Staying onboard vs. going ashore

[Disney1fan2002]

Hi, after reading the debate about the Freeport stop, it got me thinking about our cruise next year. I was thinking how exspensive the Nassua excursions will be for our family of 5. 3 kids under ages 7,5 and 4. It dawned on me, that we don't even have to get off the ship in Nassua. The kids won't know any better, and they will have tons of fun at Castaway Cay. They will probably have more fun on the ship enjoying an uncrowded pool and eating for free ( well, I will enjoy THAT, lol) than sightseeing. Aanybody else choose to skip Nassua with the kids and just stay onbaord? Or do you think the kids will be disappointed?

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

We stayed onboard the ship on our last cruise in January. We had a great time. For us, it was the better option. My husband and I had been to Nassau previously and it just wasen't for us. So we decided to stay onboard. There was lots to do and the kids were never bored. We would definitely do it again if we did another 4 night.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We haven't traveled yet, but I would have to agree. While there are probably a very few, more expensive, options at Nassau that would be very nice (some of those are not kid-friendly) on a budget, staying onboard is a real option. Going ashore just for the sake of seeing Nassau does not hold a lot of appeal for us either!

I have heard of little things like taking a horse and carriage ride, or the Pirates museum. These could done in the morning, then return and spend the rest of the day onboard. Of all things, DS(5) saw the carriage ride in the DCL video and he wants to know if we are gong to do that? I have Atlantis in mind!

I suppose it is all up to personal preference.

 

[Padre Disney]

When we did our 3 day a few years ago we got off at Nassua and was right back on the ship with in the hour. Did not like it at all. We just got back from out 7 day Western. Got off on Key West and did the trolley. We were not impressed with Key West. Couldn't get off in Grand Cayman but we didn't care. Got off at Cozumel and walked to the mini golf. The mini golf was great and the walk to the course was fine but walking down some of streets was not very good. Our 17 year old daughter was not very happy with all the extra attention that some of the locals gave her. We headed right back to ship after the mini golf. So if we should ever do the Western again our family will be staying on the ship at every port. It is wonderful when you are in a port. So many others get off the ship and you feel like you have the whole ship to yourselfs. Plus the food is free. Why pay extra for food off the ship. Well thats just our thoughts.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would never get off the ship in Nassua again....I was not impressed with anything about it and would prefer to stay on the ship. The only decent thing to do in Nassua would be go over to Atlantis, if you don't do that then don't bother getting off the ship!

 

[jrabbit]

Several years ago we took the horse carriage dash around the town. And I do mean dash - The driver spent most of his time yelling at the cars to get out of his way so he could get us back to the starting place so he could get the next suckers. He may have pointed out some of the local attractions - and I do mean point. Then to top it off, they offer to take our picture on the carriage - and then wouldn't give back our cammera untill we "tipped" them!

Been there, done that, got ripped off, wouldn't recomend it! I think that other people have had a much better experience, but that was ours.

We did go to the Discover Atlantis excursion. That was way cool. We really enjoyed the aquarium and the Dig. Would do that again. Or maybe go to one of the beaches - but you have the best beach of all comming up - Castaway Cay. If we do the 3 or 4 night cruise again - we be staying on the ship while in Nassau mon.

 

[goofygal1975]

I plan on just going to Nassau for about an hour or less. I've been there once, and agree, for me Atlantis would be the only reason to get off the ship. But, my son wants to get off the ship so he can say he's been to Nassau. So we'll get off and look at the shops for a bit, and then return. I don't expect tp be off the ship more than an hour.

 

[S. C.]

We were in nassau on a 4 day cruise in 1996 on carnival. We did an excursion to coral island this was a total rip off, we wanted to go snorkalin so we rented all the equipment, got to the island went to the dressing area to change and i said forget it, the changing area was a wooden building with benches and showers which would of been ok but the floors were so wet i was standing in water and the boards had big gaps in between where anyone standing on the outside could look in and see you change clothes. so i figured i would change in the shower, wrong again more standing water on floor. so we just walked around the island then went back to the ship and had lunch, stayed on board for a couple of hours then went to town and bought some t-shirts.
On the way back to the ship we heard another couple telling someone else how wonderful coral island was...we just looked at each other and wondered if they on the same island we were?

oh i almost forgot, lunch was included with our excursion...LOL if that is what you want to call it, it was a baloney sandwich, an apple and some super hot chips & then of course they would SELL you something to drink... soda, lemonade etc at about $3 each. we threw it away and ate on board.

This time the only reason we plan on getting off is we want to do the dolphin encounter. I have also heard that atlantis is very nice.

 

[rae519]

We certainly did NOT like Nassau either our first time (2001) or our second time (2002) there. And when the Wonder landed at Freeport - we stayed on. I find NOTHING appealling at all about Nassau and although we would have to be taxied to Freeport, our choice to stay on was the best according to table mates who ventured out.

I like being on the ship and there is plenty to do and see onboard!

Rae

 

[HookedonMagic]

We stayed on board during our recent three day and I must tell you, both the Mickey Pool and Goofy Pool were crowded (less so than during a day at sea, but still difficult to get chairs, etc.) most of the day. The Quiet Cove Pool, on the other hand, was empty! We'd stay on board again, I just wanted to give you a heads up that the pools may be more crowded than you are anticipating!

Happy Sailing!

 

[rae519]

Again another testimony to the fact that people aren't "taken with" the Bahamas.

But with the ship's registry there, I guess that's where they have to go. Pity.

Rae

 

[house_of_princesses]

Are there any ports of call on the 7night Eastern you wouldn't bother to get off the ship for? I had the same idea, stay on board, enjoy an empty ship. I did, however, think we'd have to get off two or three times just to get our land legs again!

 

[Padre Disney]

On our recent 7 day we stayed on the ship until almost 2 in the afternoon the day we were in Cozumel and the Goofy pool was not busy at all for most of that time. Our 10 year old wouldn't even get into the pool any other time because it was always busy. When she saw how empty it was she got in and we couldn't get her out. I heard that our sailing was full so to find the pool that empty was wonderful. I think we got lucky with the pool because nobody could get off in Grand Cayman and by the time we got to Cozumel many people wanted off.

 

[rae519]

I think it's a good idea to get off the ship at least once the first time you get to a port - get a picture and look around at the Magic from the shore- it's magnificent and there isn't enough time or room to see it at Port Canaveral!

Rae