Nassau, is it safe?

[uncgsweetz16]

I have read a few posts on here that the locals in Nassau just do not stop. We plan on checking it out to see what is out there but am worried if people have had any money stolen since these locals come up really close and hound you. Please advise where you do put your money. Also what is De Sol? Please help, thanks!

 

[webray]

OMG...Nassau is safe, and it is a lot of fun. The locals are wonderful to talk to, the food is wonderful so get off the ship and enjoy.

Just because someone says buy this $1 and they ask you a couple times, big deal. Just because the ladies at the strawmarket try to get you to come to their booths..big deal. This is the flavor of Nassau. No one has ever been rude or obnoxious to us there.

If you aren't going to get off the ship and enjoy the ports..then why spend all the money on a cruise.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We have been to Nassau 4 times and had a lot of fun. The first time we did have our doubts because we had no idea of the people trying to sell you stuff on the dock. We were kind of intimated as we walked to our excursion.
Now we realized that it is just a different culture there. These are people who live in poverty and are just trying to make a living. If they didnt approach you they would never make a sale. If you just look them in the eye and say No Thanks in a firm voice they will go to the next person. They are not being rude, just selling their wares.
We have met so many wonderful friendly people at Nassau. The Pirate's museum is 2 blocks behind the straw market, it's a big purple building, it is a great museum.$12 per person. The pirate who greets you is a really great person.
We took the historical city tour and our driver was polite, very knowledgible of local history, and helpful. The people we met at the areas we explored were always very nice, even when we declined to buy from them.
The Atlantis tour was also a great tour. The dig (aquarium) was really great. The tour goes fast, but after you can go back through as many times as you want at your own speed.
We did the horse carriage ride, next to the port last May. It was $10 per person. It was really nice and the driver gave us a narrated tour of the town as we trotted along for about 25 minutes. Anticipate people wanting a tip, but not pushy about it.
We also have done the Sunshine glass bottom boat ride, which was nice, especially is you have small children.
We have wondered through town several times and never felt in danger and believe me I'm a worrier about that kind of stuff. There was one liquor store that had some seedy looking men in front of it, but they never said anything to anybody. We just held our heads up, so not to look vulnerable and walked by. No problems at all. You do see security all over the place now, more than 3 years ago. Yes the women in the straw market try and get you to stop at their booths. It reminds me of a Barker at the state fair. They are like any other salesman, they want to make a sale so they can feed their families. They are very nice people to talk to. If you look close you will see bibles that a lot of these women are reading between customers. This is a different culture so things look strange to us at first, but take the time to explore and you'll really have a great time and get to meet people with a totally different life style. You'll appreciate home a lot more. It's truly a great experience.
I know of no one that has been robbed there. I did hear of a couple of people that were asked if they wanted to buy drugs, but they just walked on and were not bothered again. That can happen anywhere, even our own street corners. Hope you decide to go, and get off the ship and explore a new culture.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[Henlady]

Thank you momX4 for your very informative overview of visiting Nassau. We will be on our first cruise ever in late October 05 and I am looking forward to visiting Nassau. I enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting people. I would hate to close myself off and miss an opportunity just because a people/culture seems different from the one I exist in. Let's face it, as long as you are aware of your surroundings and practice basic travel safety, you will be just fine. Heck, we have to do that here in our own town.

Kris

77 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary 4-day Wonder cruise and a few days at PO-R

 

[sharonmickey]

I felt very safe in Nassau. In fact my 18 year old felt safe enough that she returned to town by herself when I went back to the ship. (And I'm a paranoid mother, but I felt comfortable allowing her to go.) We loved bickering prices at the straw market.

 

[ashman]

Del Sol is a franchise, they have one in Nassau within walking distance of the pier. It is a neat concept where the cloths and other items change color when exposed to sunlight www.delsol.com if you want more info. The last cruise I was on del sol was highlighted as the "preferred" vendor for color changing items. There are cheaper imitators but the supposledy break down after several washings. We bought shirts for our girls and they are still going strong one year later (kids are 5 and 3 the shirts get lots of use)

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kris,
30 years, wow! That is a long time. Glad you get to celebrate your special day on a cruise. We did our 30th on Disney cruise too. Will be doing 32 nd this December. Be sure and let you booking agent or the cruise line know about your special day and then you will get a special cake one night after dinner, no charge.
Sometimes you need to ask your head waiter the first night as he introduces himself, that you put in a request for your anniversary and wanted to make sure they got the message and then there wont be any mix ups. They do birthday's too. We did it for our son when he graduated college one year. He was really surprized.
mom x4,grandma x4