Question about Nassau

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
I'm wondering if everyone gets off the boat to explore Nassau? Do you all do one of the disney excursions, or just explore on your own. We might just want to go to the beach and relax, without a tour, etc. Does anyone do that, or is it exclusively tours booked through disney?
Thanks!

 

[webray]

Nassau was one of the few places we did do a disney excursion. We did the Historical city tour and it was excellent. A quick two hours right when we got off the ship and we had the rest of the day for fun.

We shopped, tasted liqour, explored, had lunch at Conch fritters.

Definately get off the ship, the people are wonderful.

 

[aprilgail2]

I seem to recall someone saying they use some hotels facilities (other than atlantis) for a beach day..hopefully someone will post that...as far as everyone getting off the ship in Nassau....no way....repeat cruisers are more likely to stay onboard rather than go into Nassau....I have been to Nassau a few times and it certainly is my least favorite port...I didn't care for much about it there, I felt it was not that clean, the people were very pushy and the straw market was terrible. I had went a long time ago, the straw market was in a lovely building in town but it burnt down...now its in something like a tent and it is crowded in there, couldn't get a stroller down many aisles and every aisle was the same thing over and over.

 

[Chattyaholic]

We have been to Nassau twice. The first time just DH and myself, we got off the ship and walked around town and did a little shopping but that was it. The second time my parents were with us so we took the horse/carriage ride and then shopped. If we ever go back I would like to do the historical city tour.

 

[hbg4]

We've been to Nassau several times, with and without the cruise ships.

The last cruise we did May 2004, I booked the Dolphin encounter privately on line prior to leaving. I arranged for a time that did not coincide with the Cruise Line's. Also at the time they did not have an observer option. Since my mother did not want to get in the water but was willing to take our photos with the Dolphins this worked out alot cheaper than the ships costs.

We also strolled across to Atlantis to experience the Digs, paying a fee slightly less than the cruise lines excursion, but we had the freedom of going at our own pace.

Apparently there is a public beach next door to the Atlantis (at the Sheraton ?) if you want to experience this for free.

Overall Nassau feels quite safe during the day, apart from the people in the straw market haggling you to purchase. I've been there alone with my DD 3 times since she was 5y.

 

[stretch]

Can I ask where who you booked the dolphin encounter with and at what time? Also is it within walking distance to get to the boat that gets you to the island?

Thanks

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We also did the Historical City Tour, it was very good, well worth the price. WE took the Atlantis tour through DCL and enjoyed it very much. The ferry boat to Atlantis was a historically narrated tour, which was nice. There was a short uphill walk from the dock to Atlantis hotel, the tour guides met you there and and broke you down into smaller groups. The tour was very good of the digs, they do move along quickly, however you can go back over and over again at your leisure once the tour is over. The ferry boat back runs about every 35 to 25 minutes all day, so no need to hurry.
We did the glass bottom boat tour too. It was short, but we did see lots of tropical fish. Didnt make it to the ship wreck, due to choppy seas. There is a bathroom on board, which is handy with kids. Even if you dont do a tour, you might enjoy the pirates museum. It's 2 blocks behind the straw market, a large purple building, you cant miss it. The pirate who greets you is a great salesman for the museum. I believe it was $12 per adult. Mostly its a replica of as pirate ship so you can see how they lived on board. Lots of real guns and swords towards the end. It is self-guided. A bit dark for the first 2 minutes, but then is well lit for kids. There is a lot of reading to do, some younger kids would not be able to do, but we loved it. The horse drawn carriage was fun too, $10. per person. The straw market is fun if you like to haggle for prices. Best deals late in the afternoon. The culture there is very different from ours, they do try to sell you stuff as you walk along, but if you look straight at the person and say NO they will move on to the next person. Lots of people are annoyed by this, but it is just how they make their living and are actually very friendly people.
Hope you have a great time.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[hbg4]

Can I ask where who you booked the dolphin encounter with and at what time? Also is it within walking distance to get to the boat that gets you to the island?

