CSS Dunns and Shopping Trips???

**blridgway** · May 2nd, 2012, 09:41 AM

Has anyone done the shopping excursion and if so, thoughts? I realize it's probably a tourist "trap" but I kinda think it would be fun. If I want to grab a few things to bring back home and don't go on the shopping trip do vendors come to CSS at all?

Also, does anyone know for sure what days the cruise ships do not dock? I have heard that Sunday and Wed are the times to do the Falls as there are no ships in port then, true?

**Richli2** · May 3rd, 2012, 10:31 AM

Whatever you buy own the shopping tour you can buy at the airport. Also Sundaya are for sure that no cruise ships are in port and Dunns river is almost empty

**Cigar Dude** · May 3rd, 2012, 02:41 PM

Definitely do the Dunns River Falls on "off days" from the cruise ships. Also, I'd plan on going downtown on those "off days" also. Remember, once the cruise ship docks there will be a couple thousand people decending on Ocho Rios that day!!! The resort can tell you exactly when the ships are in town so that you can avoid going downtown on those days.

**blridgway** · May 3rd, 2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Richli2

Whatever you buy own the shopping tour you can buy at the airport. Also Sundaya are for sure that no cruise ships are in port and Dunns river is almost empty

Thanks! I figured that Sundays might be a good choice as a lot of cruises start or finish on Sundays ... I think we will skip the shopping trip as now I know there are vendors at CSS too,

**Bart and Bug** · May 3rd, 2012, 07:18 PM

If you go on the shopping trip there's a craft market nearby where you can get some really good deals.

**BrendaandBruce.PA** · May 4th, 2012, 12:22 PM

blridgway...Hi Brenda... We were at CSS April 13 to 21. We had friends with us. We really enjoy taking a taxi from Couples into Ocho Rios and spending a few hours going thru the shops. There are 2 shopping centers about 2 blocks from each other that we love, Island Village and Tajmahal. If you are in the market for any jewelry, we have found some really good deals in town. We had the driver drop us at Tajmahal and then walked to Island Village and he picked us up there. Margaritaville is in Island Village if you are interested. My husband is a parrot head and has to get his Buffett t-shirts. The taxi is $25 round trip and we split that with our friends. You don't pay the driver until you return to Couples. If you enjoy shopping at all, it is a fun afternoon. We enjoy a day out and a break from the beach.

**rjammin** · May 4th, 2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by blridgway

Thanks! I figured that Sundays might be a good choice as a lot of cruises start or finish on Sundays ... I think we will skip the shopping trip as now I know there are vendors at CSS too,

We took the shopping trip on our first visit to CSS. We were somewhat disappointed, not with Couples but for where we went. They first took us to a couple of "strip malls" which I don't think are even owned by Jamaicans (at least we didn't see any Jamaicans working at any of them).
Our last stop was to the Island Village shopping center which actually was pretty nice. The only problem was that we were only able to spend about an hour there. we would have liked it if it was the only stop on the shopping trip.
We returned another day on our own via cab (arranged by Couples staff) and stayed as long as we wanted which was great. It's a beautiful layout and Margaritaville is located in here if you partake in the trip from CSS thats offered.
We always end up going there for a few hours when we go to CSS....always by cab so we can leave when we want. The prices are kinda high and I don't think we ever really bought much there but its very tropical and all of the stores are connected via wood decking. There are some great places to grab a bite to eat and a cold one. They have a huge stage there but we never saw anyone on it when we were there. They may have entertainment at night?? If you do go, I would make sure it was on a non-cruise day for sure.
Richli2 is right, the newly remodeled airport is now more of a shopping mall with airplanes and will have any type of souvenir you could want. Island Village is a nice place to check out but if all you are going for are souvenirs, wait til you get to the airport. It's a great way to kill that 2-3 hours before your flight leaves.

