Nassau/Freeport dilemma: What to do if you're not a 'beach person'?

[NOLAbebe]

Does anyone have any ideas for excursions or activities in these two ports (Nassau and Freeport) that would be appropriate for someone who can't do the beach or pool anywhere?

[Fourseventeen]

cruising to the bahamas but doesn't like the beach? :confused: Nassau...there is always Atlantis resort...they have a casino and a really nice aquarium. or maybe a nice lunch at Graycliff.

 

Freeport I have not been.

[NOLAbebe]

cruising to the bahamas but doesn't like the beach? :confused:

 

I know! Can you believe? Alas, it's true. My husband, who is a pale and easily-freckled redhead, cannot swim and has zero (LESS than zero!) interest in the beach. He is being a *really* AWESOME, wonderful husband and going on this cruise solely for my benefit, and I just hate the idea of dragging him somewhere he can't really have fun if there were something else we could do together.

 

I have read about Greycliff- that is definitely a possibility. I would love to try real Bahamian food, not just the fried conch, but other dishes that have some Caribbean flair or native flavor, so if anyone can recommend a place, I am all ears. Are the tours of the city worthwhile? Can you go around the island by boat? Any museums? Is the zoo the most depressing thing ever?

[aquarianne11]

I know! Can you believe? Alas, it's true. My husband, who is a pale and easily-freckled redhead, cannot swim and has zero (LESS than zero!) interest in the beach. He is being a *really* AWESOME, wonderful husband and going on this cruise solely for my benefit, and I just hate the idea of dragging him somewhere he can't really have fun if there were something else we could do together.

 

I have read about Greycliff- that is definitely a possibility. I would love to try real Bahamian food, not just the fried conch, but other dishes that have some Caribbean flair or native flavor, so if anyone can recommend a place, I am all ears. Are the tours of the city worthwhile? Can you go around the island by boat? Any museums? Is the zoo the most depressing thing ever?

 

 

 

DH also can't swim but he's is fine spending time in the beach and watching our stuff as me and DD swim and snorkel. But we also mix things up...

 

During our first time in Nassau (2011) we joined a city tour. They had guides offering the tours at the port back then.

 

We visited Atlantis in Paradise Island, Cabbage Beach, Fort Fincastle and Queen's staircase. We also drove by some other attractions in the area. We thought it was a good introduction of Nassau for first timers like us.

 

For this trip (Dec 2014), we are thinking of going to Atlantis and visit the beach, casino and the aquarium.

[CruisinCrow]

There are plenty of things you can do in Nassau:

Segway tour

Atlantis aquarium

walking tour of forts and other historical areas

Pirate Museum

Art Museum

Ardastra zoo (It's small but not depressing. Feeding the lorry parrots is a lot of fun)

lunch at the Fish Fry (I posted a review here: http://www.susancrow.blogspot.com/2014/09/nassaus-fish-fry.html)

food tasting tour

chocolate factory tour at Graycliff

 

We've been to the Bahamas a few times in January so we've had to find some activities that didn't involve getting in the water. :)

Edited September 24, 2014 by CruisinCrow

[KristyM79]

City tour including Queen's staircase and Fort Fincastle. Lots of people go to the Straw Market for shopping, but I wasn't a fan of it. If you do go, be prepared for aggressive vendors.

[Fourseventeen]

if you do queens staircase and the fort...no need to pay for a tour as you can do it on your own for free.

[Gypsywych]

We just returned from our Bahamas cruise. We booked a tour with Cheryl's Taxi and Tours ( google just that :) ) Her husband Craig was our guide for 6 hours of island flavors, history, and I really can not recommend them enough.

He took us all over the island. We tried fresh conch salad made right in front of us, we had lunch at the Fish Fry, we went into the Bat Caves, took photos at The Cloisters, went to the Queen's Staircase, toured the Distillery, he showed us famous homes, places used in movies, and parts of non tourist Bahamas.

We did give him an idea of places we wanted to see, and he made sure we saw most of it, and added in his own interesting places with time enough left to shop.

[sharse]

We enjoyed Ardastra. Not depressing at all. Loved all the birds. And it is a quick adventure. You can have a little fun and then be back on the ship before everyone else and take advantage of an empty ship!

[OCruisers]

If you are a "Bar Person", you might enjoy going to Senor Frogs in both Nassau and Freeport! :D

LuLu

[marshhawk]

I have done Blackbeard's Cay, Blue Lagoon and the Sheritan beach two times, but this time I am cruising with a friend and she is not big on beach, and likes to have things planned out for her, so we chose Ardastra zoo for Nassau.

