Disney Dream - Bahamas stop - skip it?

[PAGA2003]

We did the Melia day pass and I would not do it again. You do need transportation to get there as it is too far to walk. We took a taxi there and the public bus back (the stop is right in front of the resort). The resort is ok but the pool area needs to be renovated. The cement areas are broken and cracking. There is also a lot of foliage around the pools so there were many leaves in them until they were cleaned which was late morning. Overall I just found the upkeep and general maintenance of the resort left a lot to be desired. It was also difficult to find seating on the beach but plenty around the pools. Once you factor in transportation costs along with the day pass that only includes access to the pools/beach I think the Hilton would be a much better deal as they include a $40 credit for food/beverages and their pool was just renovated in 2015. We were originally booked at the Hilton but with the pool being renovated during our visit we switched to the Melia.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I didn't realize you had to purchase a pass to literally just walk around and see the resort. They have people/security at entrances asking for wristbands or room keys like it's The White House. The only thing available to non-paying guests is the casino...go figure. Atlantis has the perfect opportunity to showcase their resort to potential future guests.

Just want to address this since I see this criticism occasionally.

Asking Atlantis to let people explore the place to showcase it for potential future guests could be said about theme parks and cruise ships. Atlantis' grounds are full of various amenities and attractions, and they keep them reserved for paying guests. Thousands of cruisers arrive everyday in Nassau, and Atlantis simply could not serve their paying guests while also allowing the non-paying general public to just roam freely. Do you think the Magic Kingdom should let people in to try the place out for free?

On one of my first visits to Atlantis, my wife and I actually went to the port because we wanted a tour of a cruise ship (just like you went to Atlantis hoping to take a look around). It was here we learned that cruise ships don't do that.

Atlantis is part of the Marriott family and I am a member, so naturally I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype but I couldn't really tour anything.

Atlantis is an Autograph Collection hotel, which are generally independently owned and operated. Some of the hotels allow booking through Marriott's reservation system, and you can earn/redeem Marriott points there, but they are not managed by Marriott. This is the case at Atlantis, which is owned by Brookfield Asset Management and managed by the some of the remaining executives who managed the place under the old owner, Kerzner.

 

[czall]

I suppose everyone will have a different perspective. I have been to Nassau dozens of times (I was just there on Monday).

To be bluntly honest, I feel like those people who have grown up in or around a culturally diverse inner city (like myself) are completely fine with spending time in downtown Nassau. On Monday, my family got off the ship, got a cab to the Paradise Island ferry terminal, and did the Blue Lagoon dolphin swim excursion. Yup, there were pushy cabbies vying for our business - didn't make us feel uncomfortable.

When we were finished at BL, we explored downtown a little, including the straw market. Yup, they were pushy, but it was no big deal to ME.

On prior visits, I have jumped on the #10 bus to one of the Cable Beach hotels (cheap fare, quick drive, riding with the locals) and never had an issue.

I grew up in Philly, worked in NYC and spent years taking public transportation (bus and subway). My perspective is probably very different from someone who has spent his/her life in the suburbs, does not take public transportation and whose "downtown" area is populated by people who look and live like they do.

If you want a beach day, there's no reason to avoid the beautiful blue Nassau water and beaches. If you want to buy some jewelry and liquor, by all means get off the ship! If you just want to walk around and browse, it may not be the best town to do that.
And that's all I'm gonna say about that!

Family of four - 2 older children 19 and 17, Their first cruise since they were kids. We are foodies - and being from New York - have no problem navigating taxis etc on our own. Any more advice on getting off ship and doing a beach and some local food. I noticed lots of excursions to blue lagoon etc include food, but it's mostly hamburgers and hot dogs and we don't want that. We want local experiences - that are safe of course.

 

[mevelandry]

Family of four - 2 older children 19 and 17, Their first cruise since they were kids. We are foodies - and being from New York - have no problem navigating taxis etc on our own. Any more advice on getting off ship and doing a beach and some local food. I noticed lots of excursions to blue lagoon etc include food, but it's mostly hamburgers and hot dogs and we don't want that. We want local experiences - that are safe of course.

