Is Nassau safe for 3 yo and 5 yo?

[Tashamu2004]

I am new to Disney cruising so I read the unofficial Disney cruise line tour book for 2016. It recommended against disembarking in Nassau because of very high crime levels. What have others experienced. With our young children what would you do?

 

[deanimal]

We've been there three times with kids aged 2/3 to aged 6/7. I found it to be disappointingly scruffy for a major cruise port but I've never felt unsafe in any way. The "touristy" area with bars and international shops is bustling when ships are in town and there were a lot of uniformed police officers on the streets. One time we wandered as far as the fort overlooking the town where we were the only tourists around and still felt quite safe with two toddlers. We bought cold drinks and souvenirs from a small stand and chatted with the lady running it and they really seemed to appreciate that someone left the main tourist area and came out to them. My kids played on the grass in front of the fort with her little boy and we had an all around lovely time.

We never felt unsafe in Nassau due to crime, but I would warn you to watch out for traffic. The main roads near the port have a lot of police directing traffic but the streets are full of potholes, sidewalks are crumbling or non-existent in places and cars ignore pedestrians, stop in the middle of the street to unload, drive up onto sidewalks to get around stopped cars and can be quite hazardous for pedestrians, especially with strollers or small kids in hand. Like everywhere else, you're in much more danger from traffic than anything else.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I would heed the advice of the Unofficial Guide---

 

[Tashamu2004]

Will we still have fun on the cruise if we only get off at Castaway Cay? I've never been on one before so I don't know what to expect. We're Disney World people usually

 

[cruisehopeful]

Will we still have fun on the cruise if we only get off at Castaway Cay? I've never been on one before so I don't know what to expect. We're Disney World people usually

You will have a great time if you only get off at Castaway Cay. There is plenty to do on the ship and you'll probably appreciate the day on the ship if you decide not to get off in Nassau.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yep--assuming of course that people DO get off in Nassau!!!

 

[dsdeleon]

We get off to have some drinks and my DH was kind of uncomfortable, this was his first time disembarking, my second. I travel to strange countries alone all the time, Mexico, Brazil! Europe, etc. I wasn't freaked out but there was an altercation where there were some armed forces and police. I paid it no mind but with how DH reacted I was glad we didn't have the kids. There really isn't much to walk to there, and I guess it could be a culture shock. With young kids, I would stay on the ship.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

We got off the ship with my 18 month old last year. We just bought a few magnets in the shopping area right outside the ship and we walked a few blocks to a few stores. Very busy area, felt safe, nice people. I won't go too far beyond this without a group. It was nice to get off the boat for awhile. I'm not sure if we will get off the boat this August. Debating on going to see the Atlantis resort with DD who is now 2.5 y/o.

 

[jne7043]

That depends. I have stayed at Atlantis over a dozen times. We use to go into Nassau for a day on every trip. We've stopped doing that. It's just not that nice of an area and I don't enjoy the aggressive sales people at the straw market. Are there any port excursions you would be interested in? There quite a few that take you out on a boat to an island or beach. I would feel comfortable with those. Are you interested in going to Atlantis? That's what we will be doing and I'm not nervous one bit there. We aren't doing the DCL excursion for that, but will be catching a taxi right at the port and heading over. My kids are 10, 8 and 3. They've all been to the Bahamas at least twice now. It's not that I would be scared in Nassau, it's just really not that nice or interesting.

 

[tinkerone]

Even if I had an inkling that it was unsafe I would not consider taking my children. If something were to happen you would always regret it. Putting myself at risk is one thing, putting my children at risk is quite another. No thank you.
Having said that, it is only what I would do and you should do what you feel is best for your family. Each of us has our own way of doing things and our own thoughts. Enjoy your cruise which ever way you decide to go.

 

[Vijoge]

We've been to Nassau several times and I've never felt unsafe, even with my DGD"s in tow. We visited Blue Lagoon, shopped downtown, and geocached there. My issue with Nassau is twofold. First, the weather is horrid. Hot every time I've been there with humidity about a gazillion percent. I just can't seem to breathe in Nassau. Second, I find the people there to be very pushy, and I don't like pushy. Vendors, hair braiders, taxi drivers, weed purveyors-all pushy, especially those near the cruise dock, and you have to wade through them to get anywhere. There are many nice people in Nassau but the ones who you'll meet as soon as you get off the ship are as annoying as all get out.

