First cruise Dream conceierge, Nassau question

[4shinystars]

My DD (25) is going on her first cruise in a month, Dream cabin 11020. Her (male) friend from college invited her as his guest to a wedding that a college friend is having during the cruise. She is one lucky girl, to go on her first cruise for free, and concierge to boot! I have never cruised, so I have no help to give her, but I know someone will have some great tips.
He is going diving with the guys in Nassau, so she'll be on her own that day. Should she just stay on board or book an excursion? She is leaning toward staying on board, because she thinks she'd stick out like a sore thumb being by herself on an excursion. She could hang out in the concierge lounge or go to the spa.
What would you do if you were a 25 year old woman?

 

[missyp]

I would stay on board. If it is a Dream cruise it will be a very short cruise ( 3 or 4 days) not much time to enjoy the ship. Nassau is not the nicest port. We always stay onboard in Nassau and enjoy a less crowded ship.

 

[mevelandry]

She'll have enough to do on the ship: she could get a Rainforest pass at the spa, go on a mixology class or wine tasting class, have brunch at Palo... All those options cost 30$ or less. Or she can swim or go to the movies (free).

 

[bumbershoot]

Hanging out in the lounge would be pretty boring after a short while IMO.

If she likes chocolate and it's offered for her sailing I'd book the greycliff chocolate factory tour and have some fun. Bring money to buy the chocolates from the store along with the ones she'll make.

 

[Trera]

Have a relaxing day sipping cocktails by the adult pool or satellite falls. Take in a spa treatment and have a nice lunch at Palo. These are the choices I would opt for.

 

[dcassetta]

I think there's probably quite a few people who do excursions on their own. Have her take a look at the options available and if something strikes her fancy, she should go for it. But, there's also a lot to do on the ship. I second the recommendation about the Greycliff chocolate tour. It's lots of fun!

 

[clten]

I wouldn't skip an excursion experience because she is afraid to stick out as a party of one. If there is something that interests her, I say book it and enjoy. You mention this was her first cruise but is this going to be her first time in the Bahamas? If so, I'd encourage her to do something in port to experience it and an excursion might be more comfortable to her (and maybe safer) than her wandering on her own. We have done a number of things in Nassau and while it isn't my favorite port, you can find something enjoyable - personally, we enjoyed swimming with the Sea Lions -- it's a little harder to find opportunities to do that in cruise ports than dolphin experiences so we take advantage of it. (Think there is one at Atlantis and one at Blue Lagoon; we've done the Blue Lagoon and you can decide if you want to head back to the ship afterward or take advantage of some beach time there as well.)

On the other hand, if none of the excursions seem interesting to her, she can take advantage of things onboard. Port days don't have as many scheduled activities as sea days but I think in Nassau as the day goes on they have more. So she can do a spa treatment in the morning and then take part in activities offered in the afternoon or spend time by the pool or at the movies.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I would stay on board. If it is a Dream cruise it will be a very short cruise ( 3 or 4 days) not much time to enjoy the ship. Nassau is not the nicest port. We always stay onboard in Nassau and enjoy a less crowded ship.

I agree! Nassau is really not that great and not very safe for a lone female...imo. We love staying aboard ship when in port.

 

[missyp]

I agree! Nassau is really not that great and not very safe for a lone female...imo. We love staying aboard ship when in port.

Good point about it not being very safe

 

[TiszBear]

Personally and this is just my 2 cents and also a female (43yr) that usually travels with her mom(69 yr) and has done excursions by herself: I would look at the excursions DCL offers and have her book one of them thru DCL. By booking thru DCL, yes she will probably pay a little more than going on her own but she is being safe by booking with DCL. I mean, she will be with other people from the ship, and you will feel safe knowing she is not out on her own and she'll be safe knowing she is still with DCL. Also, I only book my excursion thru DCL so I have the piece of mind that if there is a problem, I can go to the excursion desk on board and lodge a complaint or give a great review. For Nassau I would look at the Greycliff chocolate excursion; there is a Nassau tour that DCL has called Ardastra Gardens & Nassau tour- I loved that excursion and I was back on board early enough to enough the "quiet" of the ship. Also, if she wants teh beach then the Atlantis excursion. Please tell your daughter, that it doesn't matter if she is on an excursion by herself, she will be with others and she will have a good time. Also, as for Nassau and safety, again, it's not just Nassau and it is like anyplace, be alert, don't go off alone and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Again, this is my 2 cents.

 

[Churchladychurchlady]

I used to travel with my elderly aunt when I was about her age - take advantage of the excursions, especially if she's never traveled that way before! There was an excursion that I didn't take, and to this day (20 years later) I still regret it. I never regretted the ones I did take.

 

[PAGA2003]

I definitely think she should get off the ship if she has never visited Nassau before! I sometimes travel alone for work and it doesn't stop me from seeing the places I visit. I've been to Nassau twice and the same rules for safety at home apply in Nassau. If she is nervous just have her book a tour through the ship rather than on her own. When I've done tours by myself I always strike up conversations with others and have gotten the response 'good for you, I wouldn't have the nerve to go out on my own'! My husband decided to join my son and I on our upcoming cruise or else we would have been off to do something on our own in the Bahamas. My son is only 5 so really no different than going off by myself