Safety At Nassau?

[PLUTO2]

I have read a couple books that do not sound real positive about the stop at Nassau. What has your experience been like there? Since we will traveling with young children there does not seem to be any excursions we could do. Have any of you had any safety/crime issues while visiting there? Thank You!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

I am not a big fan of Nassau, but I have never felt unsafe. Just follow the normal precautions that you would in any city (keep your valuables secure so you cannot be pickpocketed, stay in populated areas, etc.). The biggest annoyance is aggressive vendors (as Cruise Director Jacqui said, the hair braiders will remind you of all those seagulls in "Finding Nemo" yelling "Mine, mine, mine!"). They might also try some minor scams, like kids singing for a dollar, people giving you a "free" bracelet and then asked for money once they've gotten it on your arm, and people offering to take your photo with your camera and then expecting payment. But it's not dangerous, just annoying.
Barb

 

[PLUTO2]

Do those annoying people leave you alone if you ignore them or do you need to verbally tell them to leave you alone? I really do not like the idea of being harassed.

 

[inkkognito]

Both ways are effective. My husband and I start with ignoring, and a polite but firm "no" is usually effective if they don't get the hint.
Barb

 

[LibertyBelle]

We just walk like we know where we are going and the hairbraiders leave us alone. When they come up to you they very rarely get "in your space" they just say "braid your hair love" and you simply say no and move on, they respect that and look for the next person to ask...the only thing is that you will probably have to tell 3 or 4 different people no...

Nassau is not my favorite place in the world, but as inkkognito said I have never felt unsafe there (okay maybe once in the taxi The taxi drivers are a little NUTS...stick to walking). We have been there so many times my husband jokes that I "AM" the tour guide and we don't need to take excursions because I know where everything is...LOL. Anyway, I always stick up for Nassau on the boards here, because I think they get a bad rap. It is not the prettiest island and definetly not the wealtheist, but the locals, for the most part, are very friendly and just trying to make a living, one thing to remember is that their culture is different, so if they seem like they are being rude (or a little pushy) it is no intentional, it is what they know.

 

[disneyohdisney]

We also have felt safe and welcome (at least our money) in Nassau.

Their very economy is based on tourists, and the harm that would be done if a hint got out that it was unsafe would be tremendous. It is in their vital interest to provide a safe and welcome environment that keeps the ships coming and the passengers getting off to spend the day and their money.

You can bet the government, police, shopkeepers, buggy drivers, and everyone wouldn't tolerate activities that would cut off their lifeblood.

As for pushy hair braiders, cab drivers, and straw market vendors, they are part of the great experience. Relish it. I smile and let them know I'm glad to be there and glad they're adding to the color of the city. A polite, friendly "no" to their offer goes a long way.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I agree about the hairbraiders...just politely say no thanks and keep walking, but it is part of the aura.
My first trip to Nassau, hubby and I were young, 21 and 19 and I guess we looked like crazy kids, because as soon as we got off the ship we had a guy open up a napkin full of what looked like cocaine and asked if we wanted some and told us a club to go to that night. We said no thanks we had plans and just walked away. Didn't have any other issues like that on that trip, or on the next one! Defitnitly stay on the ship after dark tho...heard it was a crazy party town then !!!We didn't stay on the island to find out...just spent the day wandering around

 

[antmaril]

We are going to stay on the ship. I have no desire to walk around Nassau. We will "pretend" we are at sea.

 

[Corryn]

Safety -- Avoid walking in downtown Nassau at night, where there are sometimes robberies and muggings. (Most tourists are never affected, but better safe than sorry.) Cable Beach and Paradise Island are safer places to be in the evening.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newprovidence/0251020157.html

St. Thomas is the one to worry about!

Safety-- St. Thomas has an unusually high crime rate, particularly in Charlotte Amalie. Don't wander around town at night, particularly on Back Street. Single women should avoid frequenting Charlotte Amalie's bars alone at night. Guard your valuables. Store them in hotel safes if possible, and make sure you keep your doors and windows shut at night.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/stthomasusvi/0097020016.html

 

[hilbil]

We just did Atlantis beach day with little kids and really regreted it. Too much standing and waiting, crowded busses... My advice-- stay on the boat and have fun with less crowded pool.

