Nassau-Blue Lagoon

[XMom]

Is this somewhere that we could just go to the beach or do we have to go with an excursion? We just want to play in the water and lay on the sand.

Thanks!

 

[lilroo442]

You have to do an excursion. It's only accessible by a boat ride to the island.

 

[dcassetta]

They do offer just a beach day excursion that does not include any animal interactions, but does include lunch.

 

[Californiacruizers]

You can walk to Junkanoo Beach from the ship in Nassau; if you just want to plan in the sand. It's free and there are a few food and drink stands on the beach. My two kids and I walked there last year and at no time did we feel unsafe, we just followed the crowds(lots of people were headed in that direction). There were umbrellas and chairs for rent on the beach. It was perfect for my kids to play in the water for a while. We were able to walk back to the ship after a few hours. I took a beach mat and a few sand toys, and some snorkel gear for my son. The kids loved it but best of all we were able to return to the ship at anytime this is not the case with the blue lagoon.

However on our upcoming trip in September I booked the blue lagoon, since we have already experienced Junkanoo beach.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Do you book this through DCL or is there a cheaper way to book direct?

 

[mischief32]

We just got back from our cruise on 4/15 and I can say we enjoyed Blue lagoon. We did the beach day and loved it. My daughter wants to go again and do the dolphin encounter. I would not wander around Nassau without a group. When we came back from Blue Lagoon we had to get off the boat at a area surrounded by razer wire and we got funneled into an area with shops set up and thru a checkpoint show our Driver's License and key to the world card. It was very freaky. I was happy to get back to the ship after that.

 

[Californiacruizers]

The blue lagoon is booked through Disney. I believe I paid about $200.00 for the 3 of us(DS13, DD 4, and I).

 

[MinnieMouse64]

I loved Blue Lagoon! We did the interaction with the dolphins. My grandson was to young to do it so my DH watched him, but they still charged to ride over on the boat. Afterwards, we enjoyed the beach area for a couple hours. I can remember it was pretty expensive just for my DH and grandson to ride over. Honestly, if your not wanting to do an excursion and just do a beach day at Nassau, I would save the beach day for Castaway Cay where it is free. I have heard of people doing the Junkanoo Beach which is just a short walk from the cruise ship, but don't know much about it.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

We just got back from our cruise on 4/15 and I can say we enjoyed Blue lagoon. We did the beach day and loved it. My daughter wants to go again and do the dolphin encounter. I would not wander around Nassau without a group. When we came back from Blue Lagoon we had to get off the boat at a area surrounded by razer wire and we got funneled into an area with shops set up and thru a checkpoint show our Driver's License and key to the world card. It was very freaky. I was happy to get back to the ship after that.

WOW, they really have placed razor wire up now? We have been going on the DCL to Nassau the past three years and getting ready to head to there again this year (believe me not by choice, but my now 4 yr old grandson talks his papaw into the Disney boat and 3-4 day cruises is all we adventure to do with him..LOL). Since we have been going to Nassau, I can tell a difference. Last year there was a Carnival cruise ship with a HUGE banner stretched their railing telling people to stay back so many feet from their ship, this was the first time I ever seen that. I felt like the DCL TV in the cabin were talking about the port and telling people to stay on the main streets. Honestly, I felt safe, but we walked with other people from the cruise ships and tried to stay in groups. We didn't take much money and didn't wear much jewelry either. Now if there is razor wire that is really getting scary. I wish DCL would go to another port for their short cruises. Honestly, call me crazy if you want but I would be interested in just going to Key West and Castaway Cay with a fun day at sea..LOL.

 

[Quellman]

WOW, they really have placed razor wire up now? We have been going on the DCL to Nassau the past three years and getting ready to head to there again this year (believe me not by choice, but my now 4 yr old grandson talks his papaw into the Disney boat and 3-4 day cruises is all we adventure to do with him..LOL). Since we have been going to Nassau, I can tell a difference. Last year there was a Carnival cruise ship with a HUGE banner stretched their railing telling people to stay back so many feet from their ship, this was the first time I ever seen that. I felt like the DCL TV in the cabin were talking about the port and telling people to stay on the main streets. Honestly, I felt safe, but we walked with other people from the cruise ships and tried to stay in groups. We didn't take much money and didn't wear much jewelry either. Now if there is razor wire that is really getting scary. I wish DCL would go to another port for their short cruises. Honestly, call me crazy if you want but I would be interested in just going to Key West and Castaway Cay with a fun day at sea..LOL.

