Nassau

Been there twice, in 2003 and again in 2012. Both times we went to Atlantis with day passes, both times it was my favorite day of my cruise. But I've basically ONLY seen Atlantis, and whatever we saw out the window on the shuttle to and from.

 

And I don't remember having to take out a second mortgage.:)

I'm with you PhoenixDawg. To me Atlantis is worth every penny. It's a safe environment (for those that are worried about that), lockers to put away your stuff for the day if need be and everything is clean and available. Money well spent.....even if you do end up eating peanut butter sandwiches when you get home:D

Like you we have been to Nassau many many times and like you we do not enjoy the strawmarket since they rebuilt it! This past January we did something we never did before, we got a private tour with Mario and we really really enjoyed his tour! For all the times we have been to Nassau we have never been to see Queen Ann's staircase which we found very intresting, he took us to see the "good" and "not so good" neighborhoods of the island and Atlantis just enough to chekc it out and put a few dollars in the quarter maching (which by the way my husband put $2 in and won $200!!!! :) We had a great city tour!! If you are intrested in this tour just email at megator2@aol.com and I will share his contact information with you.

We also enjoyed the Breeze all enclusive day a few years ago. Yes we have done the day pass at Atlantis a long time ago too, fun but very $$$$$ .

Thanks everyone for sharing! We weren't really looking forward to the Nassau port but now we have a few things to choose!

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Nassau was the first stop on our month long cruise holiday in Feb. We were only there from 9 til 2 so not a lot of time to really do anything. So we walked to Junkanoo beach and really enjoyed our first day in the sand just lay down our towels on the beach and people watched for an hour or 2. The straw market was the pushiest we have ever seen. Got our keychain and ran!!!!! I would like to come back here and spend a little more time.

Is the walk from the pier to the beach accessable by scooter. DH can walk short distance on the sand. Thanks in advance

Yes, there is a sidewalk the whole way from the pier to the beach. Once you get to the beach though there is sand. If I am not mistaken, even the area around the restrooms is paved.

I can't remember how good the sidewalks are though, I just remember that we always follow the sidewalk to Junkanoo.

One of the foodie tours is http://trubahamianfoodtours.com and we loved it. It's 11-2 or 2:30 so you need a full day in port, but it is so worth it. One of the stops is Graycliff for chocolates.

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After you have gone to the Straw Market once, no need to return IMHO. Lots of different people selling the exact same thing.

 

The last 3 times we have gone to Junkanoo beach and enjoy it quite a bit. There is a bar, clean public restrooms and the beach is clean. You can get 3 beers and 3 shots for $10. Also, fresh coconuts are $3. The same people have worked there for the last couple of years and are really nice.

Can you sit at the bar? Are they regular shots like tequila or jello shots?

I don't want to lay down by the beach.

After you have gone to the Straw Market once, no need to return IMHO. Lots of different people selling the exact same thing.

 

The last 3 times we have gone to Junkanoo beach and enjoy it quite a bit. There is a bar, clean public restrooms and the beach is clean. You can get 3 beers and 3 shots for $10. Also, fresh coconuts are $3. The same people have worked there for the last couple of years and are really nice.

I was just at Junkanoo on April 15 And the beach was filthy and trashy. I posted pics on another thread. Wish I had them on my tablet. There were beer bottles and cans everywhere. Trash from people eating and just leaving their trash behind. It wasn't a pretty sight but my grand kids had fun playing in the ocean for an hour r two.

Nassau is one stop they can do away with in my opinion. Well except for Atlantis, but who can afford all that every time you go?!?!?

Me 😃

So... there are two Junkanoo Beaches: one in Nassau and one in Freeport? Carnival offers an excursion to Junkanoo Beach in Freeport (which some friends did on their recent cruise, and LOVED!), but I keep getting the ports confused because of this...

So... there are two Junkanoo Beaches: one in Nassau and one in Freeport? Carnival offers an excursion to Junkanoo Beach in Freeport (which some friends did on their recent cruise, and LOVED!), but I keep getting the ports confused because of this...

Yes! The one in Freeport is great, with a bar/restaurant, bathroom facilities, kayaks, beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. I think it was less than $20 per person. We went on our own and had a very relaxing beach day. There weren't any organized excursions there, and we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. I'd highly suggest giving it a try.

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I don't think they have set tour times. We just showed up. At Graycliff, they checked to see if someone was available and there was, so we got our own private tour, just the two of us. The tour cost $10 a person and took about half an hour. Then we each got to sample a chocolate at the end.

