New Cruiser - What to Do?!

[icehatchling]

Hello everyone! I'm booked to go on my first cruise in mid-April, and we'll be stopping in Nassau. I'm reading all over the forums to decide what excursions to book, and I'm starting to feel like maybe I would just rather not do any of the cruise-booked excursions on Nassau. I don't think the dolphin encounter would be worth the money for me, and I don't have four people to book a Comfort Suites room and play at Atlantis. (It will probably just be me and my sister - we're both in our 20s.)

 

My question is: what do you DO when you get to the island, if you don't have a booked excursion? Can you just get off the ship and take a taxi to a great beach where they (hopefully) sell pina coladas or something? I would think I would enjoy a day on the beach in the Bahamas at least as much as I would any $$$ excursion. But, I'm nervous about how to do that. Advice? Thanks a lot everyone.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

It would be helpful to know what other ports your cruise is stopping at because Nassau can be decent for shopping and decent for beaches, but there are better ones for both. So you may want to shop or do the beach elsewhere and do the opposite here, or vice versa, depending on your other ports.

 

BobK/Orlando

[woodofpine]

Check http://www.seaislandadventures.com

 

They do an affordable day trip to a nice out island for beach BBQ with water toys and a right off the beach reef for snorkling that is in excellent ecological condition. They do pick up and drop off a block from the cruise terminal. They can be a little slow to respond to inquiries ("island time") but they are otherwise a decent excursion. We did the 20-30 minute horse drawn surry ride, then Rose Island w/sea island adventures then strolled the straw market before departing. The water in the Bahamas is second to none.

[Boo's Mom]

Hi icehatchling..... I saw your comment on the dolphin encounter..... and I just wanted to offer my opinion.

 

They are expensive....but, they are really neat. Especially the ship excursions when you are docked in Nassau. They take you on a boat....across absolutely beautiful and magnificent waters..to a private island where they do the encounters.

 

It is very educational. Very memorable.

 

We did this with our two children, on our very first cruise...and we still talk about it to this day ! They have professional photographers that take your picture...and you have the option to purchase the photos. We have an 8x10 of the family with a dolphin...hanging in our KITCHEN !

 

Another option for "The Atlantis"...is to find two people from these boards (on your sailing) that will be the other two people on your reservation.

 

We're doing the Atlantis (reservation @ Comfort Suites) in February.

 

Just offering my thoughts...

 

Enjoy !

[Boo's Mom]

P.S. The dolphin's name is Sean. (or Shawn)

 

See? We remember. :D

[woodofpine]

with Boo, the dolphin encounter is VERY memorable albeit pricey. I'd opt for the slightly more pricey "dolphin swim" though - given that in your post dolphin exuberance you're likely to drop added $$ on video, photos, t-shirts. So the $30 addition for the swim (where you are pushed through the water, etc.) is worth the incremental expense. I don't think the swim can be booked through the lines though (go to http://www.dolphinencounters.com ) you go to the Paradise Island ferry terminal under the bridge over ($2-3 cab) for pick up.

 

The dolphin encounters are done on Blue Lagoon Island. Blue Lagoon is visable from Rose Island where Sea Island does their thing.

 

If economizing is key then taking the #10 bus down Bay Street to the Cable Beach hotel district is probably the best - cheapest beaching on the island. Historically, the Wyndom there has been welcoming to cruise line pax that eat and drink poolside. That particular info needs to be updated though.

 

Overall, I think Nassau is a nice stop. There are those that put it down, but you'll find that about virtually every port.

[sharklover]

I just got back, I tooled around the shops for a bit, then did the Rainbow Reef Snorkeling. Snorkeling was beautiful !!!! However, we had to dodge a few jellyfish - no big deal.

 

Tami

[ndavis7515]

Hello everyone! I'm booked to go on my first cruise in mid-April, and we'll be stopping in Nassau. I'm reading all over the forums to decide what excursions to book, and I'm starting to feel like maybe I would just rather not do any of the cruise-booked excursions on Nassau. I don't think the dolphin encounter would be worth the money for me, and I don't have four people to book a Comfort Suites room and play at Atlantis. (It will probably just be me and my sister - we're both in our 20s.)

