warning:Nassau is bumping cruise ships

[mtsnd1900]

want to warn those of you who are looking forward to going to Nassau on any cruise line..

 

People really look forward to going to Nassau??? I am sorry, but canceling this port would only disappoint me in the sense that i could not have a 1/2 empty ship in port to enjoy. Lousy and overpriced excursions, horrible hours, and torrid crime rate if exploring on ones own. There is nothing unique to the ports in the Bahamas... Would be great for large companies to say "see ya" and start bringing in more money to islands where the locals welcome the tourist dollars and offer more interesting things to do.

[waterbug123]

It is a waste of a stop...but some passengers were looking forward to it...especially the bride and groom who had planned on getting married there.

 

Making big plans like that for a port call is always a risk.

 

making huge plans, like a wedding, during a port stop is a risky, maybe even foolhardy, thing to do. Of course first time cruisers may not realize it, but cruiseship schedules are not set in stone. the cruise contract makes it clear that the itinerary is up to the cruiseline. They try to stick to it, but if they can't, they can't. Days change, times change, ports are substituted or missed.

 

Exactly.

 

As for those who booked excursions, or day rooms with Atlantic access, or anything else like that, it is also a risk to book any activity independently of the cruise line. If you book independently, you should ask the vendor what their refund policy is in the event that the ship doesn't dock. This is just common sense! If they don't offer refunds for missed port calls, then book at your own risk.

[dachshunddoglover]

Well, I must be an island unto myself - I like Nassau. It's not my favorite, but I enjoy going there. We spent 5 days at Atlantis once and got a different perspective than the regular cruise stop. Had wonderful diving at Stuarts Cove and enjoyed our trip.

And NO - we did not get any OBC on Independence for missing Nassau on our trip. We did go to Freeport so maybe the port fee's were the same.

As far as Independence not making it -

There was not a medical emergency.

There was not a weather issue.

We were not late in getting there.

They told us the Port said they did not have room for us.

 

Hopefully this will never happen again.

E-Beth

[Ocean Boy]

People really look forward to going to Nassau??? I am sorry, but canceling this port would only disappoint me in the sense that i could not have a 1/2 empty ship in port to enjoy. Lousy and overpriced excursions, horrible hours, and torrid crime rate if exploring on ones own. There is nothing unique to the ports in the Bahamas... Would be great for large companies to say "see ya" and start bringing in more money to islands where the locals welcome the tourist dollars and offer more interesting things to do.

 

I find it hard to believe that cruise lines continually put a port of call onto an itinerary that no one wants to go to. So, I suspect, that there are people who really do look forward to Nassau.

[Mark_K]

I find it hard to believe that cruise lines continually put a port of call onto an itinerary that no one wants to go to. So, I suspect, that there are people who really do look forward to Nassau.

Yes, the 60% of the passengers who haven't been there, 4-5 times already.

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

I wonder if tendering would have been an option

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Nassau is not my favorite port, either. But, we stayed in an all includisive on Paradise Island a couple of years ago and got to know it better.

 

 

 

Now when we stop there with a cruise ship. We take a taxi to Cabbage Beach [not Cable Beach]. It is on Paradise island and is about 1/2 mile down the beach from Atlantis. There is no admission.

 

 

There is always someone renting chairs/umbrellas, selling drinks and even banana boat rides. [all we use are interested in are the rentals. We paid $20 last time :D] It is quiet, but has enough people so you feel safe.

 

There is always a taxi waiting to take you back to port. 10-15 min trip

[grand isle joe]

I suggest they just place a DIAMOND member on a tender and bring him/her to meet the harbor master and demand a dock with the following statement...."I AM a DIAMOND AND I DEMAND A TIE UP! Do you how many "points" I have?".........:cool:

[mommabean]

I suggest they just place a DIAMOND member on a tender and bring him/her to meet the harbor master and demand a dock with the following statement...."I AM a DIAMOND AND I DEMAND A TIE UP! Do you how many "points" I have?".........:cool:

 

Why are you picking on the Ds? ;)

 

It could be anyone. I witnessed an unhappy camper who messed up their own dining reservations. Since there were no more spaces available in MTD (he thought simply by prepaying gratuities prior to boarding that he was automatically in MTD) he said, "I'm going to be Emerald at the end of this cruise and you can bet they are going to hear about this from me!" For real!

 

Gina

[mommabean]

Well, I must be an island unto myself - I like Nassau. It's not my favorite, but I enjoy going there. We spent 5 days at Atlantis once and got a different perspective than the regular cruise stop. Had wonderful diving at Stuarts Cove and enjoyed our trip.

And NO - we did not get any OBC on Independence for missing Nassau on our trip. We did go to Freeport so maybe the port fee's were the same.

As far as Independence not making it -

There was not a medical emergency.

There was not a weather issue.

We were not late in getting there.

They told us the Port said they did not have room for us.

 

Hopefully this will never happen again.

E-Beth

 

 

I enjoy Nassau. I went on a cruise alone in Sept, went to Nassau and walked around by myself. I have a secret source for free wifi. I bought Goombay Punch.

