What should I do in Freeport?

[smbrown13]

Im trying to plan excursions for our cruise in June via Carnival Fantasy. What are some good suggestions for Freeport? seems like there isn't much to do that but I want to make the most of it..its just me and my 8 year old daughter this go around...

[SteelerCruiser]

we usually take a taxi/van into Our Lucaya for $5pp each way. once there you will find several things to do including shopping, resturants, casino, and of course the Beautiful Beach amongst other things. Love the beach and water here as it is so Beautiful! there is also a nice little shack in the middle of the shopping area that sells the best frozen island drinks. you can get a 16oz and 10oz cup of the same flavor for $6. and you can get this with or w/o the rum so your 8 yr old can enjoy too.

[smbrown13]

Thank you so much! that sounds like a plan!

[kimkatmom]

How far is it from the ship? How easy to get a taxi back to the ship? We are only in port from 7 am to 2 pm but would like to see some sights.

[SteelerCruiser]

you can get a cab right off the pier where the ship docks. It is a 15-20 minute ride to Our Lucaya and should be $5 pp each way. Cabs are also plentiful to get back to the ship. Just be sure you keep an eye on time and allow time to get back to ship. Have fun and Enjoy!!!

[kimkatmom]

you can get a cab right off the pier where the ship docks. It is a 15-20 minute ride to Our Lucaya and should be $5 pp each way. Cabs are also plentiful to get back to the ship. Just be sure you keep an eye on time and allow time to get back to ship. Have fun and Enjoy!!!

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a plan! Maybe get off the ship around 9 and leave Our Lucaya abaout 1. That should be enough time to see some sights.

[SteelerCruiser]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a plan! Maybe get off the ship around 9 and leave Our Lucaya abaout 1. That should be enough time to see some sights.

 

I would think that will allow you plenty of time to enjoy yourselves. Just be sure of what time you need to be back on the ship by. Most of the time it is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. that being said as long as you are back in line before the actual departure time you should be fine. Have Fun! We should be enjoying Freeport on this coming Friday:D

[leosrule22]

we usually take a taxi/van into Our Lucaya for $5pp each way. once there you will find several things to do including shopping, resturants, casino, and of course the Beautiful Beach amongst other things. Love the beach and water here as it is so Beautiful! there is also a nice little shack in the middle of the shopping area that sells the best frozen island drinks. you can get a 16oz and 10oz cup of the same flavor for $6. and you can get this with or w/o the rum so your 8 yr old can enjoy too.

 

Ty for the Tip, first time in Freeport:D. So I wasnt sure what to do!!! Is Our Lucaya a Hotel??

[gottago2mexico]

Yes, Our Lucaya is a beach resort. It is across from Port Lucaya Marketplace, where the shuttle drops you off.

 

They've raised the day pass fee to $30.00 per person now, and have closed off the beach in front of the resort to anyone who doesn't pay up. Not a problem though, there is a public beach access just to the West next to the Police station by the bus stop that anyone can access the beach for free. Bring a towel, walk down to the beach, and buy your food and drinks from Billy Joe's Conch Shack (turn left at the beach, only a few steps), or the Coral Reef Beach Bar (turn right at the beach, walk 5 min). You still have full access to all the watersports - actually the location is more convenient for that. Other beaches, such as Xanadu and Taino Beach are still free as well - just ask your taxi driver. The ocean is so nice, no need for a swimming pool, and you can find shade at either bar if you want it, or bring a small beach umbrella with you.

[leosrule22]

Yes, Our Lucaya is a beach resort. It is across from Port Lucaya Marketplace, where the shuttle drops you off.

 

They've raised the day pass fee to $30.00 per person now, and have closed off the beach in front of the resort to anyone who doesn't pay up. Not a problem though, there is a public beach access just to the West next to the Police station by the bus stop that anyone can access the beach for free. Bring a towel, walk down to the beach, and buy your food and drinks from Billy Joe's Conch Shack (turn left at the beach, only a few steps), or the Coral Reef Beach Bar (turn right at the beach, walk 5 min). You still have full access to all the watersports - actually the location is more convenient for that. Other beaches, such as Xanadu and Taino Beach are still free as well - just ask your taxi driver. The ocean is so nice, no need for a swimming pool, and you can find shade at either bar if you want it, or bring a small beach umbrella with you.

