First Time in Nassau what should be do?

[Rneighh]

This is our first cruise, and first time in Nassau. What should we do. We are a group of three, me, hubby, and adult daughter. We are celebrating her graduation from college. I have looked at the shore excursions on the Carnival site, but can we just walk around and enjoy the city?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Renee

[sleepygirl1]

I have been to Nassau many times and one thing that I thought was much nicer than any excursion was to just get off the ship and get with one of the taxi/tour guides that will be waiting when you get through the terminal area...they have a city tour that just shows you the island and some sights such as the queens stairs and a fort, etc.... Then you also have time to walk around to shop and visit Senior Frogs..that was a nice day. You can also do day passes to some all inclusive resorts...i think that is what we will do next time we are there. Have fun!!

[leejay22]

My girlfriends (in our early 40s) took a cruise and booked an excursion with Bahamas Segway tours. It was a blast! They picked us up right at the port, drove us to a different part of the island (so we got a little tour on the way there and back as we went two different ways). They gave us a lesson on the Segway and we drove through a piece of land that is under dispute so is horse trails. We went up and down, through sand, across rocks, etc. - it was a blast! Then we stopped at the beach for a rest before heading back to the start. Once they dropped us back in town, we walked around a bit and had conch for lunch. Was a wonderful day. The Segway tours are for age 9 and up. (make sure you book the one that says beach experience)

[villauk]

I have been to Nassau many times and one thing that I thought was much nicer than any excursion was to just get off the ship and get with one of the taxi/tour guides that will be waiting when you get through the terminal area...they have a city tour that just shows you the island and some sights such as the queens stairs and a fort, etc.... Then you also have time to walk around to shop and visit Senior Frogs..that was a nice day. You can also do day passes to some all inclusive resorts...i think that is what we will do next time we are there. Have fun!!

 

Are the Queen's stairs and the fort easy enough to walk to from the ship without taking an excursion? Wondered if we could see the sights independently and then finish by walking around the shops?

[jeremyosborne81]

What's some good places that they don't advertise on the ships or websites that would be good places to go?

 

When the crew gets off the ship in port, where do they go for lunch in Nassau?

[CruisinCrow]

Getting back to the original poster's question - there are lots of things to see within walking distance of the cruise terminal in Nassau. Do a search on Walking Tour. You will find a map with all the historical spots. It can take a couple of hours if you hit everything or you can just map out the things that interest you.

[Rneighh]

Thanks for the great ideas. Keep them coming. I like the walking tour idea. We thought about Atlantis but not sure I want to spend my day at water park/resort. The idea of really seeing the area appeals to me.

 

Renee

[tport53]

I have taken a cab to Atlantis and walked right in. You can do your own tour and play in their casino. Can't do the water park for free. Great place to visit.

[scubagirrl]

I have taken a cab to Atlantis and walked right in. You can do your own tour and play in their casino. Can't do the water park for free. Great place to visit.

 

You can no longer walk right in and do your own tour.. Security will escort you OUT.

You can play in the casino.. but children under 18 are not allowed in the casino.

 

You can no longer wander the lobbies and check out the "halls'.

[deltahog]

Are the Queen's stairs and the fort easy enough to walk to from the ship without taking an excursion? Wondered if we could see the sights independently and then finish by walking around the shops?

 

 

A couple of threads down.

 

I did a "history walk" on my own around 8:00a, around the government and downtown area, up to the 66 steps and up to Fort Fincastle. I was the only tourist at Fort Fincastle and the market area around it was just awakening and setting up, no one ready to hassle me yet. It was $1.00 to get into the fort. I declined the "local tour" offered by a local. I did give the man in a wheelchair at the top of the 66 steps, a couple of dollars. I thought the 66 steps was simply beautiful, carved into rock and surrounded by (man-made) waterfalls, absolutely peaceful and beautiful. The fort itself was rather simple but interesting enough, if you like history. FOR THOSE WHO WALK AND LIKE TO WALK, the trek up to the fort will be nothing. A 10-minute slightly uphill hike. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WALK OR HAVE DIFFICULTY DOING SO, the trek up to the fort will be more like 1/2 hour and will feel all uphill.

 

[st3drume]

Try the local busses for getting local flavor. We stayed at a small hotel west of the city and took the bus to see the sights. There is a tower that goes to the sea bed which you can see as you come into port. Other times we came by ship, took the local bus and were warmly welcomed by the riders who told us what we saw. One time there were 95% women dressed up with picnic baskets going to visit their men at the local prison. We passed a road side funeral as well. Doubt a taxis ride would have been more interesting.. Fincastel has a great view , the steps can be one way to get there. Oh the bus takes you to the entrance to the ultra-rich estates past the airport etc. Take a shared water or land taxi to Atlantis. The bus stops at the bridge and it is a long walk over it. Took a tour to an off shore island one time one side great for surfing, theother nice beach think it was Rose Island. Best bet - "Fly" to the island via Google Earth - the views are very good to decide what to do.