CruiseControl_

There is a Rose Island beach day excursion that has very high ratings on trip advisor. Great because there are so many options there - from games to snorkel tours, even a beach bar equip with direct tv and wifi....we've don't this before and enjoyed it very much. There is also a snorkel paddle board tour that's awesomeeee!! Its was 2.5 hours if you have less time.

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You can take the #10 bus and get off at the Fish Fry. It's about a 12-15 minute walk from there.

You can also take a cab - maybe you can negotiate a round trip fare and have him/her collect you in an hour. It's a 7 minute drive from the port via cab.

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I have been to Nassau and Ocho Rios many times. Many other Caribbean Islands as well. Sure at first it is daunting, but this isn't a Disney attraction. These people are living their lives and we are just there observing. See it for what it is. The straw market for example is awesome to go through. Yes, If you are an American and used to your malls. Sure it's a dump.

 

We have fun every time we go there. We always find something really cool to bring back. And yes in Ocho Rios they are aggressive. But if you firmly say no they will stop. It is not difficult. My grandchildren have been on many cruises with me and they are pros at negotiating with the locals. They stopped being intimidated by them long ago.Just enjoy these island nations for what they are and for what they are not.

Great advice! :)

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It's less than 5 years old...and the Marleys have closed it twice already...this time it's been closed for a over a year.

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Couldn't agree more..Ocho Rios was the worst. Aggressive pushy rude vendors. cab driver/drug dealers. Nassau was great compared to there. We were there last Nov and just took a cab to Atlantis and hung out. Walking around the shops was ok too. Straw Market was a dump. My cruise next month has a stop there but I think I will just stay on the ship and have my pick of pool chairs...lol...

You really should consider doing a tour...there are (2) hour taxi tours reasonably priced ($25) that have great reviews on cruise critic & trip advisor. Nassau has beautiful beaches west of downtown - there are daiquiri shacks and even real local conch salad stalls at Gambier Village that offer local beers for $2...It truly is a terrific experience if you leave the port area. There are lots of inexpensive options available. Otherwise what's the point of traveling? :)

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Well for me it would be the just relaxing on the beach. The DH likes the idea of being able to do some water sports (motorized or non-motorized). Plus, I like the idea having the food options and drinks available. Thanks

Sounds like Hilton or Melia are the resorts you should be looking at since they offer food and beverage inclusive day passes. They both have non motorized equipment available at no additional charge.

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Neither of those placed will provide a relaxing beach environment. RIU is at Cabbage Beach - I went to the spa there last March and took a walk a outside to see the premises...always crowded, lots of spring breakers during that period, there is a beach bar there called the Naughty Pirate - plays loud music, plus the vendors. If you're looking for a more relaxing environment, Hilton ore Melia would be better choices that include food & beverage.

If you do want the lively party environment, I don't think there's a huge difference between the RIU and Breezes during that period - aside for location. Like CruisinCrow said, we'd need to know what kind of day you want to have to answer more definitely.

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The brewery does it's own little tour and I'm sure their schedule is based on the cruise ship roster. They're open for business on Sunday, they have a tasting room and gift shop. Walk ins are welcome!

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It's closed down now. Not around anymore.

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I completely understand Len and the info you provided was correct. I have visited Jamaica and Trinidad where the murder rates and kidnapping are amongst the highest in the world..and even though I've never seen so much as a fist fight, I'm always leery because I'm "a fish out of water." Glad you and your wife were safe and enjoyed your cruise!

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Junkanoo beach is the the busiest beach on the island. I read an article that said over a million people a year visit that beach. It's all cruise passengers. Keep in mind that entire walk from the cruise port is along the coastline. Junkanoo Beach is the first stop...if you rented mopeds or took a cab tour and rode along the coastline there are other places to stop and swim...There are beautiful pristine beaches about a 15-20 min drive west of there.

