Staying on Board in Nassau

[heatherRN53]

We are doing a Bahamas/Florida cruise out of New York city on Norweigan Escape this fall. Other travelling companions have been to Nassau in the past, and we are considering staying on board to enjoy the amenties of the ship, as we are sailing back into colder weather, so our actual warm days are going to be few. What if anything changes, when you stay on-board when the ship is docked? By that I mean, are all the restaurants and shops open? Can you still use your drink package in the same way, as I thought I might have read something about paying taxes on each drink, if the ship is docked? Sorry for the newbie question.

[FLcruisergrl]

The shops are not open. The restaurants that are open will be listed in your dailies, but usually the buffet and O’Sheehans (or whatever pub is on Escape). The drink package will work as it normally does. You will not pay tax in non-U.S. ports. We usually stay on the ship in Nassau and it’s wonderful-not crowded!

[ADH912]

Shops & casino will be closed, as will  most of the restaurants, though some will remain open. The pools, spa, watersides, etc. will be open. Everything will start to reopen once the ship departs. The restaurants will open for dinner prior to departure. 

[Clay Clayton]

They also usually have a few activities for those that stay aboard.

[JamieLogical]

On the Escape, Margaritaville is open for lunch on the Nassau day (at least it was when I was on the Escape in Nassau in April). Buffet and O'sheehan's are also open, of course. But I do not believe any of the MDRs were open for lunch. Pools and slides will be open. There will also be some activities in the Atrium.

 

Your drink package works the same. Tax on drinks in ports only applies to US ports.

[PelicanBill]

The Spa is usually desperate for business and has very good deals.  It is much easier to find a chair around the pool (LOL).

[smithop]

I’m doing Mexican Riviera on Joy for Thanksgiving, plan on staying onboard at every port lol.  Been there, done that so many times that nothing interests me.  It will give me the chance to explore the whole ship without the crowds, it might be the only days I visit the buffet.

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, heatherRN53 said:

We are doing a Bahamas/Florida cruise out of New York city on Norweigan Escape this fall. Other travelling companions have been to Nassau in the past, and we are considering staying on board to enjoy the amenties of the ship, as we are sailing back into colder weather, so our actual warm days are going to be few. What if anything changes, when you stay on-board when the ship is docked? By that I mean, are all the restaurants and shops open? Can you still use your drink package in the same way, as I thought I might have read something about paying taxes on each drink, if the ship is docked? Sorry for the newbie question.

Here's the dailies from Nassau day. And a link to our recent live post from that cruise. 

 

 

 

[newmexicoNita]

15 hours ago, heatherRN53 said:

We are doing a Bahamas/Florida cruise out of New York city on Norweigan Escape this fall. Other travelling companions have been to Nassau in the past, and we are considering staying on board to enjoy the amenties of the ship, as we are sailing back into colder weather, so our actual warm days are going to be few. What if anything changes, when you stay on-board when the ship is docked? By that I mean, are all the restaurants and shops open? Can you still use your drink package in the same way, as I thought I might have read something about paying taxes on each drink, if the ship is docked? Sorry for the newbie question.

 

After several visits to Nassau we have seen all we need to of the port and probably more than we need to. We always stay on the ship. There will be the buffet open and  O'Sheehans as well as the outside burgers and hot dogs around lunch time. Otherwise I don't really know. Shops are closes as is the casino but there will be bar service, just not all of them will be open. Yes, you will use your card just like when at sea and no, there is no tax of drinks. 

 

BTW" better to ask questions than to go unprepared and then come back with complaints cause you didn't know. Enjoy your cruise. 

[drvmywifecrzy]

Usually the water slides are open part of the day

[Mike D.]

I appreciate your "newbie" question.  Thanks for asking.  

 

I generally have the thermal suite pass (spa) and any port day is a great day in the spa since it will be very uncrowded.  I suspect that port day in Nassau would be a day that NCL might sell day passes.

 

I'll chime in that my experience is that the only restaurants open for lunch would be the buffet, Margaritaville and (possibly) O'Sheehans.  I do note that O'Sheehans looked like it was closed in the Daily that Bird Travels so thoughtfully posted above.

 

I think port days are a GREAT day for exploring the ship, working out, napping, and actually being on vacation. 

 

When I return to Nassau (no firm plans yet), I will either stay on board or get the day pass to Atlantis and float around in their lazy river for a few hours.  The "Queen's Staircase" in Nassau was worth seeing.  

 

Enjoy your cruise. 

[Turtles06]

We've been to Nassau several times.   Got a resort pass the first time, and don't feel the need to do that again.  But we do enjoy getting off the ship in the morning and walking around the historic area near the docks, and having lunch at a local restaurant like Bahamian Cookin'.  Then we go back to the ship for the afternoon.   On our last visit, we first went to Ardastra Gardens, to see the famous Marching Flamingos.  We thought it would be hokey, but it was wonderful, as was hand feeding the lory birds afterwards. 

