First time in Nassau

[mmtska]

Sadly we had to cancel our Dolphin excursion-just couldn't get the money together for it. It's our first time in Nassau, and while we don't want to spend the money we just saved canceling the excursion, we do want to check out SOMETHING!!

So what are your suggestions? We have 3 adults, a 17 y/o and an 8 y/o. My only requirement is stopping is HRC for a pin since both DH and I collect them from all over the world. Restaurant suggestions, tours, random explorations? I know we won't end up spending the whole day there, but I'd like to do something, and I love trying 'new' foods-and I'm figuring seafood would be a good choice lol.

 

[GTO-Girl]

I don't want to be a "Debby Downer", but Nassau is one of our least favorite ports. Unless you are doing an excursion, walking around the straw market or a few shops is about all there is to do. You don't want to wander off into the wrong area and it's not the cleanest place in the world either.

We stayed on board and had the pools and the Aqua Duck almost completely to ourselves. Very nice stress free day.........

 

[mmtska]

Eh-I haven't heard much good about Nassau, but I'd like to at least check it out once. If we ever go on a cruise that goes back we'd probably chill on the ship that day, but you know. Is there a decent excursion that won't set us back a ton?

 

[GTO-Girl]

Eh-I haven't heard much good about Nassau, but I'd like to at least check it out once. If we ever go on a cruise that goes back we'd probably chill on the ship that day, but you know. Is there a decent excursion that won't set us back a ton?

I would look at www.cruisecritic.com. Click on the link for Boards and then go down to Ports of Call and click on Bahamas. You should find a ton of info on whats available or advisable for the area.

There is a local lady that posts on there named Scubagirl, so if you see her info it is absolutely correct.

Hope this helps.....

 

[bbangel]

I did Frommer's walking tour of Nassau (just google). It takes you past some of the sights (like the Staircase) and was quite pleasant and fairly easy walking. It also led to some great views of the harbour/ship! I made it back to the ship for lunch and spent the rest of the day on board.

 

[LWQuestie]

I did the walking tour from the Passporter last August with my Mom. It was HOT, but I didn't find it sketchy or scary. I was less comfortable walking around in St. Thomas.

I'm pretty comfortable in urban settings, so YMMV.

Edit: just checked out the Frommer's tour from the PP. The Passporter tour was close to reverse because we walked down the staircase.

 

[lucyem]

I did the walking tour from the Passporter last August with my Mom. It was HOT, but I didn't find it sketchy or scary. I was less comfortable walking around in St. Thomas.

I'm pretty comfortable in urban settings, so YMMV.

Edit: just checked out the Frommer's tour from the PP. The Passporter tour was close to reverse because we walked down the staircase.

Originally we were going to do the tour with the forts but after some more research we decided on following one of the walking tours plus the pirate museum. It's cheaper, we get to see a little of the island, & we can leave the ship on our own schedule.

Here is a similar walking tour with photos I found online:
http://www.brentjes.com/nassau#5

Here is the pirates museum:
http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/

 

[iloverags2]

We love walking over to Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase (as a previous poster stated, the views from the Fort are beautiful). Love the Queen's Staircase...really a very pretty site to see! The walk over there is pretty easy, although you can also have a cab drive you to the fort and then walk down.

 

[mmtska]

Thank you for all of the ideas! I bookmarked all of the sites, and I love the pdf map the one has-soooo helpful!

 

[LKShep]

You can do a little research and find lots of activities that you can book on your own. We did a 1/2 day snorkeling trip that included 3 stops (including snorkeling with sharks!) that we still talk about as our best shore excursion ever.

 

[Mickeygolf]

Originally we were going to do the tour with the forts but after some more research we decided on following one of the walking tours plus the pirate museum. It's cheaper, we get to see a little of the island, & we can leave the ship on our own schedule.

Here is a similar walking tour with photos I found online:
http://www.brentjes.com/nassau#5

Here is the pirates museum:
http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/

Wow, this is what I'd really like to do. Did you actually do the full walking tour of the map and how safe did you feel doing it? And is it really only a couple miles walking? We're a family of 5 with kids 12, 11, and 11. I would love for them to do this walking tour and the Pirate Museum.

Thanks!!!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Anyone done Ardastra Gardens? We were wondering what your opinions of it might be. We were thinking of doing this on our own in November when we are there. Thanks!

 

[hbg4]

I have to admit that staying in port is fairly boring , but there are so many things to do in Nassau. The least expensive is your own walking tour. We've enjoyed the pirate museum. Our last excursion the Bahamas Segway and Beach Experience was our best. It's about 3 hrs. A van ride across the island with a mini tour guide talk. Riding the segways for about 1 and 1/2 hrs and 1/2 hr at the beach for wading or snorkling or relaxing in the shade. My DD14 enjoyed this immensely. Your kids are old enough to enjoyas long as they are around 10ys or older.

 

[Karen Mouse]

I would look at www.cruisecritic.com. Click on the link for Boards and then go down to Ports of Call and click on Bahamas. You should find a ton of info on whats available or advisable for the area.

There is a local lady that posts on there named Scubagirl, so if you see her info it is absolutely correct.

Hope this helps.....

Thank you soooo much for this post... up to now all I have read is "stay on the ship" comments... I have just spent an hour or two on that link and now decided what to do for our 2 trips to Nassau on our b2b on the Dream. It appears that Junkanoo beach is a free public beach within easy walking reach that has cleaned up its act, with clean restrooms, snack shacks and there seems to be a lot more police and security presence nowadays.

We'll haggle in the straw market, have a drink at Senor Frogs, visit the pirate museum andchill on the beach... sounds lovely

Well done for not posting yet another negative Nassau post

 

[mmtska]

Thank you soooo much for this post... up to now all I have read is "stay on the ship" comments... I have just spent an hour or two on that link and now decided what to do for our 2 trips to Nassau on our b2b on the Dream. It appears that Junkanoo beach is a free public beach within easy walking reach that has cleaned up its act, with clean restrooms, snack shacks and there seems to be a lot more police and security presence nowadays.

We'll haggle in the straw market, have a drink at Senor Frogs, visit the pirate museum andchill on the beach... sounds lovely

Well done for not posting yet another negative Nassau post

Yes thank you! I really was at a loss, but this all helped a lot