Favorite Nassau Excursion

[keishashadow]

We were thinking of doing Ardastra Gardens. Any feedback?

we booked thru DCL, ardrasta was just coming back from serious storm damage (05); assume it's regrown by now.

i luv flamingos, so picking this tour was a 'no brainer' lol I got to march with them, so ; rest was interesting - think mini zoo.

traffic was terrible, so our guide skipped Fort Fincastle/Queens steps...by bypassing it we got a tour of the hood instead (area on the otherside of the fort, driver said no "sane person" would go back there after dark); educational

 

[Safari Queen]

We LOVED Ardastra Gardens. It's unbelievable how close you get to the animals (watch any kids and their fingers in cages!) and it's really pretty. However, I'd go on my own next time rather than book through DCL. We were rushed at the zoo and didn't really care about the tour.

 

[kgibbler20]

Thank you so much to everyone for your advice. I think we are going to do the DCL tour to Ardastra Gardens and the City Tour. After that we can go back to the ship and get some lunch and then head to Atlantis.

Hey Safari Queen, how long did you get at the zoo?

Thanks again for everyone's advice!!

 

[dannnyjr]

Bump

 

[rahrah]

We were thinking of doing Ardastra Gardens. Any feedback?

The marching flamingos are pretty neat. As a zoo, any small city zoo in the US is better.

 

[momtobradley]

Staying on the ship!

I agree 100%

 

[wallyb]

I'm so torn -
Love Zoos - but I've been to the best ones around the US already.
Like Casinos - but I go to Vegas a bit.
Thought about the Dolphin thing - but I've already done Discovery Cove.
Now... I've never been threatened with a gun - Where is that bank?

 

[disneyloveNY]

Can you go to Atlantis on your own and if so how much do they charge to use the pools. Is there access to the beach?

 

[Disneyholic]

Oh, yeah. And both hotels have a casino.

Do you play using US dollars? How are any winnings paid out?

 

[yellowfish78]

We plan on going horseback riding. It looks like it's only about three hours long. After that, I think we'll just head back to the ship and relax unless DH wants to go shopping...

 

[wallyb]

bump

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

I'm so torn -
Love Zoos - but I've been to the best ones around the US already.
Like Casinos - but I go to Vegas a bit.
Thought about the Dolphin thing - but I've already done Discovery Cove.
Now... I've never been threatened with a gun - Where is that bank?

Hahaha! Thrillseeker, you!!!

 

[LCTsMom]

We walked to the pirate museum ( http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/ ), then hit the Straw Market on the way back. DS15 (at the time) loved the Straw Market. My mom picked up a huge knockoff Lous Vuitton bag at a good price.

(Click the thumbnail for my Pirate Museum pictures)

 

[Corryn]

I agree that Nassau is getting a bad rap. We really enjoyed it and that's the whole part of taking a cruise - being an adventurer and enjoying different Ports Of Call.
One small detail I loved was seeing the residents all dressed up, just for a regular day. I saw more men in nice shirts and slacks, even the ones driving the taxi's, and the women all had shirts/blouses and skirts. I don't recall observing any residents looking shabby, and we drove all around the island.
What a shame it would be for you to stay on the boat while in Nassau.
Disney Cruise Line is not going to pull up into a port where its customers would be put in harms way.

Now, I remember back in the late '80's hearing about real-life horror stories taking place on St. Thomas - assaults, robberies and murders; I think the U.S. Navy even closed up their port on that island because of all the crime committed toward tourists and military personnel. I know people who have gone there on cruises and they tell me that they had a nice time, but that is one place I wouldn't take a chance on. That and Jamaica. I remember watching a news show that reported a story on bikini models who were slaughtered while on their way from a resort to the airport - machine guns straifed their bus and then the perps boarded the bus and did all sorts of things to them. Jamaica was a very tumultuous island, hence the reason behind their advertising campaign "Come Back To Jamaica".

But Nassau? I haven't heard of anything like that.
Remember, you only live once! Have a great time

 

[Deweysgirl]

Do you play using US dollars? How are any winnings paid out?

You play in US dollars and paid out in US dollars. DH picked up about 400.00 clams when we stopped in to Atlantis. Not too shabby for the short time we were there. Atlantis casino is beautiful! Clean, upscale and beautiful art deco surroundings.

 

[Disneyholic]

You play in US dollars and paid out in US dollars. DH picked up about 400.00 clams when we stopped in to Atlantis. Not too shabby for the short time we were there. Atlantis casino is beautiful! Clean, upscale and beautiful art deco surroundings.

Thanks for the answer. We are taking DS on the cruise to celebrate his 21st Birthday and were considering going to a casino. Didn't want to go if we were going to end up with money we couldn't spend after we were done there if we did win. Told him if that was the case we would go to Atlantic City sometime instead.

 

[Miss Poppins]

We walked to the pirate museum ( http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/ ), then hit the Straw Market on the way back. DS15 (at the time) loved the Straw Market. My mom picked up a huge knockoff Lous Vuitton bag at a good price.

(Click the thumbnail for my Pirate Museum pictures)

I didn't think we'd get off the ship in Nassau, but I think my DS9 and DS7 might enjoy this.

Could you tell me a little more about it? Was it worth it?
Thanks

 

[rella's fan]

My 5 year old and I just took a four night cruise to Nassau on Royal Carribean. We had a great time. I booked the dolphin encounter on my own, not through the ship and it was $85 per person, and in my opinion worth every penny. We took a cab for $4 per person to the ferry terminal which is located right at the entrance to Atlantis. The ferry took us to Blue Lagoon (where the dolphin encounter was). We stood on a platform and were waist deep in the water and hugged, kissed, danced with,fed and pet the dolphin. We wandered around a little after, had a snack and then the ferry took us back to the ferry terminal. We checked out some of Atlantis and then took the water taxi back to the ship ($3 per person). The ship was about a 10 minute walk back from where the water taxi dropped us off so as we were walking back we walked right by the Hard Rock so stopped in for a drink and some quesadillas. Would definitely do it again.

 

[Epcot242]

I'm sorry to tag along to this post, what why is everyone saying "stay onboard"? Is Nassau really that bad?

 

[LCTsMom]

I didn't think we'd get off the ship in Nassau, but I think my DS9 and DS7 might enjoy this.

Could you tell me a little more about it? Was it worth it?
Thanks

We really enjoyed it. It was a short walk from the ship. I thought it was really well done for a wax museum. It was on the dark side and full of ambiance. There's a gift shop and pub attached. Out back they had some cut outs where you could stick your heads in for some funny pirate pictures. We had a group of 10 (2 years old to 75) and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We be pirate folk so this was right up our alley!