First time cruiser's Nassau advice

[pschro1]

We will be traveling on our first DCL cruise and our first ever cruise in August 2024 on the Wish. None of my family has ever been to the Bahamas. I know most DCL Pro's say to skip the port and just stay on the ship. However, since this is the first time ever to the Bahamas, we at least want to get off just to say that we have "been to the bahamas." We have no interest in paying for an excursion or getting a cab to take us somewhere. So we most likely will get off first thing in the morning and hang around the port for a little while before getting back on the ship.

How far away from the port would we need to go before getting into more "authentic" bahamian shopping? Has anyone ever walked to the "Queen's Staricase?" Thoughts?

Also, I seem to remember hearing that you can go into an office and have your passport stamped. Is this still a thing?

Also, thoughts on Senor Frogs? Is it "family friendly?"

 

[DSLRuser]

1st time...yes get off the boat and do it. very easy to go on your own and not have to pay for excursions. plenty of walking tours. can ride to the casino at Atlantis resort is fun too.

 

[Erica1016]

Our first time in Nassau, we found a self-guided walking tour that took us around several historical buildings and eventually to the Queen's Staircase. We really enjoyed it and felt safe at the time (2013).
In 2015, we went with two other people that wanted passport stamps and I was able to go to a building to do it. They would only let one of us go, so I went and brought all the passports and got stamps. It was pretty weird, honestly.
Since then, we've opted to stay on the ship, but I do think it's worth the experience to get off for a while your first time!

 

[RedHead0186]

I second your thought of at least getting off the ship since no one's been to Nassau yet. I think many of the DCL pros stay on the ship because they've already been to Nassau (sometimes multiple times).

I guess it depends on your definition of family friendly, but I would not not put Senor Frogs in the family friendly camp. When we went after an excursion we were immediately greeted with a conga line that ended in a bartender pouring drinks in people's mouths (like, sitting on a high stool and just pouring away). IIRC they might have outdoor seating that is a bit 'calmer,' but it's been a few years since I've been there so my memory is a little fuzzy. Also, if you go earlier in the day it might be better? We went after an excursion so closer to all-aboard time.

 

[TRTRguy]

I like getting off the ship in Nassau. Walked to the Queens staircase my first trip, no different then walking in any other city. The straw market is to the right after exiting the port, or at least it was before the renovations

 

[onesam319]

We walked to the Queen's Staircase on our last visit to Nassau. My wife has a bad knee, but we were still able to do it. You can pretty much tell who other cruisers are, even from the other ships in port. We had a general idea of how to get there and asked some of the other cruisers if we were on the right track. Don't be afraid to ask for some walking buddies who may be headed there too. Once you climb the stairs, there is a fort at the top of the hill. There were vendors lined up along the paved circle around the fort. Finding your way back to the ship is easy. You can see it from the fort. Have fun!

 

[PAGA2003]

Nassau is very walkable and easy to tour on your own. Our last cruise visit we did the Pirate Museum (10ish min walk)and then walked to the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle (20ish min). We spent about 3 hours ashore and then were back on the ship in time for our Palo brunch reservation.

 

[auntlynne]

I concur. Unless the port / country is unsafe, I want to see it.

I walked with my two teenage nieces to the Queen’s staircase, went into an Anglican Church nearby.

On a subsequent stop, a friend and I walked the few blocks over to the main shopping street? The buildings had the British Caribbean look. The traffic policeman /woman? was standing in the middle of the street (on a stand) directly traffic. Lots of linen shops several years ago.

(It looks like it is Bay Street that I remember. One or two blocks from the Harbour, running parallel with the water line. Parliament Square would be along it.

 

[Cupcakesmum]

Based off a suggestion I got here we walked to the Pirate Museum. It was the perfect excursion- the walk wasn’t too far and the museum was super interesting - our kids were fairly young but it was great for both the adults and kids. I highly recommend - definitely leaned a lot about pirates!

 

[kateandy08096]

Our 1st cruise we got off walked around the shops and ate at senior frogs which was good. Just keep walking when the locals ask if you want your hair braided lol

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'm glad you're considering getting off in Nassau! Honestly, I'm not a fan of the big "don't get off the ship" advice given. For your first time I suggest checking it out!

The whole port area was recently redone, aside from walking to a liquor store before COVID and the change I hadn't done much in the port area itself. Something we are considering for our upcoming nassau trip is doing a Beach day at blue lagoon. You have to pay for it but it's economical and its a private island. I've been to Blue Lagoon 3 times now and really enjoy it.

 

[randumb0]

I don't understand why people say don't get off the ship. I've been to Nassau many times and I still enjoy walking around