Is Nassau safe?

[ceego]

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/bahamas/1182850/borkowiczbl/20150324securitymessagefinal.pdf

US Embassy at Bahamas released a statement: Security Message: Recent Violent Criminal Incidents in Popular Areas of Nassau March 25, 2015
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau advises U.S. citizens residing in and traveling to The Bahamas to be aware of their surroundings and remain on heightened alert to avoid being a victim of crime. As reported in the State Department’s Country Specific Information for The Bahamas, armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas, with the crime threat on New Providence listed as “critical.”

From what I've read they are not targeting particular citizens but the violent crime rate is high - and not excluded necessarily from the port areas.

I don't think we're getting off the ship there.

 

[cherice95403]

We are going in June and have decided to enjoy the boat and not get off. If it was just me and DH, I probably would. But I am not comfortable taking a chance with my young children. I'm hoping to enjoy a less full boat!

 

[mevelandry]

We decided to take a chance and booked Blue Lagoon a few weeks ago... but after reading this, we are considering (again!) staying on the boat.

EDIT: After googling for Nassau news and chatting with my DH, we decided that since it's only a 3 nights cruise, we are staying on the boat that day, taking advantage of the amenities we paid for. We cancelled our excursion and feel pretty good about it.

 

[JTBE]

We felt very safe in Nassau with our two young kids. We loved the public beach near Atlantis. We took a cab which was 4.00 per person who dropped us off near Atlantis and instructed us how to get to the public beach. We loved the clear water it was so beautiful. Kids loved the beach. We also felt very safe in Nassau ports as well. I just used a waterproof pouch which I wore under my tankini and swam with it and none of the money nor did our IDs got wet. I felt much safer in Nassau than I do working here in downtown Baltimore.

 

[NCConch]

I took my teenage DD over to the straw market for some Goombay Punch (a local soda). It was safe and no different than taking her to NYC. I took my wife to the straw market later on for souvenir shopping. Prices are inflated and most tourists will pay what is offered. My wife is an int'l purchaser and she had a great time negotiating. There is some (not a lot) nice things to be found.

 

[prune1977]

I've traveled quite a bit, and generally like to keep an open mind about wherever I am going. I also like to read up before I travel to a place... Which leads to my question: to anyone who has traveled to Nassau- do you find it to be a safe place? Is it a place where my DH and I could walk in the area around the port with our two young daughters? We are booked for a cruise in early April, and reading the US government advisories about Nassau this evening has me concerned. https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17138

I would normally never miss the chance to explore or experience a new place, but, for the first time, I'm wondering if it would be better for our family to stay on the ship.

I'm wondering what other dis'ers have experienced. Please let me know. Thanks!

Honestly when we were there in January; we were quite nervous during the day walking back to the ship, had to keep a tight hold on the kids and people constantly in our faces wanting to braid daughters hair or sell us something.

 

[kimistry6]

We are going in June and have decided to enjoy the boat and not get off. If it was just me and DH, I probably would. But I am not comfortable taking a chance with my young children. I'm hoping to enjoy a less full boat!

Just a heads up about staying on the ship, we did that on our 4 night cruise to Nassau and so did a lot of the other passengers. The ship was quite busy that day. I hope you have a less full boat but be prepared to see it have more people stay on than you originally thought.

 

[NYIceQueen]

We felt very safe in Nassau with our two young kids. We loved the public beach near Atlantis. We took a cab which was 4.00 per person who dropped us off near Atlantis and instructed us how to get to the public beach. We loved the clear water it was so beautiful. Kids loved the beach. We also felt very safe in Nassau ports as well. I just used a waterproof pouch which I wore under my tankini and swam with it and none of the money nor did our IDs got wet. I felt much safer in Nassau than I do working here in downtown Baltimore.

