Smooth Sailing on Enchantment Feb 17 2014 Bahamas- photo review

[Familygoboston]

Day 2 Feb 18: CocoCay

 

Sail Away

 

Back on board we enjoyed our balcony, napped and showered for formal night. One of our favorite times of the day is watching the ship leave port (or in this case, throw the anchor lines!) and the sunset on the sea. We were moving very slowly on this short cruise (especially during this overnight trip from CC to Nassau) and it felt like at certain times we weren't actually moving at all!

 

Enjoy the view!

 

pano at sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

DD and Mom on the balcony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Familygoboston]

Formal Night and Captain's Reception

Photos

 

We went down for photos at 6:15. We dressed up a bit, not what I would call formal, but nicely, DD had a short black cocktail dress, I wore a full length patterned maxi dress and DM wore nice black slacks and a sparkly, dressy top.

 

I think this is common for "women of a certain age"; I think that mobility issues, the physical condition of their legs and the difficulty of finding attractive and comfortable shoes that will be "on display" with a dress make it a challenge for some women in their 70's and beyond. Add a moving ship, and I vote these ladies wear what they can move easily in; I have no interest in making diversions for a broken hip or ankle, and I know the ladies involved certainly would not!

 

As far as Formal Night dress, it ran the gamut...the guy seated next to us removed his hat for formal night, and the others at his table had slacks shirts and ties, their ladies ran from sparkly cocktail to sun dress. The chicas were dressed in mostly short strapless cocktail dresses (what I call the bath towel look- it's all the rage at 8th grade dances where they spend the whole night "hiking" them up with their hands) We saw a very small minority of folks in real "formalware"; long or sparkly cocktail dress and dark suit or tux. Most of them seemed to be celebrating something special (honeymoon, anniversary) and posing for lots of photos. We saw some dressy jeans, lots of guys in regular jeans and a fancy tee or collared shirt, and one lady in a 6 inch distressed jeans mini skirt. The cutest by far was a lovely family with mom and dad in semi formal; dress and dark suit, the 3 young daughters in adorable matching dresses and their 10 YO big brother in pants and tuxedo tee short!! So yeah, anything goes on these short cruises!!

 

But we did feel pretty enough to have some photos taken. And we had a big compliment when the photographer mistakenly thought we were mother and 2 daughters ( a 72 yo mom with a 16 yo and me with a sister 16 YO's..."Why thank you and yes, we will take 10 of those photos"

 

Mom and I

 

 

 

 

 

While we are on photos...here is a shot of the photo shop. With the Oasis-ization of Enchantment...the facial recognition and folio system has been added to the Photo department. While they still printed photos and lined them up on the walls, you could also go to one of 3 kiosks and swipe your card to view your photos on the computer. On formal nights, they swipe your card to ensure the shots get into your folio, even if you are posing in a way that doesn't reveal your whole face (profiles). You might have to search for photos of yourself taken at the pier if you had sunglasses on.

 

You have the option to buy a "get the picture!" package right on the kiosk with various levels and costs, for 3 digital images to the big package where you get every digital image and every printed photo. I ended up getting my free (already printed) 8x10 of mom and I and bought a small, 3 photo "get the picture" package for $59 (10% off with my C&A coupon) because DD posed for several individual shots that turned out well and we will be needing some for her HS senior composite in a few months. By getting the digital images with the copyright permission, DH can do what he likes with them, and that price represents a fraction of just the sitting fee in our area, never mind purchasing the copyright.

 

What you do is select the package you want on the kiosk, and pay with your sea pass card...you do not need to actually select which photos you want digitally till you get home. All of them will be on the disc, and you have a key to unlock the number you purchased, and of course if you simply cannot narrow it down, you can "upgrade" to more photos from home. The discs are not available till VERY LATE on the last night, they tell you after 11 PM, and in our case it was 11:30 PM. You have to go to the photo shop to pick them up, so if you are an early bird; this may not work for you. (I was very nearly ready to go down in my PJs since I had put my bags out already, but DD saved the day and ran down there to get it!

 

Photo shop

 

 

 

 

Get the Picture Kiosks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We turned up at 6:45 for MTD, which I had reserved ahead of time online (7:45). Daniela seemed surprised to see and thought we were late. Once we talked about it, we realized the misunderstanding was that because of the room change, somehow all of our reservations got changed to 6 PM every night on their system; even though the "pre cruise planner" I had still showed all my original reservations! Luckily she could accommodate us at our regular table and we had a nice dinner.

