Nassau excursion advice, PLEEZE!!!

[jillandvaughn]

My husband, son (10), and I are going on our very first cruise ever, a 3 night on the Dream to the Bahamas, in November. We are so excited to spend the entire day at Castaway Cay, but can't decide what we should do on our Nassau day - whether we should do the Blue Lagoon/swimming with dolphins experience, or just stay on the ship and take it all in. My son is so looking forward to participating in the kids programs, and I am worried that if we disembark on both days of this short cruise, he won't really get to experience it all.
I know you DISboarders will know what's best!
Can't wait to hear from you!

 

[RHSTigerMom]

Stay on the ship and enjoy the pools and aquaduck. Nassau is gross anyway.

 

[jenpink]

Briefly walk off the ship just to say you have been to Nassau, then spend the rest of the day on the wonderful ship.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I would definitely walk off to say you have experienced it. What's the point of going to port somewhere and not getting off? My DH and I just got back last Thursday from a 4 night Dream cruise. Our only regret was not taking a longer cruise, lol. We did get off in Nassau for about 4 hrs. That gave us time to see what we wanted to see and make it back to the ship before the last rush. We also ate lunch at Cabanas that afternoon with a window seat looking over Nassau, which was nice. We just stayed on the main streets and where the tourists were. We enjoyed it and wouldn't mind going back.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Dolphin encounters can be found anywhere. (Although BL's looked GREAT compared to others we have seen.) We opted for Sea Lions. If not Blue Lagoon, I'd stay on board with the lil guy. But youngsters with our sea lion encounter were clearly having the time of their life (I mean, we all were!) so that is a choice you will have to make. We decided to book a 4 day for next May so we can have a sea day, AND still get to go back to BL. We liked it enough to intentionally book Nassau again.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599435_124340774434848_2006606723_n.jpg
Beautiful island!

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/923029_110172249185034_522862991_n.jpg
Smiling faces all around (especially youngster in the back.)

If you don't book something specific, than definitely enjoy the ship.

 

[Disneygirl NY]

We did a 4 night on the Dream in Feb. 2011, and a 3 night in Jan. '13. The first time, we did Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter with my 5 and 8 yr old DS's and my BIL, SIL and 15, 13 and 10 yr old niece and nephews. It was great (though the water was COLD in Feb) and we spent a few more hours on the island. This year's trip was just us, boys now 10 and 7, and we stayed on board for Nassau. You can do Blue Lagoon, get in one of the first groups, then take the first shuttle back to the boat to have lunch and enjoy the rest of the day. I believe the first shuttle is about 1:00. It is a very nice little excursion, though a little pricey, but the island is clean and the beach is fun. However, I think either decision will be fine.

 

[TotallyTink]

We just took our first cruise last month. We were on the Dream for 4 days. The cruise went by so quickly. We choose not to get off at Nassau. We enjoyed the Aquaduck with shorter lines, mini golf, Mid Ship Detective Agency and the kids went to the kids clubs. There was no lack of stuff to do on the ship even though we were in port. Before the cruise we had talked about getting off the ship for a little while midday, but we were too busy to get around to it. As first time cruisers, everything on the ship was new to us and none of the excursions felt like must-dos for us. I don't regret missing Nassau at all.

 

[Emzed]

We just took our first cruise last month. We were on the Dream for 4 days. The cruise went by so quickly. We choose not to get off at Nassau. We enjoyed the Aquaduck with shorter lines, mini golf, Mid Ship Detective Agency and the kids went to the kids clubs. There was no lack of stuff to do on the ship even though we were in port. Before the cruise we had talked about getting off the ship for a little while midday, but we were too busy to get around to it. As first time cruisers, everything on the ship was new to us and none of the excursions felt like must-dos for us. I don't regret missing Nassau at all.

That could've been us!! Our first cruise was the Dream 4 night three years ago and we also stayed on board. It was great to have shorter lines for the Aquaduck! We also went to a movie and had a chance to relax a little (oh, and got some autographs though your 10 year-old may be beyond that). Wouldn't have changed that day for anything! I mean... you can always go to Nassau but the SHIP is the real destination (IMHO)
BTW... only when we went on the one week cruise did we ever feel like we had enough time to disembark and even then we felt like we could've used more time on the Fantasy!

