BlackCat9Lives

It depends on what your interests are and how much walking you want to do.

I did my own thing and walked to the Queen’s Staircase/Fort Fincastle. Then walked to Greycliff Chocolatiers and paid $25 for their tour of the factory which included a piece of chocolate and then 10% off my purchase in the gift shop/chocolate store.

I then went next door to the Greycliff cigar factory to pick up some goodies for my hubby that I left at home.

Next I walked to the John Waitling’s Rum distillery for their free tour. I didn’t do their rum tasting as I am a cheap drunk and was walking everywhere solo. But I did pick up a bottle of rum for the hubby who LOVED.

Lastly, I returned to the shop with after walking through the Straw Market

All told, I was out and about for roughly 4.5 hours.

My “excursion” was just $25 for the chocolate tour plus spending money on some chocolate, rum, cigars, and some cheap trinkets.

How long are the walks to each place, are they fairly close to each other?

Depends on what time of the year you are going?

The water temperatures in Nassau get quite chilly in the winter.

We are going middle of November

never mind not worth it

Thanks for posting! What is "Family Free Arcade, Challenger's Arcade" 8pm-9pm on Day 1

I didn't keep the Daily Compass just because it wouldn't mimic what most cruisers would encounter. For instance, muster was at 6pm on Friday (all activities were very late into the evening/night). They did have a 70's Promenade Party on Friday, and 80s Promenade Party on Saturday. They had one headline show on Friday (I believe) and there was also an A capella headline show on Saturday. I wanted to go so bad but was falling asleep at dinner haha. They also had the usual Men vs Women game show, comedians, bar/lounge performances, children's activities, etc.

I'd like to be prepared. Who would I contact to find out in advance what parties will happen on the Nov 12 sailing?

Thank you for posting. Do you have photos of your cabin? Were the cabins refurbished as well?

Update: Still no word from Royal that this has been chartered. I called the travel agency who has the booking for the charter and they were nice enough to check my room number and said she has somone else booked in our rooms. Cut our losses and book something else and pay more or keep waiting for an offer?

Have you logged into your account to look at your upcoming cruise? When they chartered out Mariner's November 5th sailing, our cruise under "upcoming cruises" in our account changed from the name "4 Night Bahama Cruise" to "Ubersoca Chartered Cruise". Also, maybe check your spam folder for the email, it seems like too long of a time to let you know.

Thank you for the update I may have to do some research and change our plans.

Your sailing has definitely been chartered, it doesn't show up on any online TA or on Royal. This happened to my November 2018 sailing on the Mariner. They offered us $50 OBC per person if we moved the date and didn't cancel but their cancellation email came almost one month after they pulled the sailing.

This would be a great sticky. ;)

Do you know when it updates? Still says May 15-16

At this point, it is all speculation, and I wish you the best 3 person sleeping arrangement possible, one proper bed for each person. A floor mattress would be unacceptable, in my opinion. This is something people do when you try to fit extra people in a hotel room....people you didn't pay for to be in the room. You paid for 3 people. Please report back your outcome.

I can't recommend any, as I haven't done them, but do have the Essential Nassau tour booked for our upcoming cruise on Adventure. I chose it because it was (relatively) cheap; was on sale for $36 when I booked. At 3.5 hours, it's short, leaving plenty of time to walk around, shop, or whatever afterwards. It hits the Queen's Staircase and Ft Charlotte, which I'd been thinking about doing anyway.

 

My wife and I have only been to Nassau once, almost 27 years ago, and our (adult) kids have never been. So a highlight tour seemed like a good fit.

 

I know it's not exactly what you asked, but I thought my reasons for choosing it might help. Our sailing is July 6th. If that's before yours, I'm certainly willing to report back.

This does help! We are going in November on Mariner. If you remember to report back, I certainly would appreciate your thoughts. I was leaning towards Essential Nassau for the price and the Queen's Staircase but wonder if we would miss seeing the government house. The stops to the rum cake factory seems fun though.

