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A little disapointed... please help

AtoZgirl

By AtoZgirl,
in Bahamas

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AtoZgirl

AtoZgirl

Posted
Posted

So I'll be crusing on the Carnival Sensation in October and we're going to Freeport and then Nassau. I usually come to cruisecritics to find information about the cruises I go on.... BUT there is a huge lack of information on the Bahamas (specifically Freeport and Nassau). And what I do see is about hotels and no actual excursions. I can go to a water park here in the US.

 

So, for all of you out there that has been to the above mentioned places, what information (websites, companies, etc) can you give me about actually excursions - aside from the expensive ones actually offered by Carnival. Shopping tips are welcomed, too!

 

Thanks in advance:D

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JenaMH

JenaMH

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I just got back from a 4 day cruise on the Sensation.

 

I'd been to Nassau once before, and I don't really see it as a place you'd need to book an excursion for. I looked up points of interest online (Queens Staircase, the forts, straw market, etc.) and we just took out with a map and explored on our own. Everything is a short walking distance from the port. This past trip, we took a water taxi ($3 each way) to Paradise Island, and walked around the Atlantis area. The water taxis always have a 'story teller' on them, so it makes for interesting listening.

 

I'm not sure what your interests are, so more information would be needed, but with Nassau there is plenty to fill a day on your own. :) Any time left over can be spent in the straw market, hard rock cafe, or even Senor Frogs on the water.

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TakeMeAway1001

TakeMeAway1001

Posted
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I agree with you, this has been the hardest cruise for us to plan excursions for. We are stopping in Freeport and we were going to stay on the ship but decided to go with www.trikkpony.com for some horseback riding. It's something different and I have read some great reviews on Trip Advisor. We also considered a day sail with a local that we read about on CC but he never replied to our email so we had to pick something else. DD is pretty excited about the horseback riding:)

It just seems like the Ports of Call boards aren't frequented much so it's hard to get replies, when the search function is working I find really old postings. Have a great cruise :)

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bobsfamily

bobsfamily

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I'm not sure what you are talking about... if you read some of the threads below (last 20 or 30) you will find a wealth of info about the island and what it has to offer. If you are looking for a specific review of excursions provided by the cruise ship that is not as common as most people here are interested is things NOT provided by the ship. Read away and learn.... BTW if you have a specific question ask... but don't put the Bahamas section down just because you can't find something.

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scubagirrl

scubagirrl

Posted
Posted
So I'll be crusing on the Carnival Sensation in October and we're going to Freeport and then Nassau. I usually come to cruisecritics to find information about the cruises I go on.... BUT there is a huge lack of information on the Bahamas (specifically Freeport and Nassau). And what I do see is about hotels and no actual excursions. I can go to a water park here in the US.

 

So, for all of you out there that has been to the above mentioned places, what information (websites, companies, etc) can you give me about actually excursions - aside from the expensive ones actually offered by Carnival. Shopping tips are welcomed, too!

 

Thanks in advance:D

 

 

There's tons of good information here.. but I'll try and point you in the right direction. Even the bahamas tourism sites have great info.

www.bahamas.com, www.nassauparadiseisland.com

 

 

In Nassau:

Flying cloud and seahorse have terrific catamaran/ snorkeling tours.

www.flyingcloud.info

www.seahorsesailingadventures.com

 

America's cup racing - www.sailnassau.com

If you have time the powerboat tour to Exuma is terrific. www.powerboatadventures.com

or the dolphins at Blue lagoon. www.dolphinencounters.com

 

Pirates museum - www.pirates-of-nassau.com

blackbeards cay - http://blackbeardscay.shoreadventures.net/

 

There's the yellow bird or Sea Island Adventure from the wharf that take you to Blackbeards for a beach day as well. You can just board them at the wharf.

 

Stuart Cove has a shark snorkeling tour .. and diving if that's your thing.

www.stuartcove.com

Bahama Divers has the same.. but no sharks. www.bahamadivers.com

 

http://bahamascruiseexcursions.com/IslandMarketingLtd.htm

 

As for shopping, the straw market is located on the wharf.. and you go thru Festival place as you leave the port. All of Bay Street, which runs parallel to the wharf.. is a shopping mecca.

 

Sorry, I can't help with Freeport.

 

But here's a link that might be helpful

 

http://bahamastourcenter.com/tour/Tours?id=18

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excalwop

excalwop

Posted
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In Oct. 2006 We arrive in Nassau for the 1st time Had a afternoon Stuart Cove snorkel with shark tour .

