Nassau - what to see and do

[marathonmommy]

Total cab time about 1 hour.. 3 people in cab ..... not cheap, $50. Glad I did it because whether I win the lotto tomorrow or retire in 30 years as planned, that neighborhood is high on the list of places to consider. So there's my story

1 hour of cab time
3 people in a cab
$50 to pay for it all

Memories to last a lifetime . . . priceless. Only kidding - but I would have went and split the cab fare with you! Interesting that the press was willing to let you use their stepladder and take your pic for you. Guess they were bored waiting?

 

[MCourtney]

1 hour of cab time
3 people in a cab
$50 to pay for it all

Memories to last a lifetime . . . priceless. Only kidding - but I would have went and split the cab fare with you! Interesting that the press was willing to let you use their stepladder and take your pic for you. Guess they were bored waiting?

oh yes... they were bored! Probably not so bored this week though!!!

 

[Oihane]

Last time I was at Nassau, we did the stingray adventure. I really liked that. They take you to a little island near nassau, and there's an area where the stingrays are, and you and snorkel or walk around or whatever, and at one point you can feed and have your picture taken with them. You can also do a little bit of shopping, or just hang out at the beach or play beach volleyball. It was a nice beach...we had fun. and the stingrays were cool. I hope they still have that excursion and people aren't all freaked out cause of the steve irwin thing. I think the stingrays had their stingers taken off or something if you're really worried.

Other than that...I've done the catamaran sail and snorkel, which was also cool, and I've done the straw market...it's definitely an experience, but not really my cup of tea. glad I did it once though. I wouldn't recommend it with little kids though...I think they'd be freaked out. it's really crowded in there.

 

[nokidz]

we dont want to do any of the excusions in Nassau. Maybe some sort of town or island historical tour and some shopping.
any suggestions? Straw Market for sure.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We walked from the port to the British Colonial Hilton. For $15 each adult (the children were free), we used their private beach. We could have used the pool and facilities too. No vendors, just peace and relaxation. We could even see the Wonder at port from the beach. It was great! When we had enough fun in the sun, we just walked back to the boat. We highly recommend it!

We were hoping to go there this past May when we were on RCCL"s Sovereign but it downpoured and stormed almost the entire day!! My kids were so upset that we didn't get to the beach. ( we did get to Castaway Cay's beach thankfully!) How far of a walk was it to get there? We'd like to try again when we sail on the Wonder in Nov. '08.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dh and I were just discussing this very thing last night. Since it's just a 4 night cruise, we don't want to pay for something only to find out we didn't really like it. So, I told him we could always just stay on the ship when we get to Nassau. Then he said, and I quote, "Why don't you go ask your DIS buddies? Tell them 2 middleaged adults and a teenaged girl want to do something fun in Nassau and see what they have to say." He's too funny. I don't want to get harrassed by vendors, but perhaps the Pirate Museaum would be fun.
Any other thoughts?

 

[lkneller]

I like your idea the best. How did you find out about this? Is this option available to anyone? Where did you pay the $15? Was it really just a short walk? I did bring up their web site and it looks like something I would really like. thanks!

 

[Purring]

Depending how long you are at Nassau, you can purchase a one night room at Comfort Suites (check and check out immediately) and because they are owned by the same company as Atlantis, you get full use of Atlantis (including all the new water slides, pools, the Dig, etc) with the use of a wrist band. This is not the same as the tour you purchase at Atlantis as that only allows you to see the Dig. There have also been murmurs of Atlantis selling wrist bands on their own to tourists for full use of the park but this hasn't went through yet (per Atlantis forum).

 

[rahrah]

The marching Flamingos are pretty unusual, but other than that I would stay on the ship.

 

[Disney44]

I like your idea the best. How did you find out about this? Is this option available to anyone? Where did you pay the $15? Was it really just a short walk? I did bring up their web site and it looks like something I would really like. thanks!

bumping....anyone else also have any experience with the British Colonia Hilton beach?

 

[Tinkaroo]

This is a great topic, and helpful as DH and I will be cruising for the very first time on the Wonder in late November.

Has anyone ever done an independent scuba tour with Stuart Cove's? DH dives, and is not interested in the DCL excursions. He's a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and wants to do Stuart Cove's shark dive (!) on his own. My concern is that the dive doesn't start until 1 p.m., and is estimated to end around 5 p.m. Will this be cutting it too close to allow for getting back to the ship?