I dont know what cruise line you are on, but Carnival offers a wonderful looking garden tour, fountains, ponds, etc in Freeport. If I can ever talk the DH into going to Freeport that is one that I would truly love to do. (he went there years ago with his ex wife, and hasn't shown any interest in returning there:()

[Giantfan13]

When we did Nassau, we asked this board the exact same question. We are NOT beach people. I have had melanoma twice and stay out of the sun as much as possible, so we were in the exact same predicament.

We also do not do ship's excursions if possible. We were told about the zoo, and it sounded like a lot of fun. (even if we are both seniors). The zoo was fun, and we spent a couple of very nice hours there. (feeding the parrots was great) After, we returned to the heart of Nassau and did some shopping, had a bite to eat and returned to the ship and had time to chill out before the horde of others came back. Thinking back, I would have also liked to visit the Pirate Museum, but maybe we'll save that for the next time. :D:D:D

 

Cheers

 

Len

Edited September 30, 2014 by Giantfan13

[mhmotors4]

How much was this tour with Cheryls taxi?

Edited September 30, 2014 by mhmotors4

[beshears]

I'm not posting a reply, but a question, and have not read all the postings.

 

We are to cruise to the Bahamas, and be there for a few hours. I don't know if we will have time to go to the beach, but if not, what would you recommend that we see/do, other than Atlantis?

 

Someone mentioned the Queen's staircase. What is that about? Can we walk or get a Taxi to take us there?

 

A zoo was mentioned. Do you know the cost to go through it, and how do you get to it?

 

I understand that the Bahamas is pretty expensive. :( Are there any places you can buy things that won't be too expensive? I gather there is no bargaining in the Bahamas, right?

 

I know the ships offer tours, but I know it is cheaper other ways than that.

[cruiseapril]

We enjoyed Ardastra Gardens & Zoo and the Marching Flamingos.

The Zoo has a website.

 

Some of my family went to Graycliff in March and liked the old hotel with chocolate making and cigar making. They have a website too.

[Giantfan13]

I'm not posting a reply, but a question, and have not read all the postings.

 

We are to cruise to the Bahamas, and be there for a few hours. I don't know if we will have time to go to the beach, but if not, what would you recommend that we see/do, other than Atlantis?

 

Someone mentioned the Queen's staircase. What is that about? Can we walk or get a Taxi to take us there?

 

A zoo was mentioned. Do you know the cost to go through it, and how do you get to it?

 

I understand that the Bahamas is pretty expensive. :( Are there any places you can buy things that won't be too expensive? I gather there is no bargaining in the Bahamas, right?

 

I know the ships offer tours, but I know it is cheaper other ways than that.

 

As I said in a prior post, we went to the zoo and enjoyed it very much

http://www.ardastra.com/

 

We walked there. It is about a mile and a half, but I wouldn't recommend that to others. It is along a very busy street, but there were blocks where we were the only ones walking along. You'd be much better off taking the jitney bus for about $1.25. it will leave you a couple of blocks away. Just tell the driver where you want to go and he will let you off at the closest spot.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Elaine515]

City tour including Queen's staircase and Fort Fincastle. Lots of people go to the Straw Market for shopping, but I wasn't a fan of it. If you do go, be prepared for aggressive vendors.

 

We just returned from our Bahamas cruise. We booked a tour with Cheryl's Taxi and Tours ( google just that :) ) Her husband Craig was our guide for 6 hours of island flavors, history, and I really can not recommend them enough.

He took us all over the island. We tried fresh conch salad made right in front of us, we had lunch at the Fish Fry, we went into the Bat Caves, took photos at The Cloisters, went to the Queen's Staircase, toured the Distillery, he showed us famous homes, places used in movies, and parts of non tourist Bahamas.

We did give him an idea of places we wanted to see, and he made sure we saw most of it, and added in his own interesting places with time enough left to shop.

 

 

Is the above for Nassau or Freeport ? I would love to know what to do in Freeport if we also do not want to go to the beach... Thanks

[Gypsywych]

Is the above for Nassau or Freeport ? I would love to know what to do in Freeport if we also do not want to go to the beach... Thanks

 

Nassau. Our one and only time in Freeport, we did a glass bottom boat tour. We haven't had the urge to go back ;)

[bigsky]

How much was this tour with Cheryls taxi?

 

http://www.cherylbahamastaxiandtours.com/bahamas-tours.html

 

I just googled it. Depends on how long you want to be out. Very customized.