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thoughts on Nassau
- Thread starter Kerby626
- Start date
TDF
Well-Known Member
I have been to Nassau multiple times and every time we go we either hate it or love it. If this is your first time going to Nassau definitely get off and explore the island. It is very beautiful. We loved walking around and seeing the shops and colorful Bahamian buildings. If this is your second or third trip to Nassau I would suggest visiting Atlantis. That is probably the best shore adventure and a lot of people will be doing it though. If you have been there before stay on, explore the ship and relax. As for avoiding, I would avoid the poor sections. Yes there are poor sections, it’s not bad just not where you want to be. Stay near the port or the famous street which I can’t think of right now, it has major shopping and restaurants. Enjoy your cruise!
- Justin
- Justin
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
There's also high dollar boutiques IN Atlantis. Heck, I think the place is so pretty I'd go just to wander around and take pics. I've never done anything but that in Nassau, though. I've heard when walking around people will constantly ask you if you want things, etc. which can be kinda a buzz kill. I can't confirm this, though, because both times we've walked out the gates of the port area we took 2 steps and were herded onto a bus. Riding thru Nassau was interesting...kinda like a thrill ride in itself. LOL! Both times Tracey & I commented on the fact that if anyone was to mess up and step off a curb they'd be instant road kill. LOL! My brother-in-law has been to the "straw market" I've heard reference to a lot and he said it was cheap trinkets and obvious knock-offs (like Fauxch bags, etc.). We've never felt the urge to go there. I've often wished I'd taken the time to stop in at Senior Frogs to have a drink just to say I did but I'm sure we'll be in Nassau again. Next time. I say that a lot! LOL!
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
I like walking through the straw market. Tons of knock off purses, but they do have some other neat souvenirs.
I also love Atlantis, and the public beach next to Atlantis is nice!
I also love Atlantis, and the public beach next to Atlantis is nice!
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
If you do go to the straw market can I send some money with you to get me one of the kitshy little rafia purses/handbags with Mickey on it??? I think that'd be so fun to have!
Atlantis is nice but the Straw Market could burn to the ground (again) and I would not be the least bit upset.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
I have now walked around Nassau three times. The only thing I have had people try to sell me is bottled water and hair braiding. They are not overly pushy either. They basicly stay in one spot and as you walk by try to sell you stuff.
One thing I have heard, but can't confirm, involves the scooter rentals - like the one just outside the straw market. I have been told that if you bring the scooter back close to all aboard, they will claim you damaged it (they are all damaged already). They will charge you, and if you protest, they will offer to call the police but that could "take some time". They are hoping that because you have to catch the ship that you will just pay the damage fee. I don't know which places, if any, do this - but it is a story I have heard a few times.
-dave
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Or blow away, right? LOL!
tracyandalex
Well-Known Member
We have done an Atlantis excursion, the Sea Lion encounter, and just walked around. I highly recommend all 3. There were lots of interesting stores to look in when we were walking around and we weren't overly harassed by anyone. DH went to the rum cake store and we were chatting with the women working there and got a recommendation for a good place to try conch fritters and some stores to check out. The police stopped us later because DD's head was hanging out of her stroller and they were afraid it would get banged, it was very sweet. We went to Straw Market, but probably won't return, it was interesting, but we weren't really interested in anything they were selling. I seem to remember the bathrooms being interesting. Also, we always wander around Festival Place for a bit. I like to get some spices and I got some coffee and tea for friends.
disneysince71
Well-Known Member
We walked through the straw market then took a cab to Atlantis.... We were back for dinner! 
muteki
Well-Known Member
Only been once, and we went to Atlantis. It was neat to walk around and see, but I found the beach behind it to be way crowded, as well as the pools. If we went again I would probably just want to walk around the hotel, as I don't think the pools or beach are worth it (compared to Castaway anyway). Haven't tried the waterpark, it was really expensive. In general, we thought the aquarium part was neat, as was the lobby/casino, but as far as cleanliness goes and food it wasn't up to WDW standards resort-wise. The adjacent properties that were absorbed into Atlantis kinda kill the theming, and don't look any better than anything out at Myrtle or Daytona Beach.
Just from what we saw riding out to Atlantis, Nassau appeared to be your average Caribbean town. If we were on a cruise that went their again, we would probably just hang out on the boat.
Just from what we saw riding out to Atlantis, Nassau appeared to be your average Caribbean town. If we were on a cruise that went their again, we would probably just hang out on the boat.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I had all intentions on walking thru the straw market and go to Senor Frogs to get DH a Senor Frogs tshirt in September, but was very skeptical on doing so. I have been to Nassau once, and as soon as I got off the ship, I had a (guessing here) 12 yr old ask me if I wanted to buy drugs. That flipped me out, I turned right around and went back on the ship. Secondly... I should have never told my husband that story, now he doesnt want me to leave the Dream. (I know, I know, I have a BIG mouth LOL)
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
That's crazy! If it helps, I've been to Nassau several times and never seen or heard of anything like that.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
where my wdwmagic and KK girls go... I follow... 'nuf said LOL
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
I guess I must have been at Atlantis on a good day or you were there on a bad day because when I was there twice before on the Aquaventure excursions I found the cleanliness level better than what I've experienced in Disney (deluxe) resorts public areas in the last probably several stays we had on-property. Theming? It felt beachy and Atlantis-y with lots of references to a tropical paradise with bits of ancient ruins, lost city, and Atlantis-y theming all over. Like in the casino the hull of a ship incorporated into the ceiling design. Not that I'm a casino person. That was just passing thru. I found the theming and decor to be every bit as well executed for what it was representing as WDW's resorts minus a particular cast of characters. The quality of surroundings, call it "luxurious factor" was definitely on-par or slightly ahead of WDW's deluxe resorts to me. Definitely waaaaay better shopping selection right there within the hotel. I was only in the main tower building, tho. I didn't go into the other tower buildings. Landscape & pools were as well done as the best of resort pools at WDW. In fact, I'd say the Atlantis Aquaventure makes the Yacht & Beach Club's Stormalong Bay look pretty dinky. That's just me from what I saw, tho. As for the food, I've eaten 1 meal at Atlantis comparable to what a counter service meal might be at WDW. I'd say the food was a little more expensive at Atlantis (if paying out of pocket which we weren't) and quality of what we had was the same if not a little better than what we've had at comparable meals at WDW. Personally, if I didn't have such a long list of places to go I'd definitely consider a dedicated vacation at Atlantis. Atlantis is a destination unto itself for a different type of vacation. It's hard to really compare it to a WDW stay at the deluxe resorts because they're designed for different types of vacations. At WDW you're leaving the resorts to go do other things regularly (like the parks, DtD). At Atlantis, for the most part, you're not going to run off to do other stuff away from the resort as often because it's such a destination unto itself (w/water park, beaches, animal interaction programs, shopping, dining, aquariums, watersports, etc). It's really 2 different types of vacations hence 2 different types of resorts.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Well, when you do a guided excursion from the ship you walk out of the secured area with armed guards right next to the fence, cross a sidewalk, and right onto a bus. They pull up RIGHT there. Walking back in you go into the secured area then thru the Festival Center. If we all walk the straw market in a pack then it'd prob'ly be better.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I am open to anything the Cruise Chicks suggestWell, when you do a guided excursion from the ship you walk out of the secured area with armed guards right next to the fence, cross a sidewalk, and right onto a bus. They pull up RIGHT there. Walking back in you go into the secured area then thru the Festival Center. If we all walk the straw market in a pack then it'd prob'ly be better.