 

My question is: what do you DO when you get to the island, if you don't have a booked excursion? Can you just get off the ship and take a taxi to a great beach where they (hopefully) sell pina coladas or something? I would think I would enjoy a day on the beach in the Bahamas at least as much as I would any $$$ excursion. But, I'm nervous about how to do that. Advice? Thanks a lot everyone.

 

I read on these boards that Senor Frog's is a must in Nassau. Great time drinks & food.

[cruisin'gal]

I have done alot of traveling, not just cruises, no matter where in the world I am going I always go to a bookstore and get buy a book to the distination I am traveling to. I have never booked an excursion with the cruise lines, I do everything on my own. This may not be for everyone, I am an adventurous person and like to mingle with the locals and learn something about the culture. Barnes and Noble has a nice travel section. Hope this helps, have a great time, Laura

[pd52]

Pay the extra money and do the swim. We would have been disappointed if we had not....we were in a logoon with two and then the kid came too !!! We have made everyone watch the video. REALLY hands on.

[stanggirl70]

I just got back from a cruise with my mom, and she wasn't very interested in anything but shopping and eating, but we had a great time doing that!

 

Unless you have a problem with haggling and pushy sales tactics, the straw market is a must. It's full of native crafts, shell and stone jewelry, T-shirts and knockoff designer bags. Even if you don't buy anything, the experience is great.

 

Shopping along Bay Street is really good. My mom bought a fabulous tanzanite ring and got a great deal on it.

 

Fish Fry is an area full of little bars on the beach west of downtown. You can get all kinds of fried fish (cracked conch is definitely a must-try) and of course, drinky-drinks are plentiful.

 

I hear the Atlantis is great, but didn't make it out there.

[hylasgirl]

Where would be a good spot for snorkeling on Nassau? Someplace with restrooms and a place to get something to eat. We canceled our Dolphin Encounter. I heard that Blue Lagoon Island is closed. The Dolphin Encounter is still up and running... but not the beach or anything. That is one of the biggest reasons that I booked that tour. It is a gorgeous place! Does anyone know of anything else like that, where we can go for the day and relax on the beach with good snorkeling?

 

Thanks for any info:)

[www]

When we cruise to Nassau, we get off the ship, avoid all the stores, that to me carry all the same items, and head for Crystal Palace Casino. We take a cab, about $12.00 plus tip, to the entrance to the casino. We walk through the casino and out to the pool, and out to the beach. That I believe is the Wyndam Hotel. . . I prefer to walk the beach over to the Radisson Hotel (to the left) They have a better beach. Their pools are beautiful too. Plenty of bars and activites. I've had lunch outside there, but usually I eat a big breakfast on the ship, skip lunch, and head back to the ship around 4:00 to eat.

 

One more tip, I do not bring a Cruise ship towel or bag with me to advertise that I'm from a cruise ship. I also bring a dry bathing suit to change into, and a zip lock bag to put wet suit in. The cab drivers DO NOT like wet suits in their cabs. I've stopped at the straw market and bought Bahama's towels for $10.00, I get a nice towel to take home! Now I pack my towels to take with me on my cruises.

 

It is harder to get a cab to take you to Cable Beach, because everyone and their mother, sister, brother, and aunt is heading to the Atlantis and Paradise Island. and it is a quick easy trip for the cab drivers. But by around noon time the cab drivers are looking for fares, and are very willing to go to that side of the island. I believe you could take the bus too.

 

Just one idea, have fun!

[larasmom]

we are a group of 10 ranging in ages from 19 to 65. most of us are in our early 40s or late 30s........all women

 

we plan on going to the straw market and wandering around what ever shops are open on a sunday. we also plan on taking a taxi to atlantis to walk around the free parts..........just to say we were there and take a few picutres for posterity.

 

if we had our kids with us we would probaly opt for the dolphin swim or something more kid friendly but since we are all without our husbands and kids we plan on shopping and just walking around.