Filthy Nassau

[babsnabbs]

You know, I have been reading a lot of threads in preparation of my first cruise and I have yet to read one nice comment about Nassau. All complaints or disappointing reviews. Most posters say they'd stay on the ship on subsequent cruises. Perhaps DCL should consider a different port for the Wonder.

 

[webray]

We loved Nassau..we found the people charming, the food delicious and the shopping a blast. We only wished we would have had more time to spend!

 

[Otimon]

We, too, enjoyed visiting Nassau. You can't expect it will be like what you are used to back home. Different world!

We always took the taxi (from the end of the pier) to Paradise Island and spent the morning at Atlantis Resort. Back to the ship for lunch. Off again in the afternoon to wander around the town area and shops near the dock.

Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful time.

 

[aprilgail2]

We loved Nassau..we found the people charming, the food delicious and the shopping a blast. We only wished we would have had more time to spend!

I hated Nassau-I thought the people were the pushiest I have ever encountered (and I am from NY!!)...they repeatly tried to sell everything from hair braiding to drugs!! I did not feel comfortable there at all. If I ever HAD to go to Nassau I would go to Atlantis and that is it....its clean over there!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I agree with aprilgail2. My DH and I went on a cruise that stopped in Nassau and we got off. We were bombarded by young kids begging, pushy people wanting to braid my hair, etc. I was not about to take my kids off we went on our DCL vacation in 2003!
I hear Atlantis is nice and I was tempted but we don't have plans for another cruise that stops at Nassau.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I don't think Nassau would have been that bad if the people weren't so pushy. The DH hubby and I were a little apprehensive about venturing out , but we finally decided that we should go in case we didn't ever get to come back. Yes, there are a lot of people who try and sell you things, and you'll get asked a million times if you want to have your hair braided, but I found that if you're nice about it and just say, "No thank you", they'll leave you alone. I think it makes them worse when you just ignore them.

 

[dbond]

It's a typical poor Bahamian location. The people there have known nothing but tourism & the drug business their whole lives. It has a flavor all its own and if you go there knowing that and enjoy the experience, it's eye-opening and worth the stop, once or maybe twice. I think the transition from the main island to Paradise island is fascinating. There are some very nice resorts and private homes across that bridge. The main island is where all the locals live and there is a drastic difference between the two. I think they try really hard to be what they think tourists want, they just miss the mark and overdo it a bit. Personally, I thought the vendors in the shopping area in St. Maarten were pushier and more obnoxious than Nassau.

 

[jrabbit]

I'll emphasize what a prior poster said - If you have an idea of what to expect it won't be so shocking. I didn't have a clue and thought that I had stepped off into a third world country (which in reality I didn't) and I was totally overwelmed.

No, I don't think that I will be going back to Nassau, but if I do, I'll be prepared IF I step off of the ship.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Hey, we were lucky we got ripped off a few bucks and not killed while on Nassau. If we ever cruise there again, we'll stay on ship. Atlantis is nice as long as you don't get approached by a guy who pretends he works for the hotel, takes you on a joy ride, demands you buy his stolen wristbands and dumps you and your family off at some service entrance.

 

[inkkognito]

After 41 cruises, we have learned that it's best to pretend that Nassau is a day at sea. But if you have never been there, at least get off and have a look around. Or if you want to avoid the pushiness, go on a Disney-sponsored excursion. The people are very pushy, but nothing like the ones we encountered on Labadee, which is RCCL's supposedly "private" island. It is not private, and the people there wanted money to let you sit in the cruise line's own lounge chairs on the beach! I was blocked by a woman who didn't want to let me out of the restroom until I gave her a tip for handing me a paper towel. And in the marketplace, the people literally grab you. No one in Nassau has ever put their hands on me. You will see people selling drugs, and there are many rip offs (just ask my husband about his jet ski experience), but it's something to see if you never have before.
Barb

 

[rejobako]

Hey, you're going on a cruise, right? And part of the pleasure of cruising is going somewhere different than what you're used to, IMO. Bahamanians are an interesting people, and Nassau is a fascinating, fun place if you don't get off the ship expecting to be in Disney World. If you don't care for the haggling, then by all means stay the heck away from the straw market and head for the shops just west of there on the main drag, where you'll encounter more of what you're used to.

And if you have the time, by all means head over to Paradise Island and check out the Atlantis; in my opinion, however, you'll be missing a unique experience if you don't take a walk off-site and have a grouper sandwich at the Green Parrot under the bridge, where you can wander down the docks and see the charters come in with their fresh catches, or stop at the News Cafe and meet some expatriots over an egg/cheese croissant and excellent coffee . . .

Go with the flow and relax, and what you first perceive as "filthy Nassau" might start resembling something fun and funky.

 

[KAR3600]

We were unpleasantly surprised by Nassau. We took a cab to Atlantis to gamble for a little while, as soon as he started driving all these bugs came out of his dash board. IT WAS SO GROSS!!, i wanted to jump out He was blaming all tourists saying how dirty "they" are. I couldn't believe it. Some guy on the street asked my nephew to buy some "pot", alot of drunks walking around. If you are interested in buying any jewlery, my advice...Buy it here, or on the ship not in Nassau.

