what's the best thing to do at Nassau

[1PrincessMom]

Taking the 9/16 cruise on the Wonder. I am assuming we are going to stop at Nassau for the day since CC may be not an option. This is our first DCL cruise. (sailed on the Big Red Boat back in '91) Anyone have any thoughts on what to do with DH and DD 5 and DD 7? I have heard that the Atlantis has a beach - anyone know how much $? Any other fun ideas? Thanks for your help!

 

[HumanCookie]

Take a tour of Atlantis resort. Or do a shore excusion like dolphin encounter or beach day at Blue lagoon (lunch is provided).

 

[KaitlinsMom]

stay on the boat

 

[disneybride96]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
stay on the boat

DITTO!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

stay on the boat

Another Ditto.


About the only use we've ever had from Nassau is purchasing some jewlery a little cheaper than you usually can from home, but you've got to know what you're buying and the going prices and purchase from reputable jewler.

 

[1PrincessMom]

Seriously? There isn't anything fun (& safe) to show my kids at Nassau? Since were live in PA, I was hoping they would get to see a more topical environment. But I really appreciate the info from the experienced travelers! :thewave:

 

[traycie2201]

pretty sure there is a dcl excursion to atlantis with either a beach day or aquarium visit, think you can also do the dolphin experience there too. have a great holiday

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We vacationed at the Wyndamn Cable Beach in August. They let the cruise line passengers use the resort with a $5 towell rental. The pool has a large water slide which my DD's 5 and 6 loved. You can also walk from there to the beaches at the Radisson and the other hotel next door.

We did the Dolphin encounter and would highly reccomend it. The girls were thrillled to get in the water with the dolphins and pet them and the pictures are priceless! Not something you would do in PA!

Have a great trip!

 

[tksbaskets]

Stay on the boat! We did the Dolphin encounter at Freeport and my sons loved it. That would be the only thing I'd do in Nassau. We tried to walk around and find the pirate museum (supposedly only a few block from the ship) but the boys really were leary of walking around Nassau and the goofy pool was calling us. This is where DS #1 said to us, "We are so lucky to live in the United States Mom"

Our day in Nassau. Got up late, walked off the ship, walked back on. Had a wonderful sit-down lunch at Tritons, boys enjoyed a movie while DH and I sat by the adult pool, then finished off the day at the goofy pool. Extra price for our day - NOTHING! (just my personal mantra to the boys, it isn't "free" on the ship, it's included in what Mom and Dad already paid!)

What wonderful decisions to have to make

TK

 

[MO64RN]

We are on the same cruise and are planning to go to the Wyndham Cable Beach especially since it is likely we will not go to CC.

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
stay on the boat

Ditto from me too.

We hated Nassau. The only good thing about it was Atlantis, and that was even a pain having to deal with the water taxi hawkers.

If we ever go again, which is unlikely, since the short cruises are a tease, we will do what Barb and Tony do, and just consider it a day at sea.

 

[SparkyC]

We had an absolutely fabulous time going on the catamaran snorkeling exursion. It was a little sketchy at first (the man that led us to the catamaran was SCARY and never said a word...) but once on the catamaran (it was a Seahorse ship, I believe) they were really pretty nice, and the snorkeling (over Atthol Island reef) was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

 

[ericamanda01]

When we last went we did the dolphin exursion, which was a lot of fun for all of us. But the kids really got a kick out it. However once it was over we were stuck on the island with a bunch of college students drinking more than the fish. It was very un-Disney. DH and I decided to just go shopping for and hour or so then head back to the ship. Let everyone else check out the island while you check out the shipboard activites.

 

[Poly Pal]

Another "stay on the SHIP" vote. Nassau is not a nice port - I could be more descriptive...but if you don't have anything nice to say... Your kids will love having the Mickey pool almost all to themselves (my kids did.)

 

[baileybaby]

it seems like there are a lot of people who don't like nassau. What makes it so bad?

 

[logan1_2000]

I used to live up north so I do understand the desire to do something tropical--but Nassau was...well, what did the last poster remind us of what we learned from momma, that if you have nothing good to say...so stay on the ship, enjoy the pools, pluto's dog house, and treat it as a day at sea...

and book a 7 day while you are on-board because there are wonderful things to do and experience on the caribbean islands...

 

[talicskai]

Originally posted by MO64RN
We are on the same cruise and are planning to go to the Wyndham Cable Beach especially since it is likely we will not go to CC.

Good idea! I do not love Nassau but if you are missing CC you should give your kids a beach day! Cable Beach is beautiful ~ hire a taxi and go enjoy it! There is a McDonald's on your left on the way to Cable Beach so grab lunch for the kids and go

Have fun! I will say that my kids loved having the pool to themselves ~ it was a great afternoon.

 

[KEH]

The dolphin encounter was very enjoyable but we found the food at lunch very poor. Another time, we too would stay on the ship.

 

[pth]

I think it's important for you to form your own opinion. Get off the ship and walk around and do some exploring. Go over to Atlantis or take a surrey ride around.

I see Nassau as a "done that and don't need to do it again" thing, next time I'll probabaly just roam off the ship for a while and go back and relax type of thing.

I think you would regret it if you at least didn't get off the ship.

 

[snowball22]

We were there last year and here are my thoughts. It was dh and I and our dd age 11 and ds age 9. We decided not to do any excursions. We got off the ship and as soon as we hit the main area we were bombarded with locals bugging us to get our hair braided or asking us if we needed a taxi. We did decide to get some of dd's hair braided. We did about 12 braids or $24 worth. The braider begged us to have her braid more and then seemed upset that we said no. So off we go to town. As we walk, more hair braiders bug us saying that dd needed more braids. I told them no. We stopped at Del Sol for the color changing t-shirts and jewelry which was cool. We still have our t-shirts and they still work. We bypassed all the other stores. The straw market looked so hot, dirty and crowded that we bypassed that also. We were going to stop at the pirate museum but it looked closed. The town is just old and overrun with the locals bugging the tourists to make a quick buck. We stayed about 2 hours and then called it quits and headed back to the ship. We spent the rest of the day exploring the ship finding all kinds of fun things to do. If we were to do it again we might try Atlantis or just stay on the ship. There are maps of Nassau on the web that you may want to look at. They show all the streets, stores and activities available on the island. It might help with your decision.