Straw Market in Nassau worth the visit?

[Breezy72]

2009 I bought a "Coach" bag (duffel style) for $32 (marked around $60) and it lasted one year before the handles started tearing. Also bought hand carved masks and the like for next to nothing. Had a ball at Senior Frogs. Didn't do much of anything else there. DH won a few hundred at Atlantis casino.

 

Was the trip to shore worth it? For a first timer, yes. To do it again? Probably not. Especially if there's a bunch of other ships in port... the markets will be less likely to haggle good prices if they know there's another ship full of fools willing to pay more!

 

What many have a hard time dealing with is the haggling of prices (and pushy sales pitches), especially if they are American. The concept is lost on us for the most part, but with that said, if you go in knowing how to haggle, you can have fun. Think of it as a big garage sale! ;) If anything, you are going to buy a cheap trinket with an interesting story behind it, and that can be worth the measly price (and value) of your souvenir.:)

[deborahjo]

Will never go thru the market again. People grabbing at you. Trying to put stuff in your hands for you to buy. It is the most uncomfortable place I ever want to be. IMHO

[drosphot]

The last time I was in Nassau the Straw Market had the exact same made in China knockoffs available from the illegal street vendors here in NYC. No need for me to travel all that way to see that again. We'll find something better to do in Nassau, and take advantage of the empty boat.

 

That's cool, but not everyone lives in NYC. Enjoy your stay on the ship, I like the experience of another country and it's people (even a region of our own country, like those Yankee states.)

 

Was the trip to shore worth it? For a first timer, yes. To do it again? Probably not. Especially if there's a bunch of other ships in port... the markets will be less likely to haggle good prices if they know there's another ship full of fools willing to pay more!

 

Exactly, the ship goes there and you are on it, experience it at least once. :cool:

[Travel*Bug]

Sheesh. It's not a leper colony. Ya it's mostly crap and I wouldn't budget any time for it but if you want to kill an hour, why not.

 

My kids (young adults) enjoyed it last trip. BTW the whole "downtown" of Nassau is kindda rinky-dink not just the straw market.

 

rinky dink....interesting description...I called it seedy. :D

[Ditchdoctor]

My wife and I went to the straw market. To me it was way to crowded, we couldn't hardley get around in there, but then again shopping isn't my thing.

[The4Cruisers]

This may be morbid, but the last time I was there, I kept thinking about how difficult it would be to get out of there if it caught fire. It's hard to walk through on a 'normal' day, let alone if there was a panic.

[gail8]

Nope, full of junk and I agree a death trap.

[irishnyc]

That's cool, but not everyone lives in NYC. Enjoy your stay on the ship, I like the experience of another country and it's people (even a region of our own country, like those Yankee states.)

 

You must have missed the part where I said "we will find something else to do in Nassau..." I also did not say to not go to the straw market, but shared my experience there: key parts being "illegal" and "knockoffs."

[ImmortalxKiss]

Straw Market is nothing to write home about it ..but if you haven't done it before, might as well do it to say you've done it.

 

We walked to the Fish Fry.. lovely walk, amazing looking at all the ships in the port and the beaches were super pretty!

[kdawg954]

Yea the Straw Market is meh . . . it's literally the same thing at every shop but I feel good that I went atleast once so I can come on here to tell you to avoid it lol

[richstowe]

Yea the Straw Market is meh . . . it's literally the same thing at every shop but I feel good that I went atleast once so I can come on here to tell you to avoid it lol

Funny. I would say the same about the water ferry to Paradise Island. Absolutely the WORST. They rush you on because

"We be leaving right now!", so you hop aboard and wait and wait and wait some more.

They don't leave till it's filled to overcapacity. As you are waiting, sardined in, they are kind enough to keep the diesel engine running.

Finally you get to leave the dock, Is the fun over? No! Now you get to hear a travelogue by a "guide" who hopped on at the last minute.

Rambling and incomprehensible you listen to his sctick as you have no choice.

Luckily you have the privilege of tipping this "guide".

 

Kdawg, I feel 10X worse about the ferry then the straw market No lol!

[WetToes]

 

Kdawg, I feel 10X worse about the ferry then the straw market No lol!

 

 

You are so right. At least at the straw market you can walk away ...on the ferry you are trapped.

You are also privilege to this twice ... coming and going.

[$hip$hape]

Funny. I would say the same about the water ferry to Paradise Island. Absolutely the WORST. They rush you on because

"We be leaving right now!", so you hop aboard and wait and wait and wait some more.

They don't leave till it's filled to overcapacity. As you are waiting, sardined in, they are kind enough to keep the diesel engine running.

Finally you get to leave the dock, Is the fun over? No! Now you get to hear a travelogue by a "guide" who hopped on at the last minute.

Rambling and incomprehensible you listen to his sctick as you have no choice.

Luckily you have the privilege of tipping this "guide".

 

Kdawg, I feel 10X worse about the ferry then the straw market No lol!

I have to disagree. I think the word is "shtick":)

For example, a person who is known locally for his or her ability to eat dozens of hot dogs quickly might say that it was their "shtick".

We had a great conversation with fellow travelers waiting to board.

And for the price, the tip to the guide was well worth it.

As CC member SCUBAGIRRL sez

" Don't travel if you can't get out of your head"

[richstowe]

You are so right. At least at the straw market you can walk away ...on the ferry you are trapped.

You are also privilege to this twice ... coming and going.

Not a chance! We had a wonderful walk back from Atlantis. Just 40 minutes from the ferry area and really a great experience.

The view from the top of the bridge was spectacular. There is a secure pedestrian walkway on this bridge.

This was the best thing we did on that trip to Nassau.

 

I have to disagree. .

And for the price, the tip to the guide was well worth it.

As CC member SCUBAGIRRL sez

" Don't travel if you can't get out of your head"

I am still trying to get the diesel fumes out of my head.:mad:

[$hip$hape]

Not a chance! We had a wonderful walk back from Atlantis. Just 40 minutes from the ferry area and really a great experience.

The view from the top of the bridge was spectacular. There is a secure pedestrian walkway on this bridge.

This was the best thing we did on that trip to Nassau.

 

I am still trying to get the diesel fumes out of my head.:mad:

You are quite right; don't take the ferry if you can't get the fumes out of your head.

However, we had a great trip both ways.

[Uri1961]

it's good to visit, so you can say you were there. My hubby and I went for the first time and we enjoyed it. There are alot of things you don't need, but we picked up stuff for our grandkids and nieces and nephews and they positively loved it. I would do it again.