 

[scullymc]

We are also going on our first one in November what dates are you going? I have three boys 11, 9 & almost 2 we were wondering the same thing. But looks like we may stay on board for Nassau and spend time exploring the boat

 

[Lady Duchess]

We just got off the Dream this past Thursday. When in Nassau, we went to the Blue Lagoon and did the Sea Lion Encounter. One of the best excursions we ever did. It was so nice and the interaction with Bonny the Sea Lion was awesome. I will have some great memories, photos and dvd. Would love to go back next time and do the Dolphins. The place is well kept and clean. The Dolphins and Sea Lion all looked healthy and well cared for. I highly recommend this

 

[Jusacuz]

My daughter and I did the BL Dolphin encounter years ago and it was probably my favorite excursion in Nassau. I think the sea lion one would be wonderful.
My two youngest boys (13 & 16) and I just got off of the Dream yesterday and we did the Graycliff chocolate tour. It was a lot of fun. It was a short bus ride and we learned how chocolate was made and then we got to make our own chocolate bar.
I really enjoy Nassau and finding something new to do each time, but I know I'm in the minority.

 

[n8nally]

We just got off the Dream this past Thursday as well, and we did the BL Dolphin Encounter. We loved every minute of it! Wonderful interaction, fabulous memories, great pictures! We learned a lot and were amazed at how much fun we were having. We went to the beach there afterwards and it was great! Lovely facility, clean, very nice and helpful employees, just a great time!

 

[amandalacey2001]

I would definitely walk off to say you have experienced it. What's the point of going to port somewhere and not getting off? My DH and I just got back last Thursday from a 4 night Dream cruise. Our only regret was not taking a longer cruise, lol. We did get off in Nassau for about 4 hrs. That gave us time to see what we wanted to see and make it back to the ship before the last rush. We also ate lunch at Cabanas that afternoon with a window seat looking over Nassau, which was nice. We just stayed on the main streets and where the tourists were. We enjoyed it and wouldn't mind going back.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

Did you go to the straw market? If so would you recommend it for someone who has never been? I want to spend time on ship since we are only 4 days bit don't want to regret not at least going to see what it's all about! ! Please help all opinions wanted. Thx

 

[MacII]

I don't know why there is so much Nassau negativity in general on the DISBoards...we've only been once but it was without a doubt one of the highlights of our cruise. We went to Atlantis via a Disney excursion and did a Dolphin swim along with the incredible water park. It has the very best not so lazy river ever. And if that doesn't float your boat, the aquarium was unlike anything I'd ever seen. They have these enormous rays, I can't recall what they are but they feed them and it just has to be seen. IMHO it's well worth the cost. Check it out for sure...

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Straw market is not unsafe. Actually we got on demand shopping. My friend had bought a straw bag with Ariel on it and teased me mercilessly! We walked up and a lady says "$2 souvenirs!" And I said "you have bags with mermaids?" "I take you right to it." We had to use their restroom first and she waited for us and then she took us to a stand where I got my name added to an Ariel bag and Twinkie got hers on a dolphin bag. Then she said "OK now you buy sumpting from my stand." So I did, a bamboo picture album. Was it high pressure? Sure. But we brought cash and knew how to negotiate. We only ever spoke to ladies, we didn't have to wander around and when we were done, we headed over to Tortuga. I'll be going back to straw market, probably do the whole awesome day over again.

Also BL is always having Babies! I think they have at least three now! Glad Bonnie and Maggie are well! Those trainers love them. What a great inviting lil piece if island paradise.

I asked Mom if she wanted to go to SeaWorld this yr. "Nah, I'd rather go back to that Blue Lagoon."

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Did you go to the straw market? If so would you recommend it for someone who has never been? I want to spend time on ship since we are only 4 days bit don't want to regret not at least going to see what it's all about! ! Please help all opinions wanted. Thx

We were going to stop in at the straw market on our way back to the ship but it started thundering so we decided it was best to just get back on the ship before it started storming. We would definitely visit the straw market when we go back to Nassau. We didn't feel unsafe in Nassau and actually saw quite a few security officers patrolling the streets. Just like anywhere else, you have to be aware of your surroundings.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[tdbdolphin]

Straw market is not unsafe. Actually we got on demand shopping. My friend had bought a straw bag with Ariel on it and teased me mercilessly! We walked up and a lady says "$2 souvenirs!" And I said "you have bags with mermaids?" "I take you right to it." We had to use their restroom first and she waited for us and then she took us to a stand where I got my name added to an Ariel bag and Twinkie got hers on a dolphin bag. Then she said "OK now you buy sumpting from my stand." So I did, a bamboo picture album. Was it high pressure? Sure. But we brought cash and knew how to negotiate. We only ever spoke to ladies, we didn't have to wander around and when we were done, we headed over to Tortuga. I'll be going back to straw market, probably do the whole awesome day over again.

Also BL is always having Babies! I think they have at least three now! Glad Bonnie and Maggie are well! Those trainers love them. What a great inviting lil piece if island paradise.

I asked Mom if she wanted to go to SeaWorld this yr. "Nah, I'd rather go back to that Blue Lagoon."

How much was the straw bag with your name? Thats why I want to go to the market (christmas gift for the girls I need 4 of them). Thanks