Why go to Nassau at all?

[Markanddonna]

Setting aside the experience of Nassau, I'd like to address just the port fees. I am on a 4 day cruise from Port Canaveral with one stop in Nassau and two days at a private island. The port fees are $139. PP.  I just noted a Mediterranean cruise with port fees at $72 PP and they stop at Haifa, Cyprus, Santorini, Athens, Kusadasi and Rhodes- very desirable ports to visit. Why the huge discrepancy?  BTW- China now owns the port of Athens...

[rkacruiser]

32 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

Why the huge discrepancy? 

 

Nassau is gouging the tourists?  And/or, cruise ship visitors are helping to pay for the construction that has been taking place in Nassau's harbor?

[Joebucks]

Maybe someone else who is more knowledgeable will chime in. It is "taxes, fees, and port expenses" though. Not just the fee to go to Nassau.

[CruiserBruce]

A little search around Cruise Critic would find some threads with much detail on the variables of port fees. You should look into what the fees are for the Panama Canal.

 

First, what one port charges has absolutely nothing to do with what another port charges. Its entirely up to the port to charge what they desire.

 

Secondly, services provided at ports vary widely. Some ports provide, and charge for all sorts of things...water, garbage service, land based power, etc. Others don't. The most common services charged for include things like tugs and standby tugs, pilots, dock personnel, etc.

 

Thirdly, some ports were built by, or with the assistance of cruise lines...for example, Carnival built Grand Turk. Thus, Carnival ships may pay little or nothing for docking at Grand Turk, but pay a bundle to dock at other ports, including some built by other cruise lines. Like being a member at a golf club, some ports may tack on an additional fee for upcoming projects, like new docks, dredging, etc.

 

Lastly, some ports charge by passenger, others by capacity, others by size, others just a flat fee, some a mix of these methods. All of this is divided over the pax on board.

[cruizergal70]

What's your gripe with Nassau? That amount is for fees and taxes. That include fees and taxes for the private island. There is no way to estimate what's going to Nassau as opposed to the private island.  Surely you don't think the cruise line is maintaining the island cost free?

[chengkp75]

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Secondly, services provided at ports vary widely. Some ports provide, and charge for all sorts of things...water, garbage service, land based power, etc. Others don't.

By law, these cannot be lumped into the "port taxes and fees", as these are charges incidental to the vessel's operation.

 

I would suspect that the reason the OP's port taxes and fees are higher than Med ports, is that Carnival uses the "port fees" to pay the lease on the private island.

[navybankerteacher]

Cruise lines like to advertise ports - and Nassau is probably the easiest port to reach on a short (3 or 4 day) from a Florida east coast port.  there is NOTHING there really worth seeing.  Atlantis is worth a land visit if water parks and casinos are your thing ---- but you can't do it justice while on a cruise (and pay heavily for trying.

 

To stay on topic:  there is no good reason to book a cruise because it stops at Nassau.  The only positive about a port call there is that a lot of the unthinking mob who crowd your ship will likely go ashore, leaving you with a better chance to enjoy the ship.

[beachbum53]

3 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Cruise lines like to advertise ports - and Nassau is probably the easiest port to reach on a short (3 or 4 day) from a Florida east coast port.  there is NOTHING there really worth seeing.  Atlantis is worth a land visit if water parks and casinos are your thing ---- but you can't do it justice while on a cruise (and pay heavily for trying.

 

To stay on topic:  there is no good reason to book a cruise because it stops at Nassau.  The only positive about a port call there is that a lot of the unthinking mob who crowd your ship will likely go ashore, leaving you with a better chance to enjoy the ship.

Nassau is one of the ports on our itinerary for our next cruise. We've already been there four times, and needless to say, it's not one of our favorite ports. As you've already mentioned, we plan to stay on the ship and enjoy some quiet time on board. 

[Markanddonna]

Our four day cruise that includes Nassau also includes a two day stop at MSC's private island. We are only at Nassau for about six hours and will get off the ship only because it is the first time our granddaughter can say she has been to a foreign country. Then, it is back to the ship.

[cruiseaholic777]

We don't even get off of the ship in Nassau. It is one of the least favorite ports in the Caribbean.

[navybankerteacher]

41 minutes ago, cruiseaholic777 said:

We don't even get off of the ship in Nassau. It is one of the least favorite ports in the Caribbean.

Without being anywhere near the Caribbean.

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

We are only at Nassau for about six hours and will get off the ship only because it is the first time our granddaughter can say she has been to a foreign country. Then, it is back to the ship.

