Is Nassau really as much of a dangerous hole as I have been reading?

[big bro]

Is Nassau really as much of a dangerous hole as I have been reading about? We may just stay on the ship. Is there a gated compound for shopping at the port? Thanks!

[lazeyey]

I felt safe there, but the port was gross. It smelled like urine and poop. We went on a tour and there were some really nice places. It was just the port that was bad, in my opinion.

[CruisinAg]

I don't know that it's more dangerous than any other Caribbean port, but it is a beating for very little pay off IMO. In order to get to street level you have to go through an immigration building which is really nothing more than a reason to force you through vendors selling trinkets.

 

The first time we went we got off the ship, fought our way out of the building and turned around and went back to the ship.

 

Unless you're going to Atlantis I really don't see the point. I'll be staying on board and just enjoying the scenery from the balcony or the deck.

[jo24]

I have travelled there twice including once on my own. I never felt unsafe but both times I did ship excursions. However, on the 2nd trip, when I travelled alone, we were escorted everywhere and then suddenly, after the boat portion of the trip, I got off and was completely alone - not really sure where I was headed or anything which for me was not exactly ideal. However, I knew the rough direction I had to head in and was back in no time. I never had anyone approach me and never felt as though I was not safe.

 

I don't recall there being a gated shopping area - in fact the area you have to go through to get back to security check was a bit like a cattle market where I think there are a lot of people who aren't on ships! I wondered into that area on my way back into port without anyone stopping me.

Edited January 31, 2014 by jo24

[Jiffymom]

Nope

[trev71]

I second that it did smell like poop.. I know the boat that we went on for snorkeling smelled horrible like a sewer i didnt even get to enjoy the boat ride cause it smelled so bad..

 

 

I did feel safe though, I really did not venture out too far. I went to the straw market and they were a little aggressive, but other than that It was fine

[big bro]

Nope

 

 

"Nope" what??? No gated shopping area or port is not a dangerous hole?

[Aviator of the Seas]

We walked extensively around town. No issues except a guy or two offering you some "gift" bracelets. There are some interesting colonial buildings just beyond the tourist/shopping strip.

 

If you plan on staying on the ship, you can do little one hour stroll around town and then go back on board. Give them a chance, buy the T-shirt and put it in your been-there-done-that list.

[houstoncruisers2001]

I don't see a problem with wandering in a few stores along Bay Street. Most cruisers do. With the ship being right there you don't feel as isolated and unsafe as you would in Montego Bay.

 

 

I felt safe there, but the port was gross. It smelled like urine and poop.

 

So then it reminded you of the French Quarter, in New Orleans?:D

[Jiffymom]

We walked to a nice hotel ( can't remember the name ) Bought a day pass and had a great time. Beautiful pool and beach. I walked to the straw market and didn't feel threatened just annoyed they were so aggressive. The beach water is beautiful.

Try a ship tour if that would make you feel safer. Atlantis is also a pretty place.

Now if you think that's a hole don't ever go to Ochoa Rios I felt that was the worst place ever.

We ended up spending all day at Margarita villle They have a fun swim up bar and a beach with guards. Now folks there are real aggressive . The minute you walk off the ship

[DonnaK]

I've never felt unsafe there. Once, we took a public bus to Cable Beach and got a day pass for one of the resorts there (Sheridan).

 

We've walked the shopping district outside of the port, and it was fine.

 

If you are hesitant, take a ship's tour. But, it's silly to stay on the ship unless you've been there so many times and have seen it all.

[20pluscruises]

Is Nassau really as much of a dangerous hole as I have been reading about? We may just stay on the ship. Is there a gated compound for shopping at the port? Thanks!

 

Another cruise line now warns their guests of the dangers....

[SJS]

I was there in October with my 18 year old grandson. He did the parasailing tour and I just walked around by myself and it was fine. When he got back we walked to a public beach not far away. There were plenty of cruisers just like us walking around and I never felt unsafe. We went to Senior Frogs and it was so much fun. 18 year olds can drink in the Bahamas so my grandson enjoyed that! I have been there several times on cruises and once I did stay on the ship and was sorry I did that. How many times in our lives do we get to visit these Caribbean ports? It's always an experience you don't get every day!

