Swimming in Nassau

[Shelby Schroepfer]

Ok so I just read a review and it spoke of how small the pools on board are, and how they're not so good for swimming. My daughter is swimming OBSESSED and I am looking for ideas on how we can swim more. We originally planned to stay on the ship at Nassau because it's on a 4 night cruise and we wanna get to see as much of the ship as possible, but is there a place in Nassau to swim for free? We are NOT interested in extra cost excursions and definitely plan on spending the entire day swimming at Castaway Cay. What should we do? Are the pools not so bad or should we get off and beach it?

 

[starvenger]

There will be less people on board at a port so your daughter might be able to get a swim in... but still it's a cruise ship pool so if she's into doing laps it's probably not happening. If she's just looking to jump in and have fun that would work.

Junkanoo beach is a short walk away - probably 15-20 minutes, just beyond the Colonial Hilton - but it's not the greatest place in the world. I'd look at the 2-4 star reviews on TripAdvisor to get a better perspective. I've not been myself but my brother has and he found it to be... ok (he's the talkative one in the family).

 

[teetoppz28]

The Hilton Colonial has day passes available. Their pool is nice, plus the private beach is a nice way to relax!

 

[Rob1872]

Understand that the pools on the ship are not for swimming. When my kids went in, I'd describe it as a kid soup. LOTS of kids just happy to be moving through the water. (Of course you can always get lucky and go at a time when crowds are lower.)

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

Understand that the pools on the ship are not for swimming. When my kids went in, I'd describe it as a kid soup. LOTS of kids just happy to be moving through the water. (Of course you can always get lucky and go at a time when crowds are lower.)

IDK why that shocks me so much. We've never cruised before so I guess I didn't realize they were smaller than they looked!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Even empty, the pools are tiny. I have been in larger hot tubs.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Hilton Colonial has day passes available. Their pool is nice, plus the private beach is a nice way to relax!

Larger pool there, and it’s a nice way to spend the day.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I am a lap swimmer. And an adult. Tough to get the laps in on a cruise, in a pool, on a ship. Impossible. LOL. I don't know how old your daughter is and if she is a good swimmer, but on Castaway Cay I always bring my goggles. Not too far out you can find some clear space to get some swimming in. Not too deep and life gusrd monitored. Nassau- you would need to pay for a place like Atlantis etc. to have access to a pool. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

 

[braysmommy]

Another vote for Colonial Hilton. We purchased day passes ahead of time that included beach, pool and food voucher. Short walk from the ship.

 

[starvenger]

Larger pool there, and it’s a nice way to spend the day.

True but OP was looking to avoid paying extra $$$. Were it not for that the Hilton would've been the place I'd recommend.