Nassau and Scooter Rental -Good/Bad/Ugly

[fotomac1]

My wife and I just returned on Carnival Miracle and had a wonderfull time with the exception of Nassau. 20 years ago we were there and rented scooters and toured the island and loved the place. Boy has nassau changed and none of it for the good (except Atlantis). Let me start by saying this - everyone, including the on ship lectures, warn you not to rent scooters in nassau because of safety issues and they are correct unless you have experience. My wife and I have motorcycles and have been riding for many years so we are experienced and licensed. If you are not then don't even think about renting scooters. First off, there seems to be only one place to rent scooters and that is near the marketplace. After you pay them they give you a 10 second instruction on the scooter which is not understandable. Unless you have ridden scooters before you would not know how to start the bike when it stalls out which it will on many occasions (mine seemsed to have bad gas or water in the gas). My wife and I rode together on one bike because of traffic and opposite side of the rode riding which is difficult for everyone. Two rules in the beginning - pay cash and check the bike for any dings, dents, etc. and make note on contract. Don't give them your CC information. Our scooter ride was the low point of our trip. Traffic was awful even outside the downtown area. We got lost and ended up in areas that just did not look safe even in the daytime. You can only ride around Paradise island just so long and even that is not the paradise that we remembered. When we finally did find our way back after a few hours and returned the scooter is when the real fun begins. One of the five guys that are there starts with the damage to the bike scam. It seems that while my headlights were in place when I left that they loosened the screws and because of the poor road conditions that they came loose and fell in towards the body of the bike. The thug who rented me the bike (and they are all thugs) refused to give me back my $20 deposit. (original price was $40 rental for 3 hours, $10 gas, $10 insurance and $20 deposit that you are suppose to get back when you return the bike). To make a long story short I did get my $20 back but only after much shouting and threatening and almost getting the police involved which would have done me no good I am sure. My guess is that most people are intimidated by them and just walk away leaving them the $20 deposit. These are probably the same people that rent the ripoff jet skis that I read about. Unless you want to take a tour of a place that is getting worse with time, get hassled by the locals and then get into a fight when you return the sccoter, my suggestion is to not ever rent scooters in Nassau. Everywhere else we have rented scooters we have never had a problem even when I lost the key one time and had to hot wire the bike to get back. I will never go back to nassau. Not just because of the scooter experience but because (with the exception of Atlantis) the place has nothing to offer. The down town areas and shops are just more tourist junk. You don't feel safe once you leave the main drag except for Paridise Is. and even PI is now mostly condos and hotels with private beaches. We stopped at cabbage beach to check out and that was nothing special. Many people ask what to do in Nassau. My suggestion is don't go in the first place but if you must, here is what to do.

1. Visit Atlantis (just walk around)

2. Visit downtown shops by Pier and but junk for relatives back home.

3. That should take you the morning and the rest of the time go back on your ship and enjoy a very restful and enjoyable day with a much less crowed ship.

 

Signed - Turned off by Nassau!!!!

[bobsfamily]

