Nassau excursions?

[dzneprincess]

I cant believe I have a cruise scheduled for a little over a month away, and I have given no thought to excursions yet. I was looking at DCL's website and might be interested in Blue Lagoon Beach Day, Atlantis Beach Day, Cataraman Sail and SNorkel or I am open to suggestions. In November, we did the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and Sting Ray City in Grand Caymen. I am trying to plan an excursion for us in Nassau, so we will have something to do without breaking the bank. I would like to check out Atlantis, but it just seems so expensive. I can't believe i haven't anything planned yet! For our last cruise I was counting down to the 60 day mark! LOL Also, if anyone has any pictures of any of the above excursions, I would love to see them. Also, I am afraid I will be disappointed in the beaches, as we often go to the panhandle of FLA and the beaches there are beautiful, sugar sand. Will I be disappointed in Nassau? Help? A little guidance please? LOL

 

[lookingforward]

We are sailing on the Wonder and have a room booked at the Comfort Suites in Nassau. The cost of the room is $148 and it will give us full privledges to Atlantis for the day. That includes the beach, the pools, slides, aquarium, casino, etc. It turns out to be much cheaper than booking the Atlantis excursion through Disney at $60 per person and does not include the pools, etc. The only downfall for booking this directly is the 48 hour cancellation policy. If the weather is bad I am stuck paying for the room

 

[Honeychild]

Can't help with Nassau as I haven't cruised yet. I did want to say that I agree with you about the beautiful Emerald Coast (pandhandle) of Florida. I have lived on the Emerald Coast all my life and I'm spoiled when it comes to beautiful beaches, the sand is like sugar!

 

[musicgirl]

2 Years ago, we did the Blue Lagoon Beach day. It was very good. It is about a 45 min boat/ferry ride to the island. There is a shallow inlet perfect for little ones. There are water craft rentals, snorkeling and a bbq lunch. You can go back on a ferry at 2 or 4. We went at 2 because we were pretty tired.

Last year, we did the Catamaran Sail and Reef Snorkel. It was great! You ride out to a reef and have about 45 min. to snorkel. It was beautiful. We were back around 1, just in time to catch lunch. I don't know if they do this on every trip, but they stopped to let people off at Atlantis. So if you want to see it, that would be a great, easy way to get there. You just have to get back on your own.

Lorie

 

[skiyalater]

Hi! We posted on this awhile back but wanted to let you know too.
We went in May 2004 and found the greatest free beach in Nassau! It is less than a 10 minute walk from the ship and has crystal clear water, a roped off area, view of the ships, sodas for sale and a bar across the street, chairs for rent , flushing bathrooms and a bit of shade too!
It was very beautiful and safe! We went with our family of 6 and my in-laws. We all agreed it was perfect. We even went back to the ship for lunch!
It is to your right as you come into Nassau-you walk past the straw market so you can purchase your "treasures. If you would like more info let me know-I will look up my old posting or the map we saved. How we found it is through these great dis boards. Then when we arrived at port we asked a police man in the tourist kiosk for additional help and he gladly led us in the same direction. Have a blast-save money and relax!

 

[dzneprincess]

I appreciate your insight, although our WOnder cruise was on 09-19, maybe the info can help someone else. We ended up doing the catamaran sail and snorkel. Next month we are going on an eastern Magic and I avent even thought about excursions, again...

 

[CindyBeth]

dzneprincess - How was the catamaran sail and snorkel? Would you recommend it?

 

[dzneprincess]

It was ok. I think I may have spoiled myself, as far as excursions go, because last year we did the Western sailing. We did the sting ray and snorkle thru Capt Marvins in GC and the Royal Dolphin Swim in Cozumel. Those were amazing! While the catamaran was not amazing, I think it was definitely better than hanging around Nassau all day, and it was way better than the Atlantis,. I was not impressed with the Atlantis, at all.

 

[musicgirl]

dzneprincess,

Having snorkel in St. Thomas after Nassau (catamaran sail) I agree with your reply. Although we all had a great time snorkeling in Nassau, when we snorkeled on the Eastern we were amazed.

Since you are going on the Eastern, let me suggest the Capt. Nautica excursion on the St. Thomas day. It sounds very similar to the Capt. Marvin's. They take you to 3 different spots to snorkel on a speed boat. Pm me if you have any questions.

edit: I just noticed your other thread!

Lorie

 

[baileybaby]

I would love to hear more about your beach day. It sounds like what we were hoping to do when we get there.

Originally posted by skiyalater
Hi! We posted on this awhile back but wanted to let you know too.
We went in May 2004 and found the greatest free beach in Nassau! It is less than a 10 minute walk from the ship and has crystal clear water, a roped off area, view of the ships, sodas for sale and a bar across the street, chairs for rent , flushing bathrooms and a bit of shade too!
It was very beautiful and safe! We went with our family of 6 and my in-laws. We all agreed it was perfect. We even went back to the ship for lunch!
It is to your right as you come into Nassau-you walk past the straw market so you can purchase your "treasures. If you would like more info let me know-I will look up my old posting or the map we saved. How we found it is through these great dis boards. Then when we arrived at port we asked a police man in the tourist kiosk for additional help and he gladly led us in the same direction. Have a blast-save money and relax!

