Cannot decide what to do about Nassau!!!

[graygables]

I'm more a traveller and less a tourist, so the thought of NOT getting off the ship in Nassau is nagging me! I've been considering taking DDs to the Pirate Museum, but then I look at the map and think, "why not walk around and see some sights, too?", but then I remind myself that we're on the 3 night, so I won't have as much "ship time" if I do that. BUT, if we do decide we like cruising, the next one will most likely be a 7 night, so we'd miss Nassau altogether (though I realize that is a popular option anyway).

So, WWYD? How much time do you think the pirate museum and a few sights walking around would take? I will have a 9yo and 7yo DD along, too, and they are very shy, so I was also concerned about the whole "economic assault by natives" thing. If I don't tell them, they'll never miss it, but *I'll* know.

 

[mott]

If you've never been to Nassau before, then you might consider going ashore. However, we've been there 3 times and last time we did very little - got off and walked to the shops and then came back. This time, we are probably going to stay on the ship. We might hop off to grab a bottle or 2 of rum, but that's probably all. One time we took a really fun boat ride - although I think we enjoyed it because of the band not the boat ride. BTW, I'd consider myself a more of a traveler than a tourist.

 

[jjgarv]

We are leaving on the 10/16 4-day Wonder...Can't wait for some R and R! This will be our 4th Disney cruise. We did a 4-day for our honeymoon, as part of the land/sea thing. On our honeymoon, we went to check out Atlantis...very cool! However, on this trip, I plan to stay on the ship, butt in chair, drink in hand. My DH, on the other hand, really wants to go back to Atlantis, to which I say..."Have fun, honey, and win big in the casino! I'll be here when you get back." This will be our first time on the Wonder, and I want plenty of "ship-time."

Either way, you will LOVE you cruise! Enjoy!

 

[BethC1952]

You don't say how old your DD's are, but Nassau is a foreign country. When we were there with our neice and nephew (Dec. 03), we got off the ship, walked around a while, took them to see some of the government buildings and then got back on the ship. You can do all of that in a little more than an hour, and still have plenty of "ship time". This way, they will have a little experience on the island, plus get to enjoy the ship.

A word of caution--remember that they drive on the opposite side of the street in Nassau. My FIL almost got hit crossing the street there because he didn't realize that traffic would be coming from the other direction!

 

[keef22]

A word of caution--remember that they drive on the opposite side of the street in Nassau. My FIL almost got hit crossing the street there because he didn't realize that traffic would be coming from the other direction!

Beth,

While I'm sure it was a little frightening at the time, you have to admit that that's a little humorous!

Good note to remember, though!

 

[Henlady]

We'll be in Nassau for the first time during our 10/23 4 day cruise. I printed out a "walking tour" from Frommers travel site. It supposedly takes about 2 hours and highlights the historical sites within about a mile or so of the dock area. I thought this would be a good way to see some of the historical sites and soak in a little of the atmosphere of the area and its people. Then we'll probably hop a cab to Atlantis for a couple of hours then do a little shopping at the straw market.

Kris

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

So, WWYD? How much time do you think the pirate museum and a few sights walking around would take? I will have a 9yo and 7yo DD along, too, and they are very shy, so I was also concerned about the whole "economic assault by natives" thing. If I don't tell them, they'll never miss it, but *I'll* know.

My DDs are also very shy and DD5 (at the time) was being asked by every woman we passed if she wanted her hair braided; several even tried to touch her. DD was surprisingly ok and not really nervous or anything. She just stayed very close, but in any locale with that many people she would be holding hands with DH or I anyway.

As for the Pirate Museum, we took our time and walked the Straw Market first; wandered through the tourism-type building filled with other shops/vendors/brochures, but I forget what it's called; then walked over to the Museum; took our time there; even goofed off inside for awhile (we had the place to ourselves pretty much and that just made it even cooler); let the kids explore the gift shop. We had planned on getting lunch at the Pirate Museum Pub, but ended up at the last minute deciding to walk back and get a free lunch on the ship instead. We walked past some of the government buildings on our way back to the ship, but were still back around lunchtime.

