Is it crazy to consider staying aboard during the Nassau

[tinknsnow]

port day?

I have been to Nassau (long ago) and the excursions don't excite me. Since we are doing our very first DCL (and it's a 3-night) I think I'm going to want to spend more time on the boat! Is this a bad idea?

The group will be myself, DH, DD (6), DD (only days away from 4) and DS (19m). I have always heard fantastic stuff about Castaway Cay but only so-so about Nassau... and since it's impractical for DH and I to scuba dive (the only excursion that really appeals) I thought maybe we'd just stay aboard.

And another question: is there childcare onboard the ship on port days? I thought it might be fun to visit the spa that day.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[MarkRG]

Yes they certainly do have childcare on port days.

And it is certainly not a bad idea to stay aboard at Nassau. We've been there a few times and don't exactly have a burning desire to return there.

Go for some spa fun

 

[DisneyJumper]

Not at all.

 

[#1Mouse]

Our first cruise we went to Atlantis and toured the Dig, second cruise we did a snorkel excursion, third cruise we just went into town and shopped for a bit. Any other cruises we take that stop at Nassau, we will stay on the ship.

Enjoying some spa fun like MarkRG suggested sounds great!!!!!

Gail

 

[kcatoir]

No your not crazy,
We had planned to go to the Aquarium in Nassau, but decided to stay aboard. Its nice to have the ship soo empty, kids enjoyed the pool, and we didn't feel crowded.
Definitely enjoy the spa, we plan to on our next cruise.

kc

 

[elvis loves disney]

Hi,
I went to Nassau last year on a cruise for my anniversary and I have to say we will go on another cruise but never to Nassau.It is somewhere I felt I could see once. The weather and the beaches were beautiful and we loved the Altantis resort but we went around the island and did everything all in a few hours and went back to the boat.In my opinion if you have seen it before you will probably are not missing much and will have a lot of fun staying on the boat! There is so much to do and see on the boat.Hope this helps.Have a great trip no matter what you do!

 

[ljm]

We stayed on board for Nassau on our last 4 day, and enjoyed a quiet, restful ship. Enjoyed the pools with the kids, relaxed, let them have some not too crowded time in the clubs. I've stayed as a guest at Atlantis before, and been to Nassau, and don't particularly care for it. The ship is much more fun if you ask me. Since you're only there for 3 days, make the most of it!

Also, ask if there are different rates for the spa on the days when you are in port. I don't know if DCL offers this, buy my parents just got back from a cruise in which the spa services were really much cheaper when the ship was in port (fewer folks wanting things, I guess with most of them ashore on excursions, etc.).

Enjoy!!

 

[mamalle]

we are staying onboard also. we are having our spa day during the afternoon and our palo's dinner that evening. I think the kids will enjoy the time on the ship more anyhow.

 

[gshoemate]

Not crazy at all. We have gone on 2 cruises and both times went into Nassau. On our last cruise we were maybe off the boat for an hour. We are leaving in 3 weeks for our 3rd cruise and have no interest in going into Nassau. We'll take advantage of a partially empty boat while everyone else is doing excursions.

 

[antmaril]

We are cruising on the Wonder on 2/13/05. We plan to stay on board while in Nassau. I am not a fan of Nassau and I think we will enjoy the day more if we stay on board.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We did the bridge tour in the PM of Nassau day. I did go snorkeling in the morning, it was fun, and I don't think I'll ever would pass up snorkeling, but that's just me, DH did some shopping but mostly stayed on the ship.

Bobbi

 

[Asil65]

I am going with my family in April. Iwas thinking about hanging out on the boat as well. Glad to hear there is child care. I was wondering about that as well. Atlantis sounded fun but it seems like it will be really expensive to be able to see it. A massage on the ship sounds great to me.

 

[GrayFal]

we are staying onboard also. we are having our spa day during the afternoon and our palo's dinner that evening. I think the kids will enjoy the time on the ship more anyhow.

It is wonderful to do PALO's on the Nassau evening....the view from PALO overlooking the Atlantis is spectacular!

 

[aprilgail2]

Not crazy at all...if I ever went back I would stay on the ship for sure.

 

[inkkognito]

In 41 Disney cruises, most of which have been on the 3 night itinerary, I can count on my fingers (and would barely need two hands) the number of times that we have disembarked in Nassau. We'd much rather enjoy a quiet, uncrowded, relaxing day on the ship.
Barb

 

[Regina]

My very first cruise was a three day. Later on Nassau day, one of the crew members asked if I had a nice day in Nassau. When I said that we didn't leave the ship, he replied "then you did have a nice day."

 

[logan1_2000]

might be less crowded in town than on the ship, since everyone, me included, seems to have decided that Nassau is no great shakes.

 

[bubbasmom99]

I didn't find Nassau all that exciting - we just walked around the block, bought some souvenirs and came back to enjoy the ship. I have the best pics of the kids around the pool that day!

Flounder's Nursery was open in the morning and in the evening, but not in the afternoon, so if you are planning spa services, you might want to go for earlier. We wound up having to reschedule our pre-reserved (REAS) couples massage when we found out the nursery schedule.

 

[ivanova]

In 2003 on our first 4 night on the Wonder we never got off in Nassau or Freeport (but definitely got off at Castaway Cay!!)

In 2004 on our second 4 night on the Wonder DD and I got off in Nassau and did the city tour, Freeport had been replaced by a day at sea, and of course we got off at CC again.

If we ever do another 4 night on the Wonder (highly unlikely) I don't know if we'd get off in Nassau again. If we did, it probably would be only to go over to the Atlantis Resort to gamble a little bit.

 

[Joan1]

Seems like a good time to take advantange of less crowded boat. We have been to Nassau before

Thanks for the information.