Is Nassau safe for 3 yo and 5 yo?

[Princess Minnie of Disney]

Hi OP, I would suggest booking a Port Adventure if you would like to explore Nassau. When we went there for the brief moments outside the Port Adventure we felt kinda of unsafe, while there is a touristy area near the dock I really wouldn't suggest going farther than that by yourself especially with younger children. Hope this helps

 

[21stamps]

I'm glad you had a great time at Atlantis and you weren't scared off by internet extremists that try to scare people from avoiding Nassau.

MUN

I'm reading this thread with a total "WTH" look on my face.lol

 

[21stamps]

thanks for the input everyone! There are definitely places in every city that are dicey. Sounds like Atlantis is something we'd consider. I just didn't want to get off somewhere that was legit dangerous everywhere. I appreciate the accounts of your own experiences.

It is not "legit dangerous everywhere". Not in the slightest bit!!! Sure there is crime, but would you not vacation in Miami due to it? Or visit Chicago? etc etc.

I have been to the Bahamas probably over 30 something times. (Although a lot of those are Bimini day trips) Atlantis is one of my fave resorts, and was an annual destination. We always venture to Nassau while there, and I've never felt in danger at all.

I know that this is a personal preference- but in my opinion children should experience different places. Be aware of your surrounding regardless of what country you are in, including your own, and you will be completely fine.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Tashamu2004]

I'm reading this thread with a total "WTH" look on my face.lol

Prob not necessary to shame my post I just wanted to know real life accounts not guide book one since the guide book said not to get off at all.

 

[21stamps]

Prob not necessary to shame my post I just wanted to know real life accounts not guide book one since the guide book said not to get off at all.

I understand that, and was not at all shaming your post, which is why I gave a personal account as well. It saddens, actually angers me, that a guide book would say such a thing.

I just think it's horrible to create fear where it isn't necessary. A guide book should give people tips of how to stay safe, places to see while there, places to avoid etc, but to say that Nassau as a whole is too dangerous to visit?--that's just crazy to me.

ETA- I don't know who the author of the "guide" was, or why such a thing is circulating, but here is what bothers me the most- (I'm not at all referring to you)
So many Americans are not well traveled, so many are fearful of other countries, why? Because some "guide" or some article highlights the bad in an area, so- they don't go, and they miss out on wonderful experiences.

This is pretty tragic to me. It's why I used Miami and Chicago as an example- bc really, those places are just as dangerous as most international destinations-if you end up in the wrong part. But yet people aren't scared to travel there.

 

[Tashamu2004]

I understand that, and was not at all shaming your post, which is why I gave a personal account as well. It saddens, actually angers me, that a guide book would say such a thing.

I just think it's horrible to create fear where it isn't necessary. A guide book should give people tips of how to stay safe, places to see while there, places to avoid etc, but to say that Nassau as a whole is too dangerous to visit?--that's just crazy to me.

Gotcha. Now I see what you're saying. I was suspecting it could be they didn't want to be liable referring people somewhere with high crime. It said it was 8x the murder rate of NYC in Nassau (unofficial guide Disney cruise 2016). Who knows!

We're going to try something at Atlantis though Disney. I've gotten enough feedback on here and through friends that I think we'll be good.

 

[21stamps]

Gotcha. Now I see what you're saying. I was suspecting it could be they didn't want to be liable referring people somewhere with high crime. It said it was 8x the murder rate of NYC in Nassau (unofficial guide Disney cruise 2016). Who knows!

We're going to try something at Atlantis though Disney. I've gotten enough feedback on here and through friends that I think we'll be good.

You will love Atlantis!

 

[MUN]

Prob not necessary to shame my post I just wanted to know real life accounts not guide book one since the guide book said not to get off at all.

I don't believe that's what the guidebook said.

MUN

 

[Sweetsarj]

I'm glad you had a great time at Atlantis and you weren't scared off by internet extremists that try to scare people from avoiding Nassau.

