Port Adventure Advice for Nassau

[bfc2406]

Hi

In March we are taking our 6 year old little girl and our 5 month old baby on the four night cruise to Castaway Cay, via Nassau. Has anyone got any advice on best trips etc. We really would love to go to Atlantis if possible but again just not sure what would be suitable with baby in tow?
Any advice or tips appreciated!
J

 

[dpuck1998]

My best advice, stay on the ship.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with Don that staying on board the ship in Nassau is a good option. Especially with a youngster in tow. You'll get plenty of beach time during your Castaway Cay stop. If you stay on board you can enjoy the pools and the Aquaduck (assuming you're on the Dream) with very few people around.

 

[bfc2406]

Cheers for that. When we last sailed on the Magic around the med we stayed onboard and yes it was great, quiet and fairly empty. My only thought is that I've always wanted to see Atlantis. Would a visit there be worth the extra hard work with baby? Is Atlantis as incredible as it looks?
Thanks in advance

 

[carmiedog]

I definitely wouldn't do Atlantis with a baby. We took my 7year old and all she wanted to do was swim in one of the pools. We could have done that on the ship and saved a lot of money. I wasn't really all that impressed with Atlantis. Next time we will spend money on a Disney water park instead.

 

[misslissa]

Last year, we stayed at Atlantis with our 5 month old baby. All he wanted to 'do' was sleep and bobbed around the pools a few times. We went through the aquarium several times too. We had a blast! I don't think I would pay to go there and use the facilities only for the day, but if you want to go for a long walk/day out, I wouldn't discourage you from it. However, your older one would probably not enjoy the walking around and not swimming.

We only left Atlantis once during our trip and found it to be a longer day just even to walk around Nassau and it was very hot. We took a cab each way, which was (I think) $10 one way, and $15 back. I wouldn't take your little one on the little boats they have going - I wouldn't personally be comfortable with it. Although when we were childless, we did it.

Keep in mind too, Atlantis does have quite a few stairs, so you'll have to have a plan for the stroller. That is all I can think of right now, but let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[misslissa]

Oh, and to properly answer your question - if you are willing to spend the $$$ to 'just swim' at Atlantis, go for it. It is the same as any other day at any other water park though really.

 

[bfc2406]

Thanks so much, your advice is much appreciated.
With re taking a 5 month old to Castaway Cay, do you have any advice/suggestions from experience?

 

[luvdmouse]

We too are on the Dream in March on a 4 day but we have teens. Last year we did the Atlantis and it was a fabulous day. Our teens loved it but we can't afford to spend that much again this year. We were told to try the Blue Lagoon beach day. Much less expensive...looks beautiful and relaxing. If you want a beach kind of day, this might fit what you are looking for.

 

[shburks]

I am sailing with DS (8) on Dream and we're planning to stay on ship and enjoy the ship a little quieter...ride Aquaduck, do some things together, leisurely breakfast, swim, watch a movie, etc

 

[kcashner]

My best advice, stay on the ship.

Agree totally. When DCL first launched the Magic, they worked with the Bahamian officials to clean up the port area, restrict the hair braiders and others who will try to touch your children, etc. For a while, this was successful. However, I was shocked on our 2009 cruise to find that much of the work DCL had been a part of had somehow evaporated--there were lots of women reaching out and trying to touch my daughter as we walked just outside of the port area. It was dirty, and frankly didn't feel very safe.

We don't choose cruises that go to Nassau normally, but when that is what works in our schedule, we enjoy the ship on that day. DCL has fulfilled its need to dock in the country where it is flagged, we have contributed to their local economy with our port tax, and we enjoyed a safe, clean day.

 

[KBT35]

When your eldest is about 2 years older I would say definitely do Atlantis when/if you get there again! We personally LOVED it and we do water parks often over the summer! This is in our opinion so much more! Our favorite was the not so lazy river & the beach. We also really enjoyed the slides too! WE will be returning again in May but I haven't decided yet if we will do Atlantis again, this time we may just stay on the ship or just do a beach day! We found that on our 1st 4 day cruise we didn't see nearly as much of the ship as we wanted hence our return this summer!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Agree totally. When DCL first launched the Magic, they worked with the Bahamian officials to clean up the port area, restrict the hair braiders and others who will try to touch your children, etc. For a while, this was successful. However, I was shocked on our 2009 cruise to find that much of the work DCL had been a part of had somehow evaporated--there were lots of women reaching out and trying to touch my daughter as we walked just outside of the port area. It was dirty, and frankly didn't feel very safe.

We don't choose cruises that go to Nassau normally, but when that is what works in our schedule, we enjoy the ship on that day. DCL has fulfilled its need to dock in the country where it is flagged, we have contributed to their local economy with our port tax, and we enjoyed a safe, clean day.

We went in May of 09 and experienced none of that. While Nassau was not exciting, we never felt unsafe and no one was aggressive in any way.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Agree totally. When DCL first launched the Magic, they worked with the Bahamian officials to clean up the port area, restrict the hair braiders and others who will try to touch your children, etc. For a while, this was successful. However, I was shocked on our 2009 cruise to find that much of the work DCL had been a part of had somehow evaporated--there were lots of women reaching out and trying to touch my daughter as we walked just outside of the port area. It was dirty, and frankly didn't feel very safe.

