Grand Bahama Island

[sixbirches]

What was your favorite thing to do on Grand Bahama Island? My husband and I are on the Gem in April and are curious about beaches there. None of the excursions offered on the Gem sound that great. So we were wondering what people enjoyed here. Thanks for any info!

[zubee23]

Love Grand Bahama! We've been going for over twenty years. Can't really capture the island as a port stopover but you can try! Wear your bathing suit and coverup, bring a beach towel, get off the ship and take a shared taxi or bus to whatever says "Port Lucaya" or "Beach". Should be around $5 per person. Port Lucaya is where the beach, casino, hotels etc. are located. Plenty of restaurants ring Count Basie Square. Try some cracked conch, have a Bahama Mama and just chill. The beach is front of the Sheraton/Westin complex is right there and there's a beach shack for food and drinks just a short walk down the beach. If you have time, you can ask people where the police station is and head to the public bus stop right next to it. Bus drivers will take you to Taino Beach and arrange to pick you back up for around $2-3 each (each way). Just don't stay in the harbor area or head to downtown Freeport. There's nothing to see there and you'll get the wrong idea about Grand Bahama. Well, not wrong really, it's just not what I would be looking for as a tourist.

[sixbirches]

Love Grand Bahama! We've been going for over twenty years. Can't really capture the island as a port stopover but you can try! Wear your bathing suit and coverup, bring a beach towel, get off the ship and take a shared taxi or bus to whatever says "Port Lucaya" or "Beach". Should be around $5 per person. Port Lucaya is where the beach, casino, hotels etc. are located. Plenty of restaurants ring Count Basie Square. Try some cracked conch, have a Bahama Mama and just chill. The beach is front of the Sheraton/Westin complex is right there and there's a beach shack for food and drinks just a short walk down the beach. If you have time, you can ask people where the police station is and head to the public bus stop right next to it. Bus drivers will take you to Taino Beach and arrange to pick you back up for around $2-3 each (each way). Just don't stay in the harbor area or head to downtown Freeport. There's nothing to see there and you'll get the wrong idea about Grand Bahama. Well, not wrong really, it's just not what I would be looking for as a tourist.

 

 

 

Thanks for such a great response !! This info is exactly what we would love to do! Can't wait to go -- only six more weeks.:)

[bobsfamily]

Zubee is right - don't go to "freeport" as that is "downtown" and used to be the place to go that had all the shops, but several hurricanes tore it up bad and it has never recovered. Port Lucaya has become the area to go to. The casino is small, but fun. There must be 20 places to eat around Count Basie Square, but believe it or not the place for a "cheap" lunch is the Subway. Food is not cheap. Beer and drinks are cheapest around the square. If you go to the beach and order a drink from the swim-up bar be prepared - 8-10 dollars plus tip... beer is around $5-$6. Drinks are free while gambling.

IF you had more time and rented a car you could see all sorts of things - go eat at Bishops, go to the east end and feel like you have gone back in time.

Have fun!

[drbabe]

Are you on the 4/12 sailing of the Gem out of NYC?

[sixbirches]

Are you on the 4/12 sailing of the Gem out of NYC?

 

Yes, we are on the 4/12 Gem sailing. This is our first NCL cruise, so we are curious about the ship and the dining choices. We have done several other Caribbean cruises on other ships, but haven't done the Bahamas. Can't wait!

[suzimack]

Yes, we are on the 4/12 Gem sailing. This is our first NCL cruise, so we are curious about the ship and the dining choices. We have done several other Caribbean cruises on other ships, but haven't done the Bahamas. Can't wait!

 

Welcome to crising on NCL. Please join the gang on the NCL Roll call site. Find the post that says April 12th and see everyone who is planning to sail with you. We have set a Meet and Greet onboard for the first day at sea if you wish to join in. Jump on over to this thread and find out when and where. Welcome aboard..susan:D