Any "Must Do's" in Nassau, Key West

[mycko75]

Only a couple of us . . . but we're up for a major good time!:D One of my friends that is going is on his first cruise too, just like your girlfriend! We're gonna have a blast! This is my 3rd RCCL cruise and I can't wait! Hope to see you on board!:p

 

Well..email me...we can make a point of it! Its my username @ hot mail dot com

[Crusin' from Fl]

If you are interested in just "hangin' where the locals hang" go to Fish Fry (Arawak Cay). It's a great location along the water where they make conch "everything"! Fritters, salad, fried, scorched, soups and anything seafood! Goldies has a great atmosphere, watch them make the conch salad. Also check out Jennifer at the Entertainment hut...it's an outside venue with music playing and drinks flowing...it's an outside place and as much fun as you want to have. All the food locations there are AWESOME! You can also take the local jitney down there or cab...Drinks are reasonable and the food is WOW!

 

Take the water taxi from the pier if you want to go to Atlantis to hang out on your own...it's so adventurous! :eek:

[PH8]

Nassau seems to always be bashed around here(as one poster has WARNED everyone)...........just like any place........USA or not...you have to just be aware of your surroundings.........

 

I have been to Nassau more than I can count........

 

To someone who has never been,I suggest grabbing one of the tours right there at the port..........costs about $25pp.......its a 3 hour tour and they show you spots on the islands and explain what you are seeing......then they take you to Atlantis and your guide walks you around and explains things in there too.......

 

Its a pretty affordable way to see Nassau..

[mikefast]

Has anybody mentioned Mallory Square at sunset? We have been to Key West several times and have always enjoyed the free shows there. Some are pretty good, some are, well, there. Still, we have always had fun there.

[PH8]

Has anybody mentioned Mallory Square at sunset? We have been to Key West several times and have always enjoyed the free shows there. Some are pretty good, some are, well, there. Still, we have always had fun there.

They have to be back onboard at 5:30pm for a 6pm departure.........sunset is a little after 7:30 that time of year........

[LBumb]

in key west get a picture at the southernmost point. i know it is just a painted concrete thing, but it makes for a unique photo. walk is about 30 minutes at a average pace.

[nolimits]

A great place to go is Arawak Cay in Nassau . Its a short cab ride good outdoor area of Bars and food. Big local spot when ships leave at night . Lots of fun in day light 1/2 tourist 1/2 local. Beer 2$ fresh Conch salad 10$ also try The local fried Lobster.Lots of Music .Very colorful buildings makes you feel like you on tropical island.Atlantis is cool but not Vegas and very expensive.

[dixieva]

Be careful in Arawak Cay about arranging a ride back to town. We had no problem finding a cab to take us there but when we wanted to leave it was very difficult. We walked to the local bus stop but all the buses that came by were very full. We waited and waited. It was very hot. I thought we'd never get back. Finally saw a cab dropping some folks off and got him to take us back.

[Windy56]

Key West just might be my favourite port. Last time I was there I rented a bicycle and toured the island all day. Trip Advisor is great for listing the "must do's". I went to the lighthouse and climbed up for a great panoramic view. I went to this really neat private garden and spent an hour or so there. I also rode around their famous cemetary where sailors from the Maine are interred. It is also the site of the famous tombstone with the inscription "I told you I was sick". I also stopped at one of their great bars for a Mararita and then topped off the day with coffee and key lime pie at the Hilton along the pier. There is so much to do and see in this port and the locals are very, very friendly!

[carol louise]

I have been to Nassau several times, and recommend the Ardastra Gardens. If you take a ship's tour that includes it, it will be timed to include the flamingo show. But the Gardens are more than the birds and animals. It is a botanical garden as well, with little paths and descriptions of the plants and trees. It is calm and peaceful as well as beautiful. Maybe you would prefer this to the crowds at Atlantis.

[RUBBER DUCK]

As a first timer, the basics should be covered: Nassau-Straw Market, but if you're not comfortable with the "handmade" flea market type scene or into shopping it can be skipped. Atlantis is a nice tour, but it is a little expensive. I liked the pirate museum, but it's not for kids. It's relatively lifelike scenes of pirates in real costume and built vignettes with descriptions. Kids under 10 might get scared. Mine did. You can also do tours that go farther away from the port which can show you what the real island life is like.

 

In Key West, there's lots to do within walking distance of the ship. Duvall st is a great scene for places to eat and drink, theres the lighthouse museum, and hemingway house. We missed the pirate museum opening by 1 day, but I have heard it is really cool. We did the Crazy Boat ride which was really fun and I would do again.

[Mango Tango]

In Key West, make sure you get a piece of Key Lime Pie on a Stick at the Blond Giraffe. So Yummy!!!

[Alwaysacruiseinthequeue]

Hi all. Im booked on the Majesty March 15th sailing. It will be my girlfriend's first ever cruise and my second.

 

I was wondering if there were any "must do's" in Nassau and Key West. Providing we can actually go to Cococay, we plan on that being a beach day, but are unsure of what we want to do in the other two locations.

 

Thanks

 

Hi, I've been to Key West twice and Nassau four times. Key West is pretty much a nice walking tour. We didn't really have much time to do more than walk around in the shops and stop and some of the restaurants. Nassau I really became familiar with. We did the Ardastra Gardens (the zoo) which is GREAT and has a really neat show with trained flamingos. I have some Youtube video, a slideshow at Kodak, and some other links if you'd like. If you like the idea of being taken around the island the way you want to, go where you want to, etc. with your own driver, I can even give you a number. Oh! You'll want to do lunch at the Fish Fry, which is a block of "local" restaurants where you get more of the real feel of the Bahamian people.

