top 3 things to do

[martymonty]

Hi

 

Can someone give me their opinions on what the top three things to do in both Freeport and Nassau would be. I would like to compile a list and then see how much time we have to do these things.

 

Thanks

Stephanie :)

[Weioo]

I would like to hear about this as well since we will be there in 2 weeks. :)

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I will list my favorites. Please note that these are things to do on your own, without taking an excursion. With excursions all kinds of other options are available.

 

NASSAU:

1. Self-guided walking tour from Cruise Terminal to Rawson Square, Parliament Building, Queen's Staircase, Water Tower (if open), Fort Fincastle, Main Post Office, back to Bay Street for shopping and Straw Market.

2. Atlantis Resort & Casino - over via water taxi, return via conventional taxi. Visit the casino, logo store, and outdoor shopping village. Visit The Digs for $29 if you can afford it; if you're ship is in port late or overnight The Digs are free after dark and after security leaves.

3. Ardastra Gardens for zoo, gardens and famous marching flamingos. Travel via the #10 jitney for $1.00 and ask the driver to tell you where to get off. Or take taxi.

 

FREEPORT:

1. Take a taxi from the port to the Port Lucaya Marketplace for shopping. Visit the grounds of the Our Lucaya Resort (Westin/Sheraton) across the street. Beaches are public and free if you're a beach person.

 

BobK/Orlando

[PJNJcruise5]

We just returned a week ago. We loved the beach at the westin, not a problem using the beach. We rented a chair and got free towels from the westin to use - which is better than lugging the carnival ones around. they take up alot of room in a backpack. There is a little bar and grill located at the beach and there are waiters on the beach who take orders for drinks and food. also for Nassau if there are any kids in your group try the Pirates museum they charge $12 for adults and kids are free.

[bguppies]

1) Zydecocruiser's self guided walking tour.......a definite must...

(should be easy to find his amazing thread with photos, by doing a search)

 

On it you pass.....

1)the Queen's Staircase/Fort Fincastle.....

The staircase is gorgeous....The view from the Fort at the top is great.

2) The Greycliff Hotel/Cigar company tour....

If anyone in your party enjoys a fine Cigar, a stop here to watch their cigars being made is awesome.

A tour of the hotel grounds is beautiful.....

3) the British Colonial Hilton .....

A great deal for the day pass for $15 for the use of the beach and pool, with peace and quiet and no unruly kids splashing around in the pool.

 

I am not big on fake, plastic tourist traps, like Disney World or in Nassau, Atlantis, so we let most of the tourists jam up over there, wh9ile we enjoyed the BCH for the day with 20 people at most at any one time during the day.

 

Bill

[softballmom]

How do you find Zydecocruiser's post about the walking tour?

[brianroberts2526]

Never been to Freeport.

 

But, the walking tour in Nassau is a must, but if you've done it, then I suggest going to the Hilton.

 

We were just in Nassau a week or so ago, and went to the Hilton for the 3rd time and had a blast again.

 

It's rarely crowded, an easy walk; an underrated and pretty beach. Plus pool, towels, bar, bathrooms, chairs, umbrellas and more.

 

Last year me and my wife went by ourselves and had a quiet relaxing time. This past time we went with a group and had a rowdy party time, theres a bit of everything. I'd recommend after going on the beach going through the side entrance and getting 3 for 5 beers because the bar at the beach is pricey. Also Senor Frogs is right next door.

[bguppies]

How do you find Zydecocruiser's post about the walking tour?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332656

[trinks90]

A lot of people have negative reviews of Freeport and if you don't venture past the port, there isn't a lot to do. But our day in Freeport almost 2 years ago was the best! We took a cab to the Sheaton and spent the day at the beach. It was beautiful. Took a ride on a banana boat and my 4 kids still talk about it. Our daughters got their hair braided and we just relaxed and enjoyed the day. The wait staff at the Sheaton was very accomodating and we were able to order drinks from a very entertaining waiter that could really dance and ham it up. There was a dj at the pool playing music and it just added to the atmosphere. I highly reccomend if you are a beach person.

We took a private limo in Nassau at my SIL's decision...it was a hoot. The "limo" was about 20 years old and the a/c didn't work properly. Our guide was very nice and he took us around town and then to the Atlantis. We eventually ended up taking a ferry over to Blue Lagoon. The kids wanted to snorkel and we were looking for another beach day.

Blue Lagoon was good for the kids, shallow water but the snorkeling was pretty bad. Very rocky and the water was rough the day we were there which made it even more challenging.

We will be back in Nassau next month on the Glory and I plan to do some shopping at the Straw market. We got there very late last time and most of the vendors were closed. Also thinking of doing the BCH if the weather is good enough for another "beach day" and possibly the pirate museum for my 2 sons ages 9 & 10. :)

Have fun.

[CorpsWifey7506]

I am not big on fake, plastic tourist traps, like Disney World or in Nassau, Atlantis, so we let most of the tourists jam up over there, wh9ile we enjoyed the BCH for the day with 20 people at most at any one time during the day.

 

Bill

 

 

What does BCH stand for? :confused::o:confused::o

[trinks90]

Sorry....BCH is the British Columbia Hilton

[thecruisers723]

We also enjoyed our time on the beach and in the pool at the British Colonial Hilton. We had servers on the beach bringing us food & beverage there. The have really good conch fritters there too.