 

The rum distillery tour is really informal. You go into the shop and they will give you a sample of each of the 3 rums. Then someone will walk you through the distillery building. But you can also just walk around on your own. It's free.

 

There are some pictures on my Enchantment of the Seas review. Here's a link. Scroll down to post #24

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1920685&page=2

 

The chocolate factory is closed on Sundays.

Hi - we will be in Nassau on Sunday, June 1. Do you know if these tours are available on Sunday's?

Thank you

One of the foodie tours is http://trubahamianfoodtours.com and we loved it. It's 11-2 or 2:30 so you need a full day in port, but it is so worth it. One of the stops is Graycliff for chocolates.

 

 

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That food tour looked like fun. Unfortunately, we are in Nassau on Sunday, June 1 and I checked on this tour and they are not open on Sunday. Next time I will need to make sure we are in Nassau on day other than Sunday.

Hi - we will be in Nassau on Sunday, June 1. Do you know if these tours are available on Sunday's?

 

Thank you

John Watling's is open on Sundays: http://www.johnwatlings.com/

The Graycliff chocolate factory is not open for tours on Sunday. I'm not sure if their gift shop is open or not.

Like many others on this thread, we have had very good excursions in Nassau.

We have always bypassed the Straw Market.

We have enjoyed the Atlantis Beach Break & Dig and also one time Atlantis on our own for a quick walk around the marina and shops.

We enjoyed the British Colonial Hilton, the Pirate Museum, and Ardastra

Gardens and Zoo.

We have especially enjoyed the Sheraton (now Melia) and just did the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter in March which was one of the best excursions.

We always look forward to returning to Nassau- we just don't stay near the pier.

Blue Lagoon is our favorite spot! Don't book through cruise. You can buy passes at the "info center" and pay half for about double the time. Go early!!

How long was the boat ride there and back? We are in port from 8am - 5 pm. I've read that the ride there and back can take a lot of time. Also, how much was the pass to just use the watersports and beach? What is included and what do you have to pay extra for? Thanks

How long was the boat ride there and back? We are in port from 8am - 5 pm. I've read that the ride there and back can take a lot of time. Also, how much was the pass to just use the watersports and beach? What is included and what do you have to pay extra for? Thanks

Found a site that says it is 3 miles off the coast of Nassau - http://swimwithdolphinsbahamas.com/bahamas-blue-lagoon-island/ and also says "Blue Lagoon Island has been rated the number one activity to do in the Bahamas, and reviews have said there is no other place like it. This pristine, pure, and clean island is exactly what most people envision when they think of taking a tropical adventure. This charming and primitive escape should be on anyone’s to-do list that is planning his or her vacation to the Bahamas."

Their official reservation site with times and cost of the trip plus cost of watersports etc is http://www.bahamasbluelagoon.com/reservations.php

We have friends that go there every time they are in Nassau, and they love it. Here is a description from another site: "Blue Lagoon Island is rarely, if ever, packed. Very few people make the journey out here. When you get out here, you will be welcomed by sun, wide beaches, and all kinds of opportunities for fun and relaxation. The island is small and you will be able to walk among native coconut trees and past unassuming hidden lagoons. You will be able to lie on the powdery white sand and work on your tan. Or swim in the warm, clear waters. Forget the dark, muddy waters found on other beaches. Out here, the waters are clean and clear year round." That was from http://swimwithdolphinsbahamas.com/blue-lagoon-island-beach-day/

The dolphin encounter has its own sign up site: http://swimwithdolphinsbahamas.com/blue-lagoon-dolphin-close-encounter/

We've been to Nassau quite a few times but the last time this past September wasn't all the great. Since the straw market was rebuilt, we found the people to be very rude and some of the stores not even worth walking in to. While we are accustomed to shopping and walking around the different ports and getting acquainted with the culture, we have found this particular port to be less than average. Forget going to Atlantis unless you plan on putting a second mortgage on your home especially if you're traveling with kids or a group of people. To me, Nassau has the potential to be a beautiful place with great people but sadly that's just not the case. Anyone else have any opinions, ideas, suggestions, please feel free to share.

 

 

Me

My mom and I did a cruise that included Nassau. We were not impressed at all with Nassau. However, we had a great time at the Atlantis. We just took a taxi over the bridge and did not do a ship's excursion. My mom loved to gamble and taking her to the Atlantis and it's gigantic casino will always be a favorite memory. She kept winning and had so much fun. I can still see the smile on her face. Plus, we loved the rest of the Atlantis and the beach as well.:):):)