Bahamas Change their Stance on Cruises

[TheMastodon]

15 hours ago, bigrednole said:

Of course they want the money. They could make it a requirement to stop in Nassau if the stop at the private island. Their country, their rules. The problem is they need to clean up Nassau. Been there before when I live in South FL. If I had to go again I would do Atlantis or stay on the ship. That doesn't solve what they are looking for though.

 

I hate that straw market you have to walk through to get off the ship!!!  I enjoy supporting locals, but its a little crazy in there.

 

I've been offered drugs on the beach at Atlantis TWICE while renting jet skis (circa 2015,2016) while staying on property.  Also, a local attempted to intimidate us with a small knife for some cash while walking through Nassau (didn't come close to working)

 

Having visited all the major Caribbean ports many many times I have never experienced this anywhere else.  

 

 

[yogimax]

14 minutes ago, TheMastodon said:

 

I hate that straw market you have to walk through to get off the ship!!!  I enjoy supporting locals, but its a little crazy in there.

 

The Straw Market is actually blocks from the ship.  Do you mean the small shopping area?

[TheMastodon]

1 minute ago, yogimax said:

The Straw Market is actually blocks from the ship.  Do you mean the small shopping area?

 

Shopping area/market whatever you want to call it.  You walk through it to get to downtown!

[Yorkvillain]

I used to dislike Nassau until I discovered Oh Andros. 
 

Thank you @Kcjarvis

[LMaxwell]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

I've never been to Nassau, but everyone seems to not like it. What is it exactly about Nassau that people don't like? Is the feeling of safety, run down or dirty, too many tourists, not enough great places to see? Why do you prefer to stay onboard?

There's a few good sites to check out in Nassau if you have never been, the Queens Staircase, John Watlings Rum Distillery, walk the historical buildings of Nassau, or take a low priced tour of the island if you want to see and hear about it; and you can definitely have a very entertaining day on a low budget if you are a DIYer. Food and alcohol can be had very reasonably priced. 

 

.Buttttttttttt the Bahamas is flat and not really tropical; Nassau itself feels grimy and tight walking around, and once you get past the few blocks tourist areas with jewelry stores, clothing shops, and trinket stores, it can really be inhospitable for tourists. But it's pretty much a tourist trap selling Chinese made junk trinkets. There's expensive excursions to take you to a beach or a resort for a day, those are popular. Like others on here, I live in South Florida so Nassau we either stay onboard or look for something off the beaten path.  Staying onboard in a deck chair and viewing the harbor traffic, the ocean hitting the beaches, or even the colorful buildings is enjoyable.  Sweating to death, doing the head down push through the gauntlet of pushy sellers, to go get a beer and go back to the ship isn't my idea of fun anymore 

[yogimax]

6 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

There's a few good sites to check out in Nassau if you have never been, the Queens Staircase, John Watlings Rum Distillery, walk the historical buildings of Nassau, or take a low priced tour of the island if you want to see and hear about it; and you can definitely have a very entertaining day on a low budget if you are a DIYer. Food and alcohol can be had very reasonably priced. 

 

 

Here's another suggestion...

 

Take a water taxi (c. $4) to Paradise Island.  On the way, you will get an introduction to the island from a local (tips accepted).  When you get off, walk to the hotel/casino passing some expensive yachts and shops.  Walk around, gamble and come back by water taxi (or regular taxi).

[Sea Dog]

@LMaxwell Thank you for for detailed opinion. These are the kinds of things I'd like to know before deciding to get off the ship or not.

Edited August 13, 2020 by Sea Dog

[zekekelso]

I always enjoy getting of in Nassau. Not in a “oh boy we are stopping in Nassau today; can’t wait” but it’s always interesting. 

[Computer Nerd]

3 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I've never been to Nassau, but everyone seems to not like it. What is it exactly about Nassau that people don't like? Is the feeling of safety, run down or dirty, too many tourists, not enough great places to see? Why do you prefer to stay onboard?

Pretty much all of the above, depending on time of day (for the safety aspect).

 

[nelblu]

3 hours ago, yogimax said:

Precisely!  This has been the problem for  years.

 

The government happily takes the money and doesn't put it back to work.  Start with the immediate area around the port...

 

- Fix the sidewalks.  They are actually dangerous for falls.

- Repave the streets.

