Filthy Nassau

[plutojudy]

If you go to the Shopping In Paradise talk, they will tell you things like....how much a cab should cost, etc. If you read guidebooks before you leave they will tell you waht to expect.
On our first cruise, we took the Atlantis excursion (aquarium), gambled a little and then shopped along the main street. Second cruise we took a cab to Cable Beach and walked around the resorts there. We took the jitney back for 75 cents. Again we shopped along the main street. We stayed on the ship after dark.
I must say we enjoyed Nausau. No one tried to sell us anything on the streets. I have short hair so braiders didn't bother me. We did all our shopping in the shopping area and avoided the straw market.
I really loved the color of the ocean in the Bahamas.

 

[Bella2000]

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.

This is what I found as well. I was dreading Nassau and planned to stay on the ship. DH is an adventurous city guy and he's been many times over the years. We decided to just walk around downtown. I was actually glad that we did. I enjoyed walking around the streets. We went into the little Pirates Museum which was much better than I thought it would be. I do however hate with a passion the straw market. I don't in general care for that type of atmosphere so that had nothing to do with Nassau - I find it too claustraphobic. I probably wouldn't go back to the straw market however I did get the most awesome hat there from this cool lady that I spoke to - she wasn't in my face which was a good thing and while we did the haggle thing (I hate that also) it was fine she was great and I survived. DH was disappointed that we didn't go over to Cable beach - maybe next time.

One thing just like any other unfamiliar city - I would not go walking around there like that during the evening.

 

[rejobako]

Y'see now, Bella and Judy, you're my kind of cruisers. You seem to realize there's good and bad everywhere, and while on vacation, it makes sense to concentrate on the former. That attitude, plus a little common sense in planning your day in Nassau, paid off. Bella: I especially liked your straw market story: you hated the place (I don't much care for it either), but you went with the flow and ended up with a great hat and a pretty good story.

 

[jclark3]

I've been to Nassau many times. The first time was in 1976 and we stayed on Cable Beach. About five years later we stayed on Paradise Island (before Atlantis was built). Both times we (2 young women) were adventurous and set out to enjoy the local culture. Didn't have any problems.
I've been there three times in the last five years on cruises with my son. We've gone to Blue Lagoon each time, and had a wonderful time snorkeling and petting stingrays. Blue Lagoon to me is nature-wise more beautiful than CC.
From what I've read, though, it sounds like once you leave the friendly confines of Disney, Nassau has become like Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Lots of braiders, johnny-on-the-spot travel guides, and drug sellers. Doesn't make you very comfortable to have these people hounding you, does it?
Unfortunately, I'm afraid there is a tremendous market for their wares so they keep selling.
A cruise can be enjoyed on many levels. One is to experience the excitement of different cultures-- which can also make you appreciate what we have at home, even more.

 

[dizprincess27]

Hey JClark3,

I am doing the May 8th cruise and this is my first ever cruise to anywhere. I've made arrangements to do the dolphin swim on my own with my dd in Blue Lagoon. Is that beautiful too? It certainly looks like it is online and seems to get favorable reviews? Thanks.

 

[dbond]

Hey JClark3,

I am doing the May 8th cruise and this is my first ever cruise to anywhere. I've made arrangements to do the dolphin swim on my own with my dd in Blue Lagoon. Is that beautiful too? It certainly looks like it is online and seems to get favorable reviews? Thanks.

Blue Lagoon island is beautiful, you will enjoy your visit and the dolphin swim is fabulous.

 

[barbarabee]

Nassau was like a tropical Tijuana to me...recognize that this is how these folks make their living, by selling stuff to tourists (whether it's braids or drugs, if there wasn't a market...they wouldn't be selling it!). But there are enjoyable things to see. Not my favorite hangout, though.

 

[jkovick]

In my opinion, Nassau is a pit. I know some people enjoy it, but we do not. We have traveled quite extensively and still find it to be an unpleasant place to be. If you have never been to Nassau, I would recommend a trip over to Paradise Island.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Our experience in Nassau was great. I completely agree with the previous posters, the key to getting past the islanders soliciting this, that and the other, is to politely say "no thank you" and keep walking. I also found it helpful to make as little eye contact, even when saying no thank you, as possible.

We hired a cab to go to Paradise Island and our driver was completely friendly and courteous. We love to talk with the locals wherever we go to learn more about their culture. We always find that people love to talk about themselves and seem to appreciate our interest. They also love to give their opinions on the best sights to see, places to eat, shop, etc.

Seeing how people live in Nassau and San Juan really opened our DD's eyes (7 years old) and taught her a huge lesson about being grateful for what we have and often take for granted.

All and all, a very good (and fun) experience!

 

[pth]

I thought Nassau was really dirty. Garbage everywhere really ruined the visit. I had expected getting hassled by taxi drivers and the hair braiders and the like, but I thought that the tourist areas would have been cleaner.

 

[2timecruiser]

We had an experience our first cruise on disney in May 2003. We went on the Atlantis aquarium tour. It was myself, my dh, ds (7) & ds (5 months). We had a wonderful time at the aquarium. On the ferry ride back, I sat on the lower level with the stroller & my youngest ds. My dh & ds sat on the upper lever to enjoy the better view. We we arrived back at the port, we got off the ferry & started our long walk back to the Wonder. On the walk back, my husband told me about this young man, college age, that sat near them & talked on the entire way back. Dh thought it was a little unusual, but didn't know why he thought this way.