 

[PLUTO2]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[kaykels]

On my crappy 9-12 cruise Nassau was the best day. I can't understand why people hate Nassau. If you know where to go, it's great. When we were there on Wednesday, we were joined by RCCL, Miracle, Fantasy, and a few others. I figured Atlantis would be a zoo so we went to Cable Beach. We had the place to ourselves. It was AWSOME. The beach was great and the people were nice. And best of all.... it was free. Why give up a beach day in the beautiful caribbean? Once we were in the cab nobody asked us to buy anything. We swam all day. The Wydham Crystal Palace took quite a hit from Francis and the pool was closed. We used the pool next door. It was a great day and I can't wait to do it again.

 

[webray]

We had a blast in Nassau and never felt unsafe.

We ate in two of the local restaurants..lunc and late after noon snack. Walked all over, took the two hour historic city taxi tour, tested alcohol, lots of time in the straw market and other shops.

A visit to each and every island is what you make it. The Bahamian people were wonderful to talk/do business with. We never once had a problem.

 

[HappyMommy2]

We had a great time in Nassau last month with our kids 4 and 2. All we did was walk around and shop during the morning hours, but it was lots of fun and we never felt unsafe at all. Everyone was kind to our kids, and we encountered only one or two mildly "pushy" salespeople--not a big deal at all. A polite and firm "No thanks" worked just fine with everyone. All the people we encountered were most kind to us and to our little boys.

You will have a very enjoyable time in Nassau! Have fun!

 

[jodifla]

Hey Kaykels, sorry you had a bad time!

We leave on Thursday....we were planning to go to the Wyndham to swim, because the boards say they welcome tourists....what was the name of the resort you ended up at in Nassua to swim?

 

[PLUTO2]

I definitely feel better knowing that no one has had any absolutely horrible experiences there! I always like to experience new things but I did not want to put my children into any experience that might not be safe.

 

[cali4niacruisin]

While we didn't care that much for Nassau we didn't feel unsafe. We felt like it was dirty and the hair braiders were pushy. We did finally go with a hair braider because DD, 4, had been wanting to do it all week and the hair braiders on the cruise were already booked. We followed this lady all around in the straw market and then she found a chair in an aisle and started braiding. It turns out that hair braiding is only legal in beauty salons. A police officer came and took our hair braider away with him. Another girl was right there and told us to follow her to a beauty shop. Well, she just went around the corner and continued the illegal braiding. We didn't feel unsafe, but did find it to be quite an interesting experience. After DD had about half her head done she freaked out saying her head hurt and we had to take her back on board and take the braids out. The next day at Castaway Cay DD got 2 lose braids on each side with the beads at the bottom for only $1 a braid. The ladies on Castaway Cay were very nice and there were a whole bunch of them with no lines. The price for the cornrows (the kind that hurt for my DD) was $2 each which was the same as we paid on Nassau.

Erin

 

[crazelion]

Do know have hair braid in your own city before go on the cruise. When I go a Majic I will have my hair already braid because it takes 3 hours to do my hair. Cornroll ors cornscews takes anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. I have better things to do on vacation.

 

[scrapperjill]

Just wanted to add my two cents worth. Just got back from the 9/11 Magic...which made a stop in Nassau....Not once did we feel unsafe or in any danger while there. There were alot of hair braiders...asking over and over...but one polite no thank you..and they would say..ok if you change your mind I'll be over there. Everyone was REAL friendly and nice. After readiing on the boards...all the stories of the area I was kind of worried and concerned we were stopping there. But it was great. Ended up going to Atlantis on our own...which was WONDERFULL. The taxi drivers are crazy..I don't think we saw one car without dings in the bumpers. The straw market was fun...and a good place to gather cheep gifts for all those back at home....but remember to barter.

 

[kaykels]

Jod: The place we went to on Cable Beach was the Wyndham Crystal Palace. Hurricane Francis did a number their pool. It was closed but they let you use the pool at their hotel next door. Only problem was the beach at that hotel next door wasn't fixed yet. So you had to walk back and forth. They were bulldozing the heck out of the beach at the Wyndham. It's shaping up pretty good. We "wandered" next door on the other side to the Raddison, which is a private hotel. But send me a pm and I'll give you the details. Our day there was AWSOME, AMAZING, BEST DAY ON THE CRUISE!!! No crowds are there were MANY ships in port due to the hurricanes elsewhere. YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME HERE! Have fun.