Nassau for the uninitiated.

[darrengs]

Majority of the people that say Nassau is unsafe usually have never left the comfort of a 1st world country. Just because the area doesn't look like home doesn't mean everyone that lives there is out to get you. Tourism is a huge part of their economy, robbing all visitors wouldn't help tourism.

 

Everyone wants paradise and they want it ASAP. Yes, the beach by the dock is unimpressive and gets crowded, But taking a taxi or walking a bit will pay off immensely in finding a more spacious beach area. The port is whatever you make of it.

 

 

Really?

 

As per the the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/the-bahamas.html

 

"Armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas. The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports of tourists robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint in tourist locations in the downtown areas of Nassau, to include the cruise ship docks and the Cable Beach commerce areas; several of these incidents occurred during daylight hours. Burglaries, larcenies and “snatch-and-grab” crimes happen in Nassau and U.S. citizens have been victims of these crimes. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends."

 

But as they state:

"There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing excessively drunk or unaware."

Edited March 1, 2016 by darrengs

[lhpfish185]

We took a walk up to John Watlings Distillery last year, it got a bit sketchy as you got away form the port, but as we walked up the hill it wasn't to bad.. saw a few police officers directing traffic... never felt unsafe. However after reading this, we might just take a cab this year.

[LMaxwell]

As long as you stick to the public, touristy areas, you'll be fine. You don't want to start wandering into neighborhoods where you don't belong.

 

Ain;'t it the truth. I wandered off on my own during day time and a police officer stopped me, asked if I was a cruise tourist. I said yes, he said "You are going the wrong way. Turn around and go back towards the pier".

 

That said, I've found lots to do in Nassau. Queens Staircase. Fort Fincastle. Watlings Rum Distillery. national Bahamas art gallery. Google Free Nassau Walking Tour.

[luckyinpa]

this is a good thread full of info. i especially like hearing the non beach things to do. we arent sit on the beach for hours type of people. like to see 'things' lol

[momoftwinteens]

For our stop in Nassau next week, I found a non-NCL sponsored tour of the Gray Cliff Chocolate Factory. It does involve walking to the factory but, perhaps we will take a cab instead. It looked like fun and was relatively inexpensive.

[hansolosmom]

We've been there several times, never felt unsafe. Crowded and dirty, yes (and we live in the Northeast US. Its always crowded and dirty). We have found that anywhere outside of Nassau is beautiful. Take a tour, or a taxi and go someplace out of town. Thats how you enjoy Nassau! ;)

 

I was thinking the same thing. I'm less worried in Nassau then I am going into Philly

[hansolosmom]

For our stop in Nassau next week, I found a non-NCL sponsored tour of the Gray Cliff Chocolate Factory. It does involve walking to the factory but, perhaps we will take a cab instead. It looked like fun and was relatively inexpensive.

 

Graycliff is nice & it's not too bad a walk if you're in semi-decent shape. It is uphill. We usually hit John Watlings rum distillery which is down the street and we've always walked.

[luckyinpa]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm less worried in Nassau then I am going into Philly

 

i have no issues in center city..now kensington...i rented a car to do a job there one time because i didnt want to take mine.

[momoftwinteens]

Graycliff is nice & it's not too bad a walk if you're in semi-decent shape. It is uphill. We usually hit John Watlings rum distillery which is down the street and we've always walked.

 

Thanks for this. I have souvineer shopping to do. The rum distillery sounds like the perfect place to do so.

[Maddysdaddy]

Well now I'm getting concerned...

 

I have booked a beach day at the Colonial Hilton and was planning to walk from the pier there with my wife and young daughter, since it appears to be quite close. Am I better off taking a cab?

[tggs726]

Well now I'm getting concerned...

 

I have booked a beach day at the Colonial Hilton and was planning to walk from the pier there with my wife and young daughter, since it appears to be quite close. Am I better off taking a cab?

 

No need to be concerned. The CH is an easy walk from the pier.

 

Have been there a couple times and walked passed it many other times on the way to Junkanoo beach. Last December my wife, 20 month old daughter, and i all walked from the port to Junkanoo.

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post I have been to nassau 14 times and have never felt unsafe. Sure there will be vendors trying to offer and sell you things right when you get off the ship, but 80% of the cruise ports are like that. Just have a plan of where you are going and say no thank you to the offers and keep walking.