We don't choose cruises that go to Nassau normally, but when that is what works in our schedule, we enjoy the ship on that day. DCL has fulfilled its need to dock in the country where it is flagged, we have contributed to their local economy with our port tax, and we enjoyed a safe, clean day.

Agreed. On our 2010 Bahamas cruise I felt less safe then at ports during my 2 Mexican Riviera cruises. I had one lady grab my daughter's arm roughly and try to pull us to her hair braiding area. We got out of it easily enough but my DD was upset and it left a bad taste in my mouth for the port.

 

[misslissa]

Been to Nassau a few times now in the last few years, most recently last year. As I mentioned earlier, we had our 5 month old. We have never, ever felt unsafe there at all. The Bahamian women definitely said 'Hello' to my baby, commented on how cute he was, fawned over him, but never was anyone aggressive or threatening to anyone in our party.

In the Straw Market, they are trying to sell. If you are worried about being 'harassed', I'd avoid it. I loved it. But, if being approached by anyone worries you, don't go there. You will be talked to, but I find them friendly!

When we go again, in less than a month, we will be probably strolling the streets, may take a cab to the Fish Fry, and if we are in a beach mood, we will walk next door to the port to the Hilton where you can use their beach with a day pass.

Last of all, we haven't been to Castaway Cay with child... but we have been without child and also to the beach with him. We plan on bringing a floaty toy for him (one that is inflatable), lots of sunscreen and a head to toe outfit for sun protection, lots of drinks and a good attitude. We tried to bring a 50 SPF beach umbrella with us, but it got lost by the airline. We did find a protective sun net made by Jolly Jumper that is pretty cool to bring and we've used it on a few trips now.

Traveling with a baby just requires patience and planning more than anything. Run through your day and pack all of that along with anything you'll need for the sun You'll have a great time!

 

[bfc2406]

Been to Nassau a few times now in the last few years, most recently last year. As I mentioned earlier, we had our 5 month old. We have never, ever felt unsafe there at all. The Bahamian women definitely said 'Hello' to my baby, commented on how cute he was, fawned over him, but never was anyone aggressive or threatening to anyone in our party.

In the Straw Market, they are trying to sell. If you are worried about being 'harassed', I'd avoid it. I loved it. But, if being approached by anyone worries you, don't go there. You will be talked to, but I find them friendly!

When we go again, in less than a month, we will be probably strolling the streets, may take a cab to the Fish Fry, and if we are in a beach mood, we will walk next door to the port to the Hilton where you can use their beach with a day pass.

Last of all, we haven't been to Castaway Cay with child... but we have been without child and also to the beach with him. We plan on bringing a floaty toy for him (one that is inflatable), lots of sunscreen and a head to toe outfit for sun protection, lots of drinks and a good attitude. We tried to bring a 50 SPF beach umbrella with us, but it got lost by the airline. We did find a protective sun net made by Jolly Jumper that is pretty cool to bring and we've used it on a few trips now.

Traveling with a baby just requires patience and planning more than anything. Run through your day and pack all of that along with anything you'll need for the sun You'll have a great time!

Thank you for your helpful reply. I better get planning, although at least it's exciting planning! Thanks again.

 

[misslissa]

Thank you for your helpful reply. I better get planning, although at least it's exciting planning! Thanks again.

Sometimes I think I like the planning more!

 

[erinsmom03]

I've never done this, but plan to on our April 2014 cruise. I learned about it here on the DISBoards of course!

If you rent a room at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, you can use all the facilities at the Atlantis (I've confirmed this on the hotel's website), and they are adjacent to one another. Then, you can have a place to take the baby for a nap, and DD (and you!) can enjoy the aquarium, pools and beach. I've read that it is cheaper then paying the excursion price from DCL for Atlantis. If you really would like to go to Atlantis, this seems like a good family friendly option. I'm sure if you search DIS you can find more info on this easily!

 

[jmarsh]

I've never done this, but plan to on our April 2014 cruise. I learned about it here on the DISBoards of course!

If you rent a room at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, you can use all the facilities at the Atlantis (I've confirmed this on the hotel's website), and they are adjacent to one another. Then, you can have a place to take the baby for a nap, and DD (and you!) can enjoy the aquarium, pools and beach. I've read that it is cheaper then paying the excursion price from DCL for Atlantis. If you really would like to go to Atlantis, this seems like a good family friendly option. I'm sure if you search DIS you can find more info on this easily!

I am thinking of doing the same thing through Comfort Suites Paradise Island but I think it will be cheaper to go through Disney for us because it will just be my daughter and I. If I had 2 other people it would be cheaper. Still trying to decide if it is worth is for us...

 

[bfc2406]

That's great thanks guys. The Comfort Suites option is certainly a great option when you look at the costs for Disney excursions from the ship. Will look further into it. What is the distance from port to the hotel? Are taxi's easy to find once off the ship?