Nassau - excursions on our own

[czall]

We are docking in Nassau, off Dream on August 1 and we have our older sons 17 and 19 with us. We are okay with doing an excursion on our own - beach and local food. I have read that a lot of the excursions off ship, you spend more time traveling than at the actual beach and food seems to be hot dogs and hamburgers. Any advice on better beaches we can go on our own, get lounges and experience local delicacies. Not opposed to excursions from DCL and we know the pros and cons, however we want to be able to get off early do what we want and have the ability to come back on our own terms. Also are there truly any great "shopping" deals there, we are from New York and I'm not sure if there are any true bargains anymore

 

[wherespluto]

Check out the Tiki Bikini Hut. You can find pics of their menu on their facebook page. 5 minute walk. If you are looking for beach and fun, this is the place. They have local food and the hamburgers and such.

We dont do any shopping here, so no advice on that.

 

[ElenaRN]

We were undecided what to do on our Nassau day. We contemplated just staying on ship, but decided against that.
Our YDD was 2 1/2 so not old enough for too much. We didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for a day pass anywhere either.

We wound up walking to Junkanoo Beach. Its about 15-20 min from the dock (& that was walking with 2 5yo and a stroller). We had heard different things about the cleanliness of it, but we found it very clean. We rented some beach chairs, ordered some jerk chicken platters for lunch and a few frosty beverages (virgin for the kiddies) and had a great day.

There were a few stands on the beach selling towels, sarongs, jewelry etc. Water was calm, no waves at all if I remember correctly.

We planned on only staying an hour or 2 but it turned out we were there closer to 3 1/2.

 

[dcassetta]

Downtown Nassau is very walkable. Here is a walking tour from Frommer's that hits the highlights - http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-providence/walking-tours
And a map - http://www.bahamas-on-line.com/downtown-nassau-map.html

The are several good local places down by Arawak Cay, I like Andros.

I think there might be some deals, if you know what you are looking for. Price the jewelry/watches you are interested in at home, and then see what prices you're offered in Nassau.

 

[MUN]

We went to Junkanoo Beach as well last year. It's not Castaway Cay, but it is interesting to visit a downtown beach. It was clean enough and the water was beautiful. There is also plenty of local food and drink available. It was a fun experience.

 

[annie1995]

Downtown Nassau is very walkable. Here is a walking tour from Frommer's that hits the highlights - http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-providence/walking-tours
And a map - http://www.bahamas-on-line.com/downtown-nassau-map.html

The are several good local places down by Arawak Cay, I like Andros.

I think there might be some deals, if you know what you are looking for. Price the jewelry/watches you are interested in at home, and then see what prices you're offered in Nassau.

How far is it from the docks?

 

[dcassetta]

How far is it from the docks?

From the wharf, it's probably about a mile to Arawak Cay. You can walk along Bay street and the beaches, so it's not a bad walk at all.

 

[Pooh2]

From the wharf, it's probably about a mile to Arawak Cay. You can walk along Bay street and the beaches, so it's not a bad walk at all.

When getting off the ship, is Junkanoo toward the right in the direction of the straw market? Or do you turn left when exiting through the fence/gate?

 

[dcassetta]

When getting off the ship, is Junkanoo toward the right in the direction of the straw market? Or do you turn left when exiting through the fence/gate?

When exiting the port area you would turn to the right for the straw market and Junkanoo beach. The beach would be about a 10 minute walk. If you go to the left after a longer walk you'll reach Montagu beach, I'm not sure I'd recommend walking all the way though because there isn't a safe sidewalk in that direction all the way to Montagu beach.

 

[vakamalua]

Discover some out of the way places, eat great food & learn some Bahamian history and culture--take the Bahamian Food Tour. We had a great time!

https://www.trubahamianfoodtours.com

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I can also recommend Junkanoo Beach. Your teens will like it! We stopped along the road and did a little shopping on our way back to the ship, but it's mostly just souvenir-type stores, so nothing exceptional. It took us about 20 minutes to walk there, but we had four younger kids with us.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I can also recommend Junkanoo Beach. Your teens will like it! We stopped along the road and did a little shopping on our way back to the ship, but it's mostly just souvenir-type stores, so nothing exceptional. It took us about 20 minutes to walk there, but we had four younger kids with us.

