u/Big_Survey_9460

Need advice: Blue Hole excursion in Jamaica from a cruise - Should I go or skip?

Hi everyone, I’m going on a Royal Caribbean cruise (Allure of the Seas) in mid-May with my boyfriend and his family, and I’m really torn about whether to do the Blue Hole excursion in Falmouth, Jamaica with them.

I already purchased the excursion and It looks incredible and I feel like I might regret not going, but I’ve also been getting pretty anxious about some specific things:

• The excursion is over 7 hours long with ~1.5–2 hour drive each way on winding mountain roads (I’m nervous about the road conditions and transport safety)
• The activity involves walking/climbing on wet, slippery rocks near waterfalls, which makes me worried about slipping or getting injured
• I’m not a huge risk-taker, so I wouldn’t do the cliff jumps, but I’m still a bit nervous about being around deep water and currents even with a life jacket and being a strong swimmer.
• I’ve read about freshwater-related risks (like bacteria or leptospirosis), especially after rainfall, and it’s making me second guess getting in the water at all
• Mosquito exposure in that kind of jungle environment (I know diseases like dengue/Zika exist there, even if risk is low). I've read that the mosquitos are completely unbearable and more common in jungle areas.
• Just general safety concerns since it’s not a controlled resort-type environment

I have also read about people saying that it was terrifying when they jumped off the cliff because the falls pushed them down and they felt that they were almost going to drown.

At the same time, if I don’t go:

• My boyfriend and his entire family will still go
• I don’t feel comfortable doing a separate excursion alone or even getting off the ship alone in Jamaica as a young women.
• I’d likely just stay in the cruise port area by myself, which I’m also not super excited about

So I feel stuck between:

1. Going and potentially being anxious the whole time
2. Not going and feeling left out / wishing I had just done it

For context: I’m generally cautious and don’t love high-adrenaline activities, but I also don’t want to let anxiety make me miss out on something really unique.

Also, we did book through the cruise which I know is usually safer than doing it outside of the cruise.

Has anyone done the Blue Hole excursion near Ocho Rios? How intense did it actually feel, and did you feel safe?

Would you go in my situation?

Thanks so much in advance!

Need advice: Blue Hole excursion in Jamaica from a cruise - Should I go or skip?

Hi everyone, I’m going on a Royal Caribbean cruise (Allure of the Seas) in mid-May with my boyfriend and his family, and I’m really torn about whether to do the Blue Hole excursion in Falmouth, Jamaica with them.

I already purchased the excursion and It looks incredible and I feel like I might regret not going, but I’ve also been getting pretty anxious about some specific things:

• The excursion is over 7 hours long with ~1.5–2 hour drive each way on winding mountain roads (I’m nervous about the road conditions and transport safety)
• The activity involves walking/climbing on wet, slippery rocks near waterfalls, which makes me worried about slipping or getting injured
• I’m not a huge risk-taker, so I wouldn’t do the cliff jumps, but I’m still a bit nervous about being around deep water and currents even with a life jacket and being a strong swimmer.
• I’ve read about freshwater-related risks (like bacteria or leptospirosis), especially after rainfall, and it’s making me second guess getting in the water at all
• Mosquito exposure in that kind of jungle environment (I know diseases like dengue/Zika exist there, even if risk is low). I've read that the mosquitos are completely unbearable and more common in jungle areas.
• Just general safety concerns since it’s not a controlled resort-type environment

I have also read about people saying that it was terrifying when they jumped off the cliff because the falls pushed them down and they felt that they were almost going to drown.

At the same time, if I don’t go:

• My boyfriend and his entire family will still go
• I don’t feel comfortable doing a separate excursion alone or even getting off the ship alone in Jamaica as a young women.
• I’d likely just stay in the cruise port area by myself, which I’m also not super excited about

So I feel stuck between:

1. Going and potentially being anxious the whole time
2. Not going and feeling left out / wishing I had just done it

For context: I’m generally cautious and don’t love high-adrenaline activities, but I also don’t want to let anxiety make me miss out on something really unique.

Also, we did book through the cruise which I know is usually safer than doing it outside of the cruise.

Has anyone done the Blue Hole excursion near Ocho Rios? How intense did it actually feel, and did you feel safe?

Would you go in my situation?

Thanks so much in advance!