We are by far not early risers so I'd guesstimate the entire time spent in Nassau was about 4 hours or so. It's been 2 1/2 years so my brain is a bit fuzzy on times, but I think we left around 10:30 and were back by 2-2:30-ish? I only remember that because it was early May and it was that mid-afternoon heat on the walk back.

I'm sure it could be done even faster if you wish to, but we like to take our time and explore and we were trying to go a bit slower for DD2 (at the time).

 

[xobeachbabe897xo]

I went on the four day cruise and I still would of preferred to stay on the ship and skip Nassau. It was quite boring and it was hot and fustrating and I felt like we missed so much that was going on onboard. Unless you really feel a desire to see it, just skip it.

 

[kaceyisme]

If it is your first time in Nassau, then I would pick one thing that interests you most and do it. We were there in August for our first cruise, and we got off the ship after breakfast and took a cab over to Atlantis and took their tour. It was very hot, but worth the trip. After Atlantis, we went back to the ship for lunch, and were planning to get off to do some shopping, but I really didn't like what I saw on our two cab rides, and didn't want to get off the ship again. We had the best of both worlds, spending some time in the morning at Atlantis, and having lunch and the rest of the day to enjoy the ship.

 

[spotdog]

After 2x in Nassau, I would heed the advice that it is a "foreign country" and accept that customs are different. Bickering and bartering are an expected part of the retail trade. You CAN get a bargain if you play the game. Remember, however, that NO still means NO. Especially when you are still on the dock.

Beware that traffic may not stop for pedestrians and some parts of town are just plain creepy. Keep on walking.

Don't be afraid of going to the straw market, though. It will be a learning experience for children.

 

[aprilgail2]

Don't be afraid of going to the straw market, though. It will be a learning experience for children.

oh its a learning experience alright lol....as we walked in we were asked if we wanted to purchase drugs LOL...I mean I could understand if I was a young person without a child and they tried to hit you up for that thinking they had a chance of you buying....but I had a 3 year old with me for goodness sake and I am old LOL!! I really didn't care for the straw market at all...the people grabbing your arm as you walked by "lady lady come look at this" , the aisles were not wide enough for a stroller to go down most of the time since htey had their goods out in front of their booths and then out side walking past those braiders were a pain in the neck..I should have had a big sign that had a giant NO printed on it for all the times I had to say NO!

UGGG...either go to Atlantis or stay on the ship!

 

[Cinderella]

I had the same dilemma as you and i have decided to take a look round Nassau and do the Pirates museum. I figured that it's another country - i've never been to the bahamas, so it would be silly to go all the way there and look round. Also the pirates museum sounds great - i found a link on the web - don't remember it but think i went to www.bahamas.com then clicked nassau and found the link from there.

 

[kbkids]

oh its a learning experience alright lol....as we walked in we were asked if we wanted to purchase drugs LOL...I mean I could understand if I was a young person without a child and they tried to hit you up for that thinking they had a chance of you buying....but I had a 3 year old with me for goodness sake and I am old LOL!! I really didn't care for the straw market at all...the people grabbing your arm as you walked by "lady lady come look at this" , the aisles were not wide enough for a stroller to go down most of the time since htey had their goods out in front of their booths and then out side walking past those braiders were a pain in the neck..I should have had a big sign that had a giant NO printed on it for all the times I had to say NO!

UGGG...either go to Atlantis or stay on the ship!

I agree!! We walked around for about 30 minutes and headed back to the ship - just so not my thing. My DD looked up at me (she's 7) after about 10 minutes and said, "Mom, what's wrong with these people?" It was really quite cute. Tried to explain the culture thing to her, but I don't think she was very impressed. We've been in the islands before, and I knew what to expect - had tried to warn her - but I don't think she fully understood until she witnessed it. For me, it's definitely a "been there, done that, not going back" kinda thing. I vote for staying on the ship.

Regarding the drug solicitation above, we had a similar experience in Montego Bay awhile back. We were staying at an all-inclusive resort, and they had told us not to leave the property once it got dark. Well, there was this shop right across the street - I mean, I just had to walk a few feet, so DH and I thought it was no big deal. Literally, our feet hit the sidewalk, and there were about 5 people right on top of us trying to sell us drugs. We said no and walked around them, and one of the guys starts yelling at my DH that he's racist. The guards for the resort were standing right there - said nothing to them or us. I looked at DH and said, "I'm not doing this," turned around and went back in the resort. Man, they weren't kidding - the next morning, walked over to the shop with no problems. It was pretty scary!

