Personally, I don't understand why the cruise lines even go to Jamaica anymore. You'll probably hear horror stories about Jamaica and even the cruise director, in his or her briefing on this port, will warn you to be careful in Ocho Rios.

In my opinion, the only saving grace Jamaica has is it's famous Dunn's River Falls. I strongly recommend a ship sponsored excursion to the falls (Do not make this trip on your own unless you're in a very large group). The locals can be rather unfriendly and downright threatening to individuals or small groups. The ship will provide you with non-slip shoes for walking the falls and safe transportation to and from the location. Other ship sponsored excursions are available and most of these are quite safe for you and your family.

Shop keepers in Jamaica watch you like a hawk and have many employees who follow you around and watch your every move. Don't break anything or the police will be immediately called. In many shops you aren't even allowed to touch merchandise.

On the dock where the ship berths, there are souvenir shops and a liquor store to pick up some Jamaican rum if you like. This is a gated enclosure and you're relatively safe there, but I recommend caution if you venture outside the gate into town. Jamaica is such a beautiful place, it's a pity the locals treat tourists the way they do.