 

Day 2 Dinner Saffron menu

 

Saffron menu:

Grilled Salmon salad

Shrimp Ravioli

Barramundi

Roasted Duck

Carved Filet of Beef

Artichoke Crepes

 

We had escargot, which was actually available and is a favorite of DD and DM and isn't always available. We also had the scallop appetizer, lobster bisque, salmon salad, beef tenderloin, artichoke crepes. I have not enjoyed the lobster bisque for many years, and I mentioned this to DM, and she agreed, it was not to her taste either. This may be due to us having similar tastes in seafood from our summers in Maine, but we feel there is too much sherry, and not enough cream and lobster! We tried the lemon meringue pie and strawberry cheese cake for dessert. (well, some of us did, I was holding out for more Ben and Jerrys!) They reported both were excellent!

 

After dinner, DM hit the casino again to try her luck and Emily and I decided to take in the Captians Reception and the Parade of Flags. Here is one place where I think the Centrum really has an advantage over the Royal Promenades for these "parades and celebrations". Because the Centrum has several levels ringing it, you have the opportunity to stand on one of several levels, and all around and get a decent view of the proceedings (even if you do not have the ability to take decent pictures, like me) On the RP, you are either on top of the action in the crowd, or quite far away from it. I like that everyone can have a little space without crowding and still enjoy a decent view! Here are my indecent photos:

 

Capt Johan at the Captains Welcome Aboard Reception

 

 

 

 

 

Parade of Flags

 

 

 

 

 

[Familygoboston]

Day 2 Feb 18: CocoCay

 

Formal Night Production Showtime and 70's Dance Party

 

 

We met mom at the theater for the Production show, "Can't Stop the Rock". She was newly returned from the penny slots. She was still "up" and showed us her slip for a little over 20 bucks!

 

The show was very well danced and the singers were excellent, but I always have this feeling the whole show was driven by what songs they could get cheaply, as they are so disparate and often, nearly unknown. It always feels like, "here are the songs we've licensed, create a show!"

 

It appeared a male dancer got injured or ill, because after the opening acts, they had only 3 males and 4 females and DD, who runs spotlights for theater productions, noticed a spot without dancer (these things are "pre-programmed" and cannot usually be changed mid show- but she noticed they adjusted and corrected the shows on the following nights)

 

After the show I asked DD what she thought of the show and unbeknownst to us, at that very moment the CD, Marc, was walking through our part of the balcony after making his announcements, and overheard DD saying she didn't know most of the movies that were "featured" in the show and she thought the show was old and tired (in her usual very loud voice). AWKWARD!! Oh dear...no wonder the poor man felt ill! But I think she was being honest and while the production talent and energy was great as always, the production itself left something to be desired.

 

Production show

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was off to the Centrum for dancing with the DJ to current music. Then it was time for the 70's party in which DD played a starring role, being invited onto the staircase with an eclectic collection of humanity to dance along with the cruise staff and CD (you know, the one whose show she had just insulted mere moments ago!?!?!) Maybe he was trying to get her to improve the rating on the comment card?? I was worried he was going to do a John Travolta arm wave and topple her off the stairs in retaliation, but he was a perfect gentleman! And DD did have a blast and got a cameo in the Cruise in Review video.

 

What?! You don't know about the cruise in review video? Well, you should, because the videographers are everywhere and if you have one too many or just decide to cut loose a little, it will be documented for posterity, posted to Youtube and sold in the gift shop for $29.95 (or thereabouts...I've never bought one). You've been warned!

 

70's Dance party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the 70s party, we took in late night comedy with Al Romas, who was funny, but was even funnier without the obscenities and potty mouth the night before, not that we minded it at all, but just that he was actually funnier without it. I think part of what was unfunny, was that he spent a lot of time joking about his own (apparently) sexless marriage to a group of folks on a romantic cruise...so it's not like they were all really relating to his message, if you get my drift!

 

It's advertised as 18+, but DD made the point that's she's heard worse at the cafeteria in school! There was nothing I didn't think a 16 yo doesn't already laugh about or know about already! We sat in the balcony so the comedian couldn't see her and possibly feel intimidated by "kids" in the audience.

 

After comedy it was time for bed! Where this little fella was waiting...DD posed with him since elephants are her favorite animal!

