D-Portman

Are you the Ctrl+Alt+Del inventor??? Seem to recognize the photo but not sure ...

Fish Fry is a great place. Last time I was there was in September but to be honest cannot recall what was the best place. I remember that the two first restaurants, as you walk from the Cruise Terminal, are very nice but cannot recall the names. Will try to find some photos I took at the time ...

I am refraining from posting links of websites as I don't want to get in trouble but if you google iqcruising nassau fish fry you will find a review of Arawak Cay (or Fish Fry).

Thanks a million scubagirrl.

The website that I shall not mention doesn't sell anything!!!! It is just way better than the port descriptions of CC and all other websites around. But, if I well understand for what you saying, CC is 'after all' a business disguised as a community, which my investigative journalist vein is ready to dive into.

I cruised for the first time in 1965. After a few years as a Travel Journalist, have worked on (and with) cruise ships since the 1990's. Repeatedly called at over 600 ports and have visited over 6,000 destinations. Have worked and cruised on over 100 cruise ships - from Pulmantour and Suncruises to Crystal and The World. I suppose CC may approve my experience and allow me to post.

During the last year (did over 20 cruises), a number of fellow cruisers asked me to divulge my knowledge and experience (and the website that I shall not name) on Cruise Critic. I don't really have much time or patience to re-writte - or even just copy-past - the website content. Hence the links.

I totally and completely understand the need to avoid the clogging of posts with 'commercial' solicitations and harassing recommendations with obvious monetary gains.

This said, I was surprised with your comment because many of my journalist friends with professional contributions to guides like Frommers, LonelyPlanet, Fodors and so on constantly and consistently post on CruiseCritic, have never received any sort of slap on the wrist although they benefit with serious financial rewards.

Furthermore, I personally know CEO's, VP's and Senior Management of Cruise Lines that openly promote their 'products' in all sorts of postings.

As I say, I was surprised and thankful you for the advise. And will seriously investigate what CC is doing - if the community is a front for a business it should be known!!!

Just a tip: TripAdvisor is not a sister website of CC. It is the OWNER of CruiseCritic since 2013!!! And, the Market Capital of TripAdvisor is over 12 BILLION US$.

Goliath ?????

Guess what? The D on my profile stands for David!!!

Happy sailing!

Hi Scubagirrl; as I was reading and researching rules and policies and checking HOW others post, saw a post in a thread you participate and read the following: "According to the website, margaritavillebahamas.com, it is opening on the 8th of Dec. on Paradise Island."

Is this allowed? Isn't this a clear promotion, advertisement, recommendation with obviously clear commercial gains?

Would love to have your input?

D-p, have you not realized that you cannot post your website on Cruise Critic? Read the rules. No advertising and no recommendations from locals. Seems counterproductive, but thats the rule. Banning comes next.

Thanks for the input Scubagirrl. Your knowledge of rules is very much welcome. I saw the url link shortcut and I was under the impression that this was to 'share' websites, blogs and so on. Do the rules you quote mean I cannot link Fodors, Frommers, LonelyPlanet and so on ??? These are NOT my websites either (although I have stock on some of them). Please let me know! Million thanks and great sailings!!!

Nassau is pretty much open whenever there are ships in Port, but Sunday can get a bit tricky because you may not have many ships in port ... Have been in Nassau on Sunday, with only one other ship in port and although 99% of the places were open Downtown has a different feel (which can be good as it is not as crowded).

In the worst case scenario, shops will be closing 'earlier' ... or, as soon as they feel that sales for the day are done. So, if you interested in shopping, the trick is to go early for the shopping spree.

To see all you can do in Nassau you will find loads of information for cruise ship travelers on http://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/bahamas/nassau/index.html

Can you walk to these places from the ship?

It is more than 1.5 mile walk and the bus #10 is a good option as Frank12 says. As you also have close by the Fort Charlotte and the Ardastra Gardens you may contemplate extending your tour of the area. A stop at the Junkanoo Beach on the way back is a MUST.

For full information on Nassau for cruise ship passengers there is a new website with all a cruise traveler needs to know. Unfortunately, it only covers Nassau and St. Thomas.

http://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/bahamas/nassau/index.html

Happy sailings!!!

