Made the leap

[Dreamingstill]

I booked the Magic in May to Nassua and Castaway Cay. We are two mature but not old grown ups full of childlike wonder. We will be happy with the standard meals and doubt we will be booking much extra just want to chill for a few days. What is there to do in Nassua that you can just walk off the boat to see? Or is there a way to see what typically are offered as excursions even though I know I can't book anything till I am paid in full in February?
Also I used our names as we have them on our Disney account which I believe just has our middle initials and our Passports have our full middle names will that be okay or do I need to redo everything so they match exactly, we didn't have a problem flying that way to Europe but now I am paranoid.

 

[Calantha]

I booked the Magic in May to Nassua and Castaway Cay. We are two mature but not old grown ups full of childlike wonder. We will be happy with the standard meals and doubt we will be booking much extra just want to chill for a few days. What is there to do in Nassua that you can just walk off the boat to see? Or is there a way to see what typically are offered as excursions even though I know I can't book anything till I am paid in full in February?
Also I used our names as we have them on our Disney account which I believe just has our middle initials and our Passports have our full middle names will that be okay or do I need to redo everything so they match exactly, we didn't have a problem flying that way to Europe but now I am paranoid.

Not much to do walking off in Nassau - a lot of people stay on the ship. I'd recommend the Chocolate Factory excursion if anything.

If they are unhappy with your name, I'm pretty sure they'll fix it at port. My last name starts with McX... and they insist on Mc X.... even though nothing has a space in it (unless you squint at my passport wrong). I called Disney IT once and they said its not worth the hassle to try to fix it.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

Middle name compared to middle initial should not be an issue. You can walk to the straw market, the pirate museum and a number of shops.

 

[sponica]

I emailed DCL help and they added in the middle names for me as I forgot them when I made the booking.

I still have to call because my husband's full name which his CC number is tied to isn't linked to his MDE and I want him to be able to use his MB+ if he so chooses.

 

[lklgoodman]

The port excursion are on the DCL website. They have descriptions, the price, and sometimes pics of the excursions. To see them click on the 3 lines on the top left corner of the homepage. Scroll down and click on Destinations. Then scroll down and click on port adventures. Click on Bahamas and set filter to Nassua. I was just looking at them today. If I remember correctly there are 39 offered by DCL.

 

[vakamalua]

If you like a bit of history, culture & good local food, try the Tru Bahamian Food Tour in Nassau. You can walk to the meeting place & it ends not far from the dock. We had a great time!

 

[auntlynne]

For any port, you can also check Viator or TripAdvisor to get ideas of “Things To Do.”

You dock right in Nassau. The pier and port area have recently undergone a big renovation. Walking is easy. Look at the map on your phone and get an idea of where things are located.

About a block inland is the old shopping street, colonial-style buildings. There is a long set of stairs, the Queen’s Stair case (probably Victoria) - there must be some history behind it.

To the right when you get to the end of the pier is the a “Straw Market.“ Mainly souvenirs for sell. Keep going and you come to Junkanoo Beach - it can be a nice photo-op of ships.

As stated by others, chocolate place, Pirate Museum. I don’t remember any food place talked about much.

I love seeing the ships docked together, arriving and departing, and the passengers waving at each other. Just standing on the pier between two large ships is a fun experience.

The Atlantis Resort is a nice skyline across a sliver of water, in Paradise Island.

Getting in and out of the port has been easy (applies to all Caribbean cruise ports I have visited.) Birth Certificate and DL will get you through.

Side street - running toward (perpendicular to) the harbor:



Just two ships in port on that day, it seems. There can be 5 (very large) ships docked.

 

[Starwind]

The Nassau port adventures are listed here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/list/nassau/

We usually do not get off the ship in Nassau, but last time we did and we did the "Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery (N30)" excursion and quite enjoyed it and learned a lot about the island and its history: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/nassau-bahamas-nassau-forts-junkanoo-discovery/

 

[SnowWhite2]

If you like a bit of history, culture & good local food, try the Tru Bahamian Food Tour in Nassau. You can walk to the meeting place & it ends not far from the dock. We had a great time!

I second this. It gives you a tour and a tasting of the local food. Booked on TripAdvisor. It has high ratings.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'd look into the port adventures offered by DCL. I hate that so many people recommend staying on the ship in Nassau for first timers there. Its madness! There is so much to see there. I'm about to be on my THIRD cruise there and this is the first trip we are considering staying on the ship and that's only because its just my husband and I going and I wanted to do a bigger couples massage experience and that was the only time that I could fit it in.

I really enjoyed Blue Lagoon and the other one I was considering for just my husband and I was a cabana at Pearl Island. I saw many great reviews for that place!

Personally, I wasn't a fan of the immediate area around the ship when we did explore there. It has been revamped since we were there but people were super pushy and following us around which kinda ruined it for me.

 

[Hubie]

Last time just went over to Atlantis and explored it.

