What to do if we skip Great Stirrup Cay

[Jessieasanders]

I’ve heard that there is a strong possibility that the ship will end up skipping Great Stirrup Cay and head to Nassau early.  If this is the case, what time does the ship generally dock in Nassau?  

 

We we have two teen girls with us, and I would like to have a backup plan for things to do in Nassau in the event we arrive a day early. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[OCruisers]

There's always the possibility it will become another "day at sea".  

[Jessieasanders]

Yep, I’m aware it could be another sea day.  But I would like to have a back up plan if we have an opportunity to get off the ship for a few hours.  If it were just my husband and I, I wouldn’t be too concerned about finding something to do ... we could always find a bar and hang out if nothing else.  But with two teen girls, I would like to have some idea of what we could be doing.

[shof515]

usually the ship arrives in Nassau at like 3pm or so once they skip great stirrup cay

[ColeThornton]

Check out the Bahamas port of call forum.  Lots of helpful information on things to do/transportation/etc.  Here is the link:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/35-bahamas/

[trex-de]

This happened to us a couple of years ago.  We rearranged everything in Nassau. We went to a beach on the full day since we missed GSC beach day. On the partial day, we went to Atlantis and the aquarium. 

 

Not ideal.  We were disappointed to miss GSC. 

 

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d take a cab to cabbage beach (public, beautiful) and then head over to Atlantis where I believe you can visit the aquarium after 6 or so for free (you need to buy a pass during the day but at some point security leaves).

[Jessieasanders]

17 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

I’d take a cab to cabbage beach (public, beautiful) and then head over to Atlantis where I believe you can visit the aquarium after 6 or so for free (you need to buy a pass during the day but at some point security leaves).

Thanks for the tip!

[luv2kroooz]

8 hours ago, Jessieasanders said:

I’ve heard that there is a strong possibility that the ship will end up skipping Great Stirrup Cay and head to Nassau early.  If this is the case, what time does the ship generally dock in Nassau?  

 

We we have two teen girls with us, and I would like to have a backup plan for things to do in Nassau in the event we arrive a day early. 

 

Thanks in advance!

If Nassau is your next scheduled port of call and there is docking space available, you'll probably sail straight to Nassau arriving in the late afternoon/early evening. If not, then you'll probably stay out at sea on the Great Stirrup Cay day and resume regular itinerary on the following day.

[dexddd]

It depends if space is available.  We've missed GSC and got to Nassau at 6 pm.  Seems that was more the norm but lately a few reports of getting in at noon or early afternoon.

[L8Daydreamer]

We skippped GSC in December and went straight to Nassau.   Arrived at 6pm.   Literally everything in town was closed except for Senor Frogs. since we had been here before we knew to grab a cab and go directly to Atlantis.  We booked one room for the evening, packed an overnight bag and stayed there overnight. It was worth it for us because we had full access to the resort and aquaadventure for the next day . You can try comfort suites next door as well because they include Atlantis aqua adventure passes with their stays as well.  .   Was nice to spread out and take a long, roomy shower that evening.   

[mking8288]

It depends, sometimes it's a "Fun Day At Sea" only as all the available berth at nearby Nassau are occupied for the day until one of the ships sailed, usually 5 to 6 p.m. - then, other ships floating at sea doing donuts can come in & dock, typically 6 to 7 p.m. (had docked as late as 8 pm, yike ... shops closed, bars & restaurants open for passengers; but not much for teenagers & children to do)

 

Last week, the Escape missed GSC and being off season, they sailed onward to Nassau direct and docked around 1 p.m. & stay overnight, pax are free to come & go at all hours, if they choose to.  Check the Nassau port schedule posted ahead - if planning for extra options - to see how many ships are going to be docking there ... if RCL cannot tender to their own private island next to GSC, their ship will also possibly be heading to Nassau, competing for a berth. 

  

Just F.Y.I. - USDOS has recently (re)issued an advisory about the Bahamas & also for Mexico (in part, due to Spring Break) - best practice is common sense & be aware of surroundings.  

[BirdTravels]

On 3/9/2019 at 11:07 AM, Jessieasanders said:

I’ve heard that there is a strong possibility that the ship will end up skipping Great Stirrup Cay and head to Nassau early.  If this is the case, what time does the ship generally dock in Nassau?  

 

We we have two teen girls with us, and I would like to have a backup plan for things to do in Nassau in the event we arrive a day early. 

 

Thanks in advance!

We are 5 for 5 getting to GSC at all times of the year. Much much mich more ships call at GSC than miss it. 

[dexddd]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We are 5 for 5 getting to GSC at all times of the year. Much much mich more ships call at GSC than miss it. 

It was 6 for 6 in your past posts.

[zqvol]

On 3/9/2019 at 11:07 AM, Jessieasanders said:

I’ve heard that there is a strong possibility that the ship will end up skipping Great Stirrup Cay and head to Nassau early.  If this is the case, what time does the ship generally dock in Nassau?  

 

We we have two teen girls with us, and I would like to have a backup plan for things to do in Nassau in the event we arrive a day early. 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

You have a much better chance of it being a day at sea thanyou do of going to Nassau early. Nassau is a very busy port and ther eis not a lot of extra capacity.

[ClevelandCruisin]

We took a cab, well more of a van that had 8 people in it and took it over to Atlantis for something different. It wasn't too much money. Cheaper than the water taxi.

The ride was maybe 10 minutes, then grabbed one back.

[Jessieasanders]

4 hours ago, ClevelandCruisin said:

We took a cab, well more of a van that had 8 people in it and took it over to Atlantis for something different. It wasn't too much money. Cheaper than the water taxi.

The ride was maybe 10 minutes, then grabbed one back.

Is there stuff to do at Atlantis if you haven’t bought their expensive packages?

[Capefearshore]

We missed it last week on the Pearl and went to Freeport instead. This was the first time we had missed GSC out of 5 scheduled stops on previous cruises.

[softl]

1 hour ago, Jessieasanders said:

Is there stuff to do at Atlantis if you haven’t bought their expensive packages?

You can use their beach.

[ClevelandCruisin]

5 hours ago, Jessieasanders said:

Is there stuff to do at Atlantis if you haven’t bought their expensive packages?

We went over and walked around, did some shopping. It's a stand alone resort. You could visit the aquarium,  eat and try your luck in the casino there. Maybe the beach.

[mjkacmom]

39 minutes ago, ClevelandCruisin said:

We went over and walked around, did some shopping. It's a stand alone resort. You could visit the aquarium,  eat and try your luck in the casino there. Maybe the beach.

Depends on the day, at times you can only be in the casino or marina village without a pass, no beach, no aquarium.