Nassau Cabbies?

[pbharris4]

How do they drive? Are they fast and furious like NYC cabbies. We'll have a 2 yo with us and I gather they don't have car seats. We rode in one in NYC in November (DH held DD-4 mo at the time) and the cabbie bumped into another car (lightly)..I even offered a bigger tip if he'd go slower and he wouldn't go. (D.C. cabbies are like that, too). I swore I'd never ride in a cab again. But we want to go to Atlantis (not the excursion) and need to take a cab. Hopefully, they aren't wild.

 

[earpiemom]

We used a cab in February to go from the boat to Atlantis and we had our 5 month old with us. I was very concerned as you are because I had been in a cab in NY city and felt the same way you did. We were very pleased. The driver put our stroller in the back (it was a van) and I asked that he please drive carefully and we never had any problems. My dh held him for the ride as they don't have carseats.

 

[lovinaz]

We took a cab to and from the airport (we were staying on Paradise Island) and on the way from the airport to the hotel, we had a limo taxi, and he drove just fine. On the way from the hotel to the airport, we had a regular car taxi, and she didn't drive crazy or fast, but another taxi cut in front of us and she drove up to the driver's side, and the drivers had a little shouting match ("Hey mon, watcha doin' mon", etc)... I think it just depends on the driver. But I never felt unsafe and figured it was part of my Bahamas adventure!

The bus on the other hand - I enjoyed the craziness but if I would have had my kids with me I would have been a nervous wreck!

 

[JSCTRico4]

It always amazes me when we will ride in a car, with a total stranger no less, and not put our children in a car seat. We wouldn't do that if WE were driving. I know it may not be avoidable, but, it's a little unsettling. I don't know the laws of the Bahamas, but, couldn't someone get a ticket in NY for driving/riding with an infant not in a seat? There has to be an alternative. Has anyone got a solution? My kids are 6 and 9, and out of carseats, but, I'm still concerned for the little ones who aren't!

 

[pbharris4]

I totally agree that all cabs..no matter where they are should be required to have car seats. Not everyone does.

I certainly do NOT purposely put my children in harms way. Sometimes you are only given certain choices and NEITHER of those choices are good, but you have to pick. If you have ever been to NYC with a small infant, at night, in very cold, windy weather 15-17 long city blocks away from your hotel...would you walk, ride the subway, or take a cab (after walking all day in it)?

We'll more than likely just walk around Nassau anyway. I was just inquiring. I will stop at that because I really took personal offense to your comment and I don't want to be mean. I certainly can understand your concern because it is a concern of mine as well.

 

[kevlois]

We took a cab and the driver was very freindly. He told us, "the people of Nassau love you Americans because you are our bread and butter." Something we notice was how people toot their horns in US in a get out of my way attitude. In Nassau we noticed they toot their horns as a way of saying no you go I insist.

 

[earpiemom]

In my response I did not say that I had put my infant in a taxi in NY. I was simply relating to an experience that I had when I had been in a taxi there. I have not had my infant in NY but if we did got there I am not sure as to what other option you would have.

 

[lovinaz]

You could take the water taxi to get to Atlantis. It's actually quicker that way. It will take you to Paradise Island and it is about a 5-10 minute walk to Atlantis from the dock. If I remember correctly, the dock on the Nassau side is right by where the ships are and the water taxi was big enough, I'm sure you could bring a stroller.

 

[pbharris4]

In my response I did not say that I had put my infant in a taxi in NY. I was simply relating to an experience that I had when I had been in a taxi there. I have not had my infant in NY but if we did got there I am not sure as to what other option you would have.

It was me who was in NYC with my DD in the cab. We were there in mid November and it was FREEZING! We had the stroller and DH carried DD (4 mo) at the time in the baby bjorn all bundled up for part of the day. The wind was nasty and NYC in November is kind of like Xmas time. We stayed at The Plaza and were down @ Macy's and it got dark and even colder. The subway was out of the question. Macys is on 34th street and Herald Sq and The PLaza is around 51st and Central Park West or close to there which is a very long walk. So we felt taking a cab (even reluctantly) was better than exposing her more. Even pushing a stroller was bad. No one would hold a door. Even at The Plaza..there's no ramp and NONE of the doormen were kind enough to help us carry it down the steps. Anyway..I would wait until DD is older to go back again, and I'll stay somewhere else..The Plaza isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I wasn't sure what JSCT..meant and should have asked them first before taking offense..we've worked that out already. Thank for the replies!!!

I was wondering about the water taxis! That sounds like a much better and safer idea! I know my girls would love to see the aquarium. So the water taxis are there by the dock where the ship is? Do they have listed where they are going and for how much? I get weary when in another country...I've been to Canada-long time ago..no problem. I have been to Tiajuana many times and every time it gets worse...60 cabbies wanting to take you somewhere..kids selling chicklets on the street...I want to make sure they take us where we want to go.

 

[lovinaz]

It is $6 per person (RT), very easy to find. From my experience, everyone in Nassau was extremely friendly and laid back. Their economy depends a lot on tourism, and I think they enjoy keeping the tourists safe and happy. Here is a link:

http://www.bahamasgo.com/watertaxi.htm

 

[pbharris4]

Awesome! Thank you soo much!