Bahamas Change their Stance on Cruises

[hloakes]

Our last cruise was a two week B2B that went to Nassau on both legs. The first time we got off, walked around for a while and returned to the ship. The second time we did not even get off.We have been there a number of times and I have never been impressed with the place. I do not object to it, but there is nothing there of interest to me. I guess we are part of the reason they do not appreciate the cruise passengers. 

[atgood]

5 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

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.

All excellent suggestions!  We’ve done all of those except make it down to the Jaws Beach/Clifton NHP area.  When asked where Saunders is located, I tell ppl to walk to down to the KFC and it’s directly across the street. 
 

I’ll add Cabbage Beach and the Versailles Garden/Cloisters over on Paradise Island as neat places to check out.  The point to the right of Cabbage Beach is nice (see pic).  We’ve walked it there and back from the port a few times.  Gotta exercise the extra desserts off somehow.  Was offered Mary Jane two blocks from the police station one time on our way to Paradise Island.  Maybe it was a setup attempt to try an catch a tourist.  
 

We’ve been to Nassau 8-10 times and have always found something different and interesting to do.  Still want to hike out to the lighthouse. 
 

Regarding the ocean water in Nassau, we did a 5hr rental on the Bahama Blue a few years ago with some friends.  The water was the clearest blue I’ve ever seen anywhere else in the Caribbean.  We went out past Pearl Island to where the sea turtles feed.  About 6 mos later, a fatal shark attack happened at Pearl Island to a teenage girl standing in shallow water so I’m not sure how soon I’d do that one over again.  It perhaps would be safer to swim with the sharks where you get to be in a cage.  

L

[c-leg5]

24 minutes ago, atgood said:

All excellent suggestions!  We’ve done all of those except make it down to the Jaws Beach/Clifton NHP area.  When asked where Saunders is located, I tell ppl to walk to down to the KFC and it’s directly across the street. 
 

I’ll add Cabbage Beach and the Versailles Garden/Cloisters over on Paradise Island as neat places to check out.  The point to the right of Cabbage Beach is nice (see pic).  We’ve walked it there and back from the port a few times.  Gotta exercise the extra desserts off somehow.  Was offered Mary Jane two blocks from the police station one time on our way to Paradise Island.  Maybe it was a setup attempt to try an catch a tourist.  
 

We’ve been to Nassau 8-10 times and have always found something different and interesting to do.  Still want to hike out to the lighthouse. 
 

Regarding the ocean water in Nassau, we did a 5hr rental on the Bahama Blue a few years ago with some friends.  The water was the clearest blue I’ve ever seen anywhere else in the Caribbean.  We went out past Pearl Island to where the sea turtles feed.  About 6 mos later, a fatal shark attack happened at Pearl Island to a teenage girl standing in shallow water so I’m not sure how soon I’d do that one over again.  It perhaps would be safer to swim with the sharks where you get to be in a cage.  

L

 

 

we have also enjoyed Cloisters and Pearl Island - I hadn’t  heard of shark attack there.

I did hear about an attack at Rose Island on a snorkeling excursion.

Edited August 14, 2020 by c-leg5

[PhillyFan33579]

8 hours ago, johnjen said:

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

Confused by your post since the Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean and this thread is about the Bahamas. 

[John&LaLa]

6 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Confused by your post since the Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean and this thread is about the Bahamas. 

 

In his defense, the Bahamas are typically one stop in a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise. 

[atgood]

8 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 

we have also enjoyed Cloisters and Pearl Island - I hadn’t  heard of shark attack there.

I did hear about an attack at Rose Island on a snorkeling excursion.

My apologies.  It was Rose Island.  

[grapau27]

On 8/12/2020 at 11:22 PM, hloakes said:

https://cruiseradio.net/bahamas-changes-stance-on-cruise-ship-passengers/?fbclid=IwAR1vzG6hOXLiANIYtJjdSxI2RuvlfrnvRXt3bVGwIeoLivnefXfd2fgA1eI

 

It seems they could use the money from cruises after all. I am just not sure how they plan to nudge the cruise lines to use the population centers instead of the private islands.