 

-Matt

[Irene7]

Nassau is a port of call on a cruise I am thinking about but reading comments on the Port of Call forum I get the feeling people are not impressed. Some even claim it is unsafe.

 

Can someone put my mind at rest?

 

The city of Nassau is a little concerning, but we always go to Paradise Island or to Blue Lagoon Island which we love.

[Freckle53]

Just like how we have armed forces in American airports?

 

Saw lots of police with machine guns and otherwise heavily armed in Time Square before our cruise last week too!

[megansdad1]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm less worried in Nassau then I am going into Philly

 

Ha! But I feel safer in most places over Philly. The problem I have with Nassau is that there are way too many ships in port. More crowds + more opportunities for issues. I stayed on the ship last time I was there.

[Sizzlechest]

I don't even get off the ship anymore in Nassau. In my opinion NCL's Port Canaveral , GSC, Nassau itinerary is the least desirable offered.

 

Port Canaveral is fine if you're going to the Kennedy Space Center or MAYBE SeaWorld. GSC is awesome. I would go on a cruise that went to GSC for multiple days in a heartbeat. (Would be better if they docked there rather than take small boats to shore. Also would be nice if they added more things to do. I miss the giant water slide.) Nassau was a waste of time. We got back on the ship and enjoyed the relatively empty pool area instead.

[kas61]

has anyone been to the Nassau zoo

[14cruise]

I would agree it has gone down in the past 12 years of my cruises. When I first started going there it was great but now there are so many ships and so many people The locals are very nice and I would not be worried with them but it is just to crowded. We stop there in May and not sure if we will get off I have been to numerous beaches including the Atlantis. Cable beach which is just by there is nice You can just walk right into the Atlantis and no one says anything to you. Does anyone know anything about Junkanoo beach

[mermaidgal]

Nassau is no worse than any other large city, pay attention to what's going on around you, keep your purse tightly on your arm, don't wander on the side streets after dark. If women offer to take you to find the best deals, say NO and keep walking... You'll be fine. I've taken the taxis and even the city buses, no problem, mon!

 

 

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[HokiePoq]

I don't know about the rest of you, but the armed men with AK-47's standing around guarding the exits and entrances to the area around the port was less than appealing.

 

I got off the ship the first time I went to Nassau and that one time was more than enough.

 

The second time, I found that the pool area was actually MORE crowded on Nassau port day than any other sea day. Seems staying on the ship is a popular option.

 

If I got off the ship again in Nassau I would only do the ship provided excursion to Atlantis.

 

Thank you for your comments. We are thinking about the Atlantis excursion. Is there a market close to the port with craft items? Would hope to be able to do both things.

[cfitch]

Nassau is a port of call on a cruise I am thinking about but reading comments on the Port of Call forum I get the feeling people are not impressed. Some even claim it is unsafe.

 

Can someone put my mind at rest?

 

When we went we stayed close to port and walked around. We were safe.

 

We like to find out about local culture in the ports we visited. We asked locals what their past time was.....drinking. Seriously. They said there was not alot else to do.

[Donna_In_India]

We have never felt unsafe in Nassau and haven't ever been hassled. I'd never consider staying on the ship. We've done Frommer's Walking Tour - http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-providence/722464 - with our young daughter and really had a great time.

 

We've done the British Colonial Hilton day pass twice - http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/bahamas/british-colonial-hilton-nassau-NASHIHH/attractions/cruiseship-info.html. Had a great time! Gorgeous pool, nice little strip of beach, and good food and drinks at the poolside restaurant.

 

The last time we were there we did the Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon - a great day - http://www.dolphinencounters.com/blue-lagoon-island/about-blue-lagoon.

[pema]

Port Canaveral is fine if you're going to the Kennedy Space Center or MAYBE SeaWorld. GSC is awesome. I would go on a cruise that went to GSC for multiple days in a heartbeat. (Would be better if they docked there rather than take small boats to shore. Also would be nice if they added more things to do. I miss the giant water slide.) Nassau was a waste of time. We got back on the ship and enjoyed the relatively empty pool area instead.

What is GSC ?

[luckyinpa]

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/great-stirrup-cay

[tggs726]

What is GSC ?

 

Great Stirrup Cay

[ColinIllinois]

Great Stirrup Cay

 

 

Yea, that was answered an hour ago in the post before yours. ;)