Nassau vs. San Juan (Eastern Cruise)

[Cruise Mermaid]

Hi everyone, been away from the cruising scene for a bit, very anxious to get back - but I have a question before embarking on booking another high seas adventure for our "group" ....

 

We've been Eastern Car. several times and love it - but do not like San Juan as a stop - again, so that being said - it's nice to see they offer "Nassau" as a stop for us Eastern Die Hards, however - my question is - is Nassau an alright stop? Does anyone have preferences? We are looking to cruise Feb 07 aboard the Valor or possibly the Glory. Also - does anyone have any preferences for Ports - i.e., Port Canaveral vs. Miami ? Please fill me in - thanks bunches !!

 

Plus any tips you can provide for finding the best prices without breaking any rules that would be great too ! Thanks !

[MamaParrotHead]

I personally could care less if I ever set foot in Nassau ever again. to me, it was dirty, the people unfriendly and not much to do. we took the "Yellowbird" excursion offered by Carnival and headed to Blackbeard's Cay, which worked out well and was short, but nice. then headed into town to the straw market (which was hot, crowded and filled with unfriendly and pushy vendors, IMO). If I ever *were* to go to Nassau again, I'd either stay on the boat or head to Atlantis on my own (I'd like to just check the place out, not pay for the $30 pp excursion). I dearly loved the Valor, though, so I WOULD highly recommend sailing her.

 

we're checking into sailing the Destiny out of SJ, can you tell me what you don't like about it? thanks!

[Cruise Mermaid]

Well, in my opinion - San Juan takes like almost 2 days to get to when your going Eastern - and the ship literally FLIES to get there (making for some early cruise sea sickness in my opinion). It's so far away, and they just fly to get there and don't even get there till like 4 or 5 pm and then a lot of the stores are closed and it's just sorta a wasted stop if you ask me - but please don't flame anyone that's a die hard San Juan fan - it just totally didn't appeal to us - and we end up just getting off the ship just to get off, head to the center of the city to this little fountain and take some pictures, and then head back to the ship. No big deal.

 

You can totally tell how on the way back from Eastern (going the San juan route) that the ship is travelling totally slower on those last few days at sea and it makes for a big difference for anyone that's remotely sensitive to sea sickness.

 

We would rather do Nassau just to avoid San Juan bottom line ... hope it's a good choice !!! :)

[HappyCampers3]

I agree with the last poster.....Nassau is undesirable in my opinion. We are to be there the week after next and not looking forward to that part of my trip. People are extremely pushy and in your face constantly. If they would just let the tourists alone, maybe they would spend some money in their country and not run back to the ship as fast as they got off of it.

[MamaParrotHead]

Well, in my opinion - San Juan takes like almost 2 days to get to when your going Eastern - and the ship literally FLIES to get there (making for some early cruise sea sickness in my opinion). It's so far away, and they just fly to get there and don't even get there till like 4 or 5 pm and then a lot of the stores are closed and it's just sorta a wasted stop if you ask me - but please don't flame anyone that's a die hard San Juan fan - it just totally didn't appeal to us - and we end up just getting off the ship just to get off, head to the center of the city to this little fountain and take some pictures, and then head back to the ship. No big deal.

 

You can totally tell how on the way back from Eastern (going the San juan route) that the ship is travelling totally slower on those last few days at sea and it makes for a big difference for anyone that's remotely sensitive to sea sickness.

 

We would rather do Nassau just to avoid San Juan bottom line ... hope it's a good choice !!! :)

 

in your opinion, since the Destiny sails from SJ, would that be a different story than an eastern route with SJ on the itinerary? just curious.

[big_duck]

The biggest disadvantage to going to Nassau is you have to clear immigration when you get to St Thomas. Both stops are too short to really get full enjoyment out of it.

 

San Juan is an evening stop and short so the excursion choices are very limited.

 

I would be nice if Carnival could negotiate a stop a little closer to Florida that would allow for a full excursion day ... Turks & Caicos I hear is in the works.

[Cruise Mermaid]

MammaParrot - I think you'll be fine sailing from San Juan - (airfare to there would kill us so we've never made that an option) - but you'll be fine !!

 

Big Duck - Now, I'm a little confused as to what you mean by having to clear immigration when arriving at St. Thomas from Nassau - you "dont" have to do that when leaving from San Juan heading to St. Thomas ??? Got me stumped on that one .....

[big_duck]

MammaParrot - I think you'll be fine sailing from San Juan - (airfare to there would kill us so we've never made that an option) - but you'll be fine !!

 

Big Duck - Now, I'm a little confused as to what you mean by having to clear immigration when arriving at St. Thomas from Nassau - you "dont" have to do that when leaving from San Juan heading to St. Thomas ??? Got me stumped on that one .....

 

Both Puerto Rico and USVI are U.S. Possessions so if you go to San Juan first you haven't "technically" left the country. If you go to Nassau (Bahamas) you have left U.S. soil, thus must clear Immigration for entry to St. Thomas.

[mafiadon]

Hi I haven't seen you on here in a long time, welcome back. I like Nassau much better then San Juan. We just did the Valor Eastern in April and it was great. We did the Dig at Atlantis and it was wonderful. I have lots of pics if you would like to see some. ldavison@twcny.rr.com Linda

[Groovey]

Nassau is the lesser of the two evils. At least you can take the ferry to Paradise Island and spend an enjoyable day exploring Atlantis or sunning on the beach. Shopping is limited unless you enjoy the cramped, hot, stickly straw market. Virturally nothing to do in San Juan except shop, and bargains are somewhat rare.

