Is it really bad?

[majosa]

I know that their will be a wide variety of answers to this question but i just would like to know what makes it bad? Nassau. We are going on a cruise in January and Nassau is one of the ports. In some of the reviews i have read it is mentioned that Nassau is nasty, tons of people touching you to get you to buy certain things. I was looking forward to going to the straw market but again some of the things i have read said all it is, cheap tourist stuff and not much to really buy. We also were looking for some authentic local food. Can some one recommend a place? Thanks in advance.

[TakeMeAway1001]

I wasn't a huge fan of the Straw Market, I did see a lot of touristy stuff and found it very crowded and hard to stop and look without people creeping up your back. If you haven't stopped by the Nassau Port Board here I suggest you do, there is a ton of info and there is also a really nice local girl who is very helpful, I think her name is ScubaGirl :) Have a great cruise~

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

The first time I went I didn't do any excursions...so it was just kind of blah walking around near the port and the straw market...but this last time we did the Ultimate Snorkeling excursion through Stuart Cove's and it was awesome...while I wouldn't choose a cruise specifically FOR Nassau, if it is on the itinerary, I would be fine going again and booking that same excursion. The water is nice and there was a ton of fish when we went snorkeling.

[bguppies]

Nassau is what you make of it.

 

If you stick near the shopping area at the pier, it will be crowded.

 

A lot of people enjoy Atlantis, but that was the only thing we did NOT enjoy in Nassau. (to fake Vegasy vibe for us)

 

We have done day passes at the British Colonial Hilton twice

 

Done a walking tour of the city on our own twice.

 

Been to Ardastra Zoo once.

 

Did the dolphin and sea lion encounters at Blue Lagoon.

 

We have loved everything we have done in Nassau except Atlantis.

 

We haven't even made it to the much raved about beaches at Cable beach to the north, yet in our many trips there.

 

We have yet to set foot in the ridiculously over hyped straw market.(and never will)

 

Hope that helps with some positive perspective.

 

I'm happy when I see all the narrow minded people who say they stay on the ship.

Less crowded for the rest of us.

 

Bill

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It is a poor country

[finsupcruiser]

Nassau is not that bad IMO--there are nice shops away from straw market.

 

We have done several land based trips to Nassau and stayed in nice hotels on Cable beach.

 

Freeport is the stop that I believe is the worst. They have never recovered from past hurricanes and now that ships dock away from downtown and the cabs are $20 to downtown we do not get off ship.

 

In the late 80s we did trips to Freeport on Freddie Lakers planes. Love Freeport then.

[Snorkel2Much]

I know that their will be a wide variety of answers to this question but i just would like to know what makes it bad? Nassau. We are going on a cruise in January and Nassau is one of the ports. In some of the reviews i have read it is mentioned that Nassau is nasty, tons of people touching you to get you to buy certain things. I was looking forward to going to the straw market but again some of the things i have read said all it is, cheap tourist stuff and not much to really buy. We also were looking for some authentic local food. Can some one recommend a place? Thanks in advance.

For local food go to Arawak Cay, also known as Fish Fry. A long walk or a short cab ride away from the port. There are about a dozen places to eat there.

[firefly333]

If you just look at the edges of the staw market you will probably see enough. once you get into the bowels where its very narrow and people rarely go, thats when I think it was a waste. I actually have found stuff on the edges I bought and liked. Nothing inside the depths.

 

I also find a internet cafe and buy an hour of time, went to a coffee shop and so on. enjoy.

[cruisetobeaches]

The last time I was in the Straw Market a lady was trying to sell us this "authentic hand made" doo-dad. when I looked at the base of it, it may have been handmade...................The sticker on the bottom said MADE IN CHINA....................

 

I think most of the junk offered there is too.

 

There are nice places here, but the Straw Market is not one of them!

[Sauer-kraut]

Go to the straw market to boost your selfesteem! I was called pretty lady by almost every vendor there, "Hey pretty lady you see something you want, pretty lady come and look I will put your name on a fan, pretty lady do you see a handbag you like here?" Great ego booster, hotter than hades in there and if you can get one of those pull-string turtles made from a coconut shell for less than $5 you got a good deal!

 

Use Senor Frog's for the toilet, take a lot of water or buy one from a street vendor for $1, they are $2 in Festival Hall. It might be nicer in January when its cooler but it was MISERABLE in when we were there last week. I had been there before and had we not had a wedding to attend in Nassau I would have stayed on the ship. An excursion that will take you away from the downtown area might be very interesting, but Nassau just isn't my ideal place to visit.

[evandbob]

Many cruisers form their opinions about a port from an immediate impression of what is pierside.....so if there are agressive hawkers there, like Nassau or Ocho Rios, the entire country gets negative reviews. I've also seen ports panned because there wasn't a Mickey D or a Margaritaville next to the dock.

Perhaps a new cruiser could benefit more from listening to pax who go beyond the dockside and actually experience local attractions, culture, language and food. Even better, get a Frommer's or Fodder's book, even a "Hidden" tour book and go out on your own and form your own opinion.

