Never been to Nassau--What to do??

[pixiedust519]

We just booked the 4-day Magic cruise on January 4-8, 2005. We have cruised several times on the 7 day but have never been to Nassau. We're pretty much clueless about the entire island!! For first-timers, what would you recommend for us to do? There will be two adults, a 19 year old, and a 21 year old. I know the Atlantis is there, but can we explore the area? Any tips on places to go, taxi prices, excursions, ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the tips!

Alyssa

 

[faireygod mother]

Last year we went to Blue Lagoon and it was nice. My sis ter did the dolphin encounter and she said it was well worth the money. Next month we are going to the zoo gardens and forts. Thought we would do something different. We were not impressed with the shopping and as others on the board said the prices are not that great.

 

[dizneyusa]

Going over with some other cruisers by taxi (van) to
ATLANTIS (you do not have to do a shore excursion
just to go over and enjoy the hotel, maybe a coffee
and the atmosphere and shops and casino). Costs
usually $4.00 US per person each way.

*****Also, remember in Nassau they drive on the
opposite side of the road than here in the U.S. *****

Have a great trip!!!

Dana
dizneyusa
beanie-babies@att.net

 

[scrapperjill]

We ended up getting a "day room" at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino and had a blast spending the day in there water park. They didn't have as many slides as I would have thought...but it was still alot of fun. We also were able to go through their "Dig" aka hotel aquarium. You can pay to go into the Dig but you can't use the water park (slides or pools) unless your a hotel guest. And the price of the Dig alone was close to what the whole day room cost. We first went to a beach on Paridise Island..and I was rather disapointed with it....The beach itself was nice...but the water was real deep...real fast and fairly big waves. I think there is another nice beach closer to where the ship docks that may be worth trying and there is always the straw market to brouse and haggle at.

 

[inkkognito]

Since you have young adults with you, be aware that they will most likely be approached to purchase "illegal" items. Our friends sailed with their 18 year old son, and he was approached many times, even with his parents!
Since you have never been to Nassau, it's nice to see the island, but if you are not impressed, just get back on the ship and enjoy the uncrowded pools, movies, etc. We never bother to disembark there anymore. We just pretend that it's a day at sea.
Barb

 

[JRLINK3]

Okay, I am a complete newbie (and quite the innocent). What do you mean about illegal items? Like fake Rolex's and fake designer handbags? Or like weapons? Like drugs? I have no idea what to expect because I have never been to Nassau before, let alone, even out of the country!

 

[disneygatorfan]

I usually take a taxi to Atlantis, hit up the casinos for an hour or two, walk around the shops a little and then spend the bulk of the day on the ship. Although, a few times we have gone to some of the public beaches. It's pretty easy and inexpensive to get around Nassau via taxi.

Nassau vendors are slightly more aggressive then the ones I have seen on the Eastern ports, but everyone is very nice... you will just say no a lot.

 

[jrabbit]

Okay, I am a complete newbie (and quite the innocent). What do you mean about illegal items? Like fake Rolex's and fake designer handbags? Or like weapons? Like drugs? I have no idea what to expect because I have never been to Nassau before, let alone, even out of the country!

My guess would be drugs. I didn't like Nassau at all. Didn't know what to expect. Felt ripped off. It set the bar pretty low for all of our subsequent cruise stops. Everyplace else we've been (Eastern and Western Cruises) has seemed very nice in comparison to Nassau.

I would go over to the Atlantis and go through the Dig. The aquarium is the best we've been to. Other than that, just get off of the ship, walk around the waterfront a little to say that you've been there, then back onto the ship for a "sea day" while in port.

 

[aprilgail2]

Okay, I am a complete newbie (and quite the innocent). What do you mean about illegal items? Like fake Rolex's and fake designer handbags? Or like weapons? Like drugs? I have no idea what to expect because I have never been to Nassau before, let alone, even out of the country!

Drugs....when we stayed there one year for a few days we were asked numerous times if we wanted to buy any drugs...even our taxi driver asked us!!!

 

[disneygatorfan]

wow, only thing I have turned down in Nassau is getting my hair braided...

 

[poconoboatniks]

Has anyone gone on the dolphin excursion in Nassau?

Pocono

 

[inkkognito]

Drugs was what I was specifically referring to, although our friend's son actually did end up buying another sort of illegal item...a bootleg DVD of a movie that was out in the theaters at the time. But the drugs are what you have to watch out for. Kids have gotten into big trouble for buying that sort of thing in Nassau and bringing it back on the ship.
Barb

 

[scrapperjill]

WOW we were never asked to purchase anything like that...The only thing ilegal we were aproched about was hair braiders wanting to braid our hair in the wrong area...they can only braid hair in a certian area...not on the side of the street.

But other than being asked way to may times...every one we met was very very nice and polite...even when we'd say no thanks...they left it at that...never once did anyone become pushy or rude. Not that I think Nassau is the best/funnest port to be in...but be had a BLAST at Atlantis....and could have stayed there longer if time would have allowed.

We didn't do the shops or anything like that. By the looks of them it wasn't anyplace that intrested me. I'm glad we did the day room....and we would do it again if we went back.

I do wish we would have spent a little more time at the straw market.

 

[MrShiny]

We rented a room at the Comfort suites across from Atlantis - with a room there you can also use Atlantis' pools (which are really nice)

 

[webray]

There is a ton of things to do. We took our 21 year old and she loved Nassau, we all did. We started out with the two hour historic city tour, that was excellent. Then we checked out Senor Frogs, had a great lunch at Conch Fritters. Had some fun in the straw market. Got postcards/stamps at the pharmacy, mailed them right outside in the big red mailboxes. Found hard rock cafe. Checked out many of the other stores, of course, tested the local liquor and made our purchases. We had snacks at the filipino restaurant right near the straw market (water side).

My sister 23 and her friend just did the dolphin encounter last month..they absolutely loved it.

We also enjoy visiting with the locals to get a real feel for the place.

Enjoy!

 

[dizneyusa]

In all the time we have been to Nassau we have heard
about this happening (being approached) but it has NEVER
happened to us.

Braids, yes, and more braids and more braids. But like
I mentioned in our last post, we take the taxi (van)
over to Atlantis and ALWAYS have had a great time.........

We travel with a great group of friends and always
find away to have a blast. Is it the best place out of
the Eastern run - I personally love St. Thomas.

Either way, have a GREAT TIME stay with a group and
once again remember they drive on the opposite side
of the road

Dana
dizneyusa
beanie-babies@att.net

 

[3mickeys&me]

My dh and I were in Nassau once and two people tried to sell us drugs. We said no and kept walking, one guy kept saying I have 6 kids at home and I am just trying to make a buck! We just kept walking. Just be cautious, thats all.

We had a great time in Nassau and Cable Beach and can't wait to get back there again. Out trip is in May

 

[chrisn]

Sounds like you guys know how to make your own good time. This is usually the type of thing that we do other then getting a little snorkeling and beach time in. Can't wait to give it a try in February!