GoldenDomer

If you like seafood, try the 15th Street Fisheries. Great food, good ambience and scenery.

15streetfisheries.com

This might be helpful:

http://www.cruisingpoweruk.co.uk/uploads/news-product_19_256722736.pdf

Note that not all drinks are on all ships.

Trying a cruise on Divina for the first time next year. According to deck plans there is a “power walking track” on deck 15. Is this suitable for running or should I plan to use the treadmills in the gym? Thanks in advance.

Parking is in a secure area directly adjacent to the terminal building where you check in. No shuttle from your car required as your walk will be no longer than 2 minutes. Note the parking lots surrounding the terminal. Check out the satellite imagery at the link below to get your bearings.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2646423,-76.5982542,590m/data=!3m1!1e3

The Grandeur docks at the berth immediately adjacent to the terminal.

I like the Park Cafe in the Solarium. Usually I'll make my breakfast plate in the Windjammer and walk across the pool deck to the Park Cafe to eat in peace.

I suggest Playa Porto Mari.

See my response and photo (#4) in the following thread -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43805333#post43805333

Beautiful beach, out of the way, excellent snorkeling, restaurant, bar, and restrooms. Also, from what I remember, there are instructor led introductory SCUBA dives available. Plan however for $50-60 one way taxi fare to get there from the pier. Their website is fairly extensive.

http://www.playaportomari.com/

I'll be back to Curacao in Feb 2017 and plan on returning.

Good luck!

Gorgeous pictures, GoldenDomer. We'll have to put that on the list for our next trip!

Appreciate your comments! I'm surprised Sandy Toes doesn't get more chatter on these boards. It really is a 'hidden gem' in Nassau from my perspective. Hope you get a chance to visit in the near future!

My ship times don't line up! In port 12-7. Last boat to Sandy Toes leaves at 1130!

[emoji30][emoji30][emoji30]

Too bad the timing doesn't work this time. Start planning your next cruise that includes a stop at Nassau with more favorable timing and make sure Sandy Toes is on your itinerary.

Forgot, I had some photos to share.

Rose Island boat dock

Once on the dock, you will need to climb some steps to get to the interior of the island then take a path and walk down another set of steps to the beach.

The structure you see at the top is where lunch is served.

Beach view

Beach Bar in structure on left - note the absence of crowds

Views can't be beat - I had this part of the beach all to myself.

We did Sandy Toes - Rose Island on our last stop in Nassau and loved it. We booked it direct using their site:

http://www.sandytoesbahamas.com/

They do only offer one day excursion daily that leaves around 10AM from the Paradise Island Ferry terminal just over the automobile bridge on Paradise Island. You'll then have a scenic 45 minute boat ride [restrooms, drinks/snacks for purchase on board] over to Rose Island. You will be joined by at most ~40 other passengers which is nice as at times it will seem you have the island to yourselves. The north side beach is impressive. Fine white sand and clear blue water. Beats any beach on Nassau and Paradise Island. My family enjoyed the "exciting" part of the beach which had stronger surf suitable for wave jumping. You might be more apt to take advantage of a calmer cove a short walk down the beach perfect for wading with small children. A beach bar is available for drinks [cash and CC accepted]. Restrooms and freshwater showers are also available. Hammocks are scattered about in the shade in a grove of trees above the beach. Lunch is served to all guests and is included. Grilled chicken, hot dogs, burgers, sides, etc. If you desire, you can participate in a guided snorkel along the south part of the island near the boat dock. Snorkel gear is available for use. Snorkeling just OK, I would pass next time and spend more time enjoying the beach and the great views. I would definitely return if my travels brought me back to Nassau. My only small complaint is that you get only ~4 hours time on the island. I suppose this is to best accommodate most ship departure schedules. Be sure to double check your particular cruise itinerary to verify whether you can make the 10AM ferry departure. Enjoy!

Look for review threads started by 'WinksCruises'. He has great way of conveying information with a sense of humor.

I'm able to download a excursion PDF for my 2/17/17 NOS voyage. I recall the download process/interface can be buggy depending on the broswer. Maybe try a different browser.

Based on a Google maps measurement, the taxi rank is about 450 ft from the 'Megapier' where most ships dock in Curacao.

How long is the ride?

It's about 25-30 minutes by taxi from the cruise ship dock.

Thank you so much - definitely will check it out

How far is it from the pier, did you taxi, do you have a rough idea of cost

It's about a 25-30 minute taxi ride from the pier. Taxis are lined up right outside the gates. I believe the fare was about $80 round trip for myself and my wife. Maybe make some friends on your cruise to share the fare. You can tell the driver to return to the beach at a prearranged time for pick-up back to the ship.

I suggest Playa Porto Mari.

See my response and photo (#4) in the following thread -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43805333#post43805333

Beautiful beach, out of the way, excellent snorkeling, restaurant, bar, and restrooms. I'll be back to Curacao in Feb 2017 and plan on returning.

Good luck!

Caipirinha

If you have a choice for location, opt for Deck 7 or 8 aft. On my three Grandeur cruises, we found these locations fairly convenient to everything and quiet. I would avoid interiors on Deck 4 forward - most are directly under the casino. We had one of these stateroom's on Grandeur's sister ship, Enchantment. I believe we were directly under the casino women's rest room. We heard a lot of what we suspected were high-heeled footfalls late into the evening.

In addition, as it was my experience at various shops, attractions, and restaurants all credit card purchases are transacted in US$.

I'll second the Rum Cakes - I wish I had bought more. Note they offer free tastings of most of the flavors they have for sale.

I attended the Captains Corner talk this morning. Captain elaborated that the engine issue was due to a leak in the engine oil heat exchanger. The problem would be repaired en route during return to Baltimore and would not impact the 3/30 sailing.

For my trouble and the rest of my fellow passengers, we were all given a 20% cruise fare refund applied to our on board account. Any remaining credit at the end of the sailing would be refunded to our credit card on file.

For the record, there is no sports court on the Grandeur. What is available however is two shuffleboard courts, two ping pong tables, one rock climbing wall, and a small arcade game room.

Caipirinha

Horizon Court offers coffee available at no additional charge. There is also an omelette station in Horizon Court where you can have an omelette made to order.

We are sailing on the Grandeur Oct 31. Did you happen to notice if there are any car rental offices at the Port?

 

Thank you.

There is no car rental desk at the port. The Port of Baltimore website suggests the following locations mostly at BWI airport or downtown Baltimore:

http://www.cruise.maryland.gov/content/car-rental-agencies