get really wet. Bring your own shoes to climb. Rentals are gross. Stay away from the Market at the end. Scary place.

My wife and I were on a cruise on Allure of the sea. We bought the tour from RCI while we were on the ship. It is a one hour drive to the site. Our guide was verry interesting explaining the culture of Jamaica. When we got to Dunn's river falls there was a lot of tourists. There was probably 50 buses already on site. We had another guide who we fallowed during our hiking. It was a lot of fun. The water was hot. It took about 45 minutes to climb the falls. The guide let us play in the falls. My wife is not verry adventurous but she liked it. You need to be somewhat athletic to do the climb. In our groug there was a larger women who had difficulty doing the climb and she quit halfway. There is a second guide who is filming the climb, You can buy the video of your climb for $40. After the climb you can do shopping in the shops.

What an experience! You must climb the Falls at least once in your lifetime. Guides are there to help and keep you safe.

Watch CBS News

Florida woman found dead on cruise ship, Bahamas police say

By Alex Sundby

March 13, 2024 / 7:19 PM EDT / CBS News

A 27-year-old Florida woman traveling to the Bahamas on a cruise ship was found dead in her cabin, police said. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said it was investigating the unidentified woman's death and that an autopsy will be conducted to determine how she died.

Police on the island of Grand Bahama were told Monday the woman was found unresponsive in her cabin on an unidentified cruise line en route to the nation in the West Indies, the agency said in a statement Tuesday.

Medical personnel on the ship performed CPR on the woman, police said. They weren't able to revive her, and she was declared dead.

Officers found a substance suspected of being cocaine in the cabin and arrested an unidentified 32-year-old Florida man on an unspecified charge, police said.

In the Bahamas, 18 killings in January spurred the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Nassau to urge Americans to exercise caution in parts of the country.

"Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets," the embassy said on its website .

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory because of the violence. In response, the Bahamian government said the killings did not reflect the country's safety and announced new initiatives to reduce crime.

"The safety and security of everyone is of paramount importance to us and we are confident that The Bahamas will remain safe and welcoming for millions of visitors to continue to enjoy the magic and beauty of our beautiful islands," the prime minister's office said in a statement .

According to figures released by the country's tourism ministry , over 9.6 million people visited the country last year, an increase from 2022.

Most of those tourists —over 7.9 million people— arrived in the country by sea, an increase from over 5.5 million in 2022, the tourism ministry said.

• Cruise Ship

Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.

More from CBS News

Police ID boy found at bottom of Fort Lauderdale pool

Police ID 4 adults found dead inside SW Miami-Dade home

4 people found dead in Kendale Lakes home in apparent murder-suicide, police say

Death of boy found at bottom of fort lauderdale pool under investigation.

• Cruise Destinations
• Montego-Bay-Cruises

Montego Bay, Jamaica

• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Venezia

* Coming Soon

• Things To Do
• Past Guest Photos

When it comes to cruises to Jamaica, this is a port you won’t want to miss. Prepare to let your hair down and kick back to seductive reggae rhythms on your cruise to Montego Bay. Boasting some of Jamaica’s finest beaches, shopping, restaurants and golf courses, “Mo Bay” (as it’s affectionately known) is a tropical live-wire. Are you ready to immerse yourself in the town’s festive energy? Carnival’s cruises to Montego Bay let you shop, swim, and play in Mo Bay to your heart’s content — and sample Jamaica’s rich culture on excursions into the island’s breathtaking countryside. History lovers can experience the grandeur of old-time mansions and golfers can test their skills on a course with a Caribbean backdrop. Whatever you’re into, we’ve got everybody covered on our cruises to Montego Bay.

• Lounge on the golden sands of a palm-shaded beach. 
• Tour the grand interior of a haunted mansion. 
• Test your skills and perfect your putting on a seaside golf course. 
• Swing to reggae sounds at a barefoot beach bar when you cruise to Jamaica.

Things to do in Montego Bay

Gotta see montego bay.

We have a few ideas for you.

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

TAG & THEY’RE IT!

Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #montegobay — you may see them right here.

latest in US News

'Hit harder': The disturbing notes accused Gilgo killer Rex...

Awkward moment Jill Biden appears to tell Joe not to sit at D-Day...

Hunter Biden's sister-in-law, ex-lover Hallie says she's...

Sen John Fetterman says he's 'not a progressive': 'That label...

Hunter Biden's tale of two guns: Why revolver isn't seen on laptop

Baby-faced teen accused of beating her grandma to death prays in...

Biden claims he's 'known' Russia's Vladimir Putin 'for over 40...

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann nods as twisted 'planning...

Breaking news, jamaica travel warning issued after 65 murders in just four weeks.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

The State Department issued a stark travel warning for another Caribbean nation Tuesday — cautioning that Jamaica has been rocked by 65 murders this month.

The US Embassy in Jamaica upgraded the travel advisory to a Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” which is just one level short of the most severe, which warns Americans against travel altogether.

The crimes have become so pervasive that tourists aren’t even safe in the shelter of their resorts, the embassy said.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the warning stated.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence,” it continued.

“Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”

According to the State Department, Jamaica has reported one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere for several years.

At least 65 people were killed between Jan. 1 and 27 of this year, data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force show.

Shockingly, the high murder rate is down from last year — 81 people were killed in the first month of 2023.

At least 1,393 homicides were reported throughout all of last year, following 1,498 murders in 2022.

Jamaica has not reported fewer than 1,000 murders per year since 2003, data show. The country has a population of 2.8 million.

The travel advisory marks the second the State Department has made against a Caribbean nation in days.

The US Embassy in the Bahamas on Friday put the island on a Level 2 “Exercise increased caution” warning, telling Americans to keep a low profile while visiting and not to fight back if they find themselves the victims of a crime.

While not as severe as Jamaica, the Bahamas was labeled unsafe for tourists amid 18 murders — “primarily” motivated by gang violence — in January alone.

“Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy wrote in a release, also recommending the use of “extreme caution” on the eastern side of the Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Cruise passenger dies after falling over balcony onto lower deck, spokesperson says

A passenger aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise ship died after falling over their balcony shortly after departure, a spokesperson said.

The ship, Valiant Lady, had left Miami on Sunday for Roatan, Honduras, when the incident occurred.

"On Sunday, shortly after departure there was a medical emergency involving one of our passengers," the cruise line company said in an emailed statement. "This passenger went over their balcony onto a lower deck, and despite receiving immediate medical attention, has passed away."

The passenger, who has not been identified, fell onto another person, Insider reported . The spokesperson for Virgin Voyages said in their statement that the second person was not seriously injured.

The spokesperson declined to release further details, saying it wants to protect the privacy of those involved.

The ship returned to Miami early Monday morning but has since resumed its voyage with slight changes to the itinerary.

Virgin Voyages said it was "deeply saddened" by what happened. "Our hearts and thoughts are with this person's loved ones," the statement said.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.