First Disney Cruise - excursions with young kids

[cruise&travelgirl]

Hi everyone! We will be going on our first Disney cruise (and first cruise with our kids) in January for a 5 night Bahamas cruise. There are 3 port days - Nassau, and 2 stops at Castaway Cay. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on shore excursions in Nassau with young kids (they will be 4 and almost 3 when we travel). Thanks!

[greatdanemom]

I personally don't find Nassau to be a good port to walk around with children. We spend a little time in the small shops right off of the ship to shop and then head out to a specific planned activity when we port there.

 

My DD and I did the Ardastra (sp?) Gardens & Zoo one time in Nassau. Probably not the most impressive facility for adults to see but the children enjoyed the animals, especially the large colorful birds and flamingos. They had a show where the flamingos performed their dancing and the kids loved it.

 

The pools and grounds at Atlantis are beautiful. If your children like to swim that might be an option.

 

You could do a beach day at Blue Lagoon where they have dolphin and sea lion swims. Your children might be too young to participate in the swims but they'd probably enjoy watching.

[Dharma517]

How about a day pass at the British Colonial Hilton? Your pass includes a lot (food also!). It is lower key than Atlantis. With the age of your children I think Atlantis would be too much. I went in December with 8 and 7 year old and it was crazy!

 

Jenn

[cruise&travelgirl]

Thank you both for the suggestions! I will look into these excursions. :)

[djpolly]

With our almost 5 year old DD we walked from the ship to the pirate museum (maybe 6 blocks) and she loved it. Captain Blah scared the heck out of her in one part - and she still giggles about it. We were there on a day parliment was in session so she got to see all the honorable gentlemen & women in their fancy whites wigs while walking to the museum. There were also more police out and about in their Bahamian uniforms.

 

We also did the stroll thru the straw market with her. By the second isle she had the "no thanks" matra for the hawkers. She even haggled for a little straw purse. We only gave her $3 to hold onto so she had to borrow $2 from Dad to get the purse (it was originally $10, so we can all pretend we got a bargain).

 

We were back to the ship by lunch. She loved the pool and it was alot less crowded, so I got a chair right at the edge.