Inexpensive things to do in Nassau and Freeport

[DirtDiver]

We will be sailing on the Carnival Fascination to Freeport and Nassau on Thursday (8-1) and we're a family of three (one kid, 12). What are some things to do that are inexpensive at the ports? Last cruise we went on we did excursions, so this time we wanted to try to find something a bit less.

 

Thanks!

[blessedwith12]

Following your thread - we will be doing these ports in Sept. We are doing Blue Lagoon in Nassau so we are looking for something inexpensive in Freeport. I think we will just take a cab and go to one of the beaches - just can't decide which one yet. We tend to like the less crowded, less touristy ones. Hoping you get some good suggestions here.

[DirtDiver]

I think we will just take a cab and go to one of the beaches - just can't decide which one yet. We tend to like the less crowded, less touristy ones. Hoping you get some good suggestions here.

 

Exactly what I was thinking...but, no replies yet here. :(

[Mrs007]

Well, here is what we are planning on doing in Freeport.

 

Get the $5 per person each way shuttle to Port Lucaya Marketplace, look around, have lunch at Zorba's http://zorbasbahamas.com/

Then find the free beach for a little while and head back to the ship.

 

Here is a review from TripAdvisor:

“Typical marketplace with nice marina”

3 of 5 starsReviewed May 27, 2013

3 people found this review helpful

On my recent cruise to the Bahamas, I caught a "taxi" from the cruise terminal to Port Lucaya to look at both the beach and the marketplace. The "taxi" costs only $5 which will take you the twelve miles to the beach area. The "taxi" was a slightly dubious looking minibus which looked a little old and battered. It waited at the terminal until there were enough people to fill it. The drop-off and pick up point of the taxi was the Lucaya Casino. You can buy a return ticket for $10. They run approximately every half hour.

 

Lucaya Beach was an average beach. It had nice sand, nice water and facilities for kayaking and jet-boating. Food could be purchased there at a small stall. The beach was a short walk from the drop-off point and easy to find.

 

Port Lucaya Marina and Marketplace was a pleasant area. It is just across the road from the drop-off point of the taxi.There were nice places to eat, a smoothie stand where the proprietor cuts up the fruit with a machete right in front of you, a bar in Count Basie Square with live music, a marina with beautiful boats, and enough jewellery and precious metal stores to rival 5th Ave in New York. There are also numerous straw markets selling Bahamas inscribed beach towels, shirts, hats and other clothing as well as souvenirs made from wood, bone, straw and other substances that may not get through Customs when you get home.

 

Certainly worth a little visit. The locals are very friendly.

 

Pros

 

- cheap ride from cruise terminal to Port Lucaya

- nice day out

- cheap souvenirs

- nice beach

 

Cons

 

- not a lot to see

 

Tips

 

If you are taking photos at the beach, the water looks beautiful, clear and green if you use a polarising filter over your lens.

 

Visited April 2013