 

 

Thanks again!! We are going to take a cab to Our Lucaya and walk down to the free beach.

We have done Atlantis in Nassau and just really want to sit on the beach, have drinks and eat Conch... In addtion to not spending a ton of money

[cantwait2cruise926]

we usually take a taxi/van into Our Lucaya for $5pp each way. once there you will find several things to do including shopping, resturants, casino, and of course the Beautiful Beach amongst other things. Love the beach and water here as it is so Beautiful! there is also a nice little shack in the middle of the shopping area that sells the best frozen island drinks. you can get a 16oz and 10oz cup of the same flavor for $6. and you can get this with or w/o the rum so your 8 yr old can enjoy too.

 

I've never been to Freeport and im not quite sure i understand how this works. I know the ship docks in Freeport which is industrial and you have to take a cab to the Lucaya Marketplace. I understand we can walk to a free beach from there. How many tourists go there and is it worth paying the day pass fee at Our Lucaya?

[mariah9999]

I'm giving this a little bump. Does the public access beach area near Our Lucaya get overly crowded? That's what I was going to ask too. Thanks in advance. :)

[hancogran]

Last month when we visited Our Lucaya, we got to the beach pretty early and it was pretty quiet, however, as the morning went on it was getting fairly busy. By 11:00, we just felt we had people practically sitting on top of us so we left and went over to the little straw market to do some shopping. I think our taxi was one of the first ones to leave the port.

 

If you're planning on going, definitely get there early. We were only in port until 2:00 so our taxi was coming back for us at 12:30 and it all worked out fine for us. :)

[patnjohn]

Is the beach you are talking about the only beach to go to in Freeport???

[vasoccerchick]

Are there decent public restroom facilities near the beach if we use the free access?

[samanthab]

My fiance and I are heading to the Bahamas on November 7th. I have booked the blue lagoon excursion in Nassau but just cannot decide what to do in Freeport. Most of the excursions in Freeport start at 8:30 in the morning and have you back to the ship by 12:30. I personally would like to spend some time on the beach as well as shop since we are in port from 8am to 6pm. Could I book an excursion then catch a cab back to the boat? How hard is it to get a cab? Is the shopping there worth it? Do you have a beach/shopping excursion you would recommend?

[gottago2mexico]

I've never been to Freeport and im not quite sure i understand how this works. I know the ship docks in Freeport which is industrial and you have to take a cab to the Lucaya Marketplace. I understand we can walk to a free beach from there. How many tourists go there and is it worth paying the day pass fee at Our Lucaya?

 

You can check the cruise calendar to see how many ships on your particular day are in port - if there are three in port, then it will be pretty crowded right there by Our Lucaya. If there is only one, it shouldn't be bad. It's up to you if you think $30.00 per person for a beach chair and use of the pool and non-motorized watersports is worth it to you. Certainly the $5.00 they charge for a chair at Junkanoo Beach Club or the $3.00 they charge you at Paradise Cove, or the $3.00 you pay at Xanadu Beach or the free beach chairs (with food or drink purchase) at Banana Bay would starkly contrast in price.

 

Is the beach you are talking about the only beach to go to in Freeport???

 

Not by a longshot. You have beaches stretching the entire length of the south side of the island. Most are undeveloped though, so if you're looking for developed beach facilities, then Paradise Cove, Taino Beach Park (Junkanoo Beach Club, Outriggers), Fortune Beach/Churchill Beach (Margaritavilla Sandbar, Banana Bay, Berta's), High Rock (Bishop's, Diamonds by the Sea), Xanadu Beach, and Williams Town (Island Seas Resort, Bikini Bottom). There are plenty of options around the island - what makes Lucayan Beach attractive is that they run $5.00 shuttles there and have the casino and Port Lucaya Marketplace there for shopping, bars, restaurants, etc.

 

Are there decent public restroom facilities near the beach if we use the free access?