 

I also thought the snorkeling in Nassau was really good. The water was a bit choppy, but it didn't take away from the experience and it may have just been the wind that day. But the snorkeling itself was awesome. Nice size and variety of fish and I even seen a starfish about the size of my steering wheel. No kidding. And we've snorkeled in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, 3 Hawaiin Islands and the Florida Keys. So we've got quite a bit to compare it to.

 

We plan to do both snorkeling and the BCH again when we go to Nassau in March since we enjoyed them both so much last time.

 

Lastly, the dolphin encounter was a lot of fun the first time we stopped in Nassau. I'd do it again. But it's pretty expensive now. It was only about $75 in 2002 when we went. So I don't think we'll spend the money again since we've already done it. But I would highly recommend it if money isn't an issue and you like kissing dolphins. They're so cute.

[cruise_n00b]

Bob, what's a jitney? Going to Ardastra really intrests my Mum and I but there is no shore excursion to do it so we are going to go it alone. So I kinda need to know what a jitney is before I try to hop on one!

[Scooter-n-GB]

Bob, what's a jitney? Going to Ardastra really intrests my Mum and I but there is no shore excursion to do it so we are going to go it alone. So I kinda need to know what a jitney is before I try to hop on one!

 

The local "bus" transportation in Nassau. the busses are approx 25ft long and pretty brightly colored. They all have numbers on them, so when you hear someone say, "catch the #10 jitney", that is literally what you are looking for, a bus with 10 on the side. :)

[bguppies]

What does BCH stand for? :confused::o:confused::o

My apoligies.

British Colonial Hilton

I hung out on this board for months before our September cruise and picked up the BCH shorthand unconsciously.

You can't miss the hotel as you pull in.

It is the large hotel just to your right as you dock. (5 minute walk from dock)

 

Bill

[bguppies]

Bob, what's a jitney? Going to Ardastra really intrests my Mum and I but there is no shore excursion to do it so we are going to go it alone. So I kinda need to know what a jitney is before I try to hop on one!

Speaking of Ardastra.

My Wife and I will be back in Nassau in late January and plan on doing the daypass at the BCH again.

Looking at online maps, the zoo appears to be pretty close to the BCH.

But online maps frequently aren't to scale.

 

Is it like a block over and up a little from the BCH, or is it a decent haul down the road?

 

If it is close enough, thought we might walk over there after some pool/beach time at the BCH....

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill

[cruise_n00b]

Thanks Scooter, sounds like i cant miss a jitney!!!

[brianroberts2526]

Speaking of Ardastra.

My Wife and I will be back in Nassau in late January and plan on doing the daypass at the BCH again.

Looking at online maps, the zoo appears to be pretty close to the BCH.

But online maps frequently aren't to scale.

 

Is it like a block over and up a little from the BCH, or is it a decent haul down the road?

 

If it is close enough, thought we might walk over there after some pool/beach time at the BCH....

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill

 

 

It's probably a couple blocks, but a very easy walk in my opinion; you don't even break a sweat, especially if you shop along the way

[Sunnymom02]

Is the British Columbia Hilton within walking distance from the ship? Is it right on a beach? Do you pay anything to do this? I am interested as we will be in Nassau in Feb, and I am still unsure what we are going to do. Any information would be greatly appreciated:)

[brianroberts2526]

Is the British Columbia Hilton within walking distance from the ship? Is it right on a beach? Do you pay anything to do this? I am interested as we will be in Nassau in Feb, and I am still unsure what we are going to do. Any information would be greatly appreciated:)

 

 

It is within walking distance, it is right on the beach, and the day us is $15

[bguppies]

It's probably a couple blocks, but a very easy walk in my opinion; you don't even break a sweat, especially if you shop along the way

 

That is what it looked like on the map.

I know my Wife can't wait to do the daypass at the BCH again.

Figured Ardastra would give us something to do later in the day, without having to catch a cab or jitney.

 

Thanks a bunch,

Bill

[bguppies]

Is the British Columbia Hilton within walking distance from the ship? Is it right on a beach? Do you pay anything to do this? I am interested as we will be in Nassau in Feb, and I am still unsure what we are going to do. Any information would be greatly appreciated:)

 

Here is the view of the British Colonial Hilton from your ship....

(courtesy zydecocruiser's awesome thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332656

please check it out to see all the sights within walking distance of the pier)

[teachnh]

Question about the BCH. Is the day pass rate the same for children? I was wondering if it was $15 for everyone.

 

Thanks in advance!

[brianroberts2526]

Question about the BCH. Is the day pass rate the same for children? I was wondering if it was $15 for everyone.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

pretty sure its 15 for all

[margeg]

1) Zydecocruiser's self guided walking tour.......a definite must...

(should be easy to find his amazing thread with photos, by doing a search)

 

On it you pass.....

1)the Queen's Staircase/Fort Fincastle.....

The staircase is gorgeous....The view from the Fort at the top is great.

2) The Greycliff Hotel/Cigar company tour....

If anyone in your party enjoys a fine Cigar, a stop here to watch their cigars being made is awesome.

A tour of the hotel grounds is beautiful.....

3) the British Colonial Hilton .....

A great deal for the day pass for $15 for the use of the beach and pool, with peace and quiet and no unruly kids splashing around in the pool.

 

I am not big on fake, plastic tourist traps, like Disney World or in Nassau, Atlantis, so we let most of the tourists jam up over there, wh9ile we enjoyed the BCH for the day with 20 people at most at any one time during the day.

 

Bill

This sounds like a really neat tip!

Thanks.