- Close Bay Street to vehicular traffic and make it a pedestrian Mall

- Spruce up the entire area.

 

Will this happen?  I doubt it.  The government has done nothing for years (decades).  I hope they will change but...

Wasn't there a thread that the govt was planning on investing in improving the pier area within an enclosed area with shops, entertainment etc. to entice passengers to get off the ship.

 

As others have said, I've been there so many times and lately go to the Blue Lagoon Island.

[Jam0610]

We try and avoid Nassau on any cruise booking. If we can't we stay on the ship. For us nothing in town, we need to see.

[johnjen]

The Bahamas....LOL. We just said never again to the entire Caribbean area like 8 years ago.

[lynncarol]

I have to admit having a soft spot for Nassau as that is where my husband and I went for our honeymoon 54 years ago. Since then, we have been back a number of times as part of Caribbean cruising.  You don't have to restrict yourself to the main tourist activities. Once 4 of us went by local bus to the Retreat Gardens, an 11 acre oasis featuring rare palm trees just outside the city.  Another time we took our young grandkids to Ardastra Gardins, and they got a big kick out of the flamingos. On a different cruise we went on a snorkel expedition. (The coral is nothing special but there were lots of colorful fish). I wouldn't wander around the island at night off the beaten track, but none of us has ever felt unsafe. 

[Merion_Mom]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

@LMaxwell Thank you for for detailed opinion. These are the kinds of things I'd like to know before deciding to get off the ship or not.

 

People on Cruise Critic, and especially those who are choosing to post in this thread, are frequent, and often jaded cruisers. "I've been there X number of times and I just stay on the ship."  etc.

 

I like Nassau.  To compare:  There is a HECK of a lot more to do there than in St. Croix, but people think, "ooo, St. Croix, sounds exotic."  Nope.  Not at all.

 

And to counter Sunshine's post - I am often by myself in Nassau and have never - NEVER - had anything remotely resembling her experience.  NEVER.

 

Another great thing to do in Nassau, not yet mentioned is Graycliff.  It is a hotel and restaurant, and you are allowed to visit the grounds and stroll through the lovely gardens.  But the highlight is their chocolate "factory".  You can sample and buy their chocolates, but you can also tour and most importantly, take the class where you learn about the process and then MAKE your own chocolates.  SO MUCH FUN.  (they have a couple of other classes, too.  Here's the link:  https://www.graycliff.com/experiences/ )

 

Also mentioned by one or more posters:  The Daq Shack (daquiris), the various restaurants of Arawak Cay, Watling's Distillery.  I like to stock up on various Bahamian spices and sauces, too.  Don't buy them in the stalls at the port, walk onto Bay Street.  

[Charles4515]

 
As others have said, I've been there so many times and lately go to the Blue Lagoon Island.

I have also been going to Blue Lagoon the last few years. Makes for a nice beach day and there are dolphin and stingray options.



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[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

But the highlight is their chocolate "factory"

You had me at chocolate. Sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for your input.

[John&LaLa]

6 hours ago, orville99 said:

Wouldn't make a major difference to the GovT, since they collect the port fees based on the number of people on a ship regardless of whether they get off or stay on board. The merchants would lose out, however.

 

I think thats the problem, the merchants are angry that they aren't getting the amount of dollars they were promised

[John&LaLa]

5 hours ago, yogimax said:

Precisely!  This has been the problem for  years.

 

The government happily takes the money and doesn't put it back to work.  Start with the immediate area around the port...

 

- Fix the sidewalks.  They are actually dangerous for falls.

- Repave the streets.

- Close Bay Street to vehicular traffic and make it a pedestrian Mall

- Spruce up the entire area.

 

Will this happen?  I doubt it.  The government has done nothing for years (decades).  I hope they will change but...

 

There is a plan to do something along the style of Falmouth. But I'm sure its a boondoggle 

[orville99]

5 hours ago, yogimax said:

Precisely!  This has been the problem for  years.

 

The government happily takes the money and doesn't put it back to work.  Start with the immediate area around the port...

 

- Fix the sidewalks.  They are actually dangerous for falls.

- Repave the streets.

- Close Bay Street to vehicular traffic and make it a pedestrian Mall

- Spruce up the entire area.

 

Will this happen?  I doubt it.  The government has done nothing for years (decades).  I hope they will change but...