For foodies, there is always this:

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...u-bahamas-graycliff-restaurant-wine-luncheon/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/nassau-bahamas-graycliff-escape-nassau/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...the-art-of-chocolate-making-and-factory-tour/

 

[czall]

Thanks, I saw those, but I'm looking for a little more off the beaten path stuff. When we sailed to Honduras I had to have the Iguana....

 

[HeatherLassell]

Hi,

First time cruise coming up in October. Very excited!

I've been reading here and other sites, and while I'm sure there are positive experiences, I'm reading a lot of negative related to the Bahamas day. It seems that some places should be completely avoided, beaches close to the ship are hit or miss depending on the day/cleanliness, and the excursions that sound "good" are quite expensive.

I'm leaning to just staying on board, but at the same time, that makes me feel like we're missing something. Would it be strange to do our first cruise and the only time we get off the ship is at CC? Is it as bad as it sounds? Should I just suck it up and pick an excursion that sounds fun and go for it?

I know everyone has to form their own opinions, but some of the sites I'm reviewing almost make the Bahamas stop sound a bit "scary"?

It all depends on your personal level of comfort. I love to travel and I'm going to experience every port. I understand that a firm "no thank you" and keep walking will deter most street vendors. I have been to Nassau twice. Loved both visits. We walked to Starbucks and got a drink and bought a Nassau, Bahamas mug for my collection. We visited many shops. Took pictures with all the fun pirate statues that seem to be everywhere in the Caribbean! Had an awesome lunch (and used the free wifi!) at Sharkeez both times. Yes people constantly call out "Ma'am" but I simply say no thank you and keep walking. Not once did I feel unsafe (we stayed in a 6 block radius of the port) nor did anyone follow us. You just have to be aware. Like you would visiting New York or any other large city. I keep my money & cards in a RFID blocking wallet inside my purse which is worn in front of me. Nothing in my pockets. I say go and enjoy yourself! You can always go back to the ship at any time if you're not enjoying Nassau.

 

[hanscarlet]

We really enjoyed the British Colonial Day Pass. We found it was cheaper to purchase online than in the hotel, and kids 5 and under are free so our cost for the day pass was about $140 IIRC and we could get lunch and drinks with our food and beverage credits so we only spent an additional $20 on top of that for tip and stuff and we ate and drank all day. There is a McDonald's across the street so we were able to get the kids lunch since they really didn't like the menu options. McDs isn't allowed on the beach so you have to carry it in a bag back with you into the resort and have cash on you because their credit card machines are slow. Service at the hotel is slow in general but you just get used to it.

The horses at the port did depress me, they are skinny and the conditions looked crappy. The port is hectic but once you get away from it a bit and just walk on the streets, it's fine. We preferred Hilton over Melia because we just wanted to walk instead of take a cab.

 

[Belle-adonna]

While Nassau is not my favorite island I wouldn't pass up a chance to at least say you gave it a chance. I enjoyed the straw market and sure the vendors can be pushy but I found a firm "no thank you" for the most part worked and they moved on to the next person. I would be wary of renting scooters or at least make sure it's a reputable company as the company we used tried to charge us extra money on the spot claiming we "dumped the bike" we did no such thing. In fact a piece of the bike was given to us damaged and cut one of us during the ride! Thankfully we won that battle. If I went there again....I'd stay on the ship, but I can at least say I have visited the island

 

[simpleohio]

Is Palo open on that day?? Perfect day to do brunch if it was.

When we stop I just hope they have good movies on funnel vision that day. Ha. I am staying on the boat.

 

[LSUfan4444]

We got off the ship VERY early (like some of the very first few let off) and got back on right around lunch to enjoy the ship. If I could do it all over again I would stay on the ship until AFTER lunch, enjoy the ship in the morning then head into port form like 2-4:30 or so. Alot of people get off and realize how much they don't like Nassau then get back.

 

[ghtx]

Is Palo open on that day?? Perfect day to do brunch if it was.

When we stop I just hope they have good movies on funnel vision that day. Ha. I am staying on the boat.

Yes, they have recently started offering Palo brunch on Nassau days. We will be eating at Palo next week during our Nassau day!

