Hi,
Our first cruise we stayed on the ship Freeport day, but on our last cruise (3/9) we got adventurous as it was my birthday. We took a taxi for $5/person which seemed a pretty standard price--prepared to be crammed fifteen to a minivan, though. You can go to the same Port Lucaya beach that folks on the excursion go to for free--you just won't have a towel or chair provided. We brought our own. There was a reasonable snack bar and free public toilets next to the beach. Didn't go in the pool, but didn't need to with that turquoise ocean there! Window shopped at their Straw Market--same exact tshirts, bags, hats, and souvenirs at the same prices at every vendor, and same as the ones in Nassau. It was nice to have a little extra beach time, though this particular beach isn't especially fun for snorkelers as the water is stirred up with sand from all the waders, and it got deep quickly. I'm glad we did it though. Next time we're looking forward to booking a cruise with at least one day at sea.