Nassau-what to do-not alot of$$

[nezy]

I am sure this is on here somewhere already, but I appreciate any info you can offer.
We will be on the Wonder 11/10/02-4-days. We want to go to a beach and not spend much $ for the Atlantis. Is the Blue Lagoon worth it? Are there any other good suggestions that may not be DCL sponsered excursions? We are 4 adult women-no kids. we want a beach and some cocktails.

 

[OhioTony]

Not crazy about Nassua at all.Every body is trying to hussle to in this town.We've had the most enjoyment on the snorkeling excursions.You'll take about a 45 minute catamaran boat ride,snorkel for an hour and most provide free all you can drink rum refreshments & beer and music on the return trip.otherwise I would have your day in the sun onboard with out getting hassled.The pools are not crowded due to all who flocked ashore!

 

[musicgirl]

We went in June on a 3 day. We went to the Blue Lagoon (dh and ds 11) and we had a great time. It was the first time any of us had snorkeled. We brought our own fins and masks. We did have to rent vests (they require vest).We found it to be very peaceful. The lunch provided was ok, nothing special. At the time, you could catch a boat back at 2:00pm or 4:00pm. I have heard that there is a stingray swim on another side of the island (not included in Blue Lagoon excursion). We will probably return here on our next cruise with my sister and her family in June. For the money, I think it was a pretty good deal.

Lorie

 

[PiperG]

I advise against the glass bottomed boat. The configuration of the viewing area made it hard for kids (or short adults like me) to see well, the colors were very washed out, and there really was not much sea life to view anyway.

Maybe next time we will try the aquariums at Atlantis.

 

[inkkognito]

We have done the public beach on Paradise Island...nothing fancy, but it is free other than the cab ride. There are people walking around selling various things, including drinks. I had an EXCELLENT drink in a coconut...not sure what was in it, as the man lopped the coconut open and poured in liquid from a couple of jugs. Hubby was concerned about cleanliness, but I was feeling adventurous. It was very yummy and I am still alive!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[pal2pluto]

It took little arm twisting to convince dh to stay on board in a hot tub w/ a drink or two......I've yet to be impressed w/ Nassau. CC has the perfect beach.

 

[LarryGadget]

We did Blue Lagoon last month. It was relaxing - I would recommend that you try not to bring much "stuff" with you so you don't have to worry about anything being taken. We enjoyed the actual beach time - but it was heck getting there and getting back. First, you walk off the ship to where the pontoon is (seemed like a 1/2 - 3/4 mile?), then you take the pontoon boat to the Blue Lagoon (about a 45 minute ride). Same thing on the way back. All told we spent about an hour on the beach, got the girls' hair braided, removed the braid's from my screaming youngest daughter (that's another very funny story), ate, and came back on the 2'oclock shuttle.

DW went to the straw market after and was harrassed into buying some merchandise that shrunk up so much that now our dog wears it .

I am glad we took this excursion, because we made some great family memories (sometimes the stressful moments make the best memories). Next time, if we stopped in Nassau, we would probably stay on the ship - having been there once before.

I say do the Lagoon and come back early if you aren't loving it.

 

[FOJMO]

I have to say the best shore excursion in Nassau is no excursion at all and stay on the beautiful ship. Especially, in your case, when you want to save on $$$.

 

[LarryGadget]

I can't disagree.

 

[tksbaskets]

We are taking the DSs to the Pirate Museum in Nassau. Looks interresting, inexpensive, and just a walk away from the ship (we hope). Saving the beach for CC. This way we can come back to the ship for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day there. I got to their web site from Dave's Cruise Line Tribute site.

HTH - can't wait to go!!!!

 

[OhioTony]

The pirate museum is fun.But like I said"every one in Nassau is trying to hussle you".When you walk up to the facility there will be girls trying to sell you a "Package" deal. For $7.00 over the cost of the museum per person you get a goofy looking,Disney pun intended,souvineer cup which you will never use agian and it will have a free watered down drink ticket and a 10% off coupon for cheap plastic souvineers....Walk right by these ladies and get your tickets when you go into the building.There is a lot of reading involved so it's not for younger kids but if you are into the grisly details of a pirates life it is cool!

 

[leslieh]

Can this be done, like the trip to trunk bay on st. John? We have a group of 8 college/high kids, they dont have alot of money, just want a pretty beach they can snorkel on their own. Any help, sailing this sunday on the wonder.