Looking for recommendation on these 3 Royal Caribbean tours for Nassau. I asked in ports of call with no answer and thought someone sailing Royal before would have reccomendations. Discover Nassau Land And Sea

Essential Nassau

Charm And Beauty Of Nassau And Paradise Island

We will be visiting Nassau on our upcoming Mariner of the Seas cruise. Which RC tour would you recommend? We want to explore the island.

Discover Nassau Land And Sea

Essential Nassau

Charm And Beauty Of Nassau And Paradise Island

Why don’t you pay attention to who I quoted? I’m agreeing with the OP!!

 

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Bahahaha too funny! You’re right.

Hmmm maybe you have not viewed options for hotels in the last decade. Most hotels offer a non refundable attractive price up front, which tend to require payment right away.

 

 

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Why the sarcasm? Not needed. And why not read through the thread before you “try” to be smart.......Capital One POINTS were used to book the hotel AND IS NON-REFUNDABLE. The points hotel purchase equal $262.xx

I was on the November 2-5 and it was cancelled as well. We had a group booking with one of our local bands performing on the ship. We haven't gotten anything from Royal yet, but our travel agent has. The only reason we were going was because of the band as I certainly had no reason to go back to Nassau. Very frustrating that RCCI can cancel essentially because they feel like it.

Yep! I was bumped off a Norwegian sailing last year. Just my luck. And yet I booked another cruise and switched back to Royal because of it, go figure! Its the only vacation entity that will cancel your vacation to give to someone else. It's terrible.

Is the hotel booking transferable?

I have to call when we decide on new date. I have family who were also booked and we are waiting for them to agree on a new date. The documentation on confirmation email for the hotel says "This rate is non-refundable. If you choose to change or cancel this booking you will not be refunded any of the payment."

It's all about the $$$....those with the most potential benefit win. Charters pay more for their cabins than on a regular cruise, and they can boost prices for everything...since they have a "captive" audience.

 

Most hotel bookings are fully refundable up to 48 hours in advance...pretty sure you won't lose on your room this far out!

Unfortunately I will, I used my Capitol One points and this particular booking was non-refundable.

I don't add cruise insurance until final payment. In my opinion, a charter is Royal choosing one customer over another...to fill their ships....I think it stinks on their part.....six months before a cruise people are in the planning stages, booking air, hotels, arrangements etc. I feel like Royal should have better criteria for charters (booking a year ahead....not 6 months) so they don't ruin people's vacations and costs them money. They canceled on us to take another customer. Morally they should refund or re-book my hotel for the date of the cruise I move to and I hope they will do the right thing. We will see.

Me too. I booked a non-refundable pre-cruise hotel the night before with points total price ($262.32). I haven't called yet, still deciding new dates but I hope they will reimburse for the hotel as well because I am out of that money due to them bumping us for a charter. It is not mentioned in the notice.

Is the Mariner OTS a full 3N chartered sailing on Nov 9-12 or just a large group booking? It's still listed on the cruise websites which may not mean anything, as those booked may be notified after the fact or once the charter starts to fill up!

I'm not sure. Are you booked on the Nov 9-12? My sailing is the Mariner November 5th-9th and it disappeared from all the booking sites. Wondering what's up with the Nov 5th sailing.

Thanks. How does this relate to the Mariner of the Seas?. I googled and don’t see that info.

I see now it’s for the 3 day November 9-12.

2018 Cruise for the Cure Walk in Paradise at Atlantis

 

 

 

2018 Cruise for the Cure – Walk in Paradise at Atlantis Nov.9, 2018

MEMO ~ Re: EARLY BIRD DEPOSITS! sent 2/1/18

Please visit here for Future Memos & Updates

We are so excited to be planning new Group EVENTS, that are always FUN and just for you onboard, including the

11th Annual PASSIONATE FOR PINK Cocktail Party" with Gifts and Raffles!

Thanks. How does this relate to the Mariner of the Seas?. I googled and don’t see that info.

What happened to the Mariner of the Seas November 5th, 2018 sailing? It’s missing from all websites including Royal’s.

The website says kids sail free book between March 1 - March 5 under their terms and conditions but earlier in this thread someone said the promo was good March 1 - 28. Is this correct, are these prices good through the 28th? The cruise we are looking at has kids sale free and also the splash offer 30%off. I am hoping I can book in 10 days with the same price.