To Nassau or not to Nassau

[teetoppz28]

We just booked our first cruise ever and are going in September 2019. It has a stop at Nassau, so we'll have to see if we're going to get off the ship. We're talking about it because it will probably be our only trip ever to the Bahamas. But we're kind of scared with all that's being said.

Remember that there are a lot of people on here that don't want to or are scared to go outside of their American suburban bubble and interact with other cultures. As far as getting off the ship for your first time, you may want to try something a little more structured, like a day pass at the Hilton Colonial, which is a short walk from the ship. That'll get you a bit of the Nassau experience, as well as a nice day on the beach.

 

[Pooh2]

We did a morning walkabout then headed back to the ship early afternoon for lunch and a swim.
The adults only pool was crowded with people drinking adult beverages and the water was super cloudy.
Not appealing!
Next time, we will look at booking an excursion through Disney to get away from the port area.

 

[mevelandry]

Hi, We did the Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery Tour. It was fantastic! We were taken by van in a group of about 15 to the Junkanoo museum where we spent an hour learning all about the traditions and festival-the owner of the museum was very entertaining and engaging-it's completely interactive-not a walk around and look at things type place. It's small, in his home actually, but absolutely incredible! We then met our van driver who took us to Fort Charlotte where we had an excellent local tour guide and spent another 45min-an hour there. We got to learn all about the history of the fort and even go in the underground rooms and tunnels. Plus a nice view of the ship from up there. Drove through town and they pointed out all the historic sites, government buildings etc. We did drive through a poor area but that's what the islands are all like and it was good for our teenager, who had never left the USA prior, to see. Van took us to the Queens Staircase and we had some time to explore there. Van dropped us off right at the entrance to the cruise terminal. We were onboard by 1:30 or 2 for lunch. We learned so much about Nassau and felt like we truly visited someplace we'd never been. It is $48 per person through DCL and worth it! We NEVER encountered any pushy locals and we felt safe the entire time. We browsed the stands with souvenirs right outside the cruise terminal and no one was pushy-we purchased a magnet and the girl was very appreciated and pleasant.

Sounds nice!

 

[Starwind]

Hi, We did the Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery Tour. It was fantastic! We were taken by van in a group of about 15 to the Junkanoo museum where we spent an hour learning all about the traditions and festival-the owner of the museum was very entertaining and engaging-it's completely interactive-not a walk around and look at things type place. It's small, in his home actually, but absolutely incredible! We then met our van driver who took us to Fort Charlotte where we had an excellent local tour guide and spent another 45min-an hour there. We got to learn all about the history of the fort and even go in the underground rooms and tunnels. Plus a nice view of the ship from up there. Drove through town and they pointed out all the historic sites, government buildings etc. We did drive through a poor area but that's what the islands are all like and it was good for our teenager, who had never left the USA prior, to see. Van took us to the Queens Staircase and we had some time to explore there. Van dropped us off right at the entrance to the cruise terminal. We were onboard by 1:30 or 2 for lunch. We learned so much about Nassau and felt like we truly visited someplace we'd never been. It is $48 per person through DCL and worth it! We NEVER encountered any pushy locals and we felt safe the entire time. We browsed the stands with souvenirs right outside the cruise terminal and no one was pushy-we purchased a magnet and the girl was very appreciated and pleasant.

We don't normally get off in Nassau, but are seriously considering this Port Adventure. Thank you for the review. Sounds like a really nice excursion.

SW

 

[firstwdw]

We don't normally get off in Nassau, but are seriously considering this Port Adventure. Thank you for the review. Sounds like a really nice excursion.

