Is Nassau worth it ?

[miktho]

We will be going on our first cruise (3 night) in spring 2005. I have noticed in many posts that a lot of folks recommend shying away from any excursions to Nassau. I've heard some negative things about Nassau from others in general. Is it worthwhile just to stay on the ship and enjoy shipboard activities. Family of four with 2 kids (9 and 6) and we definitely have no desire to go to the straw market. I don't think I need much convincing on this but just trying to get some advice from those that have ventured into Nassau and done some of the excursions. I think that spending the day at CC will be the highlight of the cruise anyway.
Any thoughts on the matter ??? Thanks...

 

[jenlovesdisney]

We heard the same things so we decided to take full advantage of all the shipboard activities~ and we were glad we did! Some prefer to get off though I think it is your personal preference. But we were not looking to go shopping or do any of that.

 

[inkkognito]

We've done 39 Disney cruises, and we stopped disembarking in Nassau back when we were in the single digits. It's okay if you've never seen it before, but definitely nothing special. I love the ports in the Western itinerary, but to me Nassau is a tourist trap to the max. I just pretend that it's a day at sea.
Barb

 

[aprilgail2]

Since the 4 day cruise is so short anyway I would skip going into Nassau and enjoy the empty pools and things on the ship! I have been to Nassau a couple times and would be hapy to not go back there again unless I was staying at Atlantis LOL. Even the shopping didn't thrill me there and I AM a shopper! I did hear that people enjoyed a pirates museum there if your kids are boys you might want to look into that and you do it yourself, not some high priced excursion.

 

[antmaril]

We will be on the 2/13/05 Wonder and plan to stay on board while we're in Nassau. I was there once many years ago and am not a big fan.

 

[miktho]

I think that since we are only on a three night cruise we will pass on Nassau. Instead we will enjoy the ship and relax. Thanks a lot for sharing past experiences.

 

[RDT]

On our first cruise we arranged for a shore excursion on Nassau. Since then we've stayed on the ship. The Disney ships are amazing floating resorts--we love having the ship a little more empty on shore days, and enjoying all that it has to offer.

Take breakfast or lunch (or both) at Lumiere's on shore days; it's way better than the breakfast buffet. Go to the gym. Get a spa treatment. See a movie. Do one of the educational tours or participate in one of the games. Grab a chair on deck four and read (and nap). Play ping-pong with your kids. Enjoy.

Shore days without an excursion are simply my favorite days of the cruise.