So my 2 year old has been on 2 Disney cruises. We have a plush Ship, a rubber ship, and a ship ornament. When he isn't asking to go to Disney world, he asks when we can go catch up to the DiIIIZZZneee Boat!

 

[jvorhis]

WOW, they really have placed razor wire up now? We have been going on the DCL to Nassau the past three years and getting ready to head to there again this year (believe me not by choice, but my now 4 yr old grandson talks his papaw into the Disney boat and 3-4 day cruises is all we adventure to do with him..LOL). Since we have been going to Nassau, I can tell a difference. Last year there was a Carnival cruise ship with a HUGE banner stretched their railing telling people to stay back so many feet from their ship, this was the first time I ever seen that. I felt like the DCL TV in the cabin were talking about the port and telling people to stay on the main streets. Honestly, I felt safe, but we walked with other people from the cruise ships and tried to stay in groups. We didn't take much money and didn't wear much jewelry either. Now if there is razor wire that is really getting scary. I wish DCL would go to another port for their short cruises. Honestly, call me crazy if you want but I would be interested in just going to Key West and Castaway Cay with a fun day at sea..LOL.

WOW! Can someone let me know how far it is from the ferry to the boat? I understand going to BL you are with others from your ship but I was wondering how it was coming back, thanks for the info. We are leaving from NYC so I figured after three days we'd want to get off and I was thinking about BL. Is it really that scary?

 

[dcassetta]

This has been my experience on several trips to Blue Lagoon. You will walk down the ramp area shaded red escorted by a crew member from Blue Lagoon. They will take you through a gated area and onto the Blue Lagoon boat at the yellow arrow. As this is an active wharf and immigration area, you may see fences, gates, barbed wire and soldiers with weapons. Upon return from Blue Lagoon, you will disembark the Blue Lagoon boat and have to walk through the area they call Festival Place. This is a vendor area so there will be stalls with items for purchase and people offering hair braiding and taxi/carriage rides. I find saying "No, thank you" works well. Inside Festival Place there is a control point where you will need to show your ID and KTTW card, and walk back down the ramp to the ship, which is hopefully berthed at the closer pier! In total from getting off the Blue Lagoon ferry to the control point is maybe 200 yards.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

we'd want to get off and I was thinking about BL. Is it really that scary?

I LOVE the blue lagoon and did not at any time feel unsafe there. It was a wonderful excursion!

 

[MinnieMouse64]

So my 2 year old has been on 2 Disney cruises. We have a plush Ship, a rubber ship, and a ship ornament. When he isn't asking to go to Disney world, he asks when we can go catch up to the DiIIIZZZneee Boat!

That's funny!! My 4 yr old grandson, calls it the Disney Boat or the Mickey Boat. He is so excited about our up coming trip. His momma (our daughter) went with us on your first Disney Cruise, now her and my son-in-law are going with us on this cruise along with our new grandson, which will be 9 months old when we leave. This will be my son-in-laws first time cruising, so I think he is just as excited.

 

[Californiacruizers]

My children and I ened up on a backstreet in Nassau alone I felt safe. We even went in to a small cafe for smoothies. The cafe was full of locals having lunch. There are unarmed polic officers on almost every corner just keeping watch. I loved their Brittish uniforms. I am from Los Angeles and have lived all over the United States and I can a honestly say I never felt unsafe with in Nassau. We las travelled to Nassau one year ago. I understand everyone's experiences are different.

 

[Hundredacre]

Is this somewhere that we could just go to the beach or do we have to go with an excursion? We just want to play in the water and lay on the sand.

Thanks!

I agree with Californiacruizers that Junkanoo beach is a great option. It is very easy to get to and within walking distance and is free if you do not want to commit to an excursion. It gives you a real local feel and can be busy (and fun). Not crowded but busy. If your kids just want to mess around on the beach a bit I would go there. You can even make it back for lunch on the ship. But if you are looking for a relaxing extended day at the beach I would go through a local hotel (cheaper than blue lagoon and you can leave when you want) or Blue Lagoon. If you are comfortable walking around major cities you will feel fine in Nassau. We have been there many times -- as recently as March where we walked the "back streets" alone- and never been scared, worried, anything. That being said, reports are crime is on the rise in Nassau and we do know a family who had their passports stolen at Atlantis. This could happen anywhere. Why they took the passport s off the ship? Not smart.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/tags/nassau/