Is there a possible way you could PM me the brand of waterproof pouch you used? I've looked at a couple on amazon but the reviews have been hit & miss as far as quality. Thanks so much

 

[mevelandry]

Just a heads up about staying on the ship, we did that on our 4 night cruise to Nassau and so did a lot of the other passengers. The ship was quite busy that day. I hope you have a less full boat but be prepared to see it have more people stay on than you originally thought.

Reading this makes me think that when "so many people" choose to stay on board, there is a good reason for that and it's probably the best choice to do so.

Maybe DCL should develop Castaway Cay, make it "bigger" and make the cruise stay there 2 days instead of stopping in Nassau?

 

[purfectlyweird]

Reading this makes me think that when "so many people" choose to stay on board, there is a good reason for that and it's probably the best choice to do so.

Maybe DCL should develop Castaway Cay, make it "bigger" and make the cruise stay there 2 days instead of stopping in Nassau?

People are staying on the boat b/c of been there done that or b/c they only have a short amount of time on the ship not b/c of crime stats. If passengers we're getting hurt as much as these posts would suggest then nobody would sail to nassau. You could kiss Castaway or any close by private island goodbye if that were to happen b/c it would be overrun by the "criminals" at nassau who could easily charter a boat over there.

 

[kimistry6]

People are staying on the boat b/c of been there done that or b/c they only have a short amount of time on the ship not b/c of crime stats. If passengers we're getting hurt as much as these posts would suggest then nobody would sail to nassau. You could kiss Castaway or any close by private island goodbye if that were to happen b/c it would be overrun by the "criminals" at nassau who could easily charter a boat over there.

We stayed on the ship because of the been there done that like you said. We've done a few excursions in Nassau but now, on shorter cruises we just like staying on the ship.

 

[perditax]

For those who have been in NOLA and Nassau, can you compare the level of street harassment between the two? I'd kind of like to get off the boat and just walk around a bit near the port, but the reports of vendor harassment make it sound like the worst possible idea. I'm pretty good at ignoring the panhandlers and the "i know where you got your shoes" people in NOLA, but it sounds like in Nassau they get in your personal space?

 

[mevelandry]

People are staying on the boat b/c of been there done that or b/c they only have a short amount of time on the ship not b/c of crime stats. If passengers we're getting hurt as much as these posts would suggest then nobody would sail to nassau. You could kiss Castaway or any close by private island goodbye if that were to happen b/c it would be overrun by the "criminals" at nassau who could easily charter a boat over there.

I've heard all kind of stories from mixed reviews about some attractions to Nassau being dirty, poor, vendors being pushy, a lot of credit card fraud, not enough time on the boat... and then high crime rate (sexual harassment, mugging, and more violent stories).

I went to WDW six times and I'm going for a 7th time because it's fun. If that many people judge that the cruiseship is more fun than Nassau, it's enough to convince me to stay there, especially on my first cruise where I felt I had almost no time to take advantage of the ship. The crime rate is just one more thing that convince me that it's the best choice for us.

 

[purfectlyweird]

For those who have been in NOLA and Nassau, can you compare the level of street harassment between the two? I'd kind of like to get off the boat and just walk around a bit near the port, but the reports of vendor harassment make it sound like the worst possible idea. I'm pretty good at ignoring the panhandlers and the "i know where you got your shoes" people in NOLA, but it sounds like in Nassau they get in your personal space?

It's definitely no better or worse than the people who can harass you at the kiosks in the mall. In most cases a firm but polite no is only needed.

 

[purfectlyweird]

I find it most interesting that many Americans especially, seem to have painted pictures in their heads about the Bahamas or other similar tropical destinations, of nothing more than pina coladas, white sandy beaches and palm trees. Many seem to forget that actual people live in these countries. People that deal with the same issues as many Americans and have societies with the same social ills as many American cities. I am sure we would all love to live in a perfect world free of criminals and their heinous crimes, but sadly that is not the world we live in.

