What best to do in Nassau???

[sters]

I'm planning my first-ever cruise for May 2005, so I was hoping to get some really good advise on activities to do in Nassau. We have 3 kids, ages 4, 6 and 8. I was a little surprised that it cost money, and so much of it, to go to the beach there. Are there any free beaches, or low cost activities? The cruise itself will set us back quite a bit, plus we'll be going to the theme parks afterwards, so I'd rather not have to spend a lot of money here... unless it's worth it.

What I'm trying to figure out is.. what is worth the money and what is not??? What pitfalls should I avoid?? Hubby thinks staying on the boat so we can actually enjoy the family pool might be nice, but I'd like to do something on shore.

Anyone had any experience with the Pirates museum? That sounded like it might be good.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Personally, we hated Nassau. If you are determined to go ashore I would book my excursions thru disney. The people were so pushy and obnoxious when my DW and I were there, that we never plan to go back there. If we ever sail the "short" Wonder cruise again we will spend the day onboard enjoying the ship activities.

 

[mickeyfan1]

The best activity in Nassau is on the ship. Don't get off. Nassau is not worth seeing, I know, I have been there 11 times. I only get off the ship to buy booze, and I hate the hassle of the people wanting to braid my hair, or "give me" a necklace, etc. Seriously, the beach excursions aren't worth the hassles, either. Stay on board, enjoy the activities, get a nap in, there is a great deck party when you are leaving Nassau, and the next day you will be at Castaway Cay, which is the BEST island experience in the industry right now. The beaches are clean, there are no people walking up and down trying to get you to buy T shirts, 3 for 10, or what ever. To get to any of the free beaches will cost you a cab ride, and unless you go way down to the Crystal Palace and go onto Cable Beach, it's not worth it. Save your money. THe kids will love CC, and you won't have to stress.

 

[Cuzisayso2]

I agree with staying on the ship. we just returned from a 3 day on the Wonder and Nassau was yucky. We did do the Dolphin Swim at Blue Lagoon island. This was really an incredible experience, but very pricey. If we ever cruise again to Nassau...we will stay on the ship.

 

[Princess49]

I totally agree- we went shopping in Nassau & Sharon, the onboard shopping expert made it seem like we would find EVERYTHING there! but we didnt- This were priced the same as here in manhattan & the only differene was that the stores were dirty. I felt the jewelry was like a Macys 50% off sale, they; they mark eerything up & THEN reduce it! I actually saw a better price on the ship than in a jewelry store. I'm a NYer & I was even put off by how obnoxious the people were- I swear if one of the hair braiding woman could have reached me she would have grabbed my ponytail & started braiding even after I said no thank you 7 times! We will NOT be getting off next time in Nassau. Enjoy the pool & the activities onboard & then enjoy the beach & excursions on CC! The only time I'll get off the ship is to collect call home & not have to pay $8 a minute!! Have fun!

 

[minnieandmickey]

I had wished we stayed on the ship (we did the glass bottom boat excursion). But if we were to go again I might go to Atlantis, of course it would be cheaper to stay on the ship

 

[fonda]

I am traveling in september on the wonder, I just got back from the bahama's on another cruise ship with my 16 year old daughter, we loved nassau, the ship's excursions were pricey, we chose to get off the ship and right on the dock, taxis are waiting for your business, accomodates up to 10 people. we chose to take a 2 hour tour of the island ($23)pp compared to ($55) pp on ship, this included touring the island-2 forts, water tower(highest point in nassau)shopping at local tourist market, fish market, sampling real coconuts/milk, and exploring the basics at atlantis, choice of returning to ship or taxi dropping us off at a beach. we chose the beach on paradise island (no entrance fee on any beaches) the tour was interesting, the guide-george-was very informative and friendly. later at dinner compared with other guests tours from the ship, less expensive and got to see and learn alot more..the other passengers states they would definately do the other excursions next time, later that day walked around the straw market and shops located right off the docks, sure some people approach you to braid your hair, sing a song, or offer a taxi ride, usually a polite no thank you satisfied them. I can't wait to go back to nassau to explore another interesting side of the bahamas.

 

[jkovick]

We were in Nassau in January. We went on our own to Atlantis. We bought the $25. wrist bands to tour the Dig and aquariums. It is a nice hotel, we enjoyed it. That being said, I don't think we would go again.
Alot of people discuss getting a day room to use Atlantis's pools but honestly, they were nice but not great. I would have been disappointed had we spent the $$. The pools at WDW such as Stormalong Bay at Beach Club or one of the waterparks are much better.
We walked around the shopping area of Nassau a little too, but it was not much to see---dirty and the people were agressive.
We will stay on ship next time.

Hope you have a great trip, whatever you decide.

 

[rjones69]

Fonda,
You say that there is not an admission price for the beach at Paradise Island. My family is only interested in getting off at Nassau and spending a day at a "Free" beach. So this would be an option correct? Did you think that the ocean was rough as in choppy waves at Paradise Island. I have heard that it can be rough there.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Sorry sters..........We've been on two 4 night Wonder sailings and I won't get off the ship again in Nassau. The place is dirty and gives me an "unsafe" feeling. Some people say Atlanits and I have heard of some people going to Sandals......but if you are going to swim in the pools and get some sun.....what a better place than that beautiful ship!!!

 

[sters]

Thanks for all your input! My husband is of the same persuasion as most of the posters.... stay on the ship! He figures we will only have the one day to really explore the ship (3-day cruise) and the next day will be at CC for a beach deal. He also figures that the family pool and theater will be more accessible and less of a hassle with most people getting off the boat. Is he correct? He's afraid that I'll overschedule him (who me? and then he'll never agree to go on a cruise again. He's only agreeing to go because it's Disney and we'll be doing the parks afterwards. That way if he HATES it, he'll have something to look forward to. And because it will be my birthday... his gift is agreeing to go!!!

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

You can take a taxi out to Paradise Island and there is a free beach near a brand name hotel (the name escapes me at the moment). The taxi is about $5/pp out and $4/pp back. It is on the northern side of the island so there are often big waves that prevent swimming. I have gone to the Blue Lagoon on three previous cruises, but I think it has gotten too expensive for what you get, so next time I will just taxi out to Paradise Island myself.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Are you doing WDW before or after?

 

[sters]

We are doing WDW after the cruise. I'm hoping to be very relaxed to enjoy the invigorating WDW theme parks and end on a high note. I'd like to get off and explore the island a bit, but DH wants to veg out on the cruise boat. He's already decided that he won't like cruising. I'm inclined towards thinking that I will, but part of the appeal to me is visiting the ports. He's not interested in parking on a beach if we'll be doing CC the very next day. It would really be the only day we have to explore the ship and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get him on another.

I did see something about a pirate museum, or some sort of re-enactiment of pirating a ship, but would not know how to get there or, also, if it might not be too intense for our 4yrold. And, also, it might be really lame and then I'd wished I'd be on the ship.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[zyezye]

I did the dolpin excursion in Nassau - didn't bother shopping. It was a beautiful boat ride and after the dophin time we hung out on the beach near there until the boat was ready to leave.
My time with the dolphins is a wonderful memory!

 

[sklimuck]

We are doing the dolphin swim in Nassau through shoretrips.com Does anyone know how to get to the ferry from the cruise ship dock? Do you take a taxi to Paradise Island and then catch the ferry or a friend told me she thought the ferry was caught right by the cruise ship dock- Are all the dolphin swims on Blue Lagoon Island or is there more than one place that does it. The paperwork says to catch the ferry at the Paradise Island Pier.