[Cruise Mermaid]

Hi Mafiadon! Thanks for the welcome back! My gosh it has been a LONG time !!! WOW !! I'm glad you remember me !! :) I will definitely check out your pics - thanks for sharing - I think we'll take our chances with the clearing the immigration deal ...... I don't want to ever go to San Juan again if I don't have to ... again no offense to anyone that loves the place - just not for me !! :)

[BTfan]

Have done the San Juan thing twice and will do Nassau on my upcoming cruise. On Carnival, the San Juan stop is a bit of a waste..at 5 p.m. most everything is closed or about to close. We got there earlier on the Radiance (Cococay was skipped due to weather) and it was quite a bit better..at least you could shop.

 

Nassau will be a nice change for me, but I think it should be the last stop since you'll have to do Customs twice.

[gatour]

Ahh for the days when the cruise ships would arrive in San Juan in the morning and would not leave until near Midnight. Shop and sight-see during the daylight hours (there are actually some good tours that could be done during the day) and then do some early evening clubbing. That was a blast.

 

I run hot and cold on Nassau. I got tired of Nassau ages ago, I just couldn't see myself to pay for a "tour" to a resort hotel to lay by the beach (I live in Florida). On a recent cruise to Nassau, I found a restaurant that served some local food and had a wonderful time.

 

If you are into partying then Nassau has a Carlos and Charlies while not as good as the ones in Mexico, it can be fun.

[MamaParrotHead]

If you are into partying then Nassau has a Carlos and Charlies while not as good as the ones in Mexico, it can be fun.

 

I think it's a Senor Frog's...and on the Valor, atleast, it's a daytime only stop, so it doesn't really get "rocking" until after you leave port.

[MamaParrotHead]

MammaParrot - I think you'll be fine sailing from San Juan - (airfare to there would kill us so we've never made that an option) - but you'll be fine !!QUOTE]

 

it was only about a $50 difference to go from where we are (midwest) to SJ than to Miami.

[MrPete]

I also would take Nassau over San Juan. We didn't even get off the ship last time we went to the latter. Nassau has fixed itself up, but you don't stay in the city to enjoy the stop, only shop.

 

Get over to Paradise Island, Cable Beach, the casinos, Blue lagoon, Blackbeard Cay (seen here;) http://community.webshots.com/photo/403621087/403648485YIZOLr

 

and so many others I haven't had a chance to do.

[BettyB2]

Hi I haven't seen you on here in a long time, welcome back. I like Nassau much better then San Juan. We just did the Valor Eastern in April and it was great. We did the Dig at Atlantis and it was wonderful. I have lots of pics if you would like to see some. ldavison@twcny.rr.com Linda

I would love to see the pictures you have! We will be staying there for 6 nights with 40 friends or more in February and would love to email the pics to our group. Even tho we are doing a land vacation there next year, I have learned so much about Nassau from the boards here..thanks!!!

ceceliajean1@yahoo.com

 

I also would take Nassau over San Juan. We didn't even get off the ship last time we went to the latter. Nassau has fixed itself up, but you don't stay in the city to enjoy the stop, only shop.

 

Get over to Paradise Island, Cable Beach, the casinos, Blue lagoon, Blackbeard Cay (seen here;) http://community.webshots.com/photo/403621087/403648485YIZOLr

 

and so many others I haven't had a chance to do.

 

Pete - thanks for the pictures! Did you by chance write a review anywhere? I know this is a cruise board - but am interested in things you did as a group, places to eat, things to do etc...... What did you NOT do, that you wished you had time for??? I have found many things for our group to do while we are there, but am truly interested in a fellow cruisers impressions.......

thanks again

[mlbcruiser]

I think there are still some ships that do not get to San Juan so late. Carnival has always had later arrivals there than other lines. Also, it saddens me that some do not enjoy San Juan. We have seen such great things there, and spent an extra 3 days twice, once before and once after, our cruise. We have driven all over the place - to Fajardo and to the Rain Forest, Luquillo Beach, and to the other side to Rincon (to watch the surfers). Everyone was nice to us. Sometimes if you do a little homework ahead of time (and it doesn't hurt to TRY to speak a little Spanish even though many people in P.R. speak at least a little English), you can get more out of a place. The forts and bldgs. alone in Old San Juan are scenic. There are some great restaurants. Night time? Well, you COULD hire a cab and go to one of the big hotels - like the Wydham El San Juan. They have good floor shows and gambling, and the main bar is lovely w/a huge crystal chandelier. There's always the casino there as well as in other hotels. We even went up to El Morrow one night after our cruise around 11 p.m. and watched the ships pull out. Just beautiful! (Yeah, it was dark. No, no one bothered us. Yes, there were a FEW other people around doing the same thing.) Sometimes I have not liked a place the first time (San Francisco comes to mind), but oh, the 2nd can make a big difference. Go w/a different attitude and try San Juan again. It is larger than Nassau so naturally has a lot more to offer.

 

RE: Nassau - I have been a number of times and in a way am sort of tired of it. I can take it once every few yrs. But even there, even the harrassment in the straw market, etc., that's their way of life and just go w/the flow. If someone is rude, just smile at them! TRY to find the special places. Ask a cabbie to take you where HE thinks you'd like, or to drive you around where the rich and famous of the area live. A boat tour of pricey coastline would also be fun. If someone has never been to Nassau, there are things to see and do. Tours to the fort and going over to Atlantis are fun. There is a pirate There is the fort, queen's steps, govenor's mansion, and a pirate'smuseum that probably isn't spectacular but might be worth a seeing for a lark. Just driving around the island (we rented a car in advance and ended up a VW w/a window that wouldn't roll up!) can be interesting. But you gotta TRY to find the things to do. You are on the right track just asking questions on this board. And may I ask, why are you limiting yourself to Nassau or San Juan? There are so many other places you could visit as well. (But from what you are saying, I don't think you will like Jamaica! And it is one beautiful island!) Well, I guess different strokes for different folks!