Straw Market/Nassau -- love it or hate it??

[JayDeeJay]

The earlier thread about the straw market in Nassau got me to wondering ... have you been there too? What was your experience? I'd like to know, actually. I'd heard so much about it for years before we actually got there ... was quite surprised when reality bumped into legend. Am I in the minority?? What are YOUR thoughts?

[Lulachick]

Was not impressed!!

[quagmire0]

Besides Nassau being a useless port in general - very overcrowded and run down - the Straw Market was a waste of time as well. If you've ever been to a flea market in the United States, think of that - but think of that being stuffed into a much, much smaller area and covered with a tent. That's the Straw Market. :cool:

[MikeNKim]

I walked by it on my way to Senor Frogs but did not go in. I found it icky and a little scary actually. There are some nice little shops at the port I didn't feel the need to go in there.

 

Kim

[bguppies]

The Straw Market and Bay Street with all the shops in Nassau are the absolute worst parts of Nassau.

 

It always cracks me up when I read reviews about people crapping all over Nassau, then when you read deeper, the poster never got farther than the Straw Market or Bay Street and formulated their entire opinion of Nassau from the two most overcrowded, overated parts of town.

 

We have been twice this year and will be back again in September and we can't wait.

 

We always head straight out of the Welcome center and right past Bay Street and out into town, where the people are incredibly nice and helpful (unlike the salespeople mentality back near the pier) and the town is beautiful with tons of things to see and do.

 

Just check out this great thread from the Bahamas board.

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

We did this walking tour on both trips and saw different things each time.

This trip we are heading out past the British Colonial Hilton and checking out the other Fort, Charlotte and Ardastra Gardens and Zoo.

 

I am fine with all of the ill tempered short sighted people sticking with the crap areas of Nassau or staying on the ship or heading over to the fake, Disney/Vegas-esqe over at Atlantis. (If I want to see something like Atlantis, I'll head to Vegas.)

 

Bill

[ashleycrew]

I neither hate it nor love it. It is part of the experiance of Nassau. I definately did not feel it was unsafe and I have seen a lot less clean places in the US and other places.

[sharonny]

Too crowded, hot and stuffy :eek:. Did get some decent buys though and wished I hadn't passed on a couple of things. Hubby and kids literally abandoned me and went outside to wait.

 

Smiles!

[klfrodo]

 

I am fine with all of the ill tempered short sighted people sticking with the crap areas of Nassau or staying on the ship or heading over to the fake, Disney/Vegas-esqe over at Atlantis. (If I want to see something like Atlantis, I'll head to Vegas.)

 

Bill

 

:D

OK Bill,,

Now tell us how you REALLY feel about Atlantis ;)

 

Just kidding

 

 

 

Regarding the Straw Market, I've never been there. Our very first cruise was to Nassua and we thought that what we saw and who we met equalled a very beautiful island.

Didn't have any reason to fight with my fellow tourist in the Straw Market. If you like it, please feel free to give them a visit. If you don't, there is much more to see and do.

[heyitsmejudy]

I love the atmosphere, the bargains, the haggling... It's stuffy, run-down, dirty, crowded, the purses fake, the vendors pushy... but I enjoy every minute of it and don't miss it when I go! I enjoy interacting with the vendors, seeking out different things rather than the stuff you see at every other booth.

Is it my favorite thing to do in Nassau or in my favorite area? No... but it's right there at the port so I hit it, take my loot back to the ship and then I'm off to enjoy the better parts of Nassau.

[newistcruiseaddict]

Guess I'm in the middle. I think its worth at least one trip. Everyone MUST own a hand made straw purse..thats the real proof you've been to Nassau :D. I'm not crazy about Nassau as a port in general but we enjoyed our day shopping and wondering around there. We definitely prefer it to Freeport. The previous poster is correct, you just have to get away from the port area. We did wonder into town a ways. You know you've found it when all you see are banks, apartment buildings, and parking garages. If we go back I think we'll either book a snorkel excursion or do the walking tour.

[czcruiser13]

It's a unique place. If you want to barter you can get some good deals. It's worth a look see if you've never been.:)

[bguppies]

:D

OK Bill,,

Now tell us how you REALLY feel about Atlantis ;)

 

Just kidding

.

LOL....

Sorry, I just don't get the fascination with the place.

It is gorgeous.

It is a huge property.

It is incredibly overpriced. ($12 for a tiny bowl of Mac and Cheese)

 

I enjoy experiencing the culture of the places I visit.

Not some americanized theme park in a foreign country. (its like going to Europe and hitting Euro Disney and skipping the authentic castles littering the countryside)

 

But, hey, it is some people's cup of tea...

 

Bill

[heyitsmejudy]

LOL....

Sorry, I just don't get the fascination with the place.