 

[Familygoboston]

Day 2 Feb 18: CocoCay

 

Cruise Compass

 

 

 

 

Edited March 8, 2014 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

Chops

We didn't eat here, so I can't review it, but some folks like to make a reservation at Chops Grill on Formal Night, so I did duck my head in for a (bad) photo and took a screen shot of the video menus for anyone interested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rn4ever06]

The one I just got off of yesterday was a HUGE spring break crowd. I heard there were over 1000 spring breakers then I heard 1800. It seemed like a million. They had a website dedicated to it. It was definitely loud and crowded at times. A few were removed feom the ship. But me and DH still enjoyed ourselves. :)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[Familygoboston]

The one I just got off of yesterday was a HUGE spring break crowd. I heard there were over 1000 spring breakers then I heard 1800. It seemed like a million. They had a website dedicated to it. It was definitely loud and crowded at times. A few were removed feom the ship. But me and DH still enjoyed ourselves. :)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

 

Oh My! I guess you do need to know what you are getting yourself into on a short cruise during March:eek:

 

Welcome home!! Glad it worked out for you both, and that anyone really over the top was sent packing! I'm wondering, did they offer the drink packages? That's where I could see it really getting out of hand, and I wonder if they would find it profitable enough?;)

[okieladybug]

I'll be on this cruise on the 17th and am so ready to get out to the warmth and sea! I love your review and it has given me some great ideas about what to do while my friend and I are on the cruise. Glad they have a comedian as we love those.

 

Having the pictures and map of Coco Cay is fabulous, along with the fantastic tip about eating early!

[kwazi07]

Subscribed!

[Familygoboston]

I'll be on this cruise on the 17th and am so ready to get out to the warmth and sea! I love your review and it has given me some great ideas about what to do while my friend and I are on the cruise. Glad they have a comedian as we love those.

 

Having the pictures and map of Coco Cay is fabulous, along with the fantastic tip about eating early!

 

It's really one of the nicest short cruises I've done...the ship has more "extras" than some of the other options (except maybe Independence, but 6 nights really isn't short in my mind!:D)

 

The comedian was part of the "guest entertainment" so it may not always be a comedian, on other cruises we've had magicians, vaudeville type acts, and Vegas crooner type acts.

 

Nassau is coming up, but if you want more ideas about Nassau, I have a photo review (DH's photos!!:D)of Blue Lagoon in my Allure review. That is something for you and your friend to look into!

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Have a couple random questions if you wouldn't mind. A friend I am traveling is interested in a cigar bar- does Enchantment have one?

 

Also, it is possible to request a foam pillow even if you are in a lowly inside stateroom?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Clarea]

Have a couple random questions if you wouldn't mind. A friend I am traveling is interested in a cigar bar- does Enchantment have one?

 

Also, it is possible to request a foam pillow even if you are in a lowly inside stateroom?

No cigar bar on Enchantment.

[Familygoboston]

Have a couple random questions if you wouldn't mind. A friend I am traveling is interested in a cigar bar- does Enchantment have one?

 

Also, it is possible to request a foam pillow even if you are in a lowly inside stateroom?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

As Bob mentioned, there is no cigar bar, some ships used to offer a "space" for it outdoors on certain nights, but I never saw that in the cruise compasses on this cruise.

 

As far as requesting special bedding, there is no distinction made about the type of cabin you have. They are happy to indulge you if they have it available! The only thing I know that is "only" in suites, that aren't in "regular" cabins are the individual toiletries, the coffee maker, and possibly robes (we get them anyway, so I have them in regular cabins too, but I don't think that's "standard")

 

This was our first time ever sailing in a JS, (we were upgraded) and to be honest, other than the size of it and the bathtub, I never noticed one single thing different about my cruising experience. I kept forgetting we weren't in a "regular" cabin.;) It reaffirmed my thoughts that I would not pay extra for one unless it was also located in a place (say aft with a large balcony:p) that I preferred and could not get without upgrading the JS, or in the case of a late price drop, was a very inexpensive upgrade. But I was grateful for this freebie experience in one!:D

 

I'll have more coming...DH and I share this computer and he had a photo "job" to do today, so I have to make nice and share:D

[okieladybug]

*sits with chin in one hand and clicking the refresh button with the other, waiting (im)patiently for the Nassau review

 

Decides to go and rinse out the hair color before her hair falls out*

Edited March 9, 2014 by okieladybug

[Familygoboston]

Day 3 Feb 19: Nassau

 

Arriving in Nassau

 

We arrived in Nassau early, and it was a beautiful day! Luckily, because Enchantment "backs into" the pier, our aft cabin gave us a panoramic view of the city, the bridge to Paradise Island and Atlantis.

