playing Freeport "by ear"

[megann831]

We're cruising in April with our 2 and 4 year olds. We'll spend 2 days at sea, Wednesday we're doing Disney, Thursday Nassau from 11:30-8 we'll be at Balmar beach, then maybe some shopping or something when we get back. Friday we'll be at Freeport from 7:30-1:30. I'm thinking by this point I will have 2 over tiered, cranky kids and it won't be worth it to spend money on an excursion we'd have to wake up early and run out for. Maybe we'll walk around near the ship a bit, and call it a day. Any suggestions for a low-key day at Freeport? This might be a good time for the kids to pick out a souvenir to two, I don't know if I feel comfortable bringing them around the straw market at Nassau. Are there any save, cute shopping areas?

[thumperinOklahoma]

I'm not sure about this year, but we were there last June, and the night before we reached port, we got a flyer stuck under our doors where there was "heightened security" in Nassau, due to unrest...we went to Key West, then Freeport, then Nassau, and the last stop was the worst. People kept coming up to you wanting to braid your hair or give you a taxi tour or a horse and buggy tour. As soon as you turned that one down, there was another one literally right there, asking the same things.

[nkereina]

From what I recall, the Freeport port is a ghost town. Its adjacent to, or possibly intertwined, with an industrial shipping yard so there wasn't anything in the way of walking distance around the area. We took an excursion from there and I remember driving a little bit on the bus before we got out onto main roads.

 

We took a city tour on the bus which was fairly inexpensive. It made a stop at an outdoor market for a restroom break and a quick shopping opportunity, and it made a second longer stop at an outdoor "mall" that had a mix of local type stores as well as brand name stores. Definitely options for souvenirs. If you are going to wing it, I suppose you could just take a cab to this shopping area as it appeared to be in a "city center" type of place with hotels across the street. Outside of this, we found Freeport to be on the boring side. From what I have read, Freeport leaves a lot to be desired in general.

[rqd]

You'll dock at the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility which is the passenger terminal section of the larger, industrial container port/ship yards.

 

There have been some upgrades in recent years and the area includes some shops, restaurants and a mini straw market.

 

You'll have no problem seeing the entire area in 30 minutes and should be able to get some souvenirs, local arts/crafts, etc.

 

You could get a taxi to Port Lucaya which is about 20 minutes away. This is the larger of the two outdoor malls (International Bazaar being the other, closer option...skip this, in my opinion). Across the street is the Grand Lucayan Hotel, beach and a casino. This area is where most of your fellow passengers will end up.

 

Downtown Freeport is not geared for tourists as it's more of a business/banking/Government/locals area.

 

I've been here multiple times for business and relaxation. It may seem that the people aren't very friendly, but a simple "good morning" or "good afternoon" will go a long way.