When we arrived back at the Wonder, we arrived at the first guard, & I took all our kktw & id's out & handed them to the guard. The guard looked at them and told us to proceed to the ship. The young man must have been behind us, because I heard him state that he was with us. Myself & dh both stated that we did not know the young man to the guard & the guard motioned for us to proceed onto the ship. We proceeded onto the ship & were entering the elevators, when we hard a lot of commotion behind us. I turned around to see this young man run onto the ship & through the security station. He made it all the way to the stairscase before he was tackled by several security guards. I was quite scared and we continued up to our stateroom. Once there, we went out onto the verandha where we watched as the security guards escortted the young man off the ship.

I just thought I would share this story with everyone. Has anyone else had anything like this happen? That was the only problem I had with Nassau, but I don't blame them for that.

 

[crisi]

May I ask what port you'd suggest? Keeping in mind that - as I understand it - they have to dock outside the U.S. to maintain foreign registry - and although Castaway Cay is the Bahamas it doesn't count for this purpose. The location has to be less than 12 hours away from Cape Canaveral, less then 12 hours from Castaway Cay. Preferably it can dock large ships and doesn't require tendering and has reasonable port fees.

I haven't been to much of the islands, but I was given to understand that Nassau is a garden spot compared to Freeport. Have friends and family who have traveled the islands, the consensus seems to be that private resorts are comfortable, but the towns tend to be ---- Nassaulike or scarier.

The Carribean is third world. As far as towns go, Nassau was nicer than Bangkok. People tried to sell me fewer drugs than when I visited New York City's SoHo. Saw fewer beggers than in San Francisco. And fewer "working" (i.e. begging) children than in Dublin. It was cleaner than "seedy" Las Vegas. Vendors were less pushy and con men easier to spot than Italy. And no one tried to sell my husband "a date" - which has happened in other places. It is, however, not the vision of the world you get walking Epcot's World Showcase (and a year ago or so there was a thread about public urination there!)

One of the nice things about crusing is you can get off the ship, take a ship coordinated excursion (which is going to be relatively safe and con free) or walk around the port. If you aren't comfortable, you can get back on the ship.

 

[rejobako]

I haven't been to much of the islands, but I was given to understand that Nassau is a garden spot compared to Freeport. Have friends and family who have traveled the islands, the consensus seems to be that private resorts are comfortable, but the towns tend to be ---- Nassaulike or scarier.

The Carribean is third world . . . It is, however, not the vision of the world you get walking Epcot's World Showcase

Exactly. Some have suggested that Disney choose a "less filthy" port for their short cruise, but truth be told, there is no other viable choice in the Caribbean that is reachable in a short time-frame. If you begin docking a cruise ship at a regular destination, the quick-buck artists and scammers are going to show up as sure as flies at a summer picnic, unless you own the whole island a la Castaway Cay.

IMO, Nassau remains the best choice, because those who want to disembark for awhile but who'd rather not deal with a non-EPCOT foreign atmosphere always have the Atlantis Complex available to them, and that's as close as you're going to get to a "sanitized" touristy environment anywhere in the Bahamas.

 

[gavin'sgrannie]

I for one am looking forward to Nassau. I have traveled all over the world and could have chosen drugs off a cafe menu in Amsterdam, in Paris I saw French teen-agers throw firecrackers at the feet of Japanese tourist, in Romania starving, begging children surrounded me so I couldn't even walk. This is the world and the difference in cultures. See it and appreciate what you have. Better yet, volunteer in a third world country and really have your eyes opened.

 

[lilo62]

My husband and I went on our first cruise in May of last year. We enjoyed Paradise Island alot (in fact recommended a co-worker to vacation there last month).

We enjoyed Paradise Island much better than Nassau. We found Nassau to be very run down and the people pushy. We shopped on Bay St. which is the "main" steet with all the tourist shops. I got a great deal on a Carribean Hook Bracelet.

We both could see the reason why Nassau was the way it was it because it's poor and it's income is relied upon tourism. We had never been, so it was interesting to see and just to say we'd be there once. I would love to go back to the Bahamas, but I think we'd spend more of our time at Paradise Island.

 

[devotedchristian]

We enjoyed Paradise Island much better than Nassau.

Forgive my geography ignorance, but I thought Paradise Island is a part of Nassau. (in other words, one in the same.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[inkkognito]

I don't think that being dependent on tourism is an excuse for overly pushy natives. For example, compare Cozumel to Nassau. There is just as much poverty, and the people are just as dependent on tourism, but it is a whole different atmosphere. The people still do spirited bargaining and selling, but they do not approach like gangbusters. If the Wonder visited a port like that, I would disembark every time!
Barb

 

[rejobako]

Forgive my geography ignorance, but I thought Paradise Island is a part of Nassau. (in other words, one in the same.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

PI is a barrier island just over the bridge from the main part of Nassau, but it seems like a different place, because the Atlantis/Ocean Club resorts and surrounding condos have attracted other upscale development, shops, restaurants, etc. Most indiginous locals couldn't possibly hope to afford to live on PI; property is limited, and astronomically expensive.

 

[HappyLawyer]

For me i have never been but i read all the information and i would like to see for myself, i think everyone should at least try it once, if i do not like it then i will not go back

 

[232271]

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 this didnt happen to you did it?
ya'll are scaring me to death!