First Time Cruisers - What Excursions ?

[hayesdvc]

Wife and I will be on the Wish next month for our first cruise (Disney or otherwise).. We are 60.

Looking at the various excursions, are there any you feel is a must and/or you extremely enjoyed?

TIA

 

[Clarkson U]

It’s Nassau - honestly my own bias is skip getting off the ship on this day and just enjoy the ship. Most stuff there is not that exciting to me personally.

At castaway - def get off - enjoy the beach and water and rent a bike or take a long walk around the island. There is plenty to see and do. Rent out a kayak or peddle boat for fun is also nice on castaway!

Most of all enjoy it and just soak it all in. It’s a good ship!

 

[Calantha]

We did the chocolate factory the first time we were in Nassau, and the second time we were there, we stayed on the ship (since it was the Wish). The chocolate factory was fun and not terribly long (especially if you like chocolate).

We don't do excursions on Castaway because we just like to enjoy the island, swim, etc., so no additional suggestions there.

 

[sponica]

For Nassau, personally I would either pick a low key excursion that doesn't take all day or stay on the ship to explore, especially with the wish only running 3/4 night cruises.

Castaway Cay, unless there's some activity you desperately want to do (like stingray feeding), I would just chill out on the beach. If it's all adults, get off the boat early and take the tram to serenity bay to get chairs closer to the bar.

 

[Drfate102]

At Nassau, there is this wonderful Land & Sea Tour that gives you a good look at the island. It isn't too expensive and still leaves you a good deal of time if you want to shop or get back on the ship.

As for Castaway, do the Stingray adventure, that was so cool.

 

[MamaMermaid]

To be totally honest, there are no excursions we really enjoyed except for our Baltic cruise. Castaway is wonderful on it's own. Nassau isn't worth getting off at.

 

[OKW Lover]

Another vote for not bothering with Nassau. Some folks like the excursion to Atlantis, we we just enjoy exploring the ship.

 

[kiford]

We're not really beach people so we don't spend a lot of time at CC but we have done the walking tour and kayaking twice, which was slightly different each time. We'd probably do that again. I'm not totally comfortable snorkleing but we did do that a couple of times so that we could see the items - like the Mickey figurehead - in that area. We've also done the Stringray adventure which was fun. We've parasailed - actually booked it three times but only been able to do it once because of high winds and choppy seas. Usually we just go the adults-only beach, maybe sit for a while to have a drink, have lunch, then go back to the ship unless we are doing one of the above items.

As for Nassau, on our very first trip there we did do an excursion to just be taken around the island by van to see what there is to see and get a feel for the place. We usually do that at least once for every Caribbean island. There's usually at least one historical item to see as well as the geography. We have had lunch at Greycliff Estate (which is where the chocolate factory was) and the food was awesome. We were there the week they first opened the chocolate factory so we just popped into the store on our way out to see it so I haven't personally done the factory tour. Now we normally don't bother to get off.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'm going against the grain here. If its your FIRST cruise get off in Nassau! There is a lot to do/see there and honestly IMO Nassau has gotten so much nicer since COVID.

I really enjoy Blue Lagoon. There is tons of excursions you can do or you can do just a beach day there. Really nice private island. No one in your face! I recently was there and did the Shark encounter! So awesome! We got to swim with (and hold) big 8ft+ nurse sharks!

The big reason people don't like Nassau is right there in port people can be a little pushy to sell things. We tried to go into their straw market back in 2020 right before COVID and I had someone following me around getting very pushy about wanting to braid my hair for example. It was a little upsetting to be honest. -- Since COVID they have redone the port and I had ZERO issues when I was there a few months ago.

Just to give you an idea I've been to Nassau now 2 times, got off the ship both times. Going again with just my husband and I in Sept, we are getting off the ship. Going again in November with my kids and everyone and we will be staying on the ship that time (Just because my kids REALLY want to try out this Incredibles obstacle course thing that's only available when the ship is docked).

Castaway is so much fun. We like to not book anything then when we get there we will rent bikes for a while, then rent snorkle gear, and just hang out on the beach

 

[jimmymc]

Nassau options:

• Go to Atlantis to gamble, eat, or get a beach and waterpark pass
• Great location for snorkeling or scuba diving excursions
• Day pass for a beach resort
• Walk to Junkanoo Beach
• Excursion to Blue Lagoon

Castaway Cay:

• Stingray feeding
• Parasailing
• Kayak rentals
• Jet ski tours
• Parasailing
• Bike rental
• Cabana rental (very difficult to get)

 

[sjuncfan]

Is your cruise 3 days or 4? If it's 3, I'd stay on the boat in Nassau. There is so much to see and do on the boat, and if you get off in Nassau you will have almost no time to explore the Wish and relax.

If it's 4 days... and you really want to see Nassau... consider the suggestions above. I'd still be inclined to stay on the boat but since you have a day at sea you'll have more time to get to know the Wish. That said, we've been to Nassau like 5 times and always stay on the boat...