 

[MUN]

For those who have been in NOLA and Nassau, can you compare the level of street harassment between the two? I'd kind of like to get off the boat and just walk around a bit near the port, but the reports of vendor harassment make it sound like the worst possible idea. I'm pretty good at ignoring the panhandlers and the "i know where you got your shoes" people in NOLA, but it sounds like in Nassau they get in your personal space?

I feel New Orleans is dirtier and more dangerous than Nassau. I have never felt unsafe in Nassau, I can't say the same thing about New Orleans. Sadly, there are touristy parts of New Orleans that I feel are very unsafe.

I wanted to add that I've seen way more sex prostitutes in New Orleans than I have in Nassau.

MUN

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I find it most interesting that many Americans especially, seem to have painted pictures in their heads about the Bahamas or other similar tropical destinations, of nothing more than pina coladas, white sandy beaches and palm trees. Many seem to forget that actual people live in these countries.

Well put.

Maids, food servers, security guards, shop keepers, taxi drivers, and all the other necessary workers that support tourism all have to live somewhere. They don't make that much and they don't get to live in gated communities with elaborate landscaping and majestic mansions overlooking the ocean. Just like in the USA, these workers generally live in (places like the Bronx, the south side of Chicago, Compton) the low income outskirts of a bigger city. The islands in the Caribbean are pretty small, so there's no avoiding seeing the full spectrum of wealth and poverty.

The city of Nassau was not a purpose built place (a-la Castaway Cay), so if these places had to do it over again in today's growing cruise industry, they probably wouldn't build the cruise ship ports on the same site as the former industrial ports. But that what we have today, and they're doing the best they can at converting the areas into something nicer.

 

[ptcbass]

When doing research on different cruise ports I have found that all of them have their "safety" issues and warnings. I was scared in Nassau because of everything I read and now if/when we go back I will have a different attitude. It is like anywhere, you have to be aware of your surroundings and not go into any areas that are "off the beaten path". My parents have even went and walked to Graycliff and had no problems at all. I have other family members that have small kids and walked to the Queens Staircase and back with no problems. Just remember to stay alert and also keep in mind that it is different from America and that is their culture. That doesn't mean their culture is bad...just different. Keep a open mind and it can be a enjoyable experience. If you have never been I would say get off the ship and see it for yourself (at least once). Also, as far as people trying to sell you stuff... it makes it easier if you go into port with a crowd of people. If they do stop you say no thank you and move on. If they insist tell them you already have a excursion booked. That should be the end of it. They are a poor country and are trying to make a living. It is to be expected.

I have to say though that even for the American that doesn't live very wealthy after being on a Disney ship it makes the ports look even poorer! We realized how extravagant the ships are after we got back on it in Nassau. Funny how things/experiences can change your perspective.

 

[mevelandry]

To each their own.

I've been having doubts about Nassau since the beginning. I've seen videos of the town and It's not for me + I tried to find excursions where I though I could feel a bit safer but still... I wasn't 100% happy. The news did not help. In the end, I chose to cancel the excursion. Why would I go just "to see for myself" when I know (because I know me better than anyone else) that I'll be super anxious and miserable there...

...when I can stay and on the boat feeling perfectly happy and secure? In the end, this vacation should be about what I want to do, not about what other people think I should do.

It should be the same for everybody. If you want to go, you should go. If you don't ,stay on the boat.

 

[dlhowell]

We just got off the Dream on 3/27 and decided to venture into Nassau to go look at some of the shops (DH and me only - were cruising without our 4 kids - might not have gone at all if they had been with us). I went to the port shopping discussion on the boat the afternoon of embarkation just to be a little better prepared. We went out mid morning and followed the path that the ship staff recommended to start out. No major issues until we started to head back. We were pretty close to the ship (near the Harley Davidson store) when a local approached my husband and offered him a coupon for a store. When DH declined, he offered him a gram of cocaine and some other types of drugs. We just continued on pretending not to hear him and made it back to the ship without any further incident.

Wasn't what we expected, obviously, and we were very glad our kids weren't with us.