Just Back from Nassau

[toonjie]

Just back from Nassau on the Monarch and just wanted to thank everyone on this board for the great tips over the past year, they really worked great for us! We went to the British Colonial Hilton and used Island Marketing to reserve it in advance, good thing because they were not selling day passes, (just as I expected), due to the fact that they were sold out at the hotel. The pool area was still not very full, so they keep they crowds down to keep the nice atmosphere. We had 4 kids ranging from 16 months to 13 and there were enough kids so it wan't stuffy, but all were well-behaved and didn't bother the pool loungers. (We told the kids this was a quiet place and so no yelling in the pool, etc.) We did the snorkel trip from the Hilton and it was very good. You cruised past the ships and under the Paradise Island bridge and saw many mansions and yachts. The snorkeling site was very good and we saw numerous fishes. We went back to the ship for dinner and then went to Atlantis around 7:30pm and, as mentioned here, the dig was wide open and we had a blast touring around-what an amazing resort. They were preparing for Junkanoo the next day, so there were bleachers and lights up everywhere back near the port, so I slipped out late at night and got some great shots. (Monarch left at 1:00am) I'll post pics soon, but ask away if you have any questions. Thanks again for all the great tips on this board! :)

[jlocole]

Thanks for posting this. I am debating between BCH or the Wyndham. Did you cab it back at forth from the ship? I wonder if 2 cab fares is less than just buying dinner off ship.... I want to see Atlantis, too; did you go at night when there was less security and get around to see the aquarium? Did you peek in their casino?

[glee35]

what is the "dig" at the atlantis???

[toonjie]

Thanks for posting this. I am debating between BCH or the Wyndham. Did you cab it back at forth from the ship? I wonder if 2 cab fares is less than just buying dinner off ship.... I want to see Atlantis, too; did you go at night when there was less security and get around to see the aquarium? Did you peek in their casino?

 

 

what is the "dig" at the atlantis???

 

Did peek in just quickly and it looked great, just like the rest of the resort, I'm not a big gambler though so I couldn't tell you much else. The Dig is the aquarium, it is downstairs and is themed to be an archaeological dig of Atlantis. We were able to get in absolutely free and it was the best aquarium I have been to yet, I think they charge like $30 per person during the day.

We walked to the Hilton, from the ship, (it's only 2 blocks) and then took a cab to Atlantis, $4 per person each way.

[3petitgarcon]

How much were the day passes to the Hilton? We're looking to do something close to the ship with the boys and from what you've said it sounds like a good place to go.

[lillypad83]

Thanks, Toonjie. I was debating between the Sheraton or the BCH, but I like the idea of having something planned, especially with 3 ships in port. How was the beach at BCH? Has the harbor dredging affected the water quality?

[toonjie]

How much were the day passes to the Hilton? We're looking to do something close to the ship with the boys and from what you've said it sounds like a good place to go.

 

The passes were $40 each and they included $30 food credit each, they start a house account for you at the pool bar. I don't think you can do any better if close to the ship is what you want. You can hit all the downtown spots very easily from here and the straw market, (or should I say, fake market-mostly knockoff crap) is right on the way.

 

Thanks, Toonjie. I was debating between the Sheraton or the BCH, but I like the idea of having something planned, especially with 3 ships in port. How was the beach at BCH? Has the harbor dredging affected the water quality?

 

The beach was very nice and there didn't seem to be any effect from the dredging. The was a floating boom all around the beach to protect it, that was the only visible sign.

[jdyer09]

Thanks so much for the idea, sounds great for our family. I have a few questions for you though if you dont mind. How was the snorkel trip? Was the water too cold? Was there an additional charge for the trip? If so, what was it? Were there any age restrictions, we are taking a 6 year old. Thanks so much.

[scubagirrl]

Thanks so much for the idea, sounds great for our family. I have a few questions for you though if you dont mind. How was the snorkel trip? Was the water too cold? Was there an additional charge for the trip? If so, what was it? Were there any age restrictions, we are taking a 6 year old. Thanks so much.

 

 

Here's a link to the company that provides the snorkeling trip.

http://www.blueholewatersports.com/

[toonjie]

Thanks so much for the idea, sounds great for our family. I have a few questions for you though if you dont mind. How was the snorkel trip? Was the water too cold? Was there an additional charge for the trip? If so, what was it? Were there any age restrictions, we are taking a 6 year old. Thanks so much.

 

The snorkel trip was $35 for adults. I don't think there are any age restrictions because we were going to take our 16 month old, but he was a little under the weather, and they were fine with that and there was no charge. The day pass was also free to kids under 5. The water was a little chilly, I would definitely recommend a 3 mm wetsuit this time of year. The tour was very nice, out to a nice reef with loads of fish. It also gives you a great view of the harbor. I'll get pics up real soon!

