Nassau: What to do?

[behappy]

Need the benefit of the combined wisdom and experience of the DISBOARD again. We (myself, DW, DD12, DS8) are taking our first cruise (4night 11/13-11/17). Reading thru the boards, I'm seeing lots of negative reviews of Nassau. We had been contemplating Catamaran/Snorkeling, but, are left wondering if we're better off to just stay on the ship.....what do you all think?

TIA

Behappy

 

[huckster]

we did the Atlantas tour once , but then when your done you find your way back to the ship alone.. not for us , we did straw markwt never again this last time my gs stayd on the ship in the lab he was 10 then we just went to hard rock and then got back on .. my dd 16 at the time hated it and will never get off the ship again . i am sure the other trips snorleing and dolphins and butterf ly thing are mcuh nicer but we have decieded to just stay on the ship ..jmho

 

[cepmom]

we just returned fronm a 4 night last week and while in Nassau, we went on the catamaran snorkeling. It was great...kids really enjoyed snorkeling, but now that I've done that, I think next time I will stay on the ship. We also went to the straw market and I'll never do that again!! I just felt so creeped out by the whole place.

 

[Otimon]

If you've never been to Nassau before by all means get off the ship and enjoy your visit. If you find an excursion offered that your family would enjoy - go for it!

Personally, we always got off the ship and took a taxi to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. You'll find a taxi readily available at the end of the dock and should cost $4pp each way (at least that was the going rate). Beautiful to see and walk around the island a bit before taking a taxi back to the ship (again readily available). You just might wait a few minutes if the taxi is a van or limo while the driver rounds up others returning to the ship at the same time. Never a long wait as people are always coming or going. We return to the ship for lunch and then may or may not get off again to walk around the town a bit and do a little shopping.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Our first trip to Nassau was scary and after our glass bottom boat excursion my DH said he would not get off the boat again because of all the people approaching you at the port to buy things and do hair braiding. It was overwhelming to us. We were not prepared for such a different culture.
But we soon realized that this was a good unique experience to learn about a different culture. We have returned to Nassau 3 more times since then and had a wonderful time and met such nice people. Because we went with the knowledge that this was just a way of life for these people. They are not different than a barker at the fair trying to get you to play his game, accept they are selling their wares. This is how they feed their families and for most their only income, so they do approach you often. But if you look them straight in the eye and say No Thanks firmly they will move to the next person.
WE did the Atlantis tour to see the dig, it was a great tour and you could explore after the tour and go through the dig as many times as you wanted as long as you kept your bracelet on. The tour takes you by water taxi so you do have a little ways to walk to and from the dock. We enjoyed it as there were lots of people there too. But you can take a taxi and get out close to the hotel if you want.
We also went on the historical city tour. It was very good. Our guide was very nice and informative about the history of the area. We saw 2 forts, queen anne's staircase and a lot of the island you cant see from the dock. I would do it again. We also did the pirate museum. This you do on your own. $12, per person. It is a large purple building, 2 blocks up behind the straw market. It takes an hour or more to walk through it. there is a lot of things to read since it is a self guided tour. The pirate who greets you is a real HOOT!!!
Excellant museum if your into local pirate history.
WE took the horse drawn carriage ride too. It was $10 per person and took about 25 minutes. The driver narrated the tour, although until you get on the back roads the traffic noise makes it hard ot hear, but the ride was very fun and relaxing. We did it on the way back to the ship. It is right next to the dock.
As for the straw market, you either love it or hate it. Again it is a totally different culture there. The isles are narrow and very crowded as they pack everything they can into them and the women in there all have chairs to sit on. They stay there all day to sell their wares. Most have about the same as the next guy, but people who like to dicker prices with people can get some good buys, especially towards the end of the day as the people head back to the ship and they know no one else is coming. You can watch people making cute straw purses, wood carving and oil painting too. Everyone will be asking you if they can help you as you stroll along, just say no thanks and keep moving and they wont bother you. But the next person will ask you too. After 30 minutes in there you will be asked this 25 or 30 times. This bothers some people, but as I said, this is a different culture and they do things differently there.
I figure one of the reasons I go to these islands is to see how other people live, if they were the same as us, there wouldnt be much reason to go there, as it would be the same as home. If your traveling that far it would be a shame not to experience it while your there. There may be some things you dont like, but the people really are very friendly and fun to talk to.
You just need to know what to expect. I say, go for it and do an excursion, then explore on your own some. There is security all over. Of course you will see some shady looking people around the liquor and cigar stores. But they have never spoken to us, we just walked right by and into the next shop. You will find that right here at home too.
Hope you have a great time,
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[webray]

Hubby, daughter (21) and myself loved Nassau. We saw absolutely nothing negative about it. Keep in mind..we love to travel. We take each place for what it is and enjoy it.

The people in Nassau are very friendly and helpful, we loved visiting with them as we made our way around exploring.

We did the two hour historical city tour right when the ship docked. It was excellent. We usually don't do excursions, but this was well worth it. You got to get out and experience some of the things, queens staircase, lighthouse, a couple of forts with great views. Very nice tour. Then we had lunch at Conch Fritters, recommended by our tour guide. They were right on, great food, relaxed atmosphere and a wonderful view for people watching. Restaurant is on second floor. After that we checked out hard rock cafe, did some shopping and visiting, went to straw market. It was a great day. On the way back to ship we found a little filipino restaurant..had to have some lumpia. Wonderful. Wish we would have had more time there actually.
I never understood why people say they stay on the ship, Nassau is great.

Go out and enjoy!

 

[dzneprincess]

We did the Catamaran sail ans snorkel last September and we enjoyed ourselves very much...

 

[Clooz4u]

Hubby, daughter (21) and myself loved Nassau. We saw absolutely nothing negative about it. Keep in mind..we love to travel. We take each place for what it is and enjoy it.

The people in Nassau are very friendly and helpful, we loved visiting with them as we made our way around exploring.

We did the two hour historical city tour right when the ship docked. It was excellent. We usually don't do excursions, but this was well worth it. You got to get out and experience some of the things, queens staircase, lighthouse, a couple of forts with great views. Very nice tour. Then we had lunch at Conch Fritters, recommended by our tour guide. They were right on, great food, relaxed atmosphere and a wonderful view for people watching. Restaurant is on second floor. After that we checked out hard rock cafe, did some shopping and visiting, went to straw market. It was a great day. On the way back to ship we found a little filipino restaurant..had to have some lumpia. Wonderful. Wish we would have had more time there actually.
I never understood why people say they stay on the ship, Nassau is great.

Go out and enjoy!

Did I hear Lumpia??? Yum!!! Do you remember the name of the filipino restaraunt? What you did sounds great, do you think it would work out for me (traveling with a 2 1/2 year old)?

 

[Jsme]

Emjoy the ship