If anyone interested about seeing the crime in Nassau. I know there is crime every place you go, but I feel we should be informed. Like I said in my previous post, I can tell a difference in the past three years going there. I think as long as people stay in groups, stay on the main streets (no alleys), and be aware of your surroundings, you should be safe. I recommend booking your excursions from the cruise ship itself. Don't take taxi's. I have also been told don't wear a lot of jewelry and don't take a lot of money. Honestly, I wish Disney offered a different shorter cruise to like…Key West and Castaway Cay or even Grand Turk and Castaway Cay. The only reason we take these short cruises (believe me it is NOT to see Nassau) is because we take our grandson with us and we don't think he could handle a longer cruise or maybe it is his mimi and papaw can't handle a longer cruise with him..LOL. So since they don't offer a different shorter cruise, we get off the cruise ship in Nassau just long enough to say we went to Nassau and to get t-shirt for his mommy and daddy, then back to the ship we go.

 

[jerseygal]

View attachment 165062

This has been my experience on several trips to Blue Lagoon. You will walk down the ramp area shaded red escorted by a crew member from Blue Lagoon. They will take you through a gated area and onto the Blue Lagoon boat at the yellow arrow. As this is an active wharf and immigration area, you may see fences, gates, barbed wire and soldiers with weapons. Upon return from Blue Lagoon, you will disembark the Blue Lagoon boat and have to walk through the area they call Festival Place. This is a vendor area so there will be stalls with items for purchase and people offering hair braiding and taxi/carriage rides. I find saying "No, thank you" works well. Inside Festival Place there is a control point where you will need to show your ID and KTTW card, and walk back down the ramp to the ship, which is hopefully berthed at the closer pier! In total from getting off the Blue Lagoon ferry to the control point is maybe 200 yards.

We were on the Dream, summer '11, and Blue Lagoon and CC were the most awesome part of the cruise for us. LOVED Blue Lagoon, we all had a blast on the inflatables, relaxing in the water, thought the island was so pretty. In almost 5 years, crime has risen from my readings and there was no barbed wire or soldiers. With that said, we were very pleased that we chose a Disney excursion to Blue Lagoon because we liked being in a group and felt that if there were a problem getting back to the ship "as a large group" Disney would work with the excursion more readily than going off with a non Disney group or on our own somewhere for that matter. Even back in '11, I had read "warnings" about Nassau, so I was firm on booking any excursions as a large group through Disney. LOVED Blue Lagoon and CC! ENJOY if you go!

 

[mevelandry]

WOW, they really have placed razor wire up now? We have been going on the DCL to Nassau the past three years and getting ready to head to there again this year (believe me not by choice, but my now 4 yr old grandson talks his papaw into the Disney boat and 3-4 day cruises is all we adventure to do with him..LOL). Since we have been going to Nassau, I can tell a difference. Last year there was a Carnival cruise ship with a HUGE banner stretched their railing telling people to stay back so many feet from their ship, this was the first time I ever seen that. I felt like the DCL TV in the cabin were talking about the port and telling people to stay on the main streets. Honestly, I felt safe, but we walked with other people from the cruise ships and tried to stay in groups. We didn't take much money and didn't wear much jewelry either. Now if there is razor wire that is really getting scary. I wish DCL would go to another port for their short cruises. Honestly, call me crazy if you want but I would be interested in just going to Key West and Castaway Cay with a fun day at sea..LOL.

We got off the ship only once so far in Nassau and I saw 3-4 army men in the secured perimeter. I did see the gates with razor wires as well. Next time, we'll do excursions (with groups)... but I wouldn't get out the perimeter by myself.

DH and I went to buy rum cakes, it was a 2 minutes walk outside the perimeter, very close. There were bars on windows everywhere. Did not feel safe at all.

So far, for our next cruise (Carnival) we have a Blue Lagoon Excursion. On our next DCL cruise there will be 5 ships in Nassau AKA total chaos in Atlantis so we settled for an Atlantis Beach Day (we'll avoid Aquaventure).

 

[MinnieMouse64]

DH and I went to buy rum cakes, it was a 2 minutes walk outside the perimeter, very close. There were bars on windows everywhere. Did not feel safe at all.

When we were there last July, I never seen the razor fencing or military standing around. The only thing we seen was the Military ship at the port. So do you think as long as we walk in a group just to go in a couple shops to get t-shirts we should be okay? I know every time we go there, and this will be our 4th time in the last 4 years I have felt its not as safe every time we go. Like I have said, I wish Disney would quit going there. The ONLY reason we keep going back is this is the only short cruise Disney has and cruising with our little grandson, I don't think he could handle being on a cruise much longer. Honestly, I wish they would take a short cruise to Key West, Fl and Castaway Cay. I would take it.