Once past the pier, Nassau has Cable Beach, snorkeling, fishing, shopping and food waiting for you to discover.

[okwriter]

Lots of opinions. MINE? I've only been once and we gals had a blast! I'm not a shopper, but they drug me to the straw market for a few hours while they did their thing. It wasn't as bad as I had been led to believe. Sure, people want to sell you things, but nobody touched us and we never felt threatened. We went rather early in the day when it wasn't crowded.

 

We also snorkeled (a Carnival excursion). Our first ever snorkeling trip and it was GREAT! That evening, we dressed up and went to the Atlantis Casino. The casino part was not as nice as we'd hoped (many machines broken and rude staff), but I'd love to go see the actual resort someday during the daytime.

[Melismass]

Too bad they are so pushy and annoying at the straw market! I know alot of people would spend alot more time and money there if they would back off! I actually like some of that junk they sell but I can't stand being badgered like that! I wish someone could convince them to try a different sales tactic and see how their sales would increase!

[golfb4cruzing]

We cruise for the islands and when Nassau is scheduled I look for other cruises. We did the Straw Market and way too crowded and pickpocket paradise. Reminded me of Mexico. Same thing in every shop but need to haggle prices. Since I don't enjoy haggling, it's not for me. We did Atlantis tour and the aquarium underneath but that was it. Atlantis was impressive.

[cuted126]

I say go and form your own opinion. For me (been there three times) I would either stay on the boat or go on an excursion. I can't say that I didn't have fun the times I went cause I did. I am just tired of going to the same place lol.

 

 

As for the straw market,the aisles are so small and it gets on my nerves. However,I did see nice bags that I would've purchased if I didn't feel so closed in:eek: I had to get out of there. I have never been touched by any local and if someone offers something I don't want I either say no thank you or just keep walking.

 

 

I think you will have a great time!

[Traveling Library]

If you are a Beatles fan, visit the French Cloisters on Paradise Island. Part of "Help" was filmed there. "Another Girl" has scenes of the Cloisters.

[kris12]

I'll stay on the ship next time..........I've been there a few times and its one of my 2 least favorite ports JMO

[Kkate]

We went on a walking tour on our own and found some really interesting places and people. The Library was once the prison and is round and all the cells were pie shaped and now filled with shelves of books. We also went to the Bahamas Historical Society and spent a couple of hours browsing and talking to a lovely lady there. We really enjoyed it.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

go to Cable Beach every time we go there.

 

Just as nice as most of the Caribbean islands I've visited.

 

Bill

[BlueJacketsFan1]

My wife and I have been there twice and have had a good time both times. Our excursion was cancelled the first time we were there due to weather. The only problem I have had with hands on people would have to be Jamacia.

[DGP1111]

I also find a internet cafe and buy an hour of time, went to a coffee shop and so on. enjoy.

 

Firefly: Go visit (very short walk) Via Caffe, and enjoy some coffee, delicious pastries or meals, and free WiFi.

 

The owner, Dawn, is really nice, and her staff is first rate. :)

 

[tiggerman101]

I don't have a problem with Nassau either. I think people tend to just jump on a bandwagon about it. There is enough to do that you should be able to find something worthwhile. If we have all day there then I love the waterpark at Atlantis (Aquaventure). The rides are awesome and just a lot of fun. We have done that twice now. I got a day pass at Breezes once and had a nice time. Cable Beach is beautiful and a day pass at the Sheraton is nice. Frommer's has a good walking tour online that you can download for free if you want to explore the town. I can't say I am a fan of the straw market, but it is something else to do.

 

My only problem with Nassau is the Eastern runs that spend a short half day there. It really isn't enough time to go off and do something. I hate when people make blanket statements about a port when they haven't really explored much of it. There are a few ports I have been to a ton of times (Cozumel), but I can still find something new to do there.

[princess di44]

A simple "no thank you" works well at the straw market, and with other vendors. I was hesitant at first at nassau, because of alot of people saying how unsafe it was to walk around. I didn't feel like that at all. You need to be mindful like you would be anywhere else, but never felt uncomfortable or threatened, and saw alot of security.

[Room Service!]

I say "UGH" to the straw market. Couldn't tell you if they are overpriced or not. Can't tell you if you will be badgered. Don't know if they haggle. Place is too da#n congested.

Narrow rows to creep along. People breathing down your neck.

The poster who talked about doing the outside edges is on to something....if you have/want to go.

[bobsfamily]

When we get off the ship we usually go to Cable Beach to the Wyndham resort. Nice place and is "guarded"... great pool, beach, etc. It does cost unless you happen upon a day that they are not. If you are in a drinking mood you might try one of the AI's... they run from around $50 pp to over $100 pp but the service goes up with the price. I have been to Nassau a good bit and you have to remember that it is the capital of the Bahamas and that more than 50% of the entire population of the country lives in and around Nassau. The people that are pushy are constantly at the pier area and have become "jaded". Get to meet some locals that are not in the tourist trade and you find some wonderful people. As was stated earlier go over to the Nassau threads and you will find a lot to do, plus a very nice person (Scubagirl) who gives out great advice!