My wife and I just returned on Carnival Miracle and had a wonderfull time with the exception of Nassau. 20 years ago we were there and rented scooters and toured the island and loved the place. Boy has nassau changed and none of it for the good (except Atlantis). Let me start by saying this - everyone, including the on ship lectures, warn you not to rent scooters in nassau because of safety issues and they are correct unless you have experience. My wife and I have motorcycles and have been riding for many years so we are experienced and licensed. If you are not then don't even think about renting scooters. First off, there seems to be only one place to rent scooters and that is near the marketplace. After you pay them they give you a 10 second instruction on the scooter which is not understandable. Unless you have ridden scooters before you would not know how to start the bike when it stalls out which it will on many occasions (mine seemsed to have bad gas or water in the gas). My wife and I rode together on one bike because of traffic and opposite side of the rode riding which is difficult for everyone. Two rules in the beginning - pay cash and check the bike for any dings, dents, etc. and make note on contract. Don't give them your CC information. Our scooter ride was the low point of our trip. Traffic was awful even outside the downtown area. We got lost and ended up in areas that just did not look safe even in the daytime. You can only ride around Paradise island just so long and even that is not the paradise that we remembered. When we finally did find our way back after a few hours and returned the scooter is when the real fun begins. One of the five guys that are there starts with the damage to the bike scam. It seems that while my headlights were in place when I left that they loosened the screws and because of the poor road conditions that they came loose and fell in towards the body of the bike. The thug who rented me the bike (and they are all thugs) refused to give me back my $20 deposit. (original price was $40 rental for 3 hours, $10 gas, $10 insurance and $20 deposit that you are suppose to get back when you return the bike). To make a long story short I did get my $20 back but only after much shouting and threatening and almost getting the police involved which would have done me no good I am sure. My guess is that most people are intimidated by them and just walk away leaving them the $20 deposit. These are probably the same people that rent the ripoff jet skis that I read about. Unless you want to take a tour of a place that is getting worse with time, get hassled by the locals and then get into a fight when you return the sccoter, my suggestion is to not ever rent scooters in Nassau. Everywhere else we have rented scooters we have never had a problem even when I lost the key one time and had to hot wire the bike to get back. I will never go back to nassau. Not just because of the scooter experience but because (with the exception of Atlantis) the place has nothing to offer. The down town areas and shops are just more tourist junk. You don't feel safe once you leave the main drag except for Paridise Is. and even PI is now mostly condos and hotels with private beaches. We stopped at cabbage beach to check out and that was nothing special. Many people ask what to do in Nassau. My suggestion is don't go in the first place but if you must, here is what to do.

1. Visit Atlantis (just walk around)

2. Visit downtown shops by Pier and but junk for relatives back home.

3. That should take you the morning and the rest of the time go back on your ship and enjoy a very restful and enjoyable day with a much less crowed ship.

 

Signed - Turned off by Nassau!!!!

 

Boy what a time you had.... PEOPLE TELL YOU NO SCOOTERS and what do you do? RENT ONE.... your bad time was made by bad decisions right off... Were you to take a cab somewhere nice... OTHER than a rip-off place like Atlantis, you would have had a wonderful time... We will be in Nassau is 3 days and look forward to meeting friends and having a great time at the Wyndham resort. It's probably best that you don't go back.

[bajathree]

Boy what a time you had.... PEOPLE TELL YOU NO SCOOTERS and what do you do? RENT ONE.... your bad time was made by bad decisions right off... Were you to take a cab somewhere nice... OTHER than a rip-off place like Atlantis, you would have had a wonderful time... We will be in Nassau is 3 days and look forward to meeting friends and having a great time at the Wyndham resort. It's probably best that you don't go back.

 

 

It is amazing how intimidated people get by Atlantis.....completly agree with the OP....take it from someone who has been frequenting Nassau for over 30 years...if you want something nice to do for the day in Nassau...Atlantis wouldn't disappoint....yes it's expensive and yes prices for things are crazy....so what it's a luxury resort stuck in the middle of the Bahamas...what do people expect:confused:that doesn't mean you can't go there and totally enjoy and appreciate the MANY free things there are to do there....walk around the lobby, see the casino...see parts of the aquarium...check out some works of art....walk around the marina and gawk at some of the most expensive yachts in the Caribbean....if you can handle all that without spending a dime and not get intimidated then you will LOVE Atlantis:)

[scubagirrl]

It is amazing how intimidated people get by Atlantis.....completly agree with the OP....take it from someone who has been frequenting Nassau for over 30 years...if you want something nice to do for the day in Nassau...Atlantis wouldn't disappoint....yes it's expensive and yes prices for things are crazy....so what it's a luxury resort stuck in the middle of the Bahamas...what do people expect:confused:that doesn't mean you can't go there and totally enjoy and appreciate the MANY free things there are to do there....walk around the lobby, see the casino...see parts of the aquarium...check out some works of art....walk around the marina and gawk at some of the most expensive yachts in the Caribbean....if you can handle all that without spending a dime and not get intimidated then you will LOVE Atlantis:)

 

Oh. and don't forget ... they can rub elbows with the 8000 or so other guests and cruisers while listening to their precious squealing kiddies..

 

NO THANKS.. I'll pass..

[hamrhdz]

If your ship is in port on a saturday, I'd stay away from Atlantis. In fact, I might not even get off the ship. When you see 5 other cruise ships in port,

and very few tourist attractions, you can imagine the crowds.

