Nassau questions - no help from Bahamas board

[bkreader]

Not very many people seem to go to the Cruise Critic Bahamas board. I've asked a couple questions there and can't get any answers, so I thought I'd try again with this friendly bunch. :)

DH & I will be in Nassau for a long day January 6th from the Westerdam. We are 62 and 56, respectively, but have no real physical impairment other than a few too many pounds. :o We've never been there before. I am not much into walking around looking at historic sites and we don't plan any shopping. We were thinking about SeaWorld Explorer, Crystal Cay Marine Park, Atlantis, Stingray City, Paradise Island, or just taking a snorkel sail. What have you done that you would recommend? Could be an independent operator. Oh, we also don't want to spend too much money so have ruled out Comfort Suites at Atlantis.

Also, as far as we can figure out, there is no place in Nassau that my husband (a private pilot) can rent a plane for an hour. Does anyone know of anyplace?

Any and all frank and honest comments about any of the above would be very much appreciated - Golly I hope this thread doesn't get moved over to the Bahama board! :D - Jane

[HeatherInFlorida]

[font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=navy]I'm not a huge fan of Nassau. The first time we went we took the tour over to the Atlantis. It was a combination "Historic Harbour Cruise" (total ripoff) and tour of the Atlantis. The reason we took the tour is because the Atlantis charges you $20+ to tour the Aquarium (which is what we wanted to see) so for a few $$ more we got the ride over.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=#000080][/color][/size][/font]
[font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=#000080]But it is a lot of walking so if you don't want to do that, grab a cab at the pier and go over. I[/color][/size][/font][font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=navy] would definitely recommend the Aquarium at the Atlantis. The Atlantis itself isn't my style, but many love it and it is worth seeing at least once. If it's your first time in Nassau, go there. When we returned to Nassau last week on our cruise, I barely got off the ship. So hopefully someone else can give you some other good ideas. There is a straw market not far from where you're docked if you enjoy a little shopping.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=navy][/color][/size][/font]
[font=Franklin Gothic Medium][size=3][color=navy]Have a wonderful trip and come back and tell us all about it![/color][/size][/font]

[jhannah]

You don't want to spend too much money, yet you're interested in renting an airplane? What am I missing?

Atlantis is a neat place to visit. The Dig costs $25 per person and is really enjoyable. You may also stroll the grounds (which are beautiful) and visit the casino for a little action. You can also take a horse and buggy ride. They line up just outside the port area.

[Golfgrl1911]

For about $3.00 per person you can take a water taxi over to Paradise Island (and back). From the port area there it is a short walk to the Atlantis. It is a fabulous place to see. However you are restricted to certain area as the resort has "guards" to make sure that you don't go into the pool & beach areas with out a room card. You must be a guest at the resort to have full run of the place. If you get hungry try Murray's Deli at the Atlantis.......not very expensive, very good and the portions are huge. Do try and see the "Digs". It is like nothing you've ever seen!! Make sure and take your camera as well. And don't forget to see the casino.....if you're gambling drinks are free but don't forget to tip or you will never see the server again. Have fun!! Chef Nancy:)

[K&RCurt]

There are two FBO's at the Nassau Intl Airport (MYNN):

Executive Flight Support 242-377-3355

Million Air 242-377-3108

I'm sure either one would be able to advise you of rental aircraft available at the airport.

Happy Cruising & Happy Flying!

[Lokalona]

I agree that Nassau is not my favorite stop. The highlight last week was seeing the private yacht the Octopuss docked right in front of our ship.

I have rather long hair, so the braiding people chase me around this island more than any...I always decline politely as I know it is how they make their living, yet there seem to be hordes of them.

I would opt for a boat trip to another island. The dolphin swim is very neat. I just usually hang out on the boat on this stop, we did go to Hard Rock for a appetiser and some T shirts for the kids.

[tim agg]

I'm not fussy about downtown Nassau, but have had a couple of splendid snorkel tours [HAL shore ex] here - last September our trip included three stops: a fish-laden reef, a reef with a sunken airplane [from a James Bond movie], and a chance to snorkel [safely :)] above reef sharks. A wonderful, well-run excursion!