 

[volfan1978]

Wife and I did Atlantis day pass on our first cruise...was not worth the money in my opinion. Glad we got off the ship since it was our first time in Nassau, but I expected Atlantis's beach to be private and luxurious--my expectations were not met on either count.

We stayed on the boat for the second cruise (with kids this time)--not because we had any safety concerns or anything, just because we thought we'd have more fun staying on board.

This fall we're taking the kids back, and this time we're getting off to do the Graycliff chocolate excursion.

 

[RedSox68]

While Nassau is not my favorite island I wouldn't pass up a chance to at least say you gave it a chance. I enjoyed the straw market and sure the vendors can be pushy but I found a firm "no thank you" for the most part worked and they moved on to the next person. I would be wary of renting scooters or at least make sure it's a reputable company as the company we used tried to charge us extra money on the spot claiming we "dumped the bike" we did no such thing. In fact a piece of the bike was given to us damaged and cut one of us during the ride! Thankfully we won that battle. If I went there again....I'd stay on the ship, but I can at least say I have visited the island

I agree -- I never pass up the opportunity to get off in a port to see what it offers. Whether you end up liking it or not, you paid the port fees and it is another chance to see another part of the world.

We have been to Nassau three times: First time did the island tour excursion which was wonderful -- taken to the rich side of the island and saw all the mansions, etc. Second time my daughter and husband did the Pirate Museum and said it was incredible. This last time we did the Disney excurion to Atlantis which included the transportation, aquarium tickets, a tour of the hotel and free time later to walk the grounds. We loved that one.

 

[RebelHawk]

First time we did an itinerary with Nassau we got off to go on the Stuart Cove scuba dive. 2nd trip we walked off the pier and into town about two blocks and went back to the ship. On our last trip to Nassau we didn't get off the ship and just relaxed and enjoyed a slight quieter day on board. We did have the entire concierge sun deck and hot tub to ourselves for hours.

 

[OKW Lover]

As much as I don't care for Nassau, I advise everyone to get off at least the first time they are in any port. I mean, you're traveling the world to see the world, right?

If you're concerned about safety, I'd suggest some sort of short city tour arranged through the cruise line for the first time. But, if you find an excursion that really excites you, go for it.

Excellent recommendation by @PrincessShmoo (of course).

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Thanks, I saw those, but I'm looking for a little more off the beaten path stuff. When we sailed to Honduras I had to have the Iguana....

Not off the beaten path, but I think this is what you are looking for: The Fish Fry.

Some things to consider about Nassau: its a small island and is very American. There's no agriculture on the island due to size and geology, so anything authentic come from the ocean. The Fish Fry has a mix of burger and fry places and some that will make really fresh seafood, which pretty much what defines authentic Bahamian food.

 

[czall]

Not off the beaten path, but I think this is what you are looking for: The Fish Fry.

Some things to consider about Nassau: its a small island and is very American. There's no agriculture on the island due to size and geology, so anything authentic come from the ocean. The Fish Fry has a mix of burger and fry places and some that will make really fresh seafood, which pretty much what defines authentic Bahamian food.

Yes, that's more what I was looking for, a place for conch fritters, etc. Thanks! If you think of anything else, place to shop etc.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

place to shop etc.

We usually buy souvenirs from the people selling stuff from the little huts on the beach. I assume the beach by the port (Junkanoo) has them.

All that being said, you don't really venture off the beaten path in Nassau...kinda like how you you don't go to bad parts of NYC just to check them out. Nassau has a crime problem like NY, Baltimore, and Chicago have a problem. The crime is generally in impoverished areas of the city that you/tourists don't venture into voluntarily.

 

[ExCMbeau]

My wife and I have been to the Bahamas. Sandals Royal Bohemian and Atlantis. We have decided to stay on the ship with our girls that are 8 and 6 years old and not get off when we dock. With a double dip at CC and so much to do on the ship there is nothing for us to do off the ship that is worth the expense. When the kids are older then maybe.

 

[RedSox68]

Is Nassau where the DCL passengers taking a Segway tour were mugged many years ago?