Bahamas Excursions

This will be my boyfriend and I's first cruise. Were 22 and 23 and love to have a good time. II've heard alot of cruise ship excursions are just money suckers and you can have a great time without them and save money. Im just curious if anyone has been to freeport and/or nassau and which excursions are a must do? from reading reviews were thinking about doing the yellowbird...going to senor frogs...and id really love to go snorkeling...but is it cheaper to book this online or just go with it off the boat?

thanks for the help!

palmtreemandy!yahoo.com

We did the Petersen Caye Kayak and snorkel off the ship and had an awesome time.....

First of all Welcome to cruising! I would try going to the Bahamas thread on this board, alot of info there. Also, go to your local book store and get a Bahamas or Caribbean book(techniqually Bahamas are not in the caribbean), there are , that just us.even some that are cruise ship destination books. We never book through the cruise line.. Have fun, Laura

Mandyloo--there were some posts yesterday on the ports of call board for Bahamas regarding excursions. I usually make all of my own reservations--just have to be careful about times so that you will be sure to be back on board by departure time

Mr friend and I went to the Bahammas. Freeport was not my fav but we did take a cab to the beach and hung out there and walked back to the boat. The water is beautiful and clear. It was cool when we went, which was in March, so that prevented me from going in the water. But sitting on the beach and watching the parasailers go by was quite relaxing. Now when we went to Nassau, we were much rowdier! Spent some time shopping and did the carriage ride tour with Elvis! No he didnt look like him, just had the same name. That was nice. We also did a tour, not booked with Carnival, to go to the Atlantis resort. this was done at the main hall when you get off of the ship in Nassua...Just ask for a cab to Paradise Island. You can walk thru certain parts of the Atlantis for free. Beautiful hotel to see. Then took a water taxi which was like $3. back to the ship We walked around for a bit before heading to Senor Frogs were we almost missed dinner back on the ship. We stayed in port over nite there so going back out was great. Senor Frogs has a cover charge...i think around $10 at nite. It was a wild time there. And walking back to the ship at nite was safe. Not sure which boat you are going on but we were on the Fantasy and had a blast. In January I am taking the husband and kids to Cozumel and Key West! Have a good time.

we went on yellow bird years ago. it went to a beach where there were huge starfish. real cool, but the rum punch was dynamite. atlantis is worth seeing if you have never seen it, and riding a water taxi is an experience.

I highly recommend the Catamaran Sail and Snorkle through Carnival in Nassau. Great snorkeling, tons of fish, great crew on the boat, and a bargain at $49!!

:):):):)

Yeah! I just booked the catamaran snorkel on Carnival Sensation for the 9/21 cruise to Nassau! So glad someone came back with a good review.

My husand and I love to snorkel. We just went to Key West last month and it was awesome!

There are four of us who love snorkeling. Has anyone tried an independent outfit they could suggest. Or, does anyone know if the Freeport Snorkel Tour (2.5 hrs) or Sailing and Snorkeling Tour (4.5 hrs) offered through Carnival have the same ammount of snorkeling (one with more sailing) or if the sailing one has more snorkeling. We are trying to find the excursion with as much snorkeling as possible.

Thanks

This will be my boyfriend and I's first cruise. Were 22 and 23 and love to have a good time. II've heard alot of cruise ship excursions are just money suckers and you can have a great time without them and save money. Im just curious if anyone has been to freeport and/or nassau and which excursions are a must do? from reading reviews were thinking about doing the yellowbird...going to senor frogs...and id really love to go snorkeling...but is it cheaper to book this online or just go with it off the boat?

 

thanks for the help!

palmtreemandy!yahoo.com

We took the Carnival Fasination from Jacksonville May 10,2010. We stopped in Nassau. When we got off the boat we found Perry McPhee with Divine Servants at the port. We wanted a personal tour for 6 adults and 1 child with minimal walking. Perry is a local. He answered ALL of our questions. We asked a lot of them. He took us in a van that could easily accomodate more people. We asked for a 3-4 hour tour of the island. He stopped whenever we asked. We did the following:

1. He stopped at a local vendor for a taste of local fruit for us

2. Drove though high, medimum and low income housing

3. He pointed out government buildings and every day places

4. He discussed healthcare, income, traffic and lifestyles on the island

5. We visited a rum factory

6. We stopped the Queens Staircase

7. Atlantis tour of areas that did not cost including the casino and it was a bit of walking but enough for us to see what it was like

He charged us $23.00 per person and nothing for my son. We saved a lot. We had other family members take an excurision from Carnival on a boat and tour of the Atlantis Aquarium with a retaurant meal. They almost missed the boat! They seemed like the trip was rushed. I think they paid $45.00-$50.00 per person including children.

We really enjoyed Perry. He was professional. We did not feel rushed. He drove carefully. We were able to ask questions and really understand Nassau from the local point of view. I highly recommed Perry at Divine Servants. I would take another tour with him in the future.

You can contact him at perry_mcphee@yahoo.com. (underscore between perry_mcphee). or at the following address:

Perry McPhee

P O Box N7999

Nassau NP Bahamas

FloridaFan2010 :)

Thanks so much for the information on Perry (the local guide). I hired several guides in the Dominican Republic and had the best vacation. I was excited to see your post. I enjoy interacting with locals and seeing things off the beaten path (SAFELY). We are going on our first cruise in October with ports in Nassau, Freeport, and Key West. I was disappointed with the prices and options for excursions listed by the cruise line. I would prefer a customized and unique experience.

When I went to Nassau, I swam with the dolphins at Atlantis. It was a lot of fun, but I didn't think it was worth the $200. I did book through the cruise line, but since it was my first cruise, I wanted the convenience of knowing I would be on time for the excursion. You can save money by booking directly through the company you're doing business with, but you'll have to find transportation.

I did stop at Senor Frogs and had a ton of fun.

Have fun on your cruise!