The first time we cruised to Nassau was in the early 1990's, and all of these issues existed pretty much in the same condition as they were the last time we cruised to Nassau in February, 2020. I'm not holding my breath for them to fix any of this any time soon.

[BND]

13 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

There is a plan to do something along the style of Falmouth. But I'm sure its a boondoggle 

Yeah, those plans came out  before the pandemic.  I want to say sometime last year.  But, there will be plenty that will complain about the commercialism and how it ruins the port.  You can't make everyone happy  Nassau has other problems they need to fix.  Their crime rate isn't something to ignore.

[yogimax]

14 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

There is a plan to do something along the style of Falmouth. But I'm sure its a boondoggle 

The Bahamas went through a period of serious government corruption.  Not sure how it is today.

[Hoopster95]

46 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

People on Cruise Critic, and especially those who are choosing to post in this thread, are frequent, and often jaded cruisers. "I've been there X number of times and I just stay on the ship."  etc.

 

I like Nassau.  To compare:  There is a HECK of a lot more to do there than in St. Croix, but people think, "ooo, St. Croix, sounds exotic."  Nope.  Not at all.

 

I'm on Merion_Mom's side on this debate. A large percentage of regular cruisers maybe walk 2 blocks from the ship in any port (not just Nassau), say they've been there, and then have an opinion that there's nothing to do and see. 

 

Do a self-history walk.

 

 

Continue walking over to Ardastra Gardens & Zoo to watch the Pink Flamingo parade and feeding. Head down 2 blocks and take a tour of Fort Charlotte. Continue walking down to Arawak Cay for some great restaurants... conch fritters! Take another short walk around the corner to spend time at Saunder's Beach or Goodman Bay. Or from the port, take a $1 jitney out to cable beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. You want a little more adventure? Take a taxi or longer Jitney ride out to Jaw's Beach and Clifton National heritage Park. You really want to live a little?? Book a shark diving excursion in Stuart Coves.

 

Merion_ Mom has given numerous tips on a great food tour she has done there and has promoted in many previous threads. There are also various boat/snorkelling tours available, both from the ship and privately. Then there's the Exuma/swimming pigs tours, etc etc etc etc etc etc. 6 times in Nassau for me, I've done something different every time. 

Edited August 13, 2020 by Hoopster95

[Merion_Mom]

How could I have forgotten the walking food tour???

 

Thanks for the reminder, Claudio.

 

https://www.trubahamianfoodtours.com/

 

 

[BND]

While it is not our favorite port, it is a place we do spend some money.  We always go ashore and grab lunch somewhere and purchase something at the linen shop and we used to buy jewelry but the better stores have closed.  But, we do not stay ashore very long anymore.  As I said above, we have stayed at Atlantis.  We have done the dolphin encounter and walked to Queen's staircase and Fort Fincastle.  We've stayed overnight in port several times.  Although, outside of the casinos, everything is shut down usually by 5 pm so no reason to go ashore for us in the evening.  But, it's each cruisers choice as to whether they go ashore or spend money ashore.  The Bahamas can complain all they want, but the crime and corruption have definitely had an impact.

Edited August 13, 2020 by BND

[bearette]

I am a frequent cruiser, but I only made it to Nassau once and I got rained on.  I agree it is not a favorite port, but I don't avoid it.  I think it appears on 3/4 day cruises which I tend not to do, which is why it may be a first time cruiser place.

 

My issues have already been mentioned, but my reasons for not seeking it out are:

 

1) not my favorite things to do, but what there is is expensive (Atlantis-$150, $50 day passes at resorts and public beaches don't have facilities.)

2) rumors of being unsafe ( usually some basis in fact, see Barcelona and Paris pick pockets) and I didn't feel 100% safe walking around with just my mom, who was the only person with me at the time of our visit.  I wouldn't be out at night without my husband if I went back

3) cheap trinkets-same stuff everyone else sells and not cheaply

4) just not as nice, run down looking and unclean restrooms -which is my number 1 judge of how tourist friendly something is. Ever been to Disney? Their restrooms are always clean, even their beach private island- clean beach restrooms are hard to come by.

 

Nassau wants the tourist money without reinvesting in the services tourist want and expect that make tourists want to return. Though I will say that chocolate thing is enticing and I am thinking about a cruise out of Nassau for next year -if they can sail.