First timer needs help!!!

[bas3335]

My dh and I will be going on our first cruise in September. We are taking the 4 day cruise from Port Canaveral on the Sensation to Freeport then to Nassau. My Carnival rep has been sooo helpful telling me tricky ways to save money. Everything to only getting one Fountain Drink car and sharing to telling me to dump out my bottled water and fill them with clear liquor. LOL But I do have some other questions...mostly about what to do at each port of call. We'd most like to shop and do the whole beach thing. We wanted to go to the Atlantis during the day but don't want to pay for the tour. I guess we will go at night. Could anyone reccommend anything to do? Has anyone gotten the day pass from the British Colonial Hilton for $15.00? W'd love to do that. Please help!!!!

[candigirl41]

You might want to post this on the ports of call board. Also check over there for great information from other cruisers. There is a lot of information, try the search feature.

 

Candi

[gumballz]

Welcome to cruising bas3335! You'll love it and be hooked!

 

I've been to both Freeport and Nassau. Freeport is more of an industrial port. You'll need to take a taxi into town for any shopping or to go to the beach. Basically, for anything. I believe we paid $5 per person each way. The taxi will take you to Port Lucaya Marketplace. There are a lot of little shops there and a very small open straw market. Across the street is a casino and hotel. Walk through the grounds, and by some more shops, and you'll come up on the beach. It's very pretty! There will be some vendors and hair braiders walking around, but I didn't feel that any were pushy at all. I just said no thank you and they smiled and kept walking.

 

In Nassau you can walk off the ship and into a shopping area very easily. There's an enclosed straw market there that's MUCH larger than the one in Freeport (and much more crowded!). There's also a pirate museum, carriage ride, Senor Frog's, etc in Nassau that's easily accessible. Atlantis is a taxi, bus or water taxi ride away.....but not too far and not expensive.

 

There are some nice beaches in Nassau. If you check out the Bahamas thread you'll find a wealth of information there!

 

Have fun! :)

[Brenda33]

I have a great plan for Nassau....its cheap too! Get off the ship....walk into town to the McDonalds....all locals will know where....only a couple blocks......take the number 10 Jitney (bus) to the Wyndham Resort on Cable Beach. Just walk right through their lobby like you belong and out on the beach. Grab a lounge chair and enjoy the day. There is parasailing, wave runners and a banana boat. Now here is the best part.....you can use their pool for free too! Noone cares....AND there is a big twisty slide leading into the pool!! I had the best day there. Did it on 2 different trips too. There is also an outside bar and you can order food too. Just don't go to the Radisson next door...they check for wrist bands. Oh, forgot to mention...the Jitney is only $1 per person each way. You can catch it every 20 minutes or so right outside the hotel. ENJOY!!!

 

And in Freeport there is a beach resort area across from the marketplace that you can use the beach for free too. You have to pay to rent a lounge chair ... $10...... not supposed to use pools, but after a casual walk, I jumped in and had some fun! LOL