 

Pano

 

 

 

 

 

City view

 

 

 

 

Atlantis and Paradise Island View

 

 

 

 

We were alongside the Norwegian Sky

 

 

 

 

 

[Familygoboston]

*sits with chin in one hand and clicking the refresh button with the other, waiting (im)patiently for the Nassau review

 

Decides to go and rinse out the hair color before her hair falls out*

 

That was just for you Okie;):p

 

I know I hate when a "review goes cold" too!:( But I have to be nice and share if I want DH to help "save" my photos;):o

 

Anyway, he's playing the piano right now, so like a game of musical chairs; I'll keep posting till the music stops:p

Edited March 9, 2014 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

Day 3 Feb 19: Nassau

 

Breakfast

 

Mom and I were up around 7:30 and went to the MDR for eggs Benedict. She likes to do this once a cruise, and since DD was tucked in bed, and our Discover Atlantis tour wasn't until 1:30, we had the morning to ourselves and let DD snooze.

 

In addition to being served off the menu, there is a buffet of cold cereals, fruit, yogurt and pastry where you can help yourself. Because we have been "dining by ourselves" all week at MTD, this was the first time we got to meet some new people at the table. There was a nice mix of couples at our table and we had some nice conversation along with our fresh cooked eggs!

 

Menu for Breakfast in the MDR

 

 

 

 

 

 

During this time, they announced they'd be doing a drill and we would hear the emergency alarm (seven short followed by one long blast) Now, when I heard this, I got a little nervous, because DD was sleeping in the cabin, and I am certain she would not have heard the announcement that this was just a crew drill. Even before muster she finds the emergency signal very anxiety provoking, and I was worried it would wake her, she would not know it was a drill, and she would freak out! So I excused myself and dashed all the way up 3 flights of stairs and all the way aft (good thing I'm in decent shape!) and threw open the door expecting her to be a panicked puddle...this is what I found:

Sound asleep!

 

So, good to know that she was not panicked, she was not even awake, but now I am panicked knowing that even the ships alarm (7 short followed by one long blast) will not rouse her!:eek: Now I am having nightmares thinking I can never leave her sleeping in the cabin alone again! I am comforted by the fact, and you should be too, if you are a sound sleeper, heavy drinker (or both), that a crew member told me they have responsibilities to "clear the cabins" door by door, and they place a tag in the key hole that they have checked, beds, baths, under beds, and even in closets for any passengers before they "clear"...thank heavens, because in that photo above ^^^^^^^, honestly, DD just looks like a lump of laundry, does she not??

 

After assuring myself that DD, was calm (more like comatose!) I joined mom again.

 

 

 

...and here are a couple of photos of Enchantment docked in Nassau so this is not just a boring post all about breakfast and ship's alarms;)

 

 

 

 

 

[smeck]

Day 1 Feb 17: Embarkation Day

 

After lunch we headed to Explorations! (by way of the ice cream machines on the pool deck) to get an excursion to Atlantis Aquariums called "Discover Atlantis". DM had been to Atlantis in October to shop and gamble with her girlfriends while cruising on Majesty, and was saving the aquariums for this cruise with us. It was $59 pp for a 1:30 bus over to Atlantis, with shuttles, coming back on the 1/2 hour till 4:30. I had an OBC which is why I wanted to buy the excursion on board.

 

Shore Excursion offerings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After buying the excursion, we happened to notice the Cafe Latitudes, I had not told DD that there was a Ben and a Jerry's on board, so she was delighted. She is an absolute B&J's addict. I think she has Phish Food every day. Im proud to say she got this addiction from me...let's just say I identify as Pan-Ben and Jerry's. I even work out in a tee shirt that says...

"Body by Ben and Jerry's"

 

DM would not believe me when I told her that although you have to pay for coffee and ice cream, the baked goods were free, so of course, she had to get a cookie to prove it to herself!

 

DD at B & J looking very pleased and in some way, slightly like a hippy!!

