Is it really bad?

[tef43]

We don't even get off the ship anymore in Nassau, and would probably never book any future cruise that included it in the itinerary.

[golfadj]

We have become bored by Nassau but next time will try Cable beach.

 

Did have a strange experience last time in s traw market.

 

DW wants a pocketbook and finds one she likes and asks me to negotiate for her.

 

Go back and forth with the vendor in a very friendly way and agree on a price and we pay him.

 

Get ready to go and he berates me for stealing it from him via the price we negotiated. Look at him with my mouth wide open shake my head, tell him we both agreed on the price and we walk away.

 

Been to many places in the world and have never seen that happen before.

[H82seaUgo]

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.

 

makes it bad?

 

usually reading reviews from people who rate the place by not going 2 blocks from the ship.

 

nassau has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, as well as freeport. Many millionaires have homes there. one very famous movie star lives right across from where the ship docks on that strip of land between the atlantis and the lighthouse.

 

even the city centre is quite attractive to the eye with all the pretty colors reminiscent of bermuda.

 

get out there!

 

from paradise island to cable beach, out to the blue lagoon or blackbeard cay, to even just a cheap jitney ride to see what it's like outside of town.

 

we even did a land trip there after a week in disney just to cool off. staying in a nice balcony suite at the wyndham, we were evn thrilled watching the ships pull in and out every day, getting frustrated not being able to see the names, but knowing the class.

 

see the bamahas boards for even more treasures.

 

bon voyage!

[slk09]

Nassau is ok with me. Yes the straw market is crowded and hot but

nobody ever touched us and a simple "no thanks" and keep walking.

Some neat trinkety island stuff once you take the time to look. Stopped

at Senor Frogs and went to Atlantis on our own - not on an excursion.

Cable Beach is beautiful! - have been on a land vacation there:)

[PA Dutchman]

We love Atlantis on our on. We have been there about 8 times always just go to Atlantis. If your just going to just walk around the docks, ya not so great. Alot better then freeport. Depends what your interests are , everybody is different, if you don't like a port why do you book that cruise?

[crzycick]

We have become bored by Nassau but next time will try Cable beach.

 

Did have a strange experience last time in s traw market.

 

DW wants a pocketbook and finds one she likes and asks me to negotiate for her.

 

Go back and forth with the vendor in a very friendly way and agree on a price and we pay him.

 

Get ready to go and he berates me for stealing it from him via the price we negotiated. Look at him with my mouth wide open shake my head, tell him we both agreed on the price and we walk away.

 

Been to many places in the world and have never seen that happen before.

 

 

Wow that's crazy!

[elcuchio24]

It is a poor country

 

The bahamas? I'd wager it's better off than 75% of countries on Carribean schedules.....

[elcuchio24]

I'm not a big fan of Nassau. But not because of hawkers, I never though that to be much of a problem, but then again I have spent time in countries where people will follow your for 5 blocks trying to sell a 10 cent pen. I just find that it's rather built up, not many good excursions, not much to do except shop. Plus we've been there many times so it gets less appealing each time. The straw market is OK, and you can haggle so that can be fun. But half the time the stuff you buy has a 'made in china' tag on it....how authentic is that? Just doesn't do much for me, I feel it's a somewhat wasted port day.

[theaterjunkie1976]

I've also been to Nassau several times. I can see where people would be disappointed, but I agree with another poster who said it is what you make of it. I've done Carnival excursions and one on my own and have enjoyed them all. My favorite was the one on our own where we traveled to a "free" beach and spent all day in the ocean, riding jet skis, lying on the beach, etc... It was a very beautiful beach. I have been to the Straw Market once. I am a tiny bit claustrophobic, but oddly enough I was okay in there. My mother, however, did not like it at all. The vendors can be pushy, but I just say no. Most every vendor has the same thing. There has only been one time when I have felt uncomfortable, and that was when I was shopping in town and local man was saying some inappropriate things to me on the street. I was alone, but wasn't far from the ship, so I quickly made my way back. I think if you go into it with a good attitude, ready for fun, then you'll be just fine. :) Have fun!

[TaraLynne]

Personally I didn't like Nassau and if we ever end up back there again we will likely just hang out on the ship and take advantage of some of the in-port spa specials or something ::shrug::

 

That said - we took a cab to Atlantis and back but we didn't get there early enough to get the beach pass (plus we didn't really have the money for that at the time anyway as we were in the midst of planning our wedding) and there really isn't much to do there. If you aren't huge on gambling I wouldn't even bother with the $20 round-trip cab to Atlantis. When we were there we could be in the casino and the little pier shopping area...everything else was off-limits.

