Baha Mar vs Margaritaville Nassau

[SailorMan98]

So we have been rerouted on our upcoming Independence Of The Seas cruise to Nassau and we now have a full port day. We were thinking of doing our own thing and taking a day trip over to either the Baha Mar or Margaritaville without booking an excursion with the ship. We wanted to check out the property, shop, grab a bite, walk the beach, and maybe try our luck in the casino. Has anyone done this at either resort without an excursion and can give us some tips or tricks?

 

Thanks in advance!

[OCSC Mike]

Try the Bahamas Port of Call forum.

[elizabethbp]

You cannot wander around Baha Mar unless  staying there, except for the casino, I believe.  We booked the  Infinity Pool last year from the hotel, but you also need to book the waterpark as well.  It was expensive  but we loved it.   I think you can walk around Margaritaville though, except for the pool and beach.  We did that excursion also through a third party site and enjoyed it as well.

[ngrund]

Margaritaville does not have a casino.

[Eastern flygirl]

I enjoy Baha Mar, it is new and clean. The casino is quite large and empty during the day.  You will be able to walk down to the beautiful marina that has some impressive boats.  In the marina, they have several restaurants and shops.  You can take a cab, I think for about $30, or you can take #10 city bus that drops and picks you up in front of the resort. If you are traveling with someone, the bus is not bad and is only a short ride for less than a dollar. Make sure you have the correct change. 

[rolloman]

The number 10 bus is exactly $1.00 each way however be sure when you board it is bus #10 and not 10A...10A takes you to a sketchy area of town. While in Baha Mar, you can gamble at the super nice casino with all the latest games. I usually bring my wife and she sits out at the pool pays cash for a drink and snacks. No one (about 10 trips) has questioned us as we have walked around the pool areas and shopping. 

[mafig]

Baha Mar is beautiful and the casino is too.  (we won!)

[elizabethbp]

When we were  at Baha  Mar  we got 2 loungers at the Beach Club Infinity Pool and  everyone we saw had wrist bands on indicating they were a guest or bought a lounger. Same for Water  Park. Perhaps it  was when we  were there ( Thanksgiving) but we  were told access to the hotels was restricted to hotel guests. 

 

 

[Bluewake]

It's actually quite easy to walk from the ship to Margaritaville in Nassau.  We've done it a couple of times.  There is a fee, of course, to use the pool, lazy river, tube ride, and/or beach and I think it's over $100 for a day pass. To me, that's kind of expensive but it's clean, safe, and nicely themed so it might be worth it to you.  However, we weren't interested in doing all those things.  The first time we just went to the store and then walked around the outdoor area for a bit.  No cost to do that.  The second time we bought some nachos and a couple of drinks and just sat eating and drinking for about 30 minutes. Again, we didn't have to pay anything to get in...we just paid for the food and beverages.  I don't know if a ship or private excursion would be cheaper than just showing up but I doubt it since you'd probably be charged for the ride.