**Wally** · May 4th, 2012, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Richli2

Also Sundaya are for sure that no cruise ships are in port and Dunns river is almost empty

This is not true. You need to check the cruise ship schedule:

http://www.cruisett.com/ports.php

**Tallman2nd** · May 5th, 2012, 09:29 AM

Here is a link to a site that gives the Ocho Rios port schedule -- someone had posted this on the MB a few months back. We will be using this to plan our Dunn River Falls trip...

http://cruisett.com/ports.php?PortID=480&date=52

**blridgway** · May 5th, 2012, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Tallman2nd

Here is a link to a site that gives the Ocho Rios port schedule -- someone had posted this on the MB a few months back. We will be using this to plan our Dunn River Falls trip...

http://cruisett.com/ports.php?PortID=480&date=52

Thanks. I will remember that and use it for planning purposes.

**blridgway** · May 5th, 2012, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by rjammin

We took the shopping trip on our first visit to CSS. We were somewhat disappointed, not with Couples but for where we went. They first took us to a couple of "strip malls" which I don't think are even owned by Jamaicans (at least we didn't see any Jamaicans working at any of them).
Our last stop was to the Island Village shopping center which actually was pretty nice. The only problem was that we were only able to spend about an hour there. we would have liked it if it was the only stop on the shopping trip.
We returned another day on our own via cab (arranged by Couples staff) and stayed as long as we wanted which was great. It's a beautiful layout and Margaritaville is located in here if you partake in the trip from CSS thats offered.
We always end up going there for a few hours when we go to CSS....always by cab so we can leave when we want. The prices are kinda high and I don't think we ever really bought much there but its very tropical and all of the stores are connected via wood decking. There are some great places to grab a bite to eat and a cold one. They have a huge stage there but we never saw anyone on it when we were there. They may have entertainment at night?? If you do go, I would make sure it was on a non-cruise day for sure.
Richli2 is right, the newly remodeled airport is now more of a shopping mall with airplanes and will have any type of souvenir you could want. Island Village is a nice place to check out but if all you are going for are souvenirs, wait til you get to the airport. It's a great way to kill that 2-3 hours before your flight leaves.

Wow! Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

**blridgway** · May 5th, 2012, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by BrendaandBruce.PA

blridgway...Hi Brenda... We were at CSS April 13 to 21. We had friends with us. We really enjoy taking a taxi from Couples into Ocho Rios and spending a few hours going thru the shops. There are 2 shopping centers about 2 blocks from each other that we love, Island Village and Tajmahal. If you are in the market for any jewelry, we have found some really good deals in town. We had the driver drop us at Tajmahal and then walked to Island Village and he picked us up there. Margaritaville is in Island Village if you are interested. My husband is a parrot head and has to get his Buffett t-shirts. The taxi is $25 round trip and we split that with our friends. You don't pay the driver until you return to Couples. If you enjoy shopping at all, it is a fun afternoon. We enjoy a day out and a break from the beach.

Thanks Brenda1

Sounds like we might enjoy going to Island Village and shopping, still not sure and our trip is a long way off, lol, just making notes in the CSS folder. We might decide that no one needs souvenirs, lol since it's our anniversary trip!

**KrisJamie** · May 7th, 2012, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by rjammin

We took the shopping trip on our first visit to CSS. We were somewhat disappointed, not with Couples but for where we went. They first took us to a couple of "strip malls" which I don't think are even owned by Jamaicans (at least we didn't see any Jamaicans working at any of them).

I'll never understand this, but I see it posted pretty often. Those folks ARE Jamaicans; they live and work in Jamaica...many have been there their whole lives. Please don't let this misunderstanding sway where you contribute to the economy.

FWIW, Island Village is a virtual ghost town since the Trelawny port opened. The Puma store is great, but many of the jewelry/watch stores are empty.

Taj Mahal and Soni's are keeping a presence.

**kara0610** · May 19th, 2012, 06:17 PM

K, so there are a few shopping excursions posted on the activity schedule, I am not interested in bartering at all, I am just not aggressive enough for that, would one be better than another? I guess what I am asking is, are they all they all high pressure sales, or are you able to just browse freely without people hasseling you? I would like to do at least one of these, and just looking at what would be the best option for me. I really don't have anything particular I would be shopping for, just like to shop!

**keki60** · May 21st, 2012, 09:19 AM

Hassle free shopping in jamaica? I think Island Village is best for that and yes the strips have very few jamaican shops, most seemed to be owned by Pakistani's and Folks from India. I must sa I find the cultures very diverse!!
My question- is there alcohol to be found? My friend is looking for pure white hennesy and I need to buy it in jamaica