[Ocean Boy]

I have never felt unsafe during any of our visits there and I don't recall any annoying "odors" either. I always look forward to returning.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Ocean Boy

[AandBmom]

It's kind of dirty as others have mentioned and the traffic can be bad with crazy drivers and narrow sidewalks (or sometimes no sidewalks).

 

We still managed to walk around with our children and do our own walking tour.

 

We enjoyed checking out the Queen's steps, the two forts, the library/jail, the pirate museum, the beach behind the major hotel (can't remember name), Senior Frogs, etc.

 

Never felt unsafe.

[caribsun]

We were just there and walked to Junkanoo Beach. I thought the city looked better than it did 5 years ago.

Edited January 31, 2014 by caribsun

[LMaxwell]

I wandered the opposite direction of the masses and 30 minutes later a cop stopped me and advised me "Are you a tourist? TURN AROUND". And that was at 11:00AM. It was a very, very run down residential area where sticking out as a tourist is probably ill-advised.

 

If you stick to the main highlights and other touristy areas you should be safe. Excursions or resorts no problem. There is a well publicized walking tour that also should be of no issue. I wouldn't wander off the beaten path again and prob never want to be in Nassau at night though.

 

Someone once said Nassau was like Trenton, NJ of the Bahamas. I find that fairly accurate (having spent a number of years working in Trenton, NJ).

[margeecruiser]

Hi. We went on a food tour thru Bahamian Food Tours November 2013. It was great. You can find reviews here and Tripadvisor. We walked about 4-5 blocks and then joined the tour. Small group with several different types of food. Lots of historical info along the way. We have been there many times and this was the most fun. No worries about going into less desirable areas accidentally. I agree you have to go thru the terminal building and then 2-3 blocks to get to the meeting place, but we did not feel unsafe at all.

 

Margee

[spookwife]

Is Nassau really as much of a dangerous hole as I have been reading about? We may just stay on the ship. Is there a gated compound for shopping at the port? Thanks!

 

 

it was the one port call where we felt hassled/uncomfortable past the immediate terminal.

 

on Christmas day when 2/3 of the town was closed. I cna only imagine what it would have been like had the regular numbers been out and about

 

if we ever end up back there I seriously doubt we would get off the ship again

[Ocean Boy]

it was the one port call where we felt hassled/uncomfortable past the immediate terminal.

 

on Christmas day when 2/3 of the town was closed. I cna only imagine what it would have been like had the regular numbers been out and about

 

if we ever end up back there I seriously doubt we would get off the ship again

 

I suspect that on a regular day there might have been many more "normal" people around to dilute out the riff raff that take pride in annoying tourists.

[Ashland]

I have never felt unsafe during any of our visits there and I don't recall any annoying "odors" either. I always look forward to returning.

Agree completely...:)

[ehfl]

Where are you getting your information from? Rumors from people who are afraid of those that don't look like them? Or real, verified crime statistics?

[cayugashue]

I will be at Nassau next month and will stay on the ship. When I was in Nassau last year, I found it to be a smelly dump, especially right by the port. My husband was waiting outside a shop for me and was approached by a local asking if he "wanted some action". Could this happen at other Caribbean port? Probably. But Nassau has been our only bad experience.

[OttoCal]

We walked to Junkanoo beach and then further along to the Fish Fry area,where we had a nice lunch, and took a public shuttle bus back and never felt unsafe. It was pleasant, except it rained a bit.

 

The hotel mentioned for a day pass was probably the British Colonial Hilton, you can walk there easily (just a few blocks) from the cruise terminal.

 

There are booths and small shops inside the cruise terminal, and a small post office branch for post card stamps.

 

There were lots of shops to walk around to, and a straw market, with local products and various tropical knick-knacks.

 

It wasn't our favorite port ever, but we didn't dislike it either. I really liked the local food choices at The Fish Fry. (Bunch of seafood restaurants all situated in the same area about 20 minutes walk from the port)

 

If the weather had been nicer on our visit, we would have liked to check out Atlantis or explore other tour options.

[lazeyey]

I don't see a problem with wandering in a few stores along Bay Street. Most cruisers do. With the ship being right there you don't feel as isolated and unsafe as you would in Montego Bay.

 

 

 

 

So then it reminded you of the French Quarter, in New Orleans?:D

 

Lol, I've never been there.