 

[rejobako]

Hey, we were lucky we got ripped off a few bucks and not killed while on Nassau. If we ever cruise there again, we'll stay on ship. Atlantis is nice as long as you don't get approached by a guy who pretends he works for the hotel, takes you on a joy ride, demands you buy his stolen wristbands and dumps you and your family off at some service entrance.

Yikes. I sympathize. Definitely, if you're going to go to the Atlantis, go to the designated taxi stand as you walk off the ship and make sure they quote you the full fare before you get in. Last time we went, I think the fare was $10 U.S. per person. And unless you're really confident in yourself, I would not recommend being adventurous by accepting an offer to go see "the real Bahamas" unless you're certain of the person's credentials.

 

[Philadisney]

i really disliked nassau. if i were to go again, i would do the excursion (we did go snorkling there which was great) and atlantis and then back on the ship.

 

[inkkognito]

I just remembered something fun to do if you want to explore Nassau on your own. Walk over to the tourism bureau, which is within walking distance of the ship. They have tons of brochures with things to do. We did that once and found a horseback riding stable. The bureau let us use their phone to call and make an appointment. The stable picked us up (although being on Bahamian time, they were nearly an hour late!). We had a great ride, and the driver was also our trail guide. He gave us a little tour on the way out and back to the barn, which was on the other side of the island. He also had some great stories about his father, who was an entertainer on cruise ships.
Barb

 

[Rence]

I found the pushiest folks to be right at the pier, once we got into town and wandered around, it wasn't so bad. Just remember that commerce there is a little more agressive and haggle oriented. It's not like shopping at your local super store.

The one thing that I had been warned about is the number of kids (teens) who will 'greet' you and 'give' you a handmade bracelet. Once they put it on you, they will demand some money for it. Of course they made it seem like a gift initially. It’s a minor scam. I’m just insistent and keep walking. We got a few nasty remarks thrown are way for passing on the ‘gift’.

Once we got past the pier urchins the rest of Nassau wasn’t so bad and kind of enjoyable to wander around a bit.

 

[Tonyspad]

I Hate Nassua .

 

[faireygod mother]

We did the Ardasta garden and city tour last week and really enjoyed it. We were approached with people wanting to braid our hair. We politely and firmaly said no thank you and were left alone. Our tour guide did tell us the tourism is their #1 income and banking is #2. It is no wonder that they continue to approach people. It is their livelyhood and a way of life for them. If this bothers you do not go to Korea.

 

[tchoney]

You know, I have been reading a lot of threads in preparation of my first cruise and I have yet to read one nice comment about Nassau. All complaints or disappointing reviews. Most posters say they'd stay on the ship on subsequent cruises. Perhaps DCL should consider a different port for the Wonder.

We too, hated Nassau. I found that a lot of people that say they enjoyed Nassau didn't actually go into Nassau, culturally; but instead, visited Paradise Island. Paradise Island is a really nice tourist attraction, but completly opposite of the Town of Nassau.

My family decided to use Nassau as a "cultural" experience and took a horse and buggy tour through the "meat" of the town. That was interesting to learn about. Unfortunately, afterwards, we walked around town where we witnessed a man urinating on the sidewalk. We went through shops and into the infamous Straw Market, where we witnessed drugs being used, drug paraphanalia being sold, the prominence of AIDS signs everywhere, we were asked to purchase some drugs, there was trash, actual garbage along the sidewalks and it really stunk. My family of 7 including 3 young boys at the time, got exactly what we went for a cultural experience.

If you are looking for a wonderful vacation spot, stay on the ship or go straight to paradise island, otherwise, you may be extremely disappointed.

 

[rejobako]

Unfortunately, afterwards, we walked around town where we witnessed a man urinating on the sidewalk. We went through shops and into the infamous Straw Market, where we witnessed drugs being used, drug paraphanalia being sold, the prominence of AIDS signs everywhere, we were asked to purchase some drugs, there was trash, actual garbage along the sidewalks and it really stunk. My family of 7 including 3 young boys at the time, got exactly what we went for a cultural experience.

In defense of Nassau, I would point out that in many countries around the world, urinating on the sidewalk is as common as spitting, and doesn't earn a second glance. The AIDS signs are actually evidence that the Bahamanians are concerned with educating their public; unlike we Americans, the typical islander doesn't have a television or a regular family doctor, and a sign in the Straw Market is probably as effective a deterrent as anything. In any case, I don't share your implication that such a notice should be viewed as offensive in any way. As for the public sale of drugs, that's certainly unfortunate, although that occurs in almost any heavy tourist destination; I've been offered the same kinds of unsolicited transactions everywhere from Paris to Ocho Rios to Las Vegas to Chicago. Finally, we're very lucky to be Americans, because our standard of living is such that piles of garbage on city streets seems out of place. That is not the case everywhere, and I would suggest that you'd be hardpressed to find a cruise ship destination anywhere in the Carribbean that isn't faced with the same challenges.

Look past that stuff and you're in a bustling Carribbean city with tons of quirky characters, beautiful weather, interesting food, and a history that includes influences from a dozen different countries and cultures. IMO, a Disney cruise to Nassau is close to a perfect vacation, because most of the time you're surrounded with the homogenized, safe, but endlessly fun Disney experience with their typical attention to detail; but if you so desire--and if you plan wisely--and if you can overlook the pimples that come with the face of a real culture and not a Disney-fied one--that day in Nassau can become a cultural experience of bohemian Bahamanian fun.

OK: sorry for the diatribe. Peace.