Nassau - Semi Sub or Glass bottom boat? Also Merrytime question.

[msmama]

Does anyone have any input on either?

I'd thought I'd want to stay on board in Nassau (been there and Atlantis) but we already have 4 sea days so it does seem logical to get off the ship. Still, nothing really appeals to me. I'm not much of a beach girl so one day at CC will be enough beach.

Has anyone does either of these? I figure we'd probably pair it with the pirate museum (which is pretty close to the port, right?)

Any other suggestions? My travel party is my son (9), myself and my mom.

Also, so I don't start another thread - this is a Merrytime cruise. Does that mean that one day will be "Christmas?" We did the Halloween cruise last year and they had one day dedicated to "Halloween." I figured the Merrytime one would be the same, but when I mentioned that to other people they seemed to act like I was crazy. If it is, does anyone know which day would be the Merrytime day on the Magic from NY over Thanksgiving?

Thanks.

 

[llachance]

Christmas throughout the week - unlike the Halloween cruise which we have done as well. Santa will make at last one appearance There is also gingerbread house making (sign up when you get on board) and the characters will wear christmas wear throughout the week. The tree in the atrium was beautiful and I look forward to doing it again this Thanksgiving - but we are out of galveston. The semi sub was not that impressive a couple of years ago but there had been a recent storm so things were pretty yuck. we are staying on in Nassau this year.

 

[Shanti]

This is a Merrytime cruise. Does that mean that one day will be "Christmas?" We did the Halloween cruise last year and they had one day dedicated to "Halloween." I figured the Merrytime one would be the same, but when I mentioned that to other people they seemed to act like I was crazy. If it is, does anyone know which day would be the Merrytime day on the Magic from NY over Thanksgiving?

No, on a Merrytime cruise the Christmas theme lasts throughout the cruise. There is no pseudo "Christmas Day" that isn't really Christmas. I don't think that would go over well with religious guests, myself included.

You'll see Christmas trees and holiday decorations throughout the ship and on Castaway Cay. There is a holiday show in the atrium in which different winter holidays are recognized. There is an atrium performance of caroling. There is a ticketed gingerbread house making event on one day of the cruise (get the tickets for this as soon as you board). There is an opportunity to meet Santa. You'll see characters in Christmas outfits...These events span the cruise and aren't all on one day.

 

[cmph]

We did the semi-sub in January and really liked it. I guess it makes sense that a storm would potentially mess that up a bit, but we didn't have that issue and the water was very clear. My son wanted to see a shark in its native environment, and we knew snorkeling excursions would be out b/c he can't use the snorkel properly until orthodontia fixes things a bit. It fit the bill. It was a super short walk to the transportation boat that takes you out to the semi-sub. It was narrated, so you heard all about the famous people's homes along the water (the guide was pretty amusing too). Then you transfer onto the semi-sub as the previous group loads off. We saw a ton of fish and shark around the reef, and the guide (a different one) was very knowledgeable. They tossed food in to attract the fish. The return trip on the other boat was narration free and relaxing. They drop you at the end of the straw market, about a 10min walk back to the ship. You'll easily be able to walk elsewhere from the drop-off point, though.

This is silly and kind of lame, but the reason I ended up choosing the semi-sub over the glass-bottomed boat was that it sounded like a "real-life" version of Nemo's sub ride at Disneyland, which my kids love!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We love the Merrytime cruises (done 3). On our 3rd cruise overall, and first non-Merrytime, the ship seemed a bit empty without the tree, garlands...what the PP mentioned re: Merrytime is true. Holiday-season-flavored would probably be a more accurate description, but not nearly as catchy!

Anyway

We went to the Pirate Museum in Feb on our Wonder cruise. It was a very easy walk from Prince George Wharf; 6 blocks total. If I remember right the cost for 2 adults & 3 kids was $42 (US) for entry. It's a bit campy with the mannequins and whatnot, but the kids enjoyed it (as did DW). More fun than educational, if you catch my meaning.

 

[Nicks80]

We did the semi-sub in December 2014 and really enjoyed it. It is also nice to stay on board and enjoy the ship amenities (like the pool) when everyone else has gone ashore.