 

-Stephanie

[Alwaysacruiseinthequeue]

If you are interested in just "hangin' where the locals hang" go to Fish Fry (Arawak Cay). It's a great location along the water where they make conch "everything"! Fritters' date=' salad, fried, scorched, soups and anything seafood! Goldies has a great atmosphere, watch them make the conch salad. Also check out Jennifer at the Entertainment hut...it's an outside venue with music playing and drinks flowing...it's an outside place and as much fun as you want to have. All the food locations there are AWESOME! You can also take the local jitney down there or cab...Drinks are reasonable and the food is WOW!

 

Take the water taxi from the pier if you want to go to Atlantis to hang out on your own...it's so adventurous! :eek:[/quote']

 

Is that cracked conch not AWESOME???

 

-Stephanie

[Alwaysacruiseinthequeue]

NASSAU:

And try conch. "When in Rome' date=' man". [/color']

PS: these Nassau people are some of the nicest, most polite, lovely people anywhere. Cheers!

 

Oh, my! Cracked Conch! YES!

 

The people really are nice. We hired a driver for the day from the internet and were soooo pleased. She met us just as we got off the boat and stayed with us all day. She was so nice and knowledgeable and took us all over the island. We had a BLAST with her! It was like we had known her forever! Also, they really care about their history and work to keep the knowledge going in the kids and informing others about it.

 

-Stephanie

[dep]

At the end of the train ride around Key West , a little stand ,fritters to die for.

[rrgreennc]

Oh, my! Cracked Conch! YES!

 

The people really are nice. We hired a driver for the day from the internet and were soooo pleased. She met us just as we got off the boat and stayed with us all day. She was so nice and knowledgeable and took us all over the island. We had a BLAST with her! It was like we had known her forever! Also, they really care about their history and work to keep the knowledge going in the kids and informing others about it.

 

-Stephanie

 

Who did you use, and what was the cost?

[cleophus12]

Don't know how you feel about shoes, but the Kino Sandals shop is must-do on my list. If they don't have your color on display, they will make it for you while you wait. The sandals are about $8-10 if you buy them there. Back home at a beach boutique, they will run you about $35. They are comfortable, cute, and easy to pack. I keep a pair of every color in my closet. And I don't even work for these people! Can't remember exactly where it is, but you can google them.

[depplep]

Don't know how you feel about shoes, but the Kino Sandals shop is must-do on my list. If they don't have your color on display, they will make it for you while you wait. The sandals are about $8-10 if you buy them there. Back home at a beach boutique, they will run you about $35. They are comfortable, cute, and easy to pack. I keep a pair of every color in my closet. And I don't even work for these people! Can't remember exactly where it is, but you can google them.

 

I want to say Kinos is at Greene St.? There is a cigar place there as well that my husband loves. Key West is all that is posted above. In Nassau, I would also add that the straw market is knock off merchandise, so know that ahead of time. We are die hard Hard Rock fans so we hang out at the Hard Rock when we are there. Have a great cruise!

[PurpleJet]

........

 

To someone who has never been,I suggest grabbing one of the tours right there at the port..........costs about $25pp.......its a 3 hour tour and they show you spots on the islands and explain what you are seeing......then they take you to Atlantis and your guide walks you around and explains things in there too.......

 

Thanks for the tip - we did a similar tour in St Thomas and it was really really fun!

 

To the Previous poster - what is the best way of getting to the hard rock - We are also massive fans!

[depplep]

From the Port:

Go West (right) on Woodes Rogers Walk to Charlotte St. and go South (left).

 

It's not hard to find. Opens at 11. Enjoy!

[depplep]

I guess I should have said that it's walkable.

[PurpleJet]

oh lol!! I thought we would have to get a taxi or something, thanks a lot people!

[Capecodbeachfront]

In Nassau the only must do is probably the Atlantis...

We took the water taxi over and enjoyed walking around the public area.

A lot of the Aquarium is public... enough for us anyways.

Did some shopping in the Marina Village...

Atlantis Casino was nice... but we preferred the ship's casino.

BTW Take the land taxi back! Water taxis are slow coming back to port.

I regret not taking a short taxi tour of the island.

Friends did a great 'taxi tour' on their way back from Atlantis.

We went back to ship's Compass Deli for dessert crepes !

I recommend mashed banana with butterscotch drizzle !

 

Definitely do the island walk at Cococay...

The mini straw market there is good for souvenirs... CASH helps.

 

Key West can be problematic if debarking is slow...

We did the Trolley... but I recommend the conch train... Faster!

Then you can walk to what you want to do...

Kermit's choc dipped frozen Key Lime pie was good.

Bring a good map with you as KW does not have good signing!

We did Truman Summer White House... I'd give it a B+.

I liked walking around the streets looking for photo ops!

Being on Majesty you at least are in port for good hours 10-5

Can not see why some ships port from 7AM to 1:30 PM... bummer!

[3happyferrets]

Must do in Nassau. Stay on the ship, do not waste your time. Sorry never been to Key West.

 

HAHA!! That is what my husband and I do most of the time! We booked snorkeling this time but otherwise, extra day at sea:p As far as the OP's question, if it's your first time the straw market is an experience, anyway. Just be ready to say "no" and walk away.