 

[NJMomto2]

Do a google search for crime in Nassau. It is on the rise and said to be more brazen. In years past, crime was limited to locals but now there is no regard for tourism and tourists are targeted. There have even been rapes by tour guides, taxi drivers, and jet ski operators. Google it.

 

[Vijoge]

Do a google search for crime in Nassau. It is on the rise and said to be more brazen. In years past, crime was limited to locals but now there is no regard for tourism and tourists are targeted. There have even been rapes by tour guides, taxi drivers, and jet ski operators. Google it.

This seems to be a trend in a lot of ports. I wish the cruise lines would eliminate ports of call when they're deemed too dangerous for passengers to visit the. There's not much point to docking if you can't safely get off the ship, and you're still paying port charges .

 

[MunFam]

I would say that if you are a smart traveler, you are completely fine. If you are a tourist, you are not as safe. There is risk involved in everything we do as parents. We drive them to school. We could get hit by another car, they could get sick at school, etc. I try not to think about the risks and the regrets, but know that when our time comes we lived life to the fullest, experienced everything as safely as we could, and that I was a good example to my children to not let fear cripple me. I think that in all things, taking safety precautions are necessary, but just because something is "unsafe" will never prevent me from doing it. I just know I did the best I can.

Many people missed out on a port stop in Cartagena, Columbia because they were fearful. It was one of the most incredible cities we have ever been. We were smart in how we traveled (no big cameras, jewelry, DCL logos, etc) and were FINE! Completely, 100% fine. I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. If we had stayed on the ship in fear, I would have regretted not going out exploring.

 

[MUN]

I am new to Disney cruising so I read the unofficial Disney cruise line tour book for 2016. It recommended against disembarking in Nassau because of very high crime levels. What have others experienced. With our young children what would you do?

Yes, Nassau is safe. I'm not sure what I would do in Nassau with 3 and 5 year olds, but it is safe.

 

[kiapepito]

We are booking a day pass at one of the hotels when we go to Nassau in December.

We vacation to see and try new things! Media often causes us to fear so much! Last summer we went to Jamaica and was told not to venture out because of crime.. Glad we did not listen! We had a great time!

 

[deanimal]

It's interesting to see that the responses seem to be divided into two completely different types of travellers. There are those who travel to see new places and experience new things, and others who travel to relax and experience a completely stress free vacation. If you want to explore a new place and see a bit of a different country, Nassau is plenty safe enough to do that. If you don't want to experience any stress or challenges whatsoever, there's nothing in Nassau that will make it worth getting off the boat.

By the way, I live near the city of Vancouver and if you get off the boat and turn left you will very quickly find yourself in a neighbourhood that makes downtown Nassau look like a Disney Park. We're talking destitute people sprawled all over the streets and doorways, drug deals and prostitution going on in the open in the middle of the day, etc. I really can't overstate how awful the Downtown East Side neighbourhood is. And yet, this forum is full of people gushing about all the fun things you can do in Vancouver. Vancouver is perceived as safe, so people feel safe there for the most part. It's all about travelling smart and making choices based on facts instead of fear.

So do what makes you most comfortable. You'll have fun no matter what you do.

 

[Tashamu2004]

My guess is if we did disembark it would be for an Atlantis based port adventure of some kind. Can you still say you've been to the Bahamas if you've only been to Castaway Cay?

 

[BarbMike821]

I've had ports of call at Nassau before and was never super impressed. IF we were getting off the boat with our kids (we aren't planning on it) we would simply do a day pass at Atlantis. The facility is beautiful, well manicured and safe. All of my other excursion and self-roaming experiences there have been luke warm.

 

[My2litteprincesses]

A 3 & a 5 yo would LOVE Atlantis. Just book the excursion through DCL where the cast member leads your group to the (air conditioned) transport busses & you don't have to worry about anything but having a fun day. Totally worth the $ (in my opinion) booking this one thru Disney for piece of mind traveling with little kids in tow.
We did this last May on the Dream, and Atlantis was a highlight of the trip. Our kids loved it. Spectacular aquarium!