If we're not doing any Nassau excursion's is there anything else to do?

[gshoemate]

We aren't planning on doing any excursions so is there any reason for us to get off the boat. I have read things about swimming at Atlantis, do you need to take a taxi to get there? I have also read about shopping, again is a taxi needed to get there. Thanks for any info.

 

[Cruisin]

yes you need a taxi to get to Atlantis, I don't think you can just go there to swim, I think you have to book a room or an excursion.
No you don't need a taxi to get of the ship and shop in Nassau, I believe most of the shopping is within easy walking distance of the ship.

 

[aprilgail2]

If you are not doing any excursions just stay on the ship...you certainly won't miss anything in Nassau...pretty dumpy there!

 

[DisneyGator01]

Unless you have something in mind for shopping--jewelery, electronics, perfume, liquor...I'd say, stay on the ship.. especially if you are only doing a 3 day.

THe straw market has cheap t shirts and mugs, nothing I'd really be sorry I missed to be honest. The tshirt/mug/key chain type stuff is pretty overpriced for what you are getting in a lot of the shops though.

If you are just looking for a momento of your trip, I'd get something at Castaway or on the ship. I've never been that impressed with Nassau.

Atlantis is an amazing resort, but only thing to do on your own there really is a casino. You can walk around their shops and a vERY limited part of the grounds, but that's about it.

I think you can by a day pass for the aquarium, and more of the resort, but I think it's a guided tour, and I have heard that a lot of it is a big commercial for the resort.

You can get day rooms at the Comfort inn and get beach access, but I'd say getting more time on the ship is a better trade off. Besides, nothing compares to castaway's beaches!

 

[Cap]

If it is a nice day, you can get off the ship, walk to the straw market and a few other shops in the downtown area, and be back on the ship within two hours. It's not a big deal if you just stay on the ship, but you may enjoy just walking around a few blocks to see the shops and local architecture.

 

[Chattyaholic]

When DH and I were there in January we did get off the ship for a couple of hours, just to walk around the area and see some of the culture, and go into a few of the shops. I enjoyed it. I think it's interesting to see how other people live. I was interested in the traffic. Very, very few traffic lights. If you're on a side road, trying to get onto the main road, you just keep edging out and honking your horn. Lots and lots of horn honking going on and congested traffic. It's amazing what things interest people, isn't it?

We will be in Nassau again in January, taking my parents on their very first cruise, and we will get off and shop in town again and we may take one of the horse and carriage tours. But not planning on doing any excursions, just walking, looking and shopping a bit.

 

[rundogrun]

Stay on the boat, wave goodbye to everybody and enjoy the empty pools!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Stay onboard! Enjoy the empty pools, a movie, small lines at the snack bar!!! At least that's what we'll be doing when the Dec. 14th Wonder docks at Nassau and Freeport!

 

[KarenC]

Walking distance from the ship they have horse and buggy rides. As I recall they weren't terribly expensive, maybe $20 for 3 of us? It's a short ride. The buggy driver tells you about some of the sights.

We've done this twice...once just DH and me on a 10th anniversary trip (where we renewed our wedding vows on the beach in Nassau)...and then with DS on our Disney cruise. DD stayed on the ship with her friends from Common Grounds.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Staying on the ship. Yes, you can do the strw market in 2 hours or less, and the horse and carraige ride is nice (about 20 minutes, maybe?) but unless you have never been there, it isn't anything to see, and it is a lot of - Braid your hair, pretty lady? or T shirts, 3 for 10, best deal you can find (untill you go on the side alley and they are 4 for 10). And to have to book a day room at a hotel to use the beach at Atlantis? Sorry, but CC is included and so much nicer. I say this after having been to Nassau 11 or 12 times, and CC once. There are limited activites on the ship, but you can enjoy them more with fewer people. Even if there was nothing top do on the ship, I would not get off there or in Freeport.

By the way, I found the prices for liquor to be less on the ship than in Nassau, also, by at least a dollar per bottle.

 

[aprilgail2]

We did the horse and carridge ride when we were in Nassau and when it was over I breathed a sigh of relief that we were still alive!! Now I take cabs in NYC all the time and I was never so afraid in a cab as I was on that ride! Cars don't stop for you, they are beeping and cutting you off, we were up on the curb a few times...NEVER again!!

 

[KarenC]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
We did the horse and carridge ride when we were in Nassau and when it was over I breathed a sigh of relief that we were still alive!! Now I take cabs in NYC all the time and I was never so afraid in a cab as I was on that ride! Cars don't stop for you, they are beeping and cutting you off, we were up on the curb a few times...NEVER again!!

In my case, pain must have a short memory! If I felt uneasy it was on the side streets when my over-active paranoia kicked into gear. I always like being around lots of people when I'm in a strange place. I don't remember, either time, being uneasy about the traffic. Maybe its because I'm used to Chicago cabdrivers! Who knows?

I'd assumed that the OP hadn't been to Nassau before. I thought it was a fun way to get a quick tour of the town. But it's definitely one of those been there, done that sort of things.

 

[poopie]

the horse drawn carriage ride. you can walk around and soak up some of the local culture, I hung out by the dock next to the straw market while my frined shopped and chatted with some of the locals.

 

[kaykels]

I've read so many posts about Nassau being a dump and "stay on the boat" but if I had stayed on the boat on the 4 night I would have really missed out. There was plenty of boat time with the fun day at sea and the first night out. We had a wonderful time at Cable Beach. It was free, other than a 5 dollar cab ride. The Crystal Palace is beautiful with a casino, big beach, huge pool with water slide, swim up bar and motorized water sports. We had so much fun and enjoyed it almost as much as CC. And best of all, we didn't spend ANY MONEY!!!!!

 

[disneyfan551]

kaykels... Thanks for the info! We are going next week, and this sounds interesting to me. What did you do when you got off the ship? Did you tell the cab to take you somewhere in particular? How is the area for a 2 yr. old?

Any info. is appreciated!!

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Originally posted by kaykels
We had a wonderful time at Cable Beach. It was free, other than a 5 dollar cab ride. The Crystal Palace is beautiful with a casino, big beach, huge pool with water slide, swim up bar and motorized water sports. We had so much fun and enjoyed it almost as much as CC. And best of all, we didn't spend ANY MONEY!!!!!

Kaykelss, I am interested in that too. My kids are too small to go for the Altantis Excursion as it requires a tremendous amount of walking. They enjoy going to beaches, though.

So, can I have more details about the Cable Beach. We are a family of 4. How much it will cost for the cab ride?

 

[kaykels]

If you just tell the cab driver to take you to cable beach, they will take you to the Crystal Palace. I took my 2 year old and he had a great time on the beach and took a long nap on a lounge chair under a palm tree. It was a great great day!!!! Have a wonderful time.

 

[kaykels]

oops, just saw your post. The cab ride was $5.00 per person, but you can negotiate if it's a bigger group. I can't even express how much fun we had, no walking and the kids loved it and NO CROWDS OR WRISTBANDS!!!! Have a great time.