 

At Our Lucaya, you can use the restroom at Billy Joe's Conch Shack if you're buying food or drinks from them. There are restrooms across the street at Port Lucaya Marketplace, and I'm sure if you're buying food or drinks from the bars or restaurants at Our Lucaya, you could use theirs.

 

My fiance and I are heading to the Bahamas on November 7th. I have booked the blue lagoon excursion in Nassau but just cannot decide what to do in Freeport. Most of the excursions in Freeport start at 8:30 in the morning and have you back to the ship by 12:30. I personally would like to spend some time on the beach as well as shop since we are in port from 8am to 6pm. Could I book an excursion then catch a cab back to the boat? How hard is it to get a cab? Is the shopping there worth it? Do you have a beach/shopping excursion you would recommend?

 

The excursions will drop you off at Port Lucaya Marketplace afterward, where you can shop and eat or drink, walk over to the beach, use the casino, etc. The snorkeling trips mostly dock at Port Lucaya, so it's only to walk from there to shopping, etc. You would just need to take the $5pp shuttle or a taxi back to the ship afterward. Cabs are readily available at Port Lucaya. Best beach excursions would be ones out to West End or East End or Lucayan National Park. The ship excursions to Port Lucaya/Our Lucaya are really nothing more than overpriced transportation.

[RArnold7769]

Thanks for the helpful info, I will be in Freeport on July 15th and I was just trying to figure out which beach to go to. Is Junkanoo Beach Club, Paradise Cove and Xanadu Beach near Our Lucaya? I would much rather spend 3 or 5 bucks for a chair vice 30.

[gottago2mexico]

Thanks for the helpful info, I will be in Freeport on July 15th and I was just trying to figure out which beach to go to. Is Junkanoo Beach Club, Paradise Cove and Xanadu Beach near Our Lucaya? I would much rather spend 3 or 5 bucks for a chair vice 30.

 

Junkanoo Beach is about 5 minutes by taxi - they provide a free shopping shuttle to Port Lucaya. Xanadu Beach is about 15 minutes by taxi from Port Lucaya. Paradise Cove is the other direction from the cruise pier about 25 minutes by taxi. Junkanoo may offer a free shuttle from the cruise ship, or at least they'll shuttle you from Our Lucaya and back (www.junkanoobeachfreeport.com). Paradise Cove provides their own transportation (www.deadmansreef.com). Xanadu you'll take a taxi to from the cruise pier.

[ReelG8r]

How early does Billy Joe's open on Sunday morning? We are in port early in the morning. Need some fresh conch!!

[hancogran]

How early does Billy Joe's open on Sunday morning? We are in port early in the morning. Need some fresh conch!!

 

We were there on a weekday last month and I think it was 9:00 or 10:00 before they opened. If you "google" Bill Joe's Freeport it will give you the website and an email contact address for any inquiries. I went to the website to see if it listed their hours but I couldn't see anything. You could always pop off an email to them and inquire. :)

[SteelerCruiser]

I've never been to Freeport and im not quite sure i understand how this works. I know the ship docks in Freeport which is industrial and you have to take a cab to the Lucaya Marketplace. I understand we can walk to a free beach from there. How many tourists go there and is it worth paying the day pass fee at Our Lucaya?

 

 

I would say more than half of the cruise ship pax that get off will go to Our Lucaya. plenty to do there Beautiful Free Beach! access located by the Police station. Casino, Shopping, Food etc... And no I would not pay the day pass for basically the same thing you can get for free. You don't get access to the "resort Facilities" but really should not need them. There is a beach bar on the beach to get all the food and drinks you want. Also a great little drink shak in the middle of the shopping area.

[SteelerCruiser]

I'm giving this a little bump. Does the public access beach area near Our Lucaya get overly crowded? That's what I was going to ask too. Thanks in advance. :)

 

 

Just walk down the beach a little ways and you will be fine.

[MommyMonster]

Anybody want to describe what conch tastes like? And the texture?

[hancogran]

Anybody want to describe what conch tastes like? And the texture?

 

I tried conch fritters for the first time in Nassau in May and found it really didn't have a lot of taste to it.. it's a bit like clams or calamari... a very mild taste and not "fishy" at all. It was a bit chewy. :)