 

 

 

(photos by turtles06) 

 

 

[Harratine]

11 hours ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

Usually the water slides are open part of the day

Water slides are a good stay on the ship choice.  There are usually no lines and you can get on the slides as quick as you can climb the stairs.  The cardio is a bonus.

 

also, there will be less competition pool side for chairs and lots of bar stools open.

 

We have never been Nassau fans and stay onboard all the time.

[amygutman]

If you are a foodie - wait until the crowds have cleared (and many of the really aggressive taxi / tour operators have also cleared out), enjoy the ship during the day and head out late morning / early afternoon and take a taxi to the Fish Fry area. Not touristy at all - but some of the most amazing local food on the island. It's fantastic. 

Have a great meal with a great view, then head back to the ship for a spa special or empty amenities - it's what we personally love to do. 

Have a great day!

Amy

 

[All-ready2cruise]

I've gotten to Nassau on a cruise; our only cruise that included Nassau was in Feb. 2013 on the Epic. The Epic was denied a berth, Nassau said that no one had made a reservation, NCL said they had denied access to Epic even though Epic had access... who knows.

  

Unfortunately and very sadly, there was a lovely young couple who'd planned to get married on a beach in Nassau... sorry, don't remember which beach but, anyway, I've never been back there on a cruise.  I've read so many negative reviews about Nassau I'd likely just stay on the ship and do a day pass in the spa. 

[newmexicoNita]

On 5/24/2019 at 4:29 PM, PelicanBill said:

The Spa is usually desperate for business and has very good deals.  It is much easier to find a chair around the pool (LOL).

That is exactly why we always stay on ship for at least one port stop. We love to enjoy the quietness and lack of crowds around the pool, yes, maybe a spa treatment and just rest and relax 

[kayteecat]

If you're on the Escape, port day is also a great day to enjoy the ropes course as long as conditions are right and you're interested. You'll get excellent views up there from the very top of the ship. Water slides are another port day favorite of mine.

[robin13]

I was on one cruise where I never left the ship since I had been to the ports before.  I love having the pool all to myself until around noonish as then it starts to fill up again.  Enjoy your port days at the pool especially since you will be heading back to cold weather.

[yearsofcruising]

Nassau cruising in no real order : Dolphins at some place , Beach , walked town to Dunkin Donuts , Got an earring, Taxi to Atlantis , Didn't get off, Blue Lagoon with sea lions, Didn't get off , D.D. walk !!!!

Done !

[elwood_98034]

I just saw an interesting Youtube video where the guy was saying that the ships are so nice now, and many of the ports are so sketchy that up to 40% of passengers never even get off the ship in some places in Mexico/Caribbean. 

I have never been down that way, but I can certainly understand why that might be the case from the news stories that I have read over the years. You pay an arm and a leg for a magnificent ship experience, or you have the chance to get robbed in a third world hell hole...

[Nic6318]

2 hours ago, elwood_98034 said:

I just saw an interesting Youtube video where the guy was saying that the ships are so nice now, and many of the ports are so sketchy that up to 40% of passengers never even get off the ship in some places in Mexico/Caribbean. 

I have never been down that way, but I can certainly understand why that might be the case from the news stories that I have read over the years. You pay an arm and a leg for a magnificent ship experience, or you have the chance to get robbed in a third world hell hole...

Hi

 

This truly seems to me a bizarre perspective, especially to hear on a cruise forum. Of course it's your vacation and you can approach it as you choose. If you feel that these ships are enough of a destination to hole up in for a week or so, enjoy... but it is certainly not what drew me to cruising. 

 

As far as those hell holes ???... I have been enjoying the people, the food, and each country, for over forty years now. As far as being robbed... where is it that you are suggesting you will be safe? 

[elwood_98034]

7 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

Hi

 

This truly seems to me a bizarre perspective, especially to hear on a cruise forum. Of course it's your vacation and you can approach it as you choose. If you feel that these ships are enough of a destination to hole up in for a week or so, enjoy... but it is certainly not what drew me to cruising. 

 

As far as those hell holes ???... I have been enjoying the people, the food, and each country, for over forty years now. As far as being robbed... where is it that you are suggesting you will be safe? 

You would need to see the video. It wasn't very complementary about the specific ports mentioned in it. I have never been down that way, but it has certainly put me off, especially as there seems to be more than one video floating around on a similar theme for that area.

[GirlWriter]

On 5/31/2019 at 1:55 PM, elwood_98034 said:

You would need to see the video. It wasn't very complementary about the specific ports mentioned in it. I have never been down that way, but it has certainly put me off, especially as there seems to be more than one video floating around on a similar theme for that area.

Even so -- it is very offensive to refer to people's homes as a "third world hell hole," particularly when you have never even been there. There are plenty of unfavorable videos available of this country as well. And probably our crime rate exceeds those other countries', as well.

[FLAHAM]

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/travel/36-hours-in-nassau-the-bahamas.html

[Lupush]

I never leave the ship in Nassau.  Usually the last day before the ship goes back to Miami so I take full advantage of my drink package.