 

[RedHead0186]

The Nassau port adventures are listed here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/list/nassau/

We usually do not get off the ship in Nassau, but last time we did and we did the "Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery (N30)" excursion and quite enjoyed it and learned a lot about the island and its history: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/nassau-bahamas-nassau-forts-junkanoo-discovery/

Just a note about that. It's possible some of the excursions listed on the website (first link) will not be offered on your sailing. That listing is just all of the shore excursions that could be offered in Nassau. Once the booking window opens up for your sailing you will be able to see which specific excursions are offered for your sailing.

Most of them should be available, I just always like to put that caveat out there that sometimes excursions aren't available for a sailing for whatever reason (I'm seeing that with our 7-night Eastern Caribbean in November, as some excursions aren't listed for our sailing).

 

[Cheburashka]

I booked the Magic in May to Nassua and Castaway Cay. We are two mature but not old grown ups full of childlike wonder. We will be happy with the standard meals and doubt we will be booking much extra just want to chill for a few days. What is there to do in Nassua that you can just walk off the boat to see? Or is there a way to see what typically are offered as excursions even though I know I can't book anything till I am paid in full in February?
Also I used our names as we have them on our Disney account which I believe just has our middle initials and our Passports have our full middle names will that be okay or do I need to redo everything so they match exactly, we didn't have a problem flying that way to Europe but now I am paranoid.

Atlantis Aquaventure is very nice in Nassau. You do have to take a taxi there, though. Full disclosure, I went in October 2021, when almost no one was there, so that undoubtedly helped.

 

[loislane]

We've only done the chocolate factory excursion. On our first cruise, we just got off the ship and walked around on our own, through the straw market and eventually made our way up to the governor's mansion before heading back. The chocolate factory was fun - but I'll warn you in advance the tour is really just one or two rooms. However, you do get to make your own chocolate bar to take with you and that was fun.

 

[soniam]

I just use my first and last name for cruises and flying. It’s never been an issue when I do that. However, I have had issues with TSA precheck if my middle initials are used. I have had issues if both of my middle names are used and I am using my DL, instead of passport, usually for flying. I have 2 middle names; Texas only allows one middle name on your DL. My passport and TSA precheck/Global Entry have both, since it’s my full legal name. YMMV.

 

[JM_97]

I booked the Magic in May to Nassua and Castaway Cay. We are two mature but not old grown ups full of childlike wonder. We will be happy with the standard meals and doubt we will be booking much extra just want to chill for a few days. What is there to do in Nassua that you can just walk off the boat to see? Or is there a way to see what typically are offered as excursions even though I know I can't book anything till I am paid in full in February?
Also I used our names as we have them on our Disney account which I believe just has our middle initials and our Passports have our full middle names will that be okay or do I need to redo everything so they match exactly, we didn't have a problem flying that way to Europe but now I am paranoid.

You should be able to look here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/. You can't book them but you can read about all of them and do some research.

A lot of people stay onboard in Nassau. It's a fine city, but there's not a whole lot to do if you are not on an excursion. There's a free beach, some shops, museums and restaurants that you can do on your own but most people either stay on board or book an excursion (Disney calls them Port Adventures).

 

[DisneyConvert]

I have nothing against trying some of the excursions in Nassau. We visited "Straw Market" - a mall filled with asian-made knock-offs where you will be "bargained with" . . . and a horse-drawn cab, once.
Not awful . . . but I think there are some more interesting opportunities out there that others have done.

But for a 1st time DCL'er, the highlight is the ship's ambience, the terrific service, the shows, the characters, even the movie theatre . . . and especially for me, on the Magic - the decor.
It is a classic ship, designed in the them of the short-lived "Normandie."
There would be no DCL if it wasn't for how well this 1st ship was designed, operated and was received.

Please catch the free tour, "The Art of the Theme . . ."
Take some time to walk around the Promenade outside on Deck 4 and play some shuffleboard or walk/jog around the shipe (.3 mile per loop).
Go to all the shows at the Walt Disney Theatre, and also the 10pm shows at "Fathoms" which are fun too.
Talk to the Cast Members and ask them what they think you should do -- they are so enthusiastic!
Yes, if you are into it, get some pictures with the Characters.
The professional photographers do a FANTASTIC job, so consider a package ($$'s!) but the cast members will take pic's with your camera/phone as well.

Get off the ship early at CCay and, later in the day, do the bike ride, if you want -- a great way to explore this weird little adapted island.
Up to you if you like the beach, snorkeling, raft relaxing, Pelican Plunging, etc.
Maybe save Palo for your next cruise and enjoy the Main Dining Rooms which are an experience unto themselves.

I was never particularly attracted to cruises, and then . . . well, I was "converted." I am guessing this won't be your last.

 

[nj disney family]

We just did Blue Lagoon last Wednesday and loved it. You walk off the ship right on to a ferry boat that takes you 30 minutes to the island. The water was so clear. We walked down the beach away from the boats and inflatables, and there were times nobody was within 200 feet of us in the water. $85 with lunch included was definitely worth it to us and we would do it again.