 

That's a worthwhile reason for you to make a short visit to Nassau.  Walk into the center of the town and observe the "Bobby" type officer (if they still do that) directing traffic, maybe a visit to the Queen's Staircase, and a visit to the Straw Market (if that is open).  Those, I think, might be memorable for her first visit to a foreign city.  

[KirkNC]

I would be fine with not going to Nassau!

[sfaaa]

C'mon now, I know you all love to visit the straw market in Nassau.  I mean what else is there to see?

[Keksie]

Have never been to Nassau on any of our cruises so I can't say for sure but isn't there any snorkeling there?  That is what we do out of most ports if available at all.

[navybankerteacher]

9 minutes ago, Keksie said:

Have never been to Nassau on any of our cruises so I can't say for sure but isn't there any snorkeling there?  That is what we do out of most ports if available at all.

Sure -- but you want to get out of town.   Cabbage Beach - on Paradise Island is great - but not ideal for snorkeling unless on a very calm day.

[evandbob]

58 minutes ago, Keksie said:

Have never been to Nassau on any of our cruises so I can't say for sure but isn't there any snorkeling there?  That is what we do out of most ports if available at all.

I've snorkeled in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico and most isles in the Caribbean.  The only place I ever saw an ocean sunfish was on a snorkel tour from Nassau.

 

I like Cable Beach as a day trip from the port as well.  I don't think many cruisers go there or are even aware of its existence.

[Joebucks]

On 2/17/2022 at 8:13 PM, navybankerteacher said:

Cruise lines like to advertise ports - and Nassau is probably the easiest port to reach on a short (3 or 4 day) from a Florida east coast port.  there is NOTHING there really worth seeing.  Atlantis is worth a land visit if water parks and casinos are your thing ---- but you can't do it justice while on a cruise (and pay heavily for trying.

 

To stay on topic:  there is no good reason to book a cruise because it stops at Nassau.  The only positive about a port call there is that a lot of the unthinking mob who crowd your ship will likely go ashore, leaving you with a better chance to enjoy the ship.

 

Nothing worth seeing? Spare us your elitist inconvenience of visiting ports of the common folk. There are plenty of beautiful sights to see in Nassau.

[mjkacmom]

We book resort day passes on this stop, cable and cabbage beach are beautiful. We’ve also done atlantis twice.

[ilikeanswers]

I haven't been to the Bahamas but there are certain destinations I have found myself returning to and unless you have super niche interests personally I've found if you do some research you can always find something interesting. Sometimes you need to go past the first search page on Google😂. 

[dolittle]

6 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

Nothing worth seeing? Spare us your elitist inconvenience of visiting ports of the common folk. There are plenty of beautiful sights to see in Nassau.

I feel the same as many on this site .You are not wrong there are some nice places to see. I think the problem is the port itself it is always full is dirty and poorly managed . The flow of people is bad and the locals guides are in a bad spot (on the street) . It is a mess  and adds stress to people getting off. They should expand the size of the area and remove the fencing (ugly) around the area. Many ports are not the most pleasant places but this one is of the worst.

[c-boy]

7 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

Nothing worth seeing? Spare us your elitist inconvenience of visiting ports of the common folk. There are plenty of beautiful sights to see in Nassau.

tony the tiger mic drop GIF by Frosted Flakes - Find & Share on GIPHY.mhtml

[Essiesmom]

My favorite thing in Nassau is the port.  If you are there on a day with several cruise ships, hope that your ship is one of the earliest to arrive.  Stay on deck, watch the other ships enter the bay, spin around and back into their piers.  Fascinating.  EM

[Joebucks]

1 hour ago, dolittle said:

I feel the same as many on this site .You are not wrong there are some nice places to see. I think the problem is the port itself it is always full is dirty and poorly managed . The flow of people is bad and the locals guides are in a bad spot (on the street) . It is a mess  and adds stress to people getting off. They should expand the size of the area and remove the fencing (ugly) around the area. Many ports are not the most pleasant places but this one is of the worst.

 

I'm not saying this is the perfect port. You make lots of valid posts. Far more valid than there is "nothing" to see. It has some absolutely gorgeous beaches, a free beach within walking distance, resorts with day passes, Atlantis, blue lagoon island, conservation center, and more.

 

It's fun to hate the big ports. Especially for those of us who cruise a lot and prefer to have more of a variety of experiences. I get it. I don't always actively plan to go there. When I do, I can have a good time. The investment in the new port isn't a terrible thing either.

[Mike981]

Even if staying on the ship, it is pretty area to enjoy.

 

One of our funny family memories was being on an excursion and the van stopping in front of a KFC and there being several chickens roaming in front of the restaurant. My son blurted out, "well that's convenient!"