Thanks

Hi Stretch
I sent you a pm.

You need to take the ferry over to Paradise Island. You can walk with the rest of the group or on your own from the ship to the ferry, around 10 minutes or so. From there ,the place to pick up the other ferry to Blue Lagoon for the dolphin encounter is within a few minutes walk. The staff at the ferry sites will direct you.
I had booked the excursion on my own in March for a Memorial weekend trip.
The time? I can't remember , I just recall I scheduled it to not coincide with the same time as the cruises' shore excursion.

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Hi- on our upcoming cruise we plan to get off the ship and walk around Nassau and explore a little, not doing any excursions. We do plan to go to the pirate museum , which I have read is very close to the port. Also we thought about the Ardastra(?) gardens. We are still undecided about that one though. This is our first cruise and we didn't want eveything to seem so timed and on schedule and with a 3 year old this just seemed easier to us. The public beach that was mentioned, is this beach well kept? Also how would we get there? Thanks!

 

[jan&theboys]

I seem to recall someone saying they use some hotels facilities (other than atlantis) for a beach day..hopefully someone will post that...as far as everyone getting off the ship in Nassau....no way....repeat cruisers are more likely to stay onboard rather than go into Nassau....I have been to Nassau a few times and it certainly is my least favorite port...I didn't care for much about it there, I felt it was not that clean, the people were very pushy and the straw market was terrible. I had went a long time ago, the straw market was in a lovely building in town but it burnt down...now its in something like a tent and it is crowded in there, couldn't get a stroller down many aisles and every aisle was the same thing over and over.

I agree. We booked a room at Comfort Suites next to Atlantis for the day to gain access to the Atlantis facilities, but it will probably be the last time we do that. While the Atlantis resort is a marvel to look at, I just could not understand that a place as large as that could have such long lines to use the water slides at 10:00 in the morning. In addition, the taxi drivers while reasonably nice seem more concerned about filling up their vans with people more than getting you to where you want to go. We found ourselves longing to go back to the ship at around 12:30 PM. We got a ride back and once we were onboard our DS was able to get a tour of the bridge and we wound up having a great time indulging ourselves on the ship without the crowds. Next time we won't even bother getting off the ship.

 

[pbharris4]

Hi- on our upcoming cruise we plan to get off the ship and walk around Nassau and explore a little, not doing any excursions. We do plan to go to the pirate museum , which I have read is very close to the port. Also we thought about the Ardastra(?) gardens. We are still undecided about that one though. This is our first cruise and we didn't want eveything to seem so timed and on schedule and with a 3 year old this just seemed easier to us. The public beach that was mentioned, is this beach well kept? Also how would we get there? Thanks!

I know what you mean about being your 1st cruise and being times & scheduled. This was our 1st cruise and we have 2 DD (9 and 2). After doing WDW for 4 days we were so excited to cruise! There is sooo much to do on the cruise you can't possible fit it in in 3 days or probably 7 either! We just "winged it" in Nassau. I would have LOVED to go to Atlantis and used the pools and casino, but we'll do it another time. We justed shopped a little and ate at Senor Frogs (awesome mexican food!). We got there at 12:30pm instead of 9:30 am because we detoured a little due to TS Franklin. If I had to do it again..I would have gone to Atlantis, BUT my kids were tired and my 2 yo "conched" out in the stroller. There's a lot to pack in in three days! We actually booked a 7 day for next Sept. while on board. If you ever are thinking of taking a 7 day cruise..book on board..you can always change your mind later. You get 10% off and $200 stateroom credit!

Your DD will love it! My 9 yo Dd went to the Oceaneer Lab every evening until like midnight and my 2 yo DD loved the shows she'd clap and sing and Oh and Ah. Tears came to my ears the last night because I didn't want to leave!! It truly was magical to see how happy my girls (and us)were to be there! Hope you have a magical vacation, too!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks, everyone for the great info on Nassau!