 

[bill kellum]

every time we have done the wonder cruise,we have at nassau done the glass bottom boat and have enjoyed it each time.sometimes you can see more than at other times,twice we got to see the shipwreck. then we just walk around the town.the people there take a little to get used to but are friendly enough.then we take a cab to paradise island to go to the casino and atlantis.I don't know why so many seem to dislike nassau,we always have a good time there and once you realize that the people mean you no harm, thats just the way they are you can feel safe.

 

[ragdoll]

Hubby and I really enjoyed seeing Atlantis and would definitely go there again. It is really worth the taxi fare. The hotel and grounds are beautiful and the casino is really something to see even if you don't gamble. The free public beach is just a very short walk from Atlantis so you can kill two birds with one stone. We were sorry that we didn't get an earlier start and go swimming at the beach too.

 

[MarkRG]

Also, don't write off visiting the Dig. It is a lot less expensive than the Disney excursion. And you can tour the Dig and resort at your own pace. I wrote this up a while ago as a brief guide on how:

• Leave the ship and go to the end of the dock.
• Take one of the numerous taxis for (right now, price partially depends on a bridge toll) $5 per person to Atlantis, much more pleasant than the overcrowded water taxi.
• Walk to the center of the casino upon arrival, to the kiosk with the blue globe(Temple of the Moon).
• Buy a wristband for $25 each for access to all the resort except the water recreation(you can still walk out to the beach, just not on it).
• Walk the Dig at your own pace. It's long, at least a mile or more, but it is exceptional. And you basically walk about 2/3 of the property in doing so, they give you a map. You can go where you wish, at your own pace.
• Whenever you're done, just go back to where you were dropped off for another taxi ride back to the ship.

 

[newbycruiser]

Does anyone know if we can do the Stingrays in the morning and hang out at Blue Lagoon in the afternoon? How do you do it logistically? CAn it be done, or is it too much in one day?

thanks for your help

 

[blarsenut]

Ok...here is what I know about getting to Blue Lagoon on your own.

(First of all, my cruise was not on DCL , and I have actually never been to Blue Lagoon, but this is what I know.)

The ship sponsored excursion (not DCL) to Paradise Island was $27/person. If you wanted to snorkel and didn't have your own equipment, it was $40/person. As a poster already mentioned, you MUST have a life jacket to snorkel on Paradise Island, if you don't have one, you MUST rent one, whether you are with the cruise sponsored excursion or not.

(I've heard that there wasn't a lot to see snorkeling at Blue Lagoon, but I've never been there, so I don't know.)

You can get to Blue Lagoon on your own. But it might end up being close to the same price as doing with with DCL, depending on how much they charge.

1) Get on a taxi going to Paradise Island, it is a large van and they charge somewhere between 4 & 5 dollars per person, which usually includes the bridge toll. Make sure you tell the driver before you get in the van that you want to go to the "Water Taxi's that go to Blue Lagoon." Most everybody else in the van will probably be going to the Casino, but they will stop at the Water Taxi stop on their way to the Casino. (BTW, this Water Taxi stop is NOT the same as the water taxis that are right off the ship that take you to Paradise Island. I guess you could take these water taxis instead of the vans to paradise island, but I BELIEVE these water taxis do not go directly to Blue Lagoon, instead, you would need to get of on Paradise Island, and find your way to the Water Taxis that go from Paradise Island to Blue Lagoon, but don't quote me on that.)

2) Take the water taxis from Paradise Island to Blue Lagoon, I'm not sure how much they charge, maybe somebody else knows, or maybe they know of a better way to geth there....but this is one way. I would guess they charge somewhere between $5 and $10 for the Water Taxi, so you are probably looking at $25 per person anyway. It might be best to just take the shore excursion.

Any thoughts????????

There are also beaches on Paradise Island that you can go to (which is what we did), without having to go to Blue Lagoon. However, I didn't see any place to get a drink on these beaches. So you may not want to do that.

However, LESLIEH, if you are interested in going to a beach to snorkel, but don't care about the drinks, e-mail me know and I'll tell you how to get to a pretty good spot, and it only costs the price of the taxi, about $4 or $5 dollars one way.

blarsenmba@yahoo.com