 

(for my CT friend, Smeck, you will notice DD's tee! Before every cruise she and my DH always have to decide "which" championship tee shirt to wear (being from NE, we have dozens of fairly new championship tees to choose from!!). In this case, the choice was easy; the Sox are the most recent champs and our trip coincided with the opening of spring training near my mom and dad's home.)

 

As a huge Sox fan and actually having worked for the grounds crew for a day during my college career I love your daughters tee. I helped clear the field of snow just before opening day in 1973. I'm a typical Ct. Resident Red Sox and Giant fan.

[Familygoboston]

Day 3 Feb 19: Nassau

We headed out to Nassau for a little souvenir shopping and to visit the straw market. We bought straw bags from Mrs Lloyd.

 

Nassau

 

There was an interesting exhibit called "the Journey to Majority Rule" at the courthouse and in the squares and plazas around town. 2013 was the 40th year of Bahamian independence and the exhibit seemed to be pretty "permanent" and I think you could expect to see it all season. I spent a few minutes looking at it, but we didn't have enough time to really delve into all the history. But if this is your thing, it's right out on the street and free to all!

 

a view of Enchantment from a side street

 

 

 

 

Journey exhibit and officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the colorful colonial style architecture

 

 

 

a street musician playing the pans

 

[Familygoboston]

As a huge Sox fan and actually having worked for the grounds crew for a day during my college career I love your daughters tee. I helped clear the field of snow just before opening day in 1973. I'm a typical Ct. Resident Red Sox and Giant fan.

 

Smeck, it is something to say you've been "on the field" at Fenway...a real bucket list event!:D

 

There is a reason it's called "Red Sox" nation...they are everywhere, even in Yankee country! ;) I'm amazed about how many RS fans there are all around the country- we've even met some folks overseas and in South America!!

[Familygoboston]

Day 3 Feb 19: Nassau

 

Straw Market

 

Back in the good old days of cruising (when everyone wore tuxedos, even at the pool, and drinks were always free...but I may be mis-remembering!) the straw market was an organic thing...a bunch of ladies who wove things would show up dockside and set up a little mat or table and passengers would disembark and shop their wares. After a while it got a little aggressive and it became a bit of a magnet for people hoping to take advantage of the visitors. At some point, after a fire started by a disgruntled vendor, they built a nice structure and leased out "stalls" and generally reigned in the chaos a bit. Of course today, a goodly amount of things in "straw" market arrived packed in "straw" from China, and some miss the old style of aggressive bargaining and colorful local items. But there are still quite a few folks practicing the "old ways" and some with creative new ventures using old crafts, like the guy carving NFL logos into sideways coconuts that look like "coconut footballs". (please don't tell Roger...I'm fairly certain the carver doesn't have a licensing agreement)

 

As far as aggressive selling goes; I accept that in different places around the world, commerce is handled differently. In New England, it's rare to even get a greeting or eye contact when you walk into a shops. I once went to a Dallas mall as a young woman and thought the saleswoman thought I was shop lifting because she was following me around the whole time! I learned after a while, that in Dallas, the shop ladies are just super friendly!

 

And in the Bahamas and other places I've been; they are anxious to have you look at their stuff and can be aggressive about "inviting" you to do so. But I always remember that there is no obligation for me to buy anything!! I use markets as a chance to talk to local people, I ask them about their work and how they make their wares. And often times, I've struck up an interesting enough conversation with a particular artisan that an item they are selling is something I DO want to buy because I have a warm memory or interaction. Like the lovely wooden trivet Linda wove in Dominica, or the farmers market basket I bought from Mrs Lloyd in Nassau, who appears to be a bit of an institution and has spawned many "daughters and cousins" with their own booths at the Straw Market.

 

If I'm not interested beyond that interaction, I extricate myself with a big smile and friendly, "your work is lovely, thank you for showing it to me!" and when others might approach me when I'm moving somewhere else with "Pretty lady want a bracelet?" (or hat or trivet or need a taxi, or whatever) I just smile and say, " oh, no thank you" and keep moving. There is really no reason to be sacred!

 

As far as bargaining goes...well, as you've heard earlier, I'm not that great at it...I think if someone makes something with their own hands, it's kind of priceless! And when I am shopping in places where a homemade hard wood trivet, that would $45 bucks at Crate and Barrel and made in China, is priced at $10, I don't have the heart to squeeze people down to $4.50, but I try to go in with an opening salvo of 1/2 of what they tell me, then they counter with a price around 75% of the original price, and I am usually perfectly fine with that.

