to Nassau or stay on the ship?

We are cruising on RC Oasis of the sea Jan 23 2016 for seven days to Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. My wife and I have cruised 3 time before to different ports not Nassau. our friends it is there first time. we have heard not so good things about Nassau. the reason for the choice of this port is because of the ship and eastern caribbean (st thomas and st maartien) we are looking for options on Nassau or to just stay on the ship and enjoy the time with no crowds.

We are cruising on RC Oasis of the sea Jan 23 2016 for seven days to Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. My wife and I have cruised 3 time before to different ports not Nassau. our friends it is there first time. we have heard not so good things about Nassau. the reason for the choice of this port is because of the ship and eastern caribbean (st thomas and st maartien) we are looking for options on Nassau or to just stay on the ship and enjoy the time with no crowds.

What are these, 'Not so good things' that you have heard?

If you don't want to do an excursion, just get off the ship and wander about in the town. Many things to see and do, many shops and local vendors. You don't have to spend all day, but if you have never been, why deprive yourself.

Cheers

Len

In January the weather can be quite chilly in Nassau or might be very nice.

A good plan would be to wait until you arrive to decide on what you would like to do.

Just going to Senor Frog's is always an option. :D

LuLu

I would not stay on the ship-ever. How can I decide if I want to go back some place, if I have never experienced that place? I have been there 4 times on cruises (once for a land vacation)-I love to swim, and am not too fond of the people soup pools on the ships. Nassau has lovely beaches, try Melia for a day pass (the old Sheritan) or blue Lagoon, or the Colonial Hotel. The pirate Musuem, a historical walking tour (be careful on the sidewalks-watch where you step) the zoo, Atlantis (still haven't made it there) All of these places are world class adventures for a day. Have a great cruise!

Good points taken! Thank you for the advise. Can anyone tell us what are the must do's and see's or the things to pass up while we are there ? I have been trying to do the research for Nassau and St Thomas, St Maartin.

What type of things do you and the family like to do? That might help others direct in places to go. :)

Agree with Mitsugirly - there are lots of things to do in Nassau. Let us know what your interests are so we can advise you better.

I wouldn't stay on the ship, especially on a 7-cruise with only 3 ports. :)

We really disliked Nassau. We tried to just explore the straw market and fish fry. It was really dirty and the food was disappointing. Maybe we had really high expectations. It was just really run down and dirty which I never expected.

Would we have been better going to Atlantis and check out that side? Maybe. I read reviews about Junkanoo beach and was less thank impressed. The beach was very dirty (trash, bottles, dogs running around). We didn't even stop and try to enjoy it.

I think an excursion is the way to go with Nassau. Or do a hotel pool/beach.

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Meghan634426 your experience is about some of the things I had heard about this port. We where hoping to bypass some of the dirtiness.

We are a small group of middle aged fun loving adults looking for some fun.

Good food, Great place to drink, some fun history, maybe snorkeling, or booze cruise, and some good shopping for some true local stuff not the fake crap you find in all the corner t-shirt shop.

thanks again for all your insight!!

I was going to suggest a day pass at Breezes but then I realized you're only in port from 7 to 2. So then I was going to suggest doing a combo Graycliff's chocolate factory tour/John Watling's rum distillery tour but I realized you're in Nassau on Sunday and they don't do the chocolate factory tour on Sundays. You're not making this easy. :)

Here are a couple of ideas:

1) Go at Atlantis and get a Dig's (aquarium pass). The aquarium is neat and then you can walk over to Marina Village, see the yachts and do a little shopping. There's a cute shop there that sells things made out of conch shells.

2) Walk to the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Then walk to John Watling's rum distillery, do the short (free) tour and have some excellent mojitos at their bar.

thank you CruisinCrow I like the ideas.

Here is a question too. We want to do some snorkeling or diving while on the cruise. We are going to be in Nassau, St Thomas, and St Maartin. Is one place better for that than the others?

I would guess St Thomas would have the best diving/snorkeling of those 3. But post your question on the Scuba and Snorkeling board and you'll get a lot better answers.

My husband did some diving when we stayed at Sandals in Nassau and he said it was ok. My understanding is that there are only 2 dive companies in Nassau - Bahamas Divers and Stuart Cove's. I don't think your hours will work with Stuart Cove's schedule but they seem to get good reviews: http://www.stuartcove.com/DiveBahamasMgmt.aspx?id=2&pageId=51

The water in Nassau will be cold in January so personally, I would pick something farther south. :)

We are cruising on RC Oasis of the sea Jan 23 2016 for seven days to Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. My wife and I have cruised 3 time before to different ports not Nassau. our friends it is there first time. we have heard not so good things about Nassau. the reason for the choice of this port is because of the ship and eastern caribbean (st thomas and st maartien) we are looking for options on Nassau or to just stay on the ship and enjoy the time with no crowds.

I heard about the robberies at gunpoint but that was two years ago.

