How long does it take to get off the ship?

[cruisinggg]

I'm going on my first cruise with ports of call in Nassau, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. If a ship docks at 10am, how long does it usually take to get off the ship? I read something about filling out immigration papers? Does a line to get off the ship start before the ship docks?

 

We're planning our days and wants to know how much time we actually have.

 

Any advice.

[johnql]

There is a Bahamas Immigration form that you will need to fill out but that's done when you check-in at embarkation.

 

Assuming the ship docks (vs. anchoring offshore, in which case you will need to use a tender), you'll usually be able to get off the ship within minutes of docking. Perhaps allow 15 minutes if the gangway is crowded.

[johnql]

sorry, dupe

[cruisinbuddy]

As soon as the ship is cleared by the local authorities you can get off. Don't go down and wait. You'll just be standing around, and you know that you're going to have to listen to someone complaining. We always wait til we see people getting off, then there's no real line to get off.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

If you dock in Nassau, you can w2alk around downtown Nassau in less than an hour. At the Nassau dock there is a locally owned ferry that shuttles mainly cruise ship passengers to Paradise Island. From the ferry dock on Paradise Island it is about a 10 minute walk to the Atlantis hotel. This is a spectacular hotel that is well worth seeing for its architecture and opulent style. There is also public access to the beach near the Atlantis hotel but you can't go through the hotel to this beach. As I recall the access is to the right of the hotel (inquire and someone should be able to direct you).

 

Please note that the Paradise Island beach is a topless beach but no one really seems to care about this. I am adding this here for information purposes...not to argue with anyone about the pros and cons of this type of behavior. Also, the people who live in Nassau will try to sell you all kinds of things while you visit this beach. The 15 -20 minute ferry ride is fun but take note of where the dock so that you can get the ferry back to downtown Nassau. But if you miss the ferry or can't find the ferry landing on Paradise Island don't panic because there are lots of taxis available to take you back to Nassau.

 

Hope that this helps.

 

Fred

[Cuizer2]

Please note that the Paradise Island beach is a topless beach but no one really seems to care about this.

 

Fred

 

 

I don't recall ever seeing a beach that did have a top. Can you name one? Perhaps I'll go see what it looks like.