 

I do also always check before going to any new place, what the market expectations are...in some places, it's priced as listed, others if you don't go in at 25% of what they say, you are getting taken. But in most of the Caribbean, you can expect to pay 20%- 40% less than the opening price depending how "hard" you want to bargain. If you pay "list" price, you are giving them a bigger than expected bonus, but if you can afford it, and the difference in price is not a big deal to you, is that so awful, if it is a tourist market? (If its a local market, where local people go to buy food and goods for themselves, it's more critical to participate as a local would, so that you don't inadvertently price the locals out of goods they need, which is an "ugly American" thing to do)

 

So while it's a little more sanitized, we still enjoyed walking around and looking for the items that people had actually created themselves among the Bahama shot glasses and key chains made in China.

 

 

The market entrance from the street in Nassau

 

 

 

 

the colorful, jam packed interior

 

 

 

 

 

mom and I with Mrs Lloyd- we each bought one of her baskets

 

 

 

 

 

the rear entrance from the water side

 

 

 

 

 

mom with her "minnie bag" (please don't tell Bob, because I' fairly certain they don't have a licensing agreement) She bought this for her dog Minnie, to keep her travel toys in when they travel. Yup, that dog is spoiled, we didn't have toys when I was a kid, never mind a bag to put 'em in! (ok, that's not really true!)

 

[Familygoboston]

Re-embarkation at Nassau

 

 

We came back on board to collect DD before our excursion and have a light lunch, (which DD called breakfast ;)) I had hoped to go to the Park Cafe but it wasn't open at lunch. So we hoofed it to the other end of the ship to eat at a very busy WJ.

 

The WJ staff was seating folks and there were plenty of seats due to them keeping everyone moving and seating parties at the appropriate size tables. At one point there was a bit of line waiting to enter, but once in, it was organized, and uncrowded which was really nice.

 

WJ at lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, the music has stopped...time for me to jump out of the computer chair;) I'll have more on the Discover Atlantis tour tomorrow!

[okieladybug]

Girl you have no idea how much I am enjoying your review! I called my friend Karen today and was telling her all these different things about the cruise and she was so glad I had read all the great things. We are so excited about going and we still have a week before we leave! I will be checking back tomorrow for sure. Oh and thanks for the info about the the straw market! In the afternoons I do counseling at an ICF/MR and one of the residents shares her popcorn with me at the 2pm break and I want to find something to bring back to her as a thank you.

[Familygoboston]

Girl you have no idea how much I am enjoying your review! I called my friend Karen today and was telling her all these different things about the cruise and she was so glad I had read all the great things. We are so excited about going and we still have a week before we leave! I will be checking back tomorrow for sure. Oh and thanks for the info about the the straw market! In the afternoons I do counseling at an ICF/MR and one of the residents shares her popcorn with me at the 2pm break and I want to find something to bring back to her as a thank you.

 

 

I'm just glad that someone is reading it!!;) You will find lots of small things at the market, one item my mom got was a little straw "wallet" that says Bahamas. She got it to take her change to her domino games. Something like that might be perfect for your client since she probably needs to carry pocket change around the facility or on outings now and then! I think they were priced at 3 or 4 dollars, and mom bargained a bit to get it for about 2. Good luck!!

 

You should see if the Blue Lagoon Beach excursion is offered. Most people go for the Dolphin programs, but you can go just for the beach day. It's my favorite Nassau excursion...as you'll see soon, I had another disappointing experience at Atlantis...it's just always overpriced!

 

To get to BL you take a boat (included) and when you get there you can spread out onto the beach with a lounger (included) and there is a nice buffet lunch, (included) similar to Cococay, but not all you can eat, you get a plateful. There are add ons if you want to pay to snorkel or play on the water park, or kayak etc, but you can walk the bridges where the dolphin pools are and see the dolphins doing the encounters with the people and cavorting around on their own. SO I think it's a high value proposition for the money ($65), a "lite" animal encounter (seeing them) the lunch and beach...which is in a really pretty cove...and you travel by boat which is a pretty ride on the ocean and the guides do point out a few of the "famous" residences on Paradise island as you pass.