This is what we plan to do. Where did you shop? Are there shops along the way? I kind of want to avoid the straw market but we'll want souvenirs .

 

[No Windows]

Total newbie, glad I'm reading all the positive Nassau stuff bc all my research has been nothing but warnings/stay on the ship advice.
I'm interested in doing the pirate museum, has anyone gone? And has anyone ever had any problems with crime etc.?

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

This is what we plan to do. Where did you shop? Are there shops along the way? I kind of want to avoid the straw market but we'll want souvenirs .

I went to the Straw Market years ago and don't care to go back We just stopped in random shops along the street. I couldn't tell you anyone in particular. We found a cute little alley that was lined with some decent souvenir-type shops. Have fun!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Total newbie, glad I'm reading all the positive Nassau stuff bc all my research has been nothing but warnings/stay on the ship advice.
I'm interested in doing the pirate museum, has anyone gone? And has anyone ever had any problems with crime etc.?

We went last April to the Pirate Museum. Honestly, it was better done than either of us expected, but it's probably not what you're expecting when you hear the word museum. It's small, and wasn't really worth the cost. Was it interesting? Yes. But the cost adds up quickly, and we really were not there very long. I guess I'm glad we checked it out, but I'm not sure I'd consider it a "must visit". We had no issues with crime walking there and then to John Watlings rum distillery, and back to the ship after. We did take care, though to take nothing that wouldn't fit in our pockets off the ship, to be aware of our surroundings, and to not wear anything that identified us as cruise ship passengers (though I'm sure my glow in the dark skin from the lack of sun after a New England winter was a dead giveaway).

 

[No Windows]

We went last April to the Pirate Museum. Honestly, it was better done than either of us expected, but it's probably not what you're expecting when you hear the word museum. It's small, and wasn't really worth the cost. Was it interesting? Yes. But the cost adds up quickly, and we really were not there very long. I guess I'm glad we checked it out, but I'm not sure I'd consider it a "must visit". We had no issues with crime walking there and then to John Watlings rum distillery, and back to the ship after. We did take care, though to take nothing that wouldn't fit in our pockets off the ship, to be aware of our surroundings, and to not wear anything that identified us as cruise ship passengers (though I'm sure my glow in the dark skin from the lack of sun after a New England winter was a dead giveaway).

I see, thanks. I still want to check this "museum" out, but I'll also check my expectations at the door And thanks for the advice on safety, won't take any bags off the ship. Everything will fit in pockets.

 

[fredandkell]

Another option, if you're a Hilton Honors member, is to cash in some points for the cheapest room at the Hilton - about a 5-10 min. walk from the cruise ship. http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/bahamas/british-colonial-hilton-nassau-NASHIHH/index.html We did this on our last Royal Caribbean cruise after we had to stay an extra day in Nassau because our private island day was canceled. It's a small beach, but very close to the ships and easy to get to, and if you use points, you have a room for naps, showers, etc. There's a pool, a poolside bar, umbrellas, towel service, coffee shop, etc. (It would be v. overpriced to pay for a room here - but when we did it, the points weren't that much - I want to say 20,000 - it was way "cheaper" than paying for 4 people to do an offsite cruise-sponsored beach excursion). Similarly, if you're a Marriott person, you can burn points for Atlantis access.

 

[TigerLaw]

FYI, The Hilton hotel offers a day pass for like $65 to use the pool and beach you get a $40 food and drink credit as well

 

[Dug720]

FYI, The Hilton hotel offers a day pass for like $65 to use the pool and beach you get a $40 food and drink credit as well

That seems like the better option if you're leaning that way. Because there is no guarantee that they will have your "room" available before check-in, which is at 4pm. So the possibility exists that you waste you points to get a room that you can't use anyway because of the ship's schedule.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

That seems like the better option if you're leaning that way. Because there is no guarantee that they will have your "room" available before check-in, which is at 4pm. So the possibility exists that you waste you points to get a room that you can't use anyway because of the ship's schedule.

For the Colonial Hilton day pass, you don't actually get a room, you just get use of their pools and beach and a food/drink credit. Not sure how that translates if using Hilton points.