MUN

Omg yes you are so right! We are well travelled and it did not deter us one bit.

 

[21stamps]

I don't believe that's what the guidebook said.

MUN

I googled it out of curiosity, and it's true!! Disgustingly true. The ONLY "guide" that I can find that actually says to skip Nassau is the "unofficial Disney guide". I think it's horrible and completely irresponsible for them to post that warning.

 

[21stamps]

This is the proper way to warn of crime.

Sorry Len Testa, major FAIL.

 

[AquaDame]

I'm glad you guys sorted the argument out already, lol! We've been to Nassau twice now also, and didn't find it particularly unsafe compared to other cities in the Caribbean and elsewhere. What I DON'T like personally is how aggressive the vendors can be (again, common elsewhere too) and the fact that the horses attached to the buggies look half starved. But, thats my own hangups.... I completely agree with the clip 21stamps posted above me as far as safety goes!

 

[21stamps]

I'm glad you guys sorted the argument out already, lol! We've been to Nassau twice now also, and didn't find it particularly unsafe compared to other cities in the Caribbean and elsewhere. What I DON'T like personally is how aggressive the vendors can be (again, common elsewhere too) and the fact that the horses attached to the buggies look half starved. But, thats my own hangups.... I completely agree with the clip 21stamps posted above me as far as safety goes!

The first time that I went horse back riding in the Dominican Republic I was scared to get on the (seemingly starving) horse! One of the guides gave me his lol.. But he told me that they are just a little smaller and a bit more thin there. But to me- they looked like they were starving.

 

[AquaDame]

The first time that I went horse back riding in the Dominican Republic I was scared to get on the (seemingly starving) horse! One of the guides gave me his lol.. But he told me that they are just a little smaller and a bit more thin there. But to me- they looked like they were starving.

Well and I can tell you that people think the same thing about my dog... no, she is not starving, corgis just tend to be fat since its so easy to overfeed them! If only I had someone so diligent about my own nutrition...

 

[Misty V]

Just a thought.... but ask your kids what they want to do... My boys 4 & 6 (7 at time of sailing) have already been exploring info and videos (utube etc) and have decided that they want to stay on ship at Nassau, however they are very excited for CC (aka "jungle beach" as my 4 yr old calls it). I am looking forward to site-seeing and doing the "adult thing" while my boys are safe aboard ship.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Nassau has me stumped for myself, wife and 7 year old. I don't really have any interest in going to Atlantis...if I did I would just go on vacation there.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I find Nassau very difficult as I am disabled but I hear it has a pirate museem the kids might like? We don't get off the ship as my wheelchair does not like the pavements. It is not accessible and we look at it as another day to enjoy all DCL has to offer! We did go to International Diamonds once and enjoyed that. Spent too much was the only danger I encountered lol..

 

[DisneyMom111]

We were just there a couple weeks ago and although I'm glad we got off the ship and explored, I wouldn't do it again. It was my 15 year old son and I, and we walked to the Queen's Staircase. We were going to go to Ft Fincastle but went the wrong way and ended up walking through a more residential area. There was a woman sitting on the side of the road wearing reindeer antlers....no I'm not kidding...lol She softly asked for spare change, said she needed it, and when we ignored and walked by she started SCREAMING profanities at us. Freaked me out! I was ready to go back to the ship after that and I'm quite done with Nassau. I would think there would be more fun activities for the little ones on the ship than walking around in a very hot and crowded Nassau.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Are there any nearby beaches that might be good for a couple hours? I don't want Atlantis and I don't want kayak rentals, jet skis, beach massages, water slides...just a place to eat, drink and relax.

 

[MUN]

Are there any nearby beaches that might be good for a couple hours? I don't want Atlantis and I don't want kayak rentals, jet skis, beach massages, water slides...just a place to eat, drink and relax.

Junkanoo Beach is nearby. It is probably a 15 minute walk from port. There are plenty of places there to get food and drink.