 

[Sox_Fan]

We went to the Pirate Museum as well and I'm glad we did. It took about 45 minutes to complete the unguided tour. Afterward we grabbed a bite at the Pirate Pub next door.

On our way to the museum, we happened upon a funeral procession from the Anglican church across the street. It looked like the funeral of a VIP because the of the formal uniformed procession, police escort, and journalists on the scene.

On th walk back, we visited a couple of the government buildings. We were off-ship just over 3 hours. I'd definitely do it again.

 

[michelle9343]

I am still so up in the air about getting off the ship at nassau. I do want my 10yr old DS to see it a little but My 7 yr old DD in in a Wheelchair and I have heard it is very hard to get around nassau with a chair. Most likely we will get off in the Am and just walk aound by the pier a little maybe the pirate museum

 

[keef22]

We'll be in Nassau for the first time during our 10/23 4 day cruise. I printed out a "walking tour" from Frommers travel site. It supposedly takes about 2 hours and highlights the historical sites within about a mile or so of the dock area. I thought this would be a good way to see some of the historical sites and soak in a little of the atmosphere of the area and its people.

Hey Kris, can you bring a copy of that tour to the meet on the 23rd for us, too? We have the Atlantis tour scheduled (DS4 loves fish ); but it would be nice to have another option if we get done with that and still want to wander for a while...

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I had the same dilemma as you and i have decided to take a look round Nassau and do the Pirates museum. I figured that it's another country - i've never been to the bahamas, so it would be silly to go all the way there and look round. Also the pirates museum sounds great - i found a link on the web - don't remember it but think i went to www.bahamas.com then clicked nassau and found the link from there.

Here's the link to the Pirate Museum:

Pirates of Nassau

As for the drugs comments. We've only been to Nassau once and were never approached by anyone like this. This can happen even within the US (and does everyday) though. Try riding the subway in New York, or even just walk a couple of blocks in Manhattan at night.

I'm not saying it's acceptable, especially with small children, but from everything I've seen (other than the Mandalay Bay comment), everyone who was propositioned in other threads, etc a firm "no" had them back off. I would suggest you plan for having to deal with (and explain to young kids before or after at your discretion) about the situation, but don't go "expecting it" and avoid getting off in Nassau if there are things that interest you there.

Nassau is certainly not for everyone, just as going to Mexico isn't, or Japan, or anywhere else. Different people want different things out of their vacation. I am just someone who enjoys experiencing different cultures and I enjoy the haggling sometimes.

If/when we ever go back (3-4 day cruises are just so SHORT for me, hehe) to Nassau, I will definately get off the ship and probably do everything I did last time again. My DDs are older and would enjoy different aspects of the Pirate Museum and DD2 (at the time) doesn't even remember it.

 

[Henlady]

Hi Keef22
Sure, I'll bring a couple of copies just in case anyone else would like one too.

We're getting closer to that WONDERful day.

Kris

7 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary Tour - 4 nights on the Wonder and 3 nights at PO-R

 

[flexsmom]

We stayed on the ship on our 4-night a couple of years ago. Loved the near-empty pool and other activities. I only had a slight regret over it, and then last year DH and I had to go to Atlantis for a 4-night business trip. (I know, the horror!) We did a tour around Nassau and after that, I realized that we made the best decision in staying on the trip. The beaches at Nassau are great, but if you're just thinking of checking out the city, not worth it. I just didn't think there was anything worth having lost some of that valuable "ship time" over! Just our opinion, I know.

 

[Peggy Jean]

We were on a 4 day cruise that went to Nassau and I had my 17 y/o sona dn 16 y/o daughter. Yes the native assault is annoying. My daughter was asked way too many times to have her hair braided and we were approached innumerable times about taking a taxi or horse ride. Not fun. My daughter ended up buying her souviner at Hard Rock, my husband and son went back to the ship early. I didn't find Nassau to be anything special, somewhat dirty, and the traffic was way close to the sidewalks. On the upside, my husband, who is a police officer, was able to go to their station and get one of their patches. He said that was a cool experience.