SW

It was great and at $48 per person, we thought it was reasonable.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Hi, We did the Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery Tour. It was fantastic! We were taken by van in a group of about 15 to the Junkanoo museum where we spent an hour learning all about the traditions and festival-the owner of the museum was very entertaining and engaging-it's completely interactive-not a walk around and look at things type place. It's small, in his home actually, but absolutely incredible! We then met our van driver who took us to Fort Charlotte where we had an excellent local tour guide and spent another 45min-an hour there. We got to learn all about the history of the fort and even go in the underground rooms and tunnels. Plus a nice view of the ship from up there. Drove through town and they pointed out all the historic sites, government buildings etc. We did drive through a poor area but that's what the islands are all like and it was good for our teenager, who had never left the USA prior, to see. Van took us to the Queens Staircase and we had some time to explore there. Van dropped us off right at the entrance to the cruise terminal. We were onboard by 1:30 or 2 for lunch. We learned so much about Nassau and felt like we truly visited someplace we'd never been. It is $48 per person through DCL and worth it! We NEVER encountered any pushy locals and we felt safe the entire time. We browsed the stands with souvenirs right outside the cruise terminal and no one was pushy-we purchased a magnet and the girl was very appreciated and pleasant.

Because of this excellent write up, I just signed my family up. It will be my parents, my 8 year old and 3 year old. My husband will be off scuba diving. Just enough activity to keep them busy and then we will have time in the afternoon back on the ship. Also my daughter's name (the 8 year old) is Charlotte so she will get a kick out of the fort being named Fort Charlotte. Thank you.

 

[oumagic]

We did a snorkel excursion (N14) and thought it was great. We have older kids and some of the families with little ones did not have as much fun. We had a bad experience back in Nassau on the way to the ship with a woman doing hair braiding. I asked how much and she said "$4" and I said OK. I left my wife and daughter there and came back and they had 14 braids done and wanted $4 each braid. I felt we were ripped off but didn't want to make a scene and just paid it. If I ever go back to Nassau, it will be an excursion and then "No thanks" on everything else until I get back on the ship.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Because of this excellent write up, I just signed my family up. It will be my parents, my 8 year old and 3 year old. My husband will be off scuba diving. Just enough activity to keep them busy and then we will have time in the afternoon back on the ship. Also my daughter's name (the 8 year old) is Charlotte so she will get a kick out of the fort being named Fort Charlotte. Thank you.

This is IMHO one of the BEST adventures to see in Nassau and is certainly at the top of the list if you have never done it before. Arlene and her husband (his name escapes me) are really great with the kids (and the adults, too!). I love both of them. You won't go wrong with this tour.

 

[pezgirlroy]

This is IMHO one of the BEST adventures to see in Nassau and is certainly at the top of the list if you have never done it before. Arlene and her husband (his name escapes me) are really great with the kids (and the adults, too!). I love both of them. You won't go wrong with this tour.

So happy to hear this. The more and more I thought about it I just realized I wanted to get the kids off the boat for a bit and have a fun experience.

 

[Stefani P.]

lots of negative posts on Nassau. We just did our first cruise and we wanted to get off in Nassau because we had never been. We had an excellent experience and I'm glad we decided to see for ourselves rather than stay on the ship out of fear and negative posts! We booked a tour through DCL and we loved it!

Which tour did you do? Like you, I am going to let let the reviews sway me. My friend and I are getting off the boat on our coming cruise !!!

 

[firstwdw]

Which tour did you do? Like you, I am going to let let the reviews sway me. My friend and I are getting off the boat on our coming cruise !!!

I posted a review in the comment thread of this post I think. It was the Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery through Disney Cruise Line. See above for my detailed review. We loved it!

 

[ps17]

I think that every situation is different. We have been on too many cruises to count, been to many Islands, taken in culture. Just got back from a weeks in Thailand beaches and souvener shopping/sightseeing - and we are headed for a 4 day Dream cruise - in our situation, it is easy decision: stay on the ship. (although if a dive is offerred, depending on the dive, we may partake - but likely, we will stay on ship.

Our opinion is that you should do paradise Island once (possibly twice), but after that it isn't worth the lines - and our now 16YO no longer cares for it...