I see so many posts and blogs about Castaway Cay and all the excursions and things to do. But I never see anything about the port in Nassau. Does anyone know of any excursions or anything that would be cool to do?
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Port in Nassau???
- Thread starter QueenOfHearts83
- Start date
flynnibus
Premium Member
The big ones are atlantis things...
We enjoyed the Blue Lagoon ones.. including the dolphin swim and the sea lion one gets good praise too.
You can view Disney's list of excursions on the DCL website
durangojim
Well-Known Member
We did the dolphin encounter at Atlantis. We much preferred a similar experience at Discovery Cove. Now when we get to port we just stay on the ship.
belledream
Well-Known Member
If you're interested in snorkeling during your cruise, Nassau is probably the better place to do it. Disney lists a few catamaran excursions that would seem like fun if you want to go in that direction as opposed to Atlantis/shopping. I only say this because snorkeling isn't really a thing Castaway Cay.
Actually, my wife (who is a scuba diver as well) did the snorkeling route at Castaway Cay and was quite happy with it. My sons and I were busy on the waterslides.
deanaandrich
Well-Known Member
The snorkeling trips on the catamarans are a lot of fun. Saw tons of marine life in January.
belledream
Well-Known Member
You could go to the public beaches or sight see around Atlantis/shops/historical Nassau. Other than that, I'm sure everything will cost you at least something.
Is it safe to just walk around?
belledream
Well-Known Member
Of course. You'll be there from ~8-4 in broad daylight in a tourist hotspot. Just use common sense and street smarts as you would anywhere else. Be firm but respectful to people who may try to pressure you to buy something. I would definitely study maps or have some sort of plan in case so you're not totally lost. You can always go back to the ship. 
Yes. There is even a beach (Junkanoo Beach) you can walk to very close to the pier. It isn't the most picturesque, but it is a decent beach. It has little bars and restaurants lining it so you can get some Bahamian food and beer as well. No charge for the beach.
Around town near the pier is a lot of shopping, some of it quite nice, but nothing that really stood out for me. Also waling distance are some historical sites (A couple of Forts for example). A bit further, but still walkable (I know because I did it), is Ardastra Gardens and Zoological Park, which is a nice diversion for an hour or two, particularly with kids. If you want to go there, don't book an excursion off the ship. Walk or take a cab (or take a cab one way and walk the other) and just pay the admission price. Way cheaper.
On our last stop in Nassau (been there about 6 times already), we took a cab to Ardastra, walked back to downtown stopping at Fort Charlotte and Junkanoo Beach, and looked for a couple of geocaches (my son is into it) in the shopping area. Inexpensive and relaxing. Atlantis is gorgeous, but the prices for the tours there are outrageous, IMHO.
If you've never been to Nassau, you should at least get off the ship and walk around a bit. Castaway Cay is an island, of course, but you don't exactly get a taste (or sight, or view, or smell, or sound) of anything Bahamian there.
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
On the contrary, my wife always enjoys a taste of the Bahama Mama while on Castaway Cay!
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
I realy liked the Blue Lagoon excursions. The Stingray excursion - not so much. The excursion was fine, but they held you "hostage" on their island after it was over, and you had to wait forever for the (late) afternoon launch back. Blue Lagoon had launches leaving every hour.
You can walk around Nassau and you will be safe, just like you can walk around NYC and be safe. Just be smart, keep your valuable in a front pocket, be aware of scams (if a deal sounds to good to be true, it most likely is), and don't let hawkers pressure you into buying things.
-dave
You can walk around Nassau and you will be safe, just like you can walk around NYC and be safe. Just be smart, keep your valuable in a front pocket, be aware of scams (if a deal sounds to good to be true, it most likely is), and don't let hawkers pressure you into buying things.
-dave
FlyTriPacer
Well-Known Member
We've been twice and enjoyed our "cheap" excursions and will probably get off again if we ever stop there again. My wife and I did the Ardastra Gardens in 2011 and the entire family did the semi-submersible sight-seeing this past August. I enjoyed Ardastra Gardens enough to do it again...
There are free things and "cheap" things to do that are enjoyable. Have a great cruise!
Chad
There are free things and "cheap" things to do that are enjoyable. Have a great cruise!
Chad