[lillypad83]

Thanks so much!

[toonjie]

Okay, pics are finally downloaded, here's some of "The Dig" at Atlantis. Again, this was free after 7:00pm, $4 per person cab ride over and you could definitely spend the whole evening there, especially if you like to gamble and explore resorts, tons of yachts out back as well. What a gorgeous resort at night!

 

Fountain outside the main entrance:

 

Jellyfish:

 

The aquarium is called "the dig" and is themed to an archaeological excavation that discovers the lost continent of Atlantis:

 

 

Fountain in the lower lobby:

 

Upper lobby decked out for Christmas:

 

Main lobby entrance:

 

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[toonjie]

Pulling into Nassau:

 

(Oasis of the Seas fans, you'll note the pier all the way to the left is where Oasis docks, note the dolphin in the foreground extending the pier, there is one on the other side as well. Our snorkel boat driver said he couldn't believe how massive the ship is!)

Atlantis in background

 

Here's a closer view of Oasis' pier and the dolphin extending it:

[toonjie]

Here's the view of the Hilton as the Monarch pulls into port, note the boom all around protecting the beach from the dredging. We saw no other impact from the dredging project.

[toonjie]

The Monarch is docked and we are on our way, just a short 2 block walk, to the British Colonial Hilton:

 

A beautiful ginger bread village greeted visitors to the lobby:

 

Do they really need this sign????

 

Sidewalks are a little rough, (my mom was in a scooter), stay right along the water, as close to the port buildings as possible for the smoothest ride. Josiah had no problem in his stroller:

View of ships from the BCH beach, shack to the right is where you get the snorkel boat. You can also rent your own boat here.

View of BCH from the beach:

 

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[nseagirl]

After leaving the ship and walking through the port building, which direction do you go to get to the Hilton?

[toonjie]

Early morning and birds dominate the pier where you can rent boats:

 

Close proximity to the ship is a plus for those who want to go back and forth for whatever reason:

 

Paradise Island ferry departs in front of the Monarch:

 

Building in the background with the spire is where the exit from the cruise port complex is. This is the route to the BCH. Senor Frogs is on the way.

 

Kids are all chillin' in the pool, they knew it was a day for quiet play. (We had no problems, they were tired from the snorkel adventure.)

View from pool to ships. (Grandma made it just fine in her scooter.)

 

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[toonjie]

The snorkel tour provides a nice closeup view of the ships and harbor. Here they are working on another dolphin for the larger ships.

 

Lizzie is all smiles as we leave, she's my water rat:

 

Tom and Abby enjoy the tour of the harbor:

 

Atlantis off in the distance: I reminisce with the boat driver about when there were numerous small hotels, like the Holiday Inn, where Atlantis now stands. Remember when Merv Griffin was king?

 

Pretty ships all in a row:

 

We head under the bridge to Paradise Island, yachts and mansions line the route:

 

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[toonjie]

The snorkel tour really doubles as a sightseeing tour as well:

 

Cruising along:

 

Mansions line the route:

 

 

Out near the snorkel area, if you rent your own boat, there are loads of little areas to explore and snorkel:

 

Kids are tired after an hour of snorkeling:

 

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[toonjie]

BCH affords a nice base to hit the straw market and other sites such as the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle:

 

A favorite party place:

 

I haven't been to Nassau in a long time, but the last time I was there was before the original Straw Market building burned down. Then it was a straw market, straw has now been replaced by fakes. I talked with a woman in the market who readily admitted everything was fake, (maybe because I'm from NY and she knew I could spot a fake a mile away.) She said since they cracked down on the fakes in New York City, the trade has moved to other areas like Nassau. Just as long as everyone knows this is all knockoff fake crap!

 

It's still a nice place to get some gifts for young family members at home:

 

Straw Market is right in front of the ships:

 

We return to the ship for dinner, before heading out to explore Atlantis at night:

 

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[toonjie]

After leaving the ship and walking through the port building, which direction do you go to get to the Hilton?

 

To the right, follow the water, you can't miss it, see the pics above for the route.

[CruisinCrow]

Great pictures. We'll be there this weekend and I hope we get some sunshine too!

[codypaints]

Cruisin Crow...we'll be on the Dream there on Sunday too. Was thinking Sheraton, but with the weather forecast (rain) I dont know if we want to venture so far away! We will have 3 little ones in tow (ages 7, 5 & 2).

[CruisinCrow]

Hi Codypaints, I'm bummed about the weather forecast too. I've still got my fingers crossed for sunshine but I guess I need to come up with a Plan B in case it rains. What's your Plan B?

[whyrlygig]

Really enjoyed your photos! Can't wait to go in March. :)