[Peggy Sue]

Not one of our favorite ports. Just off the Volendam and didn't get off the ship in Nassau. It was a short call, as we left at 12:30...didn't hurt my feelings to pull away from the pier and head out to sea!!

On a previous trip, we rented a room at the atlantis so we could have access to the resort. We used their pools, beach and went through the dig site. It was a great day.

I agree with Heather, the atlantis isn't our cup of tea for a longer stay...but for a day, we really enjoyed checking out all it had to offer.

We took a taxi over and back. I don't recall it being that expensive.

We seldom do any ship tours. Always find it's less expensive, less crowded, and more enjoyable to strike out on our own.

Good luck with your planning!!

[bkreader]

[quote name='jhannah']You don't want to spend too much money, yet you're interested in renting an airplane? What am I missing?[QUOTE]

That does sound contradictory, doesn't it? :) The DH is so much into airplanes that he might spring for this if he could get it for less than $100, which he can do around here, but is not likely to be able to do down there. If he did, we would have to be very stingy about doing anything else, but it's important to me that he has a fabulous time - I am hoping he will want to go cruising again someday! - Jane

[bkreader]

Thanks so much to K&RKurt for the airplane info. We will check into this. Thanks also to everyone else for the good suggestions, which I will surely keep in mind.

One more question - Will the water be too cool in January to snorkel? I've only snorkeled down in the Cays in April, when it was comfortable.

Thanks so much to all - I knew I could count on you - Jane

[Stevesan]

Nassau, including the rest of the Bahamas, is reknown for water sports.
If you really enjoy snorkeling, allow me to suggest the second best snorkel trip in the Caribbean - Stuart's Cove:

[url="http://www.dive-bahamas.com/"]http://www.dive-bahamas.com/[/url]

BTW - the water temperature in the Bahamas approximates that of Florida's Atlantic coast. It's not as warm as St Thomas, but it is comfortable enough for snorkeling throughout winter.

[size=3][font=Times New Roman][b][u]Nassau:[/u] [/b]“Snorkel Bahamas Adventure” is a 5-½ hour trip operated by Stuart’s Cove. The boat trip is @ three hours, and visits Schoolhouse Reef, the spectacular Golden Key Reef and finally a “swim with the sharks” at ‘[u]The Wreck of the Bahama Mama[/u]’. I have never witnessed such a number and variety of fish as at Golden Key. There are never-ending fish, large and small, singly and in large schools. The floor is decorated with huge, magnificent coral formations of all shapes and sizes. While there, a shark cruised past our group. He obviously thought this was his ocean and didn’t know, nor care, that we weren’t scheduled for a shark encounter until after Golden Key. Surprisingly, getting in with a dozen or so sharks is not frightening. I suspect we were too caught up with their grace and magnificence to be frightened. The fact that the boat captain hadn’t lost a diver in twelve years was also encouraging.:) This is a five star, gold medallion, prime trip, not to be missed![/font][/size]

[kelelmel]

Jane, Tim and Stevesan are right. HAL offers an excursion called Snorkel Bahamas in which they take you to 3 different snorkel sights. Neither me nor my fiancee were overly enthused when we booked it but we were feeling a little desperate because we did not want to be stuck wandering aimlessly on the island. So glad we booked it. It was one of the best excursions we ever did. I am not really big into snorkeling, would prefer to dive, but this was cool. Of course, swimming with the reef sharks was the highlight. I wasn't even sure I was going to get off the boat when we came to the shark stop (you don't have to) but everyone else did and it was a great experience. It was a [i][b]great[/b][/i] photo opportunity. If you decide to do it, definetely bring an underwater camera and your regular camera.

~Kelly

[Thoth]

Some will tell you how they don't care for Nassau, so i'll speak up in favor of this port. When I visited there I took a Forts and pirates tour which was quit a bit of fun. Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle each date from the 1600's as I recall. The Pirate's museum was a neat history stop.