Families and glass bottom boats

[justKim]

I am trying to decide if we should take an excursion on a glass bottom boat at Nassau. We are doing a 3-day Wonder cruise with the two kids (DS 5 and DD 1) and elderly grandparents.

There's nothing that really excites me about Nassau with this group, but I am considering a glass bottom boat excursion. Grandpa loves boats and fishing and I thought that he might enjoy doing this with the kids. I did a search on the boats and read many negative posts, but most of them said that people would be better off snorkeling. Well, snorkeling ain't happening with us! Has any one had a postive experience doing the the glass bottom boats with older or younger family members who can't snorkel or rent bikes or take long walks or go in a cool submarine? (Can you tell that I want to do the submarine?)

Thanks,
Kim

 

[LibertyBelle]

I have done the glass bottom boat, while I agree snorkeling is better it is obviously not for everyone. I enjoyed the glass bottom boat. I did get a little seasick from it (but I am a "big" ship kinda girl...can't do the little fishing boats and that kind of stuff). But the expereince itself was neat. We did get to see quite a bit of undersea life. They made sure of that, they bring food for the fish and bring the boat around to places they know you will be able to see them. I can't say it was my all time favoirte excursion, but I was not disappointed in it.

 

[Jestocost]

We did the glass-bottom boat ride with two kids (6 & 9), since we figured the youngest was too little for much else. It wasn't a spectacular experience, but it was interesting and we enjoyed it. It's also not too expensive, as the excursions go. I will point out that the ramp to access the boat was narrow, steep and lacked good handholds. We saw an older woman who arrived in a wheelchair board and it took quite a bit to get her up the ramp and onto the boat. If the elderly grandparents you're traveling with have trouble getting around, you might want to consider that.

 

[Lynda Silk]

We did the glass bottom boat in Nassauin 2002; DS was 10 and DD 8. It wasn't our most memorable travel experience but we enjoyed it. We're not big snorkellers, and I wanted an excursion that wasn't too expensive and didn't take too long and was kind of "Caribbean". We enjoyed the boat ride out and it was neat seeing the fish. It got us off the ship for a few hours and it was nice being out on the water. We also had lots of time back on the ship and were able to enjoy the pools, etc. without any crowds. I didn't have any trouble with seasickness (and I'm prone to motion sickness) and it was nice and cool on the water.

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[Suzanne033]

Is the glassbottom boat cruise on Castaway Cay better?

 

[crisi]

I'll say what others said.

It was a fine way to spend a few hours with our four and five year old along. We saw fish, took a nice boat ride in lovely weather. It wasn't the most exciting thing and "been there done that" but I can't say I was disappointed.

The "glass bottoms" are in channels in the bottom of the boat. You will need to stand and lift your little ones to see. I'd always pictured sitting in a flat boat with a glass bottom - wasn't like that. As mentioned, the stairs are steep without good rails - and getting down to the "glass bottom" part of the boat wasn't a cake walk either. Its also quite a hike (maybe half a mile) from the ship to the glass bottom boat - and they will expect you to walk it.

We also did the pirate museum and enjoyed that more. Might be worth a stop for your family.