Do you think i can play it by ear and hire my own taxi for family of five

I've spent hours reading and planning our upcoming cruise and figuring out excursions. It takes a while to read all the options and then figure out what is best for our family of 5 (kids ages 10-15). We have never cruised with our kids before (We cruised 2 weeks for honeymoon 17 years ago and 4 night 12 years ago, we stopped at Bahamas and wasn't impressed). When cruised our 2 weeks we booked a couple of cruiseline excursions but quickly realized it was much more fun to get off on an island and hire a cap for 4-6 hours and have them take us to all the local highlights. We loved it and it worked great as a couple.

Stick with me, I'm getting to my question... but first my thoughts leading me up to the question. Bahamas is the first day on our cruise and we arrive at 7am and leave at 2pm. I found a simple 2.5 hour cheap tour with good reviews (Nassau Shore Excursions: Island Highlights) and looks fund but the problem is it starts at 9:30am, which is 8:30 am ship time, the night before we're booked for late dinning and a late show. So no one wants to fill rushed on the first morning of a cruise. Do you think we can wake up whenever we want, eat on the ship then get off and hire a cab for 2 hours to take us to different island highlights and drop us off at Cable beach and still pay about the same as hiring the excursion? The excursion (booking through Trip advisor) was only $90 for the 5 of us. It takes you to Atlantis's for 30 minutes (I think the kids will like seeing it but I know there's nothing to do without a pass), queen anne steps (free), Rum Cake Factory & Graycliff Chocolate factory.(we'll all like those) and a distillery (not sure about one). I know on the other islands I want to get things planned and booked ahead of time but I think for the Bahamas since it's such an early port and we don't stay long it might be best to play it by ear, but I don't want it to backfire and get off the boat and not be able to find a cab to take us around... thoughts!

We did something similar to what you asking. We got off boat and hired guide, right at port. We had four in our party. We were in a van, so they could accommodate more people if necessary. Marcus took us to the Fort, Victoria's staircase, a cave w/bats that also had the Junkaroo costumes we could dress up in and hear history(for a small tip) he showed us where the new casino was being built ( huge uproar over that one as its still not completed) and this was 2013. The soccer stadium the Chinese built, and took us to where some the locals live. He showed us the water pumps, for the communities, cause not everyone has running water in home. He was a wealth of information and a local so he could answer all our questions.

We then stopped at fish Fry and had lunch, which was excellent. He left the tour up to us, asked what we were interested in and then showed us. I cant remember what we paid for the couple of hours he was with us, but it was not too much. He dropped us off back at port but I'm sure it would be no problem to drop off by Cable beach.

I still have his contact information, email address, he was on Viber so you could call him. I would be happy to share as he was great...I'm just not sure if that's allowed...may have to be thru direct/private message..

:) Thank you for this great information. Yes, if you still have his contact info, I'll take it. Can you drop me an email? Leslie@Brandowfamily.com

Hi Cumberlandga,

Would you please forward that info to me also? yvette3339@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Yvette

Did you stop by the zoo on your tour?

No, we didn't see zoo but we didn't request either. I just sent screenshot of the contact info I have. Good luck!

Well, I've been to Nassau three times. (Twice on Freedom and once on Allure of the Seas) and I may sound like a wet blanket but I don't care to go back. If a cruise has it on it's list of ports, my wife and I will probably stay on the ship. Nothing against the Bahamian people, it's just not a very interesting place for me. The last time we took an excursion and it still was very boring. St. Kitts.....great, St. Thomas.....great, St Maartin.....great, Bahamas....blah. Sorry.

I understand, we have several in our party that are not getting off boat.

Nassau is ok, my all time favorite activity was Powerboat Adventures, they take you south on a very fast boat, we went to lizard island and fed lizards grapes on sticks then to another set of islands where we got to touch stingrays and watch them chum the water to feed the sharks. We then snorkeled in same water with sharks, that was very cool. I have not seen it offered on cruise excursions but having already taken the tour, I haven't been looking for it, we were staying at Atlantis when we did the tour. If my husband wasn't a gambler we probably would not be getting off boat but he wants to hit casino and another family member wants to buy some Cuban cigars.

:) Thanks for all your thoughts. I'm going to contact Marcus. I had not heard about the cave with bats, that sounds like something my family would live. I agree that this is the least favorite stop on the trip, so that's why I don't want to spend much money and want to sleep in before getting off the boat. The speed boat to an island feeding the iguanas sounds great but since our boat leaves at 2... there just isn't much time.

May I have Marcus information too? tbuissereth@gmail.com

By the way, my plan worked perfectly - we just got off when we wanted and hired a driver for the day (sorry, can't remember who, but he owned his own company) and we had a great 2 hour tour of the island.

By the way, my plan worked perfectly - we just got off when we wanted and hired a driver for the day (sorry, can't remember who, but he owned his own company) and we had a great 2 hour tour of the island.

Glad that worked out for you! If you end up remembering his name, let me know

By the way, my plan worked perfectly - we just got off when we wanted and hired a driver for the day (sorry, can't remember who, but he owned his own company) and we had a great 2 hour tour of the island.

Good to know!

How much was the tour? What did you see on it?

Good to know!

How much was the tour? What did you see on it?

As of May 1st, the tour rates are going up.

The hourly rate for tour cars with seating capacity of up to 5 people has increased from $45 to $55, while those seating more than 5 has gone from $60 to $70. Similarly, the 30 minute waiting times for taxis seating up to 5 passengers has gone from $22.50 to $27, and the larger vehicles from $30 to $35. Tip is not included.

Its been more than 8 years since there was an increase. Well needed.

You can ask your driver for specific things you would like to see, or they will suggest places of interest.