We stopped at the info booth aftergetting off the ship got a map and used it to visit the area

walked to the Queens steps We arrived before the tours from the Ship Walk up them.( be sure to count them). Be sure to talk to the guy at the top of the steps He has some great tales ( Some are really true :o .. Then walked to the Fort And down the hill back into town did some shopping . Dropped off our loot in our cabins and just made it to our pickup point ( They arrived early)

Nice ride to the Hotels for pickups and to the dive shop

The Snorkel tour was good seen all types of fish some rays and two sharks befor doing the shark snorkel.

The ride back to the ship was the best part of fthe tour.:p Took the back way to the ship for we were running late The mini bus took the outside mirrors off of two vehicles turn a one way street into a two way gjive us a great view of the homes of the locals. Made it back with 10 minutes before ship sailing. Should have seen the sides of that bus.. The djiver said that none of his passagers has never missed thier ship and we were not to be his first

Paul

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bobsfamily

bobsfamily

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Scubagirl - nice list. I guess I should have posted info...

 

As for Freeport... Well the ship docks in an industrial area and you will need to take a taxi to any "tourist" area... heck you need a taxi to go anywhere as there is really nothing at the pier/port.

 

The excursions thru the ship are fine and in this instance may be worth it as the ship is in the boonies. Our Lucaya is where most people go for shopping/food/drinks/bars/casino/beach. The Westin/Sheraton complex will sometimes (I think it depends on the season) sell wristbands that allow the use of their pools/bathrooms/beach chairs. It is possible to go to the beach without the price, but no bathrooms/chairs/pools.

 

Our Lucaya marketplace has many shops/bars/eateries and has public bathrooms. It is across from Westin... all stuff is within a small area and is very walkable.

 

An alternative is the Wyndham Viva Fortuna which is an AI. I think it is around $60-70pp plus taxi. All you can eat/drink for one price with a very nice beach. It is not near anything so if shopping is a must this is not the place.

 

Hope this helps.

 

http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/island/amexintro.aspx?island=gran

 

http://www.portlucayamarketplace.com/

 

http://www.snorkelfreeport.com/Home_Page.html

 

http://www.geographia.com/grandbahama/

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scubagirrl

scubagirrl

Posted
Posted
So I'll be crusing on the Carnival Sensation in October and we're going to Freeport and then Nassau. I usually come to cruisecritics to find information about the cruises I go on.... BUT there is a huge lack of information on the Bahamas (specifically Freeport and Nassau). And what I do see is about hotels and no actual excursions. I can go to a water park here in the US.

 

So, for all of you out there that has been to the above mentioned places, what information (websites, companies, etc) can you give me about actually excursions - aside from the expensive ones actually offered by Carnival. Shopping tips are welcomed, too!

 

Thanks in advance:D

 

duplicate..

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Snorkel2Much

Snorkel2Much

Posted
Posted
Dumb question but had to ask.............We are going to Nassau and Freeport but mixed in all that I read there is a lot on Grand Bahamas. Please explain how Grand Bahamas plays into these two.

The city of Nassau and it's harbor are on New Providence Island

 

Atlantis resort is on Paradise Island immediately adjacent to Nassau Harbor, and accessible from Nassau via bridge or water taxi.

 

The city of Freeport is on Grand Bahamas Island, over 100 miles from Nassau.

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anamanxs

anamanxs

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There are lots of post on the booze. We brought back about 12 on our last cruise. You are allowed 2 each or were. We claimed 4 each, they didn't want to file the paperwork for the taxes so just sent us through. Always get a porter they know everybody get in easier.

 

We were told if you do claim it you just have to pay tax about a $1.00 or so a bottle, don't know for sure about that since never had to do. Before that we never claimed any but wanted to claim what we bought on the ship.

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  • 2 years later...
firegal773

firegal773

Posted
Posted
There are lots of post on the booze. We brought back about 12 on our last cruise. You are allowed 2 each or were. We claimed 4 each, they didn't want to file the paperwork for the taxes so just sent us through. Always get a porter they know everybody get in easier.

 

We were told if you do claim it you just have to pay tax about a $1.00 or so a bottle, don't know for sure about that since never had to do. Before that we never claimed any but wanted to claim what we bought on the ship.

 

We were told by customs that we are allowed 1 liter per person free and then each additional bottle is what you are charged on. Also, it goes by the proof of the alcohol, so each bottle of crown will be assessed higher than baileys etc. Also they told us that they do not collect the duties unless off of claimed alcohol unless the duties add up to over $10. We claimed 12 bottles one trip and only had about $7 so they sent us on along. :)

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