 

After Atlantis we wandered around the area closer to the Nassau port. We went to the Pirate museum because I'm HUGE on pirates and it was fun...really cheesy but if you're big into pirates it's cool to see once, I think.

 

We avoided the straw market like the plague because places like that creep me out, I had huge issues with the one in Ocho Rios years ago and, well, never again.

 

As others have said though... I think Nassau is what you make of it and if you find a cool excursion you may even enjoy it :)

[micro yaya]

we have been to nassau so many times, and were always bored, then we were told there was a public beach just past the straw market,we thought we'd go and take a look. some ladies from another cruise ship walked with us just to see. the beach was really very nice, so we walked back to the ship ate lunch and changed. when we got back to the beach there were prehapse 20 people mostly from the ships. the day was so nice we stayed until 5p.m. paid for a chair$3.00and changed in the bath room( which was cleaner than some private beache ones) go and don't be afraid have fun we did

[davy jones]

I am reminded of the Yogi Berra quote, "no one goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

 

Many ships stop there because of it's proximity to the Florida ports. Therefore, many people have been there a number of times. That may turn some people off. If it were really "bad", then ship traffic would drop.

 

There are always excursions. You can take a taxi to Atlantis or somewhere else on Paradise Island. You can go to Cable Beach. You can tour downtown on foot. I am personally not a fan of the straw market (or any straw market), but that is personal preference.

 

It may not be a "favorite" port, but you can have a very nice day there with a little planning.

[dclark]

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. :)

 

 

They also have great frozen alcohol drinks. We go the "Via" drink, it was very good, very tasty, had a good amount of booze and for the area, was a bargain (I think it was $7).

[tm5to1]

We were in Nassau a few years ago and spent a total of 45 minutes on the beach before we got fed up and left. And in that 45 minutes, we had about 2 or 3 minutes to ourselves. We were approached to buy beer, jewelry, t shirts, asked to get our hair braided. It was non stop. I understand that tourism is how they make their money, but its like they lined up one after the other and we couldn't even have a conversation without being interrupted. It was very disappointing and frustrating. Also, there were packs of dogs just running the streets. Cab driver didn't even try to swerve. "They'll get out of the way" while he plowed through the streets well over the speed limit. Not sure how he didn't hit any of them. Quite frankly, I haven't heard many good things about Nassau or Freeport for that matter. Not sure why the ships continue to go there. But that's just my opinion.

[summer fun 2011]

Hello there ,

I have been to Nassau many times - not ever with a cruise line. The straw market is mostly touristy stuff. There are several local restaurants - for fish fry - is that what you are looking for? You would need to cab or bus from the port. Just ask the locals for the area where they have a few fish fry places - they are great. A great place for dinner would be called " The poop deck" (not sure if they are open for lunch) - you will have to take a cab from the port. Most of the stuff close to the port is very touristy.

The locals are very friendly when you get away from the port - I have never found them to be too pushy.

 

 

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.

[lillian marie]

We have been there many times and enjoy it. Take an excusion or go shopping. Downtown is quite safe. There's a great museum near the ship port too.

[cruisin'grandma]

Have been to Nassau many times. Everyone here is correct in their descriptions. IF you want to experience the Straw Market, (and I guess everyone should at least once in their life), then by all means go. But, don't waste the day there. And definitely do not go into the depths of the building. It is so hot and too close for comfort. Like someone said, what you see on the edges is the same old stuff inside.

 

DO go to Cable Beach. You can get the bus for around $2.75 per person one way. It takes you to the Sheraton on Cable and drops you off. You can then experience the beautiful beach and many eating venues, etc.

It is a good way to spend the day while in Nassau. Then when you are ready to get back, just go out to the bus stop area and wait for the bus to bring you back to town. The trip out is beautiful. All along the coast. The trip back is just that. A real "trip". Thru the poorest part of the residential areas. It will make many stops to drop off and pick up local passengers. An experience, to say the least.:eek:

IF you are not up to the bus, just grab a taxi. It is quicker, but more expensive. Do not know the rate, but someone here might know.

Or, you can check to see if CCL has an excursion to Cable Beach. You might feel more comfortable with that.

If you take the bus, remember to watch your time coming back to the ship in order to make it by sailing.

All of this info is just my experiences only.

But.....Cable Beach is the way to go!!!!

[cruzeluver]

Research what there is to see and do. Get away from the port area. Nassau, like so many ports has a lot to offer if you get away from the crappy tourist traps.

[OK Rancher]

When you get off the ship, see if you can see some crew or staff who are also headed into town. They often know of really good local restaurants that won't break your piggy bank. The restaurants may not be grand, but they will be authentic and give you a better feel for Nassau.