Safety At Nassau?

[jodifla]

Thanks, kaykels, I sent you a PM.....

 

[BearFan]

I hope I won't be yelled at here but my husband and I really disliked Nassau. There, I've said it. We were there 2 years ago on the Wonder when our cruise on the Magic was cancelled because of the Norwalk virus. Now there's a story for a different day! We have been on the Eastern and Western 7 day cruises with Disney and liked this 4 day Nassau trip the least. Having walked around by ourselves in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Key West and Georgetown, GC, we felt the least safe in Nassau. I don't want to freak anyone else out here because I know many people go there, have a wonderful time and just love it. We found the vendors there to be the most aggressive of any port that we've been to. We were also followed by someone, we presume it was a pickpocket. Now we have been cased by someone in St. Thomas while walking alone back to the ship so I know it can happen anywhere, heck anywhere in the US for that matter but for some reason, we both felt the most vulnerable in Nassau. Going back to the vendors, we were surprised that they were allowed to be as close to the ship as they were. We weren't even past the aft of the ship, right off the gangplank when people started calling to us. Now, I realize that if we return our experience may be a different one but do we really want to take the chance? I hate to say it, but first impressions count for a lot when it comes to vacations. Would I pay to return there again? No. I by some chance we do return I would only do an organized excursion. Just my .02.

Bearfan

 

[markey]

We had a unplanned stop in Nassua in August instead of GC. While I would place this stop on the bottom of favorites it has nothing to do with feeling unsafe. This was our 2nd visit, on the first we were out at night and went to Atlantis no problems. This time we shopped and took a taxi tour and went to some gardens with neat birds and animals. Came back and ate a late lunch, kids went to clubs and DH and I went back shopping. He left to go back to get bingo cards and I stayed by meself for another 45 minutes. Walked around town and back to the ship and did not feel uncomfortable at all. At least no one asked me to buy any "goodies" like in Cozumel. DH was asked 3 times, must have a look I never saw before in 37 years of marriage. Maybe they thought we were leftovers from Woodstock.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I would say beware of taxi drivers and con artists. Without going into gory details, some guy led us to believe he worked for Atlantis right in their lobby. Instead of taking us to the start of the Aquarium tour, he took us on a nice joyride, dropped us off in an alley outside the resort and sold us what were probably stolen wristbands. If we ever take the 4 night again, we'll stay on ship in Nassau....there's not a lot there other than Atlantis.

 

[PLUTO2]

If you do decide not to go into port what activities are available to do on the ship?

 

[BearFan]

For activities of board during port days as well as all the others just go to http://www.dcltribute.com and click on the Navigators link on the left side of the page. Dave does a nice job on his site.

Bearfan

 

[PLUTO2]

Thanks BearFan for the info. on the website

 

[kaykels]

Like I said before, if you are shopping in the downtown area, you will probably HATE IT! Go to a nice resort and enjoy the beach. CAble Beach was AWSOME. Take banana boat rides with kids, snorkel, ect. Skip the overpriced excursions and enjoy the beach. I also hate the market area and pushy vendors. GO TO THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AT A NICE RESORT!!!!

 

[Mr. Bill]

My 8-year-old granddaughter and I were holding hands and walking toward the straw market when a man asking if I wanted to buy some “weed” approached us. I never felt threatened but I was surprised by his approach in daylight with a child in hand.

I would discourage anyone from turning teenagers lose in Nassau.

Bill

 

[Corryn]

Remember, Carribeans' smoking marijuana is like Americans' smoking cigarettes. It didn't matter that you had a child in hand because down in the Carribean, they smoke pot in front of their kids. Growing up in The Bronx I saw every day life with my Carribean friends, and smoking pot was no big deal. Of course, they didn't do it in front of the cops.......