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by lookingforward
We are sailing on the Wonder and have a room booked at the Comfort Suites in Nassau. The cost of the room is $148 and it will give us full privledges to Atlantis for the day. That includes the beach, the pools, slides, aquarium, casino, etc. It turns out to be much cheaper than booking the Atlantis excursion through Disney at $60 per person and does not include the pools, etc. The only downfall for booking this directly is the 48 hour cancellation policy. If the weather is bad I am stuck paying for the room

I believe excursions booked in advance also have a 2 day cancellation policy. At least that's what I was told when I reserved.

 

[LoveMickey]

Reference below - is this Cable Beach?

Originally posted by skiyalater
Hi! We posted on this awhile back but wanted to let you know too.
We went in May 2004 and found the greatest free beach in Nassau! It is less than a 10 minute walk from the ship and has crystal clear water, a roped off area, view of the ships, sodas for sale and a bar across the street, chairs for rent , flushing bathrooms and a bit of shade too!
It was very beautiful and safe! We went with our family of 6 and my in-laws. We all agreed it was perfect. We even went back to the ship for lunch!
It is to your right as you come into Nassau-you walk past the straw market so you can purchase your "treasures. If you would like more info let me know-I will look up my old posting or the map we saved. How we found it is through these great dis boards. Then when we arrived at port we asked a police man in the tourist kiosk for additional help and he gladly led us in the same direction. Have a blast-save money and relax

 

[skiyalater]

Hi! No this is not Cable Beach it is before it. When you get off the ship you will be in the visiotr's center, exit to your right and you will be on Woodes Rogers Walk. Follow that to the straw market which is right next to Senor Frogs Restaurant. Woodes Rogers Park walk will turn into Navy Lion Rd and then W. Bay St. It sounds complicated but it isn't-it just meanders along. On West Bay St. you will walk in front of the British Colonial Hilton. Stay along the ocean side on the sidewalk (as you have been) and right after the Hilton you will see the beach path. The path is not large enough for cars but it is not hidden either. You will really love this beach-the sand is white, the water picture perfect with a roped off swim area; and there is shade and flushing potties too! We packed a soft sided cooler with sandwiches ordered from room service the night before, bought the kids soda from the beach stand and ourselves icy cocktails from the bar across the street. Have fun!

 

[skiyalater]

Forgot to elaborate! We brought food but then even went back to the ship and ate again by the pools! They have food almost all the time! Also grab a map at the visitor's center-they are free and really cute-makes a fun souvenior. They are on the wall in one of those brochure racks-you don't need to buy one from the vendors.

 

[baileybaby]

About how long a walk was it from the ship? Just wondering if the kiddos could make it.

 

[skiyalater]

Hi! We had a 6 yr old, 7 yr old and two teens, plus grandparents. It was less than a 10 minute walk-and only that if you are like us and take in the sights. You can see the ships from the harbor. We met a lady from the ship-a single mom with a just turned three yr. old who had heard of this beach -(from these great dis boards!)and walked too. I think you would be fine even with a little one-take a water bottle though-that sun is intense especially for us midwesterners! Also we took a few beach toys-pail and shovel stuff and stopped to buy treasures ( aka: junk) at the straw market-hey where else can you get a coconut decorated as a football!!

 

[baileybaby]

Thank you so much! This sounds like what I was looking for. Was the beach pretty clean? When were you there? Sorry for all the questions we leave on tuesday and I am starting to get nervous!

 

[NickandLivvysmom]

I am confused.... Planning our first DCL on Wonder in April..... DS9,DD2, Husband and Myself....When the Boat docks in Nassu, we want to go to Atlantis and check out the Aquariums, it would be nice if we could go to the beach for a while and maybe my husband and I could take turns with the kids while the other goes to the Casino for about an hour....Can you give me some advice? I mean how far is Atlantis from where the boat will be docked? What time do we have to return to the boat? Should we have the late seating for dinner so we can hang out on the island all day than just come back for dinner and hang out on the boat? Obviously, we cant swim at a beach than go inside the casino with out changing... Is it a hassle to go back to the boat , change, than leave again or is that the norm? Also, we would like to shop for a little bit..... Sorry I am rambling, but if you could just tell me how you would go about doing all this, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[skiyalater]

The beach is very clean and the water is truly perfect! We were there in May 2004. From the beach we were on it was so fast to get back to the ship.
To help out the other guest questions-we did not do Atlantis- I know it looks wonderful though. I was afraid the kids would see the waterpark there, that you aren't allowed on , and feel disappointed. Also we live near the Shedd Aquarium which is totally cool. I have heard there is a beach over near the Atlantis-unsure of the name though.
Remember to have fun and relax though-if you plan too much you won't feel like you had a vacation. The beach experience on Castaway Cay is the ultimate, and once you see the ship and all the great nooks and crannies on it you really won't want to be off it for long! Don't stress over meal times either there is so much food you could literally eat 24 hrs. a day!
Enjoy the shows on board too we thought our teenagers would think they were stupid but they had a blast at them.
Wish we could go again soon! We have traveled quite a bit and this vacation was better than we imagined!