When we stopped at Nassau there was a market where we got off.

We had a little tour in a horse and carriage then walked around the town and the indoor market.

[molly361]

Way back then you walked thru the indoor market, not outside like they have now.  Don't know why they have never re-opened the inside part

[yogimax]

2 hours ago, molly361 said:

Way back then you walked thru the indoor market, not outside like they have now.  Don't know why they have never re-opened the inside part

At one time it was used to store Junkanoo floats.

[bucfan2]

I like going to the dumps in Canada...great place to see bear.  Don't care for the dumps in the Caribbean, and choose to avoid Nassau.  Got off the ship in 1984 on a cruise, and checked the box....prefer staying on the ship now.

[Dennis#1]

1 minute ago, bucfan2 said:

I like going to the dumps in Canada...great place to see bear.  Don't care for the dumps in the Caribbean, and choose to avoid Nassau.  Got off the ship in 1984 on a cruise, and checked the box....prefer staying on the ship now.

Did not know that Canada had any “dumps.”

[BND]

3 hours ago, Dennis#1 said:

Did not know that Canada had any “dumps.”

Not to take this off topic, but Dennis, do you snowbird?  We also live in Ashburn, near Brambleton and have discussed snowbirding.  It's just expensive enough to live here in Loudoun without having to buy or rent (during peak season) in FL.  We'd have to way downsize here to even think about it.  

 

Now, back on track, the Bahamas are a lot more than Nassau and Freeport, but that's where the ports are.  Nassau is popular with spring breakers because it's close to FL and they can do a short cruise pretty inexpensively and the 18+ can drink legally.  One spring break we were in Senor Frog's - hey we don't eat seafood (I'm allergic) so we grab mexican there and we got a show with all the drunk college kids who spent most of the time in port there.  They dropped a bit of cash and they were spread out all over town since there were at least 6 ships in port the day we were there.  

[Dennis#1]

3 hours ago, BND said:

Not to take this off topic, but Dennis, do you snowbird?  We also live in Ashburn, near Brambleton and have discussed snowbirding.  It's just expensive enough to live here in Loudoun without having to buy or rent (during peak season) in FL.  We'd have to way downsize here to even think about it.  

............

Are you retired?  If yes, consider becoming a Florida residence.  Florida has no state income tax and no auto personal property taxes.  Agree that Loudoun is very expensive.

We do not consider ourself’s as snowbirds.   We make 2 or 3 trips each year from Florida to Virginia.  We have adult children/grandchildren in Florida and 2 children in Virginia.  We also own a single family home in both Ashburn (Potomac Green) and Florida.  Both houses are approximately the same size and value, but Real Estate  taxes in Florida are more than 3 times LESS than what we pay in Ashburn.  Utilities are also much less in Florida when compared to Virginia.  If you want more info, send me an  e-mail:  delitchfield at aol dot com.

 

 

[BND]

8 hours ago, Dennis#1 said:

Are you retired?  If yes, consider becoming a Florida residence.  Florida has no state income tax and no auto personal property taxes.  Agree that Loudoun is very expensive.

We do not consider ourself’s as snowbirds.   We make 2 or 3 trips each year from Florida to Virginia.  We have adult children/grandchildren in Florida and 2 children in Virginia.  We also own a single family home in both Ashburn (Potomac Green) and Florida.  Both houses are approximately the same size and value, but Real Estate  taxes in Florida are more than 3 times LESS than what we pay in Ashburn.  Utilities are also much less in Florida when compared to Virginia.  If you want more info, send me an  e-mail:  delitchfield at aol dot com.

 

 

I'm retired Fed Gov (just this past March).  DH is not yet (Fed contractor and retired US Navy 0-6-reserves).  He's working a couple more years (til 65 or so).   We live off Ryan Rd in way too much house for two people, but it was our dream home.  Both our sons and DIL's are here in VA (Manassas and Burke).  I know Potomac Green.  We have friends who live there. I just wish they'd built those with at least partial basements for storage.  Our property taxes here are as much as a lot of people pay in total mortgage payments in other areas.  But, along with the expense of living in Loudoun, comes the high incomes here so it's a tradeoff.  