It is gorgeous.

It is a huge property.

It is incredibly overpriced. ($12 for a tiny bowl of Mac and Cheese)

 

I enjoy experiencing the culture of the places I visit.

Not some americanized theme park in a foreign country. (its like going to Europe and hitting Euro Disney and skipping the authentic castles littering the countryside)

 

But, hey, it is some people's cup of tea...

 

Bill

 

Good Lord Bill! I completely agree. I just didn't get why everyone was rushing over there to pay and arm and a leg to go to a water park or a casino or look at fish. You're on a ship (casino) on the ocean (water) on a trip that offers snorkeling excursion (fish in the water).

[iteach]

The Straw Market is a bizarre bazaar! I enjoyed meandering through the labyrinth of fake purses and other assorted wares, but I have no interest in returning. I didn’t buy anything, but I’m glad I went.

[Peto]

Did they move the Straw Market ? I remember it being in it's own building when I was holed up about 10 years ago waiting for a storm to pass for 3 days .

[RVman]

I don’t care for Nassau or the Straw Market myself.

[critterfriend]

Went there once just to see what it was and "experience" it. That was enough for us. Did not find any good deals, nobody was really willing to go down on prices, but did buy 2 straw bags 1 for me and 1 for daughter.

[kimmimom]

walked down about 1 aisle and had to get out!

[mcfam5]

Did they move the Straw Market ? I remember it being in it's own building when I was holed up about 10 years ago waiting for a storm to pass for 3 days .

But, I believe there was a fire at the Straw Market several years ago, hence the new digs.

 

:o)

[ParrotHead79]

It is an experience that I think everyone should see. I have been to Tijuana MX several times, and it is much like the straw market. It is what you make of it. I enjoy the haggling and such. It is crowded and dirty, but oh well.

 

Go see it if you never have.

[tada]

We did the whole Nassau thing on our own. We went and saw all of the historic sites, looked around the town, and went to the straw market. Nassau looks very poor. Compared to other towns we visited on the Eastern Caribbean cruise, Nassau looked the worst. I'm sure there are nice parts, and that the people are nice, but it just didn't look that enticing. The straw market was very dark, the rows were very narrow, and there was a lot of the same stuff at every vendor. It was also very hot inside when we were there. We ended up going back to the ship a few hours early. Just my opinion.

[1BDNANA]

I found the straw market to be nasty.I went in late as they were closing to get a straw fan.I was there about 15min.s and saw 3 rats running around and lots and lots!!! of roaches.Nassau was great but I will pass on the straw market next time.

[jhsieh]

LOL....

Sorry, I just don't get the fascination with the place.

It is gorgeous.

It is a huge property.

It is incredibly overpriced. ($12 for a tiny bowl of Mac and Cheese)

 

I enjoy experiencing the culture of the places I visit.

Not some americanized theme park in a foreign country. (its like going to Europe and hitting Euro Disney and skipping the authentic castles littering the countryside)

 

But, hey, it is some people's cup of tea...

 

Bill

 

I totally agree about Atlantis. I haven't actually gone... so I don't want to "knock it until I try it", but it sounds like just another large, gaudy, over-priced hotel. Dosen't interest me at all. When I travel, I like to get as much of an authentic cultural experience as possible. I don't think that's what Atlantis is about. And besides, I can see gaudy hotels, a water park, the beach, and eat over-priced meals in my home town.

 

As for the Straw Market.... I haven't been to the new one, only the one before the fire. I liked it well enough, but I wasn't crazy about the merchandise. It seemed like everyone sold the same tacky crap. But, I did enjoy being there and looking around. Overall, a nice time.:)

 

Will be heading there in Sept. and definately plan on checking the new place out!

[gumballz]

As most everyone said, the Straw Market is crowded and dirty but it's very colorful so the photo ops can be great! Be prepared to pay if you take photos of locals though! :)

[cruisin_fanatic]

The earlier thread about the straw market in Nassau got me to wondering ... have you been there too? What was your experience? I'd like to know, actually. I'd heard so much about it for years before we actually got there ... was quite surprised when reality bumped into legend. Am I in the minority?? What are YOUR thoughts?

 

 

Speaking of my own personal experiences from this past April 07. I didnt experience any crowdedness as we were the only ship in port that day and me and my spouse were some of the first ones off the ship. We did realize a pattern after going down the first 2 rows...which was that every row is virtually the same, so if you go down 1 row, you have been down them all LOL. Someone did advise me however, that I should have gone to the last rows first as there were better deals on souvenir tshirts and knock off purses, but the vendors on the first few rows werent gonna budge. But we only spent about 20-25 minutes in there and then moved on to Atlantis. Hope this is helpful, as there really isnt a need to go down more than 2 rows in the straw market.