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You're correct. There aren't droves of people walking on that street. It is a very busy road though, lots of traffic and I don't categorize it as unsafe. I spent some time in the Bahamas and it used to be that you could leave cars and even your doors at home unlocked - this is what their current crime is being compared to...The crime in the media is sensationalized - it's actually all in low income residential areas. I can honestly say the Bahamas has done a great job in tourist zones. A journalist from Puerto Rico told me that the mistake the Bahamas is making is in making it front page news and keeping the US abreast on what's going on. In other countries they sweep crime under the rug. Hopefully the Bahamas can get a handle on things in those neighborhoods. Also consider, the Bahamas has manyyyy other islands that are completely crime free. There is a lot that comes along with millions of people annually trekking through a tiny island.

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This program is heavily reliant on volunteers, however they don't turn anyone away, ever. Apparently its an underfunded government program and some have been rallying to get more resources for. The demand is not that great because it's underfunded. Try email Janet Johnson - jjohnson@bahamas.com. I met her at a tourism promotion the for the Bahamas in New York a few months back. She oversees a lot of those areas. It's worth a shot - I've heard nothing good things about the program.

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Have you looked into Chad4Nature? He's got great reviews and seems to offer a wide variety of activities on one tour...we have relatives that have taken the tour and loved it. He has one tour that's part land and part water...maybe check that out.

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Can't believe I am posting this - I have read so may posts on here and learnt so much (for which I'm very grateful), but have read too much and am now left confused! We (parents plus two teenage boys, age 17 and 14) will be on Oasis calling at Nassau on Sunday 6th April. As time is short we had decided to break our 'do it on your own' rule and book a ships excursion and were trying to decide between Rainbow Reef snorkelling and Blue Lagoon, but neither thrilled our boys. Looked again at free beaches (Cable, Cabbage and Junkanoo) but all seem to have one downsides or another (no restrooms /dangerous currents etc). Boys would love to do some kind of water sports - have read enough on here to know that jet skiing is not recommended, but was thinking about para sailing, banana boats, paddle boarding etc, and so then decided that a day pass to Sheraton would be best. Now have read that Spring break makes this busy and that teens etc may get turned away. Help! Don't want to decide on this and then get turned away and not know what to do! We're from the UK so am not even sure when Spring break is, but believe it is loosely around Easter which is 2 weeks after our visit. Does our date count as a busy period? Are recommendations different on a Sunday? What is our best bet? Just want a simple bit of beach with some restrooms not too far away and optional play things for the teens for not too much $$. Would be very grateful for any advice.....! :)

There is a snorkel paddle tour that might be ideal for you. Its a guided tour to an offshore reef. When we arrived at the site we snorkeled for a while and the tour guide gave us information on the Bahamas and ecology of the reef etc. He was really funny, good sense of humor and informative. It was a good combination of excitement and relaxation. It's called Pappa Surf if youre interested. They have a website with more information.

You may also want to consider a Rose Island excursion. Reason being they have different/diverse options on the island. You can do a guided snorkel tour, windsurf, play beach games with other visitors or just lie in a hammock. With this option the boys can run off on their own and you can relax. They have lifeguards and safety staff to put your mind at ease.

Hope this helps :)

Ok this sounds like something different...will make a nice change for us who are there often. Thanks much tikib!! :)

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Hmm maybe we will try Bahamas Food Adventures next time. What was unique about it tikib? When you say "real Bahamas" Where did you go? Would appreciate more info :)

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Someone else posted an email from the Melia this morning regarding day rooms that also has useful info about options...Apparently day rooms are now 50% of that days rate - not $99 anymore.

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Yes they have an on site family pool with water slides. There's also snorkeling equipment and lots of other beach gear available for rent...Grand Bahama island is a very kid friendly in general. Most of the party animals don't make it beyond the Señor Frogs at the port ;)

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Yes it's good value for that price...very nice property.

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Yes we did...they took a deposit and we paid the balance at arrival..around $50 total for day pass including lunch. We paid half price for our kids. Maybe shoot them an email if you're having trouble on the site

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It's cheaper on *****.com

We bought our passes from them last time and they guaranteed a refund in the event of bad weather or if the ship doesn't dock for any reason.

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Yes, 4:30 is a safe bet to get a cab...by 5 it can be gridlock so be careful...Once you get over the bridge it's smooth sailing - even if traffic is bad for some reason, you'll be fine. Be sure to adjust your watch before you get there! :)

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Yep - same property. Port Lucaya - stores and restaurants just across the street.

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The resort sells it for a higher price than third party booking. We paid less.

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