I spend approx. six months a year living and working at Atlantis. Saturdays are a zoo.

Today is Saturday, I'm in my room at the Coral Towers and I don't have to work. I'm leaving property, renting a scooter, going to Potters cay for some chicken souse. Then I'll head out to the Caves for a frozen Daquori, and onto Compass Pointe for an appetizer and another beverage. Finally back to Potters Cay for some Conch salad and some Barracuda.

If I were you, I'd do the same.

[nancychic]

If your ship is in port on a saturday, I'd stay away from Atlantis. In fact, I might not even get off the ship. When you see 5 other cruise ships in port,

and very few tourist attractions, you can imagine the crowds.

I spend approx. six months a year living and working at Atlantis. Saturdays are a zoo.

Today is Saturday, I'm in my room at the Coral Towers and I don't have to work. I'm leaving property, renting a scooter, going to Potters cay for some chicken souse. Then I'll head out to the Caves for a frozen Daquori, and onto Compass Pointe for an appetizer and another beverage. Finally back to Potters Cay for some Conch salad and some Barracuda.

If I were you, I'd do the same.

 

So where do you rent your scooter from? Your day sounds perfect to me too!

[SteelerCruiser]

I know there is a place by the pier just inside the gate where the taxis pull into the waiting area. But Please Beware! I had a similar question and post on here but was informed by several people that the scooter will try to scam you by blaming you for damage to the scooter that you did not cause. then threaten to call the police if you refuse to pay. not the ideal situation in a foreign country! Then there is the driving on the wrong side, bad road conditions, and horrible drivers! These are some of the warnings I received in my post so just be aware!

[WrldTrvlr13]

So where do you rent your scooter from? Your day sounds perfect to me too!

 

Heading to the Nassau in June, reeeeeally want to rent scooters, did you find any good places?

[bobsfamily]

Heading to the Nassau in June, reeeeeally want to rent scooters, did you find any good places?

Rent a scooter is a guaranteed way to shorten your cruise fun... either with a trip to the local hospital - which is much better than being a "donor" -or possibly a trip to the jail.

 

Please DO NOT rent these Death Traps!

[mjkacmom]

I've heard nothing but bad things about scooter and jet ski rentals. We've always had a great time in Nassau, day pass at the Hilton, day pass at the Sheraton (now Melia), and Atlantis aqua adventure twice (really can't do anything at Atlantis without a pass these days). We've never had a bad time. I'd like to try Blue Lagoon, and do one of the walking tours.

[throbbinwood]

I may be resurrecting an old thread here but I thought I'd share my Nassau scooter experience.

 

I was a bit apprehensive to my close friend suggesting a scooter rental followed by bar hopping since I'm a FL corrections officer and I'd rather not get arrested in the Bahamas (or anywhere).

 

I'd never driven a scooter or motorcycle and was definitely nervous at first. My only complaint was the gas tank on my scooter was only half full (which I didn't realize at first, my mistake).

 

You can sense the scamy bull**** soon as you get off the boat. We were naive and selected the first scooter salesman which turned out OK in our case. The roads were fine and a joy to drive as there were changing in elevation and winding (I'm used to flat Florida). Once I got used to the scooter I loosened up. I refilled the tank at a local shell, $4 no big deal. Upon return I let them have the deposit as I enjoyed my time that much.

 

I didn't research Nassau prior or I would have been a bit more cautious. I did feel a sense of unease at times but we stuck to the coast. I'd recommend not going inland as you run a much higher risk of getting mugged etc.

 

In all it was a good experience. Inspect the scooter before you rent and wear the helmet. Good luck!

[pacificjuice]

Today is Saturday, I'm in my room at the Coral Towers and I don't have to work. I'm leaving property, renting a scooter, going to Potters cay for some chicken souse. Then I'll head out to the Caves for a frozen Daquori, and onto Compass Pointe for an appetizer and another beverage. Finally back to Potters Cay for some Conch salad and some Barracuda.

If I were you, I'd do the same.

 

We are 3 and is it better to rent a scooter for the fun of it and go to these places around the island in 2-3 hours? Would you recommend scooters or a car? I like to go to cable beach and hang there too. Where are all these places? Any cheap local fish restaurants along the way?