 

When my husband is with me we walk all over the place down back streets and eat somewhere where there are no passengers. Good food. Low prices. They sell some sort of home made local alcohol in a bottle. Another secret. ;) LOL

 

Of course we've gone to the more well known places under the bridge and the fish fry, on the jitney. DH even went to the local Catholic church for services. There's always something new to do in Nassau or any port. I'll never understand staying on the ship "because we've been here before". :confused:

 

Gina

[janetz]

My fav place in Nassau :o

http://www.webfuzions.com/royalsuitespa/index.html

 

 

and I will be disappointed if we do not get there.

[mommabean]

Go down to the section on crime - and we'll all wonder why the cruise lines go to Nassau at all. After all, this sort of stuff is what they claim keeps them out of the Mexican Riviera.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_989.html

 

Does anyone know where the "over the hill" area is?

 

The worst we've seen is a woman picking up beer cans and getting the last few drops out. Nothing criminal - just sad.

 

Gina

[cruisingbooboo]

Nassau is not my favorite port, either. But, we stayed in an all includisive on Paradise Island a couple of years ago and got to know it better.

 

 

 

Now when we stop there with a cruise ship. We take a taxi to Cabbage Beach [not Cable Beach]. It is on Paradise island and is about 1/2 mile down the beach from Atlantis. There is no admission.

 

 

There is always someone renting chairs/umbrellas, selling drinks and even banana boat rides. [all we use are interested in are the rentals. We paid $20 last time :D] It is quiet, but has enough people so you feel safe.

 

 

There is always a taxi waiting to take you back to port. 10-15 min trip

 

Is the $20.00 for the taxi or the chair rental fee? Thanks

[cruiseguy4567]

I wonder if getting told your spot was given to someone else feels similar to those affected by the Enchantment cabin renumbering.

 

RCI had the same pier number. It was just in a slightly different location.

 

Not to get off topic, what enchantment cabin renumbering issue? I sail her next year, hope there is not an issue.

[mommabean]

Not to get off topic, what enchantment cabin renumbering issue? I sail her next year, hope there is not an issue.

 

The cabin renumbering issue was in Rhapsody.

[cruiseguy4567]

The cabin renumbering issue was in Rhapsody.

 

Thank you.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I would hate to miss Nassau. We always enjoy the quietness of the ship while everyone else is in port.

[EVALUATOR]

The cabin renumbering issue was in Rhapsody.

 

Oops.:o

[jmrothermel]

Miss Nassau?

 

Why not...ick...:(

 

I totally agree! Go to the beach in Freeport instead! I've still never seen anything so beautiful....

[Ocean Boy]

I totally agree! Go to the beach in Freeport instead! I've still never seen anything so beautiful....

 

Really? Have you ever been to Cinnamon Bay on St. John?

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Is the $20.00 for the taxi or the chair rental fee? Thanks

 

It was the rental for the 2 chairs and umbrella. My husband negociated the price. :)

 

I think the taxi was less than $10.

 

One year when we visited Cabbage beach we walked down to Atlantis on the beach. We wanted to go to the casino for a little while and then take a taxi back to the ship from there.

 

The walk was not that long and it was very pleasant with the ocean breeze. However, it was difficult to find a way into the main Atlantis area. You can walk from the beach to the pool area with out any trouble. [We were not trying to use their faciilities without paying--did not enter pools or water slides] No one asked to see our wristband. However, it is very confusing and we had to ask for directions to the main building.

[Dave85]

People really look forward to going to Nassau??? I am sorry, but canceling this port would only disappoint me in the sense that i could not have a 1/2 empty ship in port to enjoy.

 

Heh that made me laugh, I feel the exact same way!

[Trekker954]

Others on the X board stated that weather played a part in not going in at 6:00. More than a few posters who were on board stated the same story. So you really think a cruise lines wants to tick off their guests? LOL.

 

It sort if went like this.

5 pm. - Celebrity Staff (probably cruise director): The CEO is onboard and isn't happy with the way we handled advising everyone of not being able to dock in Nassau until 6pm so we are opening the all the bars for one hour.

 

Crowd - YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh

 

6:20ish - Celebrity Staff (I guess you've noticed we haven't docked in Nassau, it seems the waves are too high

 

Crowd - booooooooooo

 

Celebrity Staff (so we're keeping the bars open another 30 minutes

 

Crowd - YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

[Cruising89143]

It sort if went like this.

5 pm. - Celebrity Staff (probably cruise director): The CEO is onboard and isn't happy with the way we handled advising everyone of not being able to dock in Nassau until 6pm so we are opening the all the bars for one hour.

 

Crowd - YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh

 

6:20ish - Celebrity Staff (I guess you've noticed we haven't docked in Nassau, it seems the waves are too high

 

Crowd - booooooooooo

 

Celebrity Staff (so we're keeping the bars open another 30 minutes

 

Crowd - YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

 

And your point is? Again, do you really think that X and RCI canceled or changed ports to just tick off the guests?

[mommabean]

And your point is? Again, do you really think that X and RCI canceled or changed ports to just tick off the guests?

 

I think their point is....the X passengers were easily appeased. One little bar announcement and everyone got happy. Because...who cares about Nassau when free drinks are involved in the alternative? :D

 

Gina