 

From the website:

 

Overview:

Blue Lagoon Island is yours to enjoy! Swim in the calm lagoon, relax on the beach, enjoy grilled lunch and refreshing tropical drinks, or just do nothing but watch the coconut palms sway as you lounge in a double hammock.

Highlights:

- Ferry ride to and from Blue Lagoon Island

- Private island at your leisure – swim or relax on the beach

- Observe friendly dolphins and sea lions

- Picnic style lunch included

Full Description:

Start your tropical day with a 40-minute scenic double-decker ferry ride through historic Nassau Harbor towards Blue Lagoon Island. Enjoy this private island at your leisure. Swim on a pristine beach or just relax and lounge in a double hammock. You can also visit the Dolphin Encounter facility and observe friendly Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and sea lions in their all-natural habitat.

Your tour includes unlimited use of the aqua noodles, floating beach mats, and inner tubes and a game area (volleyball, ping pong and jumbo board games). A picnic style lunch is also included with your choice of a grilled sandwich (Angus hamburger or cheeseburger, all beef hot dog, all white meat chicken burger or a veggie burger) along with chips, fresh fruit, and fruit punch or lemonade.

Changing rooms and souvenir shops can be found on the island.

[Familygoboston]

Day 3 Feb 19: Nassau

 

Discover Atlantis Tour

 

After lunch we relaxed on the balcony for a while and then headed out to meet our Discover Atlantis tour. This was 59 dollars per person and I felt it was hardly worth it. Every time I go to Atlantis, I come back disappointed. The first time, we went with a Disney tour for a beach excursion, and by the time we bused over there, wended our way through the shops, and queued up for arm bands and towels, it was nearly time to come back. This time DM had been to Atlantis, just to gamble and look around on her own in October. She thought the aquarium would be fun to see and because they had expanded it since I was at Atlantis 10 years ago, I thought it might be fun. I had a large OBC to use and since we don't drink much, we figured we could spend this on an excursion in Nassau.

 

We met the tour at about 1:30, the bus didn't arrive till 1:45, and we got to Atlantis at 2, we got head sets which did help with hearing the tour guide, but her presentation was very canned and there were 2 things I did not like about it.

 

First, it was geared towards selling the resort, (she was an Atlantis employee) we spent quite a bit of time looking at Chihuly glass sculptures in the casino and hearing how they were worth "1 million dollars" (all I could picture was Dr Evil with his finger to his chin...1 milllllion dollars!) The whole feel of it was a combo of, "wouldn't you like to be rich enough to stay here, it's so luxurious" and "you don't have access to this today, but if you come back you could do this activity, or go to this beach or pool" it was so weird!!

 

After the "resort tour" we did get to breeze through the animal areas, but rather than take any time to do anything but name the animals, the guide was weaving this whole tale of Atlantis and telling these "stories" like they were facts..."this artifact was found from the lost city of Atlantis 4000 years ago". I mean I guess they do that stuff in Disney World, but this wasn't even entirely clear it was a myth, and I think some of the foreign tourists were actually believing it!

 

I guess I misunderstood the "excursion"; my bad! I had thought since there was a flexible departure shuttle, that they more or less, gave you a wrist band and let you go check out the aquariums. Instead we were led around by the nose until the very end and allowed extra time to revisit anything we wanted to. But the guide added nothing educational about the animals and the habitats they obvioulsy spent so much money on. The head sets were very helpful for hearing, but there was nothing she said that was useful, sadly!

 

I had hoped to have more time in the aquarium and animal habitats, but we hurried through with little more than a few names of the fish and the canned Atlantis myth story. After about an hour, we were loosed on the resort to shop, gamble or spend more time with the animals. We decided to visit the shark tank for some more time and then took a 4 PM shuttle back.

 

Also, I should mention, the tour is advertised as a lot of walking, and it is!!

 

We made the best of it and I did enjoy seeing all the fish. Also, they clearly spent a lot of money on really cool habitats and we did get to see shark feeding time, which was neat...would have loved to have learned more about it than what I could read on the wall, but there you go!

 

 

 

on the bus going over the bridge!

 

 

 

 

 

our guide and her microphone for the headsets (which worked really well and she was very nice!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

this is a nice little area that is part of the resort, but has some restaurants and a marina...if you go over on your own on the water shuttle, you could dine there and sit near the big yachts and the water.

 

 

 

 

 

wandering through the shops

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up, I am going to give you all 3 milllllllion dollars!!