Bay Street/Straw Market Nassau

[sammysmom]

We are taking our first cruise in September and I am interested in checking out this area when we stop in Nassau. Is it a far walk from the ship? What can I all expect? Thank you to all you cruise experts

 

[dcassetta]

Bay street is the major shopping street in downtown Nassau and is about a block away from where the ship ports. You'll find a variety of tourist oriented shops there featuring jewelry, duty free goods, and items like T-shirts. As you leave the ship, you'll find the straw market to your right hand side. In my impression the straw market is not what it once was. Fewer local and handmade goods, and many more mass-produced imports from Mexico and China. That's not to say that you can't find some nice deals there, but times have changed.

 

[mevelandry]

In total honesty I would say: On your way, expect pushy vendors, bad drivers, very skinny horses, bars on doors and windows and run down buildings (hurricanes never help). I went downtown for a very short time twice (once to buy rum cakes and the other when returning from an excursion to Blue Lagoon) and it was a kind of a shock on both times. I was definitely out of my comfort zone.

It can also very humid when you get off the ship and are surrounded by the buildings.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Bay street is the major shopping street in downtown Nassau and is about a block away from where the ship ports. You'll find a variety of tourist oriented shops there featuring jewelry, duty free goods, and items like T-shirts. As you leave the ship, you'll find the straw market to your right hand side. In my impression the straw market is not what it once was. Fewer local and handmade goods, and many more mass-produced imports from Mexico and China. That's not to say that you can't find some nice deals there, but times have changed.

Are there souvenir places to purchase t shirts that are not in the straw market?

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, there are other t-shirt places nearby.