Best Nassau Excursion?

[IM4MU]

Going to be going to Nassau for the first time on my next cruise. We will be there from 8 am Sat. to 7 am Sunday. What are some excursions you recommend? Did you go out on your own, go thru Carnival's excursions or do a private company excursion? What is a "must do" in Nassau?

 

Thanks,

Janet

[GoinCruisin]

You will find some great info on the Ports of Call board... good luck and have fun!!!!

[kdickers]

Hey IM4MU,

 

 

I couldn't help but notice you're from WV . . . and the reference to MU . . . I'm just across the border outside of Ashland!!!!!

 

I too am going to Nassau (my FIRST cruise) and have learned SO MUCH information on the port of call boards . . . just "search" for Nassau over there and you'll find LOTS of information!!!!!!!!

[JStarbrite]

1- check out Atlantis

 

2- go snorkling or diving (best with charter boat)

 

3- eat conch

 

All of which can be done in one day on your own!

[richfret]

Atlantis is great. It is probably one of the fanciest hotels you will ever see but it is a lot more than that. The building is made from many marbles from all over the world. There are massive pillars with many carvings and murals on the ceiling. There are several levels and you can view most of them. They also have one of the best aquariums in the world. You can view about a third of the aquarium for free and about $28.00 if you want to see the remainder. It is an expensive price but there is nothing like it. The background for the aquarium is an Atlantis setting so hence the name. There are also a massive casino, expensive stores and resturants on the grounds.

 

My suggestion is to take the land taxi for about $6.00. The trip down will give you a small view of the island. View the exhibit, walk the grounds and then go back to the ship for lunch. That makes for a very inexpensive day but with much to see and do. You will be impressed. We did this last year and plan to do it again this year. I also heard they had little damage from the hurricane.

[JrMafia90]

Since you are going to be in Nassau a whole day I would buy a room for that day this way you can use all the pools and water slides, and anything else the hotel has to offer.

[peppervegas]

When I was in Nassau last week we did the excursion to the Blue Lagoon. Depending on what you are interested in doing this can be a good option because once you're there you can any number of things... lay on the beach, snorkle, parasail, etc. However, after hearing everyone talk about the Atlantis later that night I was dissapointed that we didn't make our way over there. With the amount of time that you will be there you have plenty of time do several things. We were there from 9am to midnight and I went back and forth getting off the boat 4 times. Carnival does offer an excursion to the Atlantis but like someone else suggested it's better to pay the $6 cab ride (for my friends that included a lenghty tour of the island) and then take the tour when you're over there.

 

If you do rent a room for the day so that you can have full use of the hotel don't plan to rent the "bridge room" (AKA the Michael Jackson suite!).... at a mere $25,000 per day it is only rented for a minimum of 5 days at a time!!! :eek:

[BambiRumsey]

Since you are there for enough time I recomend Stuart Cove's dive shop on the other side of the island. Great snorkel excursion for about $50 per person, very professional, well spoken and polite guides. Boat takes you to three great snorkel sites. The buses that take you there are clean and air conditioned and the driver will generally give you a little island tour on either the way there or the way back.

 

A first class operation all the way!

[tankersbabe]

West Virginia native chiming in here...boy there is a bunch on here!

 

Anyway, we went with Stuarts Cove and did a snorkeling excursion with them., I think it was about $30-35 each, two snorkel dives and one shark snorkel. IT WAS AWESOME! They were great to work with and did a great tour.

 

Hubby and I caught a cab first thing and did the 'free' stuff at Atlantis, ate lunch on the boat, browsed the shops a little (remember they all close about 5pm or 6pm), snorkeled, came back and grabbed dinner, and then hit Senor Frogs...we had a great day!

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Stef

[IM4MU]

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to see fellow West Virginia's on the board. About Stuarts Cove- do you recommend it if you can't swim? Is it shallow enough for a non-swimmer? Does anyone have any info. on the historical sites on Nassau? I'd like to see Atlantis too! So much to do... and 24 hours to do it in! I can't decide.

 

 

Thanks,

Janet

 

"Go Thundering Herd! Marshall University Fan all the way!"

[peppervegas]

Another (former) West Virginian here... just throwing in my .02$ for Fairmont State! Lol

[tankersbabe]

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to see fellow West Virginia's on the board. About Stuarts Cove- do you recommend it if you can't swim? Is it shallow enough for a non-swimmer? Does anyone have any info. on the historical sites on Nassau? I'd like to see Atlantis too! So much to do... and 24 hours to do it in! I can't decide.

 

 

Thanks,

Janet

 

"Go Thundering Herd! Marshall University Fan all the way!"

 

It is not shallow water that you snorkel in, however, the blow up life vests made it quite simple and easy. I am not a swimmer at all...I just bobbed along with my face in the water and kicked myself around. It was great. The guides were really good about helping me out and making me comfortable. Highly recommend them.

 

Hubby and I got up early when we docked in Nassau and grabbed a cab over to Atlantis. We did the free stuff (aquarium, casino, etc), dropped $10 in the casino (big spenders), grabbed a cab back, and still had plenty of time to grab lunch and meet our excursion.

 

I loved Nassau...I could live without ever going back to Freeport again, but I did enjoy Nassau.

 

Have fun!

[JStarbrite]

If you can't swim, I suggest you rent a wetsuit for a nominal charge. You will float like a cork as well as feeling comfortable.

 

When I was at Atlantis two years ago, after 6 pm you could view the digs for free with out a guide. Don't know if that is still true. Atlantis never closes, so do that last.

 

Shopping and most attractions like the zoo close EARLY! Like 4:00! I would go snorkling first, then some other attraction before going back to the ship for dinner and head back out for the evening.