I was going to suggest a day pass at Breezes but then I realized you're only in port from 7 to 2. So then I was going to suggest doing a combo Graycliff's chocolate factory tour/John Watling's rum distillery tour but I realized you're in Nassau on Sunday and they don't do the chocolate factory tour on Sundays. You're not making this easy. :)

 

Here are a couple of ideas:

 

1) Go at Atlantis and get a Dig's (aquarium pass). The aquarium is neat and then you can walk over to Marina Village, see the yachts and do a little shopping. There's a cute shop there that sells things made out of conch shells.

 

2) Walk to the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Then walk to John Watling's rum distillery, do the short (free) tour and have some excellent mojitos at their bar.

Thank you for your ideas. I'm in this same situation but next June. I've never been to Nassau so I hate to stay on the ship but at the same time I haven't been able to find anything that sounds worth it that we can do from 7-2. I think Option 1 sounds interesting or going to the rum distillery sounds nice.

Thank you for your ideas. I'm in this same situation but next June. I've never been to Nassau so I hate to stay on the ship but at the same time I haven't been able to find anything that sounds worth it that we can do from 7-2. I think Option 1 sounds interesting or going to the rum distillery sounds nice.

We did a DIY combo tour of the Graycliff chocolate factory and John Watling's rum distillery last year. Too bad the chocolate factory isn't open on Sunday but you can still walk through the property and buy chocolate at the gift shop. They will give you a free sample.

There are pictures in my Enchantment of the Seas review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1920685&page=2

Scroll down to post #24

I heard about the robberies at gunpoint but that was two years ago.

There are robberies at gun point in every town and city all over the world, be aware of your surroundings. Don't do anything in Nassau you wouldn't do at home.

What are some of the better unique places to eat, drink, or shop? We are looking for the best of the best to see, taste, drink, or experience, that we would not get back home. We are all adults most of which work in law enforcement and can take care of our selves and spouses. We just will not put our self in any dark allies. But are willing to look for the adventures to find the treasures of great memories and the rewards of the tropics.

What are some of the better unique places to eat, drink, or shop? We are looking for the best of the best to see, taste, drink, or experience, that we would not get back home. We are all adults most of which work in law enforcement and can take care of our selves and spouses. We just will not put our self in any dark allies. But are willing to look for the adventures to find the treasures of great memories and the rewards of the tropics.

We've been to and stayed in Nassua a few times.

What I'd like for an activity, is find a tour of what Baha Mar has to offer.

http://www.bahamar.com. The resort’s Grand Opening celebration is planned for Spring 2015.

Baha Mar is set on 3,000 feet of white sandy beach just a few minutes from Nassau’s port.

It will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience.

The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel includes a 1,000-room hotel and a 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino. Baha Mar also will include a 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room SLS LUX, and a 200-room Rosewood at Baha Mar. Amenities will include a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course; 200,000 square feet of flexible convention facilities, including a 2,000-seat entertainment venue; an ESPA spa; art galleries featuring Bahamian art; more than 40 restaurants, bars and clubs; global luxury designer and local artisan boutiques; and 20 acres of exquisitely landscaped beach and pool experiences, including a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna.

We are cruising on RC Oasis of the sea Jan 23 2016 for seven days to Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. My wife and I have cruised 3 time before to different ports not Nassau. our friends it is there first time. we have heard not so good things about Nassau. the reason for the choice of this port is because of the ship and eastern caribbean (st thomas and st maartien) we are looking for options on Nassau or to just stay on the ship and enjoy the time with no crowds.

Nassau is a DUMP. Stay on the ship and enjoy the peace and quiet.

We did a DIY combo tour of the Graycliff chocolate factory and John Watling's rum distillery last year. Too bad the chocolate factory isn't open on Sunday but you can still walk through the property and buy chocolate at the gift shop. They will give you a free sample.

 

That's what we did! We even had our 3 kids with us (2,7,9) and we felt completely safe! I would love to go back. The drinks at the distillery were amazing.

Just like any other city, stay in the touristy areas and you'll be fine.

If you've never been to Nassau then I say get off. Senior frog is lots of fun. We enjoy the straw market and all the other little shops around the port. If you are looking for more then just shopping and lunch I've heard great things about 90% of the excursions there. Atlantis was great and we did a catamaran cruise which was AWESOME! We've been there 3 times now it seems to get a little worse each time we go back. On our upcoming cruise we are going to just stay on the ship enjoy the pool and relaxing. I wouldn't pick an itinerary just for that port defenitly not in my top 5, but it still can be a fun port.

Just like any other city, stay in the touristy areas and you'll be fine.

For an inexpensive activity, take the ferry to Paradise Island (Atlantis).

The ferry is a short walking distance from the port.

For an inexpensive activity, take the ferry to Paradise Island (Atlantis).

The ferry is a short walking distance from the port.

 

Unless you are going to the casino (without kids).. you cannot get into Atlantis without some level of day pass these days. Security will stop you at the door

Aquarium is $49pp/ Beach is $80 pp/ Aquapark is $139.

The only other thing at Atlantis is the marina village shopping (which is outside of Atlantis).

There's plenty of other things to do in Nassau except gawk at Atlantis.

I think Cruisin Cow had some great suggestions. Don't stay on the ship! Experience Nassau! Make sure you have some conch fritters!