There are plenty of things to do in Nassau. Besides, Atlantis and all mentioned above I would recommend sites such as the John Watling's Distillery, Balcony House, Fort Fincastle, Graycliff Hotel, Pirates of Nassau Museum, Pompey Museum and so on. There are very good websites with all that information but apparently suggestions and links are NOT welcome in this forums, although message window has them for members to use.

Surely you will find good information if you Google the sites mentioned - ooooops I wonder if mentioning the G word might not be CruiseCritic incorrect and offend others ... LOL

Or maybe I was just sharing my surprise with a website that is actually providing better information than anything else around ... including CruiseCritic port reviews.

But as the saying going: some see the glass half full ... as it takes all kinds, right?

Someone is going to be very bust today posting dozens of correct links!

NOT that many links ... just when I have the patience to reply or provide some good info to Cruise Travelers that need it. Otherwise, I let people waist there time with Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet and all those out dated guides and eventually they will discover really good and juicy info written by people that actually have been there, taken the photos, and spent more than a couple of hours in port.

But if anyone wants to post IQCruising links and divulge the site which is under development ... Please be my guest to share.

Here you have two photos of Cabbage Beach.

The water taxi can be a nice ride to Atlantis ... but not as reliable on the way back - sometimes (and often times) the boat waits to be full and I've waited way too long ... never missed the ship but saw some cruisers on the edge.

You can easily get a taxi back - as everyone is saying, you may have to share but that is it; taxis are comfy enough and cheap.

Now, the big question: Why Atlantis if you don't want to do the Water Slides and all the rest?

Next to Atlantis, literally, you have Cabbage Beach - if all you want is to spend time in the sun ... and is FREE. And you can still walk and visit Marina Village. In fact, if you take the water taxi the best way to get to Cabbage Beach is walking trough Marina Village and then trough the Casino and end up on the north side exit of Atlantis ... Cabbage Beach is just next to it.

But there many other alternatives to Atlantis if you don't really fell like water slides and all the resort thing.

Check IQCruing.com - it has lots of info about Nassau: Highlights, Excursions, Restaurants, Shopping ....

http://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/bahamas/nassau/index.html

Have read reviews on Tripadvisor and 'others' saying very bad things about the Ardastra and, in fact, if the cruise passenger has great expectations of finding something comparable to the best zoos in the World (or the US) the Ardastra is not on the league of San Diego or Miami, but as Stan and Nancy say you will see birds (Peacocks, Parrots and Flamingos), mammals (mainly domestic ones) and reptiles (Iguanas, Tortoises and Bahamian boa constrictors).

It is 1.5 mile west of downtown (cruise terminal). Although i've has walked there, it is quite a long and not particularly interesting walk, specially the last 1/2 mile - a taxi is advisable and will not cost more than $5.00.

There are also a couple of extra things to do close by ...

Check

http://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/bahamas/nassau/activities.html

Their website is http://www.ardastra.com

And so you are joining the cruising dilemma - where to go when. Naples is a complicated one as hubofhockey mentioned: Capri or Pompeii have been the classic options. Pompeii combined with Amalfi is a bit of a stretch. Capri is a nicer option if you are not really into archeological sites like Pompeii. BUT, have in mind that Naples is, in itself, an amazing city and you can use part of the stay to explore it. Go early to Capri and enjoy afternoon in Naples.

Livorno has too many options: Florence is a must if you haven't been BUT it has so much to offer that a day in Florence is just an intro to its beauty and greatness. I am finalizing a guide for Florence but will not be ready in time for you. This said, you will find on my website a few interesting traveling hints regarding Livorno, Pisa, Volterra, Siena, San Gimignano and Florence.

Palermo is a bit like Naples in the sense that you can either stay in town - perusing highlights and attractions or go on a tour - personally, I would use Palermo to have a bit of a rest and stay in town, have a great lunch and a wonderful walk. The weather is great in May - not TOO hot.

From Genoa the obvious choice is either Milan or Portofino, although many a cruiser forget Genoa itself, which is a pretty nice city once you get out of the multi-cultural-mess next to the port area. Milano is fabulous for art (Da Vinci, Cathedral ...) and Shopping (go to the Rinascente department store in Piazza Duomo). Portofino is just too pretty to be true and very laid back - be aware, if Capri is expensive, Portofino is uber-expensive.

Here you have a link for http://www.iqcruising.com/Ports/Livorno/index.html