Freeport

I've read a lot of times where people recommended "staying on the ship" in Freeport. I am SO glad we didn't do that!! I thought Freeport was charming, easy, well laid out and a breeze to do on your own with no excursion. Take a shared Taxi to Port Lucaya Marketplace for $5 per person (one way-it is 11 miles). The beach is free, beautiful and convenient to the shopping/dining area which is equally lovely!! I liked it SO much better than Nassau (excluding Atlantis and Blue Lagoon in that preference). The people nag and harrass you just as much as they do in Nassau to buy stuff or take tours but there are a LOT fewer of them doing the nagging in Freeport. Everything at Port Lucaya Marketplace is very close and easy to walk between... beach, casino, shopping, eating, marina, etc. It is much cleaner too than the area of Nassau that is in walking distance from the ship. No bad smells or traffic. And while you are there, pick up a real estate book or "To Do" book to see some good pics of the rest of the island. Give Freeport a chance!

I haven't been there in 5 years, you make me feel like booking a cruise including Freeport to check it out again, thanks.

I have recommended staying on before but that is if the cruise was in port only 3-4 hours. Our Lucaya is a great little place. I have stayed at the Westin and Sheraton over the years and do enjoy all the nightlife/etc. that is so close together.

Thanks for the info! I'm going in July and was getting worried about all the negatives I've read about Freeport.

Could you give me some info on the casino? My grandfather is traveling with us, and he would probably enjoy that the most out of anything else in Freeport.

Nassau is a city so the shopping is better. Nassau is old so there is some history to the place. Freeport is very rural and spread out so it's much better for the beach or just relaxing. Freeport is overall a planned development so there is very little of historic value to the place. Both compliment each other.

BobK/Orlando

Thanks for the info! I'm going in July and was getting worried about all the negatives I've read about Freeport.

 

Could you give me some info on the casino? My grandfather is traveling with us, and he would probably enjoy that the most out of anything else in Freeport.

The casino is Isle of Capri and is between the Westin and Sheraton. It is small compared to some but is nice. It is the only one on GBI. You can go to their website and find out more

The casino is Isle of Capri and is between the Westin and Sheraton. It is small compared to some but is nice. It is the only one on GBI. You can go to their website and find out more

Thank you!

The casino is smaller than those in Nassau, but plenty big enough to occupy you for a few hours. There are a dozen or so tables with black jack, poker, roulette, craps, etc, along with a few hundred slots - from 2 cents to $25. Most of the machines are quarter and dollar machines. They're kind of tight, but still fun - my mother in law played every day for 10 days, and came out $100 up. I came out $500 up after the first day, but should have stopped there LOL. Blackjack is $10 min. bet - $15 on the weekends. Poker is $5 min bet - $10 on the weekends. Live music at the casino on weekend nights. Free drinks from the cocktail waitresses - but you have to hunt them down sometimes if you're playing the cheap slots. There's a players club too.

Hope this helps, have a great time!

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to Our Lucaya in April.

If you are rated at any other casino call them and you might get a free taxi ride:

Nickoya Hamilton-Hall

Casino Host

Isle of Capri Casino

Freeport Grand Bahama

The Bahamas

Tel: 242-350-2013

Fax: 242-350-2074

e-mail: nickoya_hamilton@islecorp.com

Great lady and she will help you any way she can.

Tell her Bob Hooper said hello

We had a great time on a snorkeling tour in Freeport with Capt Tony and the Sand Dollar. We were there in Aug and I have to say our day would be hard to top. Sailing, snorkeling, swimming, wading, beach-combing, sunning, shopping and believe it or not relaxing!!!!! It was just what we needed on our last port day.

The Sand Dollar is a beautiful boat and the service in top notch. We had a big group (about 20) age 6-68 and we all felt we got way more than we paid for.

Shuttles were waiting at the dock and at the marketplace to get there and back. Some of us went back to the ship after the tour and some stayed and prowled the Marketplace.

Not the most "adventurous" day but still really fun and easy. Good Luck!!!

Here is Capt Tony's web address www.sanddollarcruise.com