 

[Tink rules]

Stuart's Coves was the company they used in the Jaws edition of Mythbusters... Saw it last night... They probably have a website.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Has anyone done Atlantis on their own recently? I'm wondering if it is still $29 per person.
Thanks.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

Nik's Mom - My husband and I were on the Wonder two weeks ago and we did Atlantis on our own. We had so much fun! We took the water taxi, which I understand is much less of a hassle than a cab (and it's prettier). We spent about 3 - 4 hours just walking around the grounds. There is so much to see! It is $29/person to walk through "The Dig" but honestly we saw so much marine life just walking around the grounds, we didn't feel the need to pay to see more. The aquarium before you enter The Dig is amazing - we saw a manta ray! - and then there are several others winding around the pools and restaurants. We saw several types of sharks, stingrays, baracuda, and all sorts of tropical fish without paying a dime. We also walked out onto the beach, which I'm not sure we were supposed to do, but no one said anything. Maybe because we weren't carrying towels and beach bags and looked like we were coming for the day, I don't know? Anyway, there are also a lot of nice stores to walk around there as well. We really, really enjoyed it! And we were back on the ship in time for a late lunch and a cocktail by the pool.

As far as other things to do in Nassau, the family we sat with at dinner did the stingray excursion and the kids loved it. We walked to the Straw Market and it was mobbed and hot and we turned around and left. After seeing the beach at Atlantis, I kind of wish we had done one of the snorkeling excursions, but now I have a reason to go back!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

How much is the water taxi and how do we get there from DCL? Thanks for the tips!
Sherri

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

The water taxis are in the same area as where the ship docks. Everyone has to walk down the pier and through the Bahamian Tourism building and then just keep going towards the straw market and you'll see the water taxis. It's actually a pretty ride and there was a local man on our boat that pointed out these beautiful mansions and who owned what (not sure if it was true though!). Anyway, the water taxi is $3/person each way. We just bought two roundtrip tickets and it was easy. It is a little bit of a walk from where the water taxi drops you off on Paradise Island to Atlantis, but it wasn't bad. (Took maybe 10 minutes?) And you walk through this nice little outdoor shopping area too. Everyone that got off the water taxi went to Atlantis too so you don't really have to worry about getting lost.

Hope you have as much as fun as we did!!

 

[twinmommyks]

Just want to make sure that I understand this. You can tour Atlantis on your own for free to simply look, but you can also pay $29 for a tour. Are you able to see the same things on your own as you do on the tour? We are a familiy of 5 so the cost of tickets add up fast and I much prefer anything free if there isn't much of a difference.

Also, if you want to use the slides, etc. what is the least expensive route to do that and about what would it cost for 5?

I'm sure someone can help me figure out all this information. Our cruise isn't until May 08; it's going to take me that long to get everything organized.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I'm not sure what we missed by not doing a tour and not walking through The Dig, but I felt that there was plenty to see just walking around on our own. The grounds are huge and lush and tropical. There's fish and sharks and marine life everywhere. Inside we walked through the casino, the lobby, the stores, and passed more aquariums. We even strolled the beach without any hassle. Literally, we were there for hours (and we didn't play in the casino) on our own. I'm sure there's stuff we missed by not taking the tours though, it just depends on what you're willing to pay for.

I'm not sure any of the tours allow you to use the pools and waterslides (just the beach). I think you have to get a day room at Atlantis or the hotel nextdoor to do that.

Hope that helps!

 

[funaviator]

just checked prices at the comfortinn suites.. looks like it is around 210 for a night plus taxes.. I am tempted to book it for the day so we can use all the facilities at atlantis.. but i am torn.. because i also think we would have fun just doing the self tour and then hanging on the ship???

has anyone else booked a room for the day?? what do you think?? was is worth the $$??

 

[twinmommyks]

just checked prices at the comfortinn suites.. looks like it is around 210 for a night plus taxes.. I am tempted to book it for the day so we can use all the facilities at atlantis.. but i am torn.. because i also think we would have fun just doing the self tour and then hanging on the ship???

has anyone else booked a room for the day?? what do you think?? was is worth the $$??

Yes I'm wondering the same thing. Is the day room worth the $$$?