 

Okay, question for everyone who hates Nassau.  If they do rebuild the port area to be more like Falmouth, would that make any difference to you?   As I said previously, I expect that will just make others angry because they will have commercialized and changed Nassau.   I do think the Bahamas are desperate right now as their economy is built entirely on tourism.  

[bucfan2]

23 hours ago, Dennis#1 said:

Did not know that Canada had any “dumps.”

I guess the correct term is 'landfills'...never claimed to be an English major.

[hloakes]

I just read that there is a plan to spend $250 million to renovate the Nassau area and add space for two more ships. I don't know if that is a lot of money for such a project and wonder if it will make a difference with so many of the companies having their private islands. They expect to go from 4 million to 6 million passengers a year. Of course this was all before the covid stuff.

[BND]

1 hour ago, hloakes said:

I just read that there is a plan to spend $250 million to renovate the Nassau area and add space for two more ships. I don't know if that is a lot of money for such a project and wonder if it will make a difference with so many of the companies having their private islands. They expect to go from 4 million to 6 million passengers a year. Of course this was all before the covid stuff.

That's the plan I was referring to.  I haven't seen anything new on it.  That doesn't sound like a lot of money for what they have planned.  I saw the artists' rendering a few months back, but haven't been able to find them again.  It's more like what was done in Falmouth.  So, build up and improve the port area.

 

ETA, just found it.  https://www.cruzely.com/major-250-million-nassau-cruise-port-upgrade-announced/

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by BND

[yogimax]

5 hours ago, hloakes said:

I just read that there is a plan to spend $250 million to renovate the Nassau area and add space for two more ships. 

$250 million to renovate Nassau and add space for two more ships?

 

That's nuts... a drop in the bucket for what would be needed!

[hloakes]

They also blocked the cruise lines from participating in the refurb because it may be a "conflict of interest." It seems that since they are bringing the passengers in they should have a say in what is needed and be able to invest in the project.

[johnjen]

On 8/13/2020 at 11:29 PM, PhillyFan33579 said:

Confused by your post since the Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean and this thread is about the Bahamas. 

Oh boy LOL....IT'S ALL PART OF THE SAME CRUISE...are you THAT confused NOW?

Edited August 18, 2020 by johnjen

[LMaxwell]

On 8/13/2020 at 12:40 PM, yogimax said:

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).

 

Yes, I've done that as well.  We don't gamble so we walked through the Casino for 5 minutes.  It's something to see and kill a little time.  A round trip ride on the water taxi across the harbor is nice.  Low dough and kills some time but that's all 

[LMaxwell]

On 8/16/2020 at 5:47 PM, BND said:

That's the plan I was referring to.  I haven't seen anything new on it.  That doesn't sound like a lot of money for what they have planned.  I saw the artists' rendering a few months back, but haven't been able to find them again.  It's more like what was done in Falmouth.  So, build up and improve the port area.

 

ETA, just found it.  https://www.cruzely.com/major-250-million-nassau-cruise-port-upgrade-announced/

 

 

Just another gated cruise compound so you can go spend $100 on lunch or get Dairy Queen.  

 

Let's face it, most people don't go to Nassau for the charm and since they haven't been able to get their crime and decay in check, at all, instead of trying to make the area more attractive for tourists they'll make a caged in area for tourists to generate some tax money. See also; Falmouth, Jamaica 

[yogimax]

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

 

Yes, I've done that as well.  We don't gamble so we walked through the Casino for 5 minutes.  It's something to see and kill a little time.  A round trip ride on the water taxi across the harbor is nice.  Low dough and kills some time but that's all 

We would also walk from the port to Paradise Island and take the water taxi back

 

Saved us $8!

[ReneeFLL]

On 8/13/2020 at 11:27 AM, TheMastodon said:

 

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

You can call it whatever you want, but it's not the Straw Market!

[yogimax]

46 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

You can call it whatever you want, but it's not the Straw Market!

True in may ways.

 

The Straw Market has cultural and historical significance.  The shopping area outside the port is just that - a shopping area.

 

In addition, the number of vendors in the Straw Market far exceed those outside the port.