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Skipping a port and staying on board ... choices, choices


FloriDan
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Hey everybody!Long time lurker, first time poster. This community has already been such a big help and I'm hoping somebody can offer some advice.

 

 

We finally booked our first cruise -- Four night, Bahamas on RCL Enchantment in late April. As background, we're in our 40s and we're all about kicking back and relaxing during this trip. We love to snorkel and be at the beach. My wife loves to shop. I love to carry the wallet and open and close it on her behalf.

 

 

Our ports of call are Nassau, CocoCay and Key West. We're thinking of skipping either Key West or Nassau and staying on board one of those days, just to have more time to enjoy the ship. And my wife is thinking about maybe visiting the spa that day while I relax and write letters home to my elderly aunts and uncles (OK, that's code for ... "go shoot craps in the casino").

 

 

If you HAD to choose missing out on Nassau or Key West, which would you choose and why? We've never visited either place if that makes any difference in your mind.

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I would never miss out on an opportunity to visit Key West - I've been there quite a few times, but only once on a cruise.

 

It's a town with some history, loads to see and do, excellent bars and restaurants and one of the best cities I know to just find a table at a bar and just people-watch...

 

When I was last in Nassau a group of us took a taxi to a beach just out of town, found a local with a boat & snorkelling equipment and spent a very happy few hours about half a mile off shore....

 

So I wouldn't miss either port!

 

VP

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You can visit them all, and return to the ship in time for lunch and to relax. I see you live in FL, so a beach day would not be a particular treat. At Coco Cay, tender ashore to see what it is like, then head back to the ship. I Key West, walk around or do a trolley tour, then head back to the ship. In Nassau, walk ashore and through town, open your wallet a few times for your wife, return to the ship and relax. Everyone has to visit the straw market in Nassau at least once, then it never has to be done again. EM

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Everyone suggesting the OP skip Nassau has missed the obvious: he wants to spend one of the port days in the casino. Since he was seemingly unaware the ship's casino can only open while the ship is in international waters, while in Nassau he should head over to Atlantis; there is no pass required to visit the casino there.

 

And I agree that unless dying for a beach day the OP will likely take one look at CocoCay and hop the next tender back to the ship. Unless their idea of a relaxing lunch is to line up for BBQ mystery meat that will sit like lead in your stomach well past dinner time, eaten on a picnic table in the blazing sun; there is no seating in the shade like at other lines' private islands.

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I understand your desire to enjoy the ship when many of your shipmates will be off. I disembark in the Caribbean only at those ports that are new to me or are those which I particularly enjoy. I enjoy the ship's facilities without many being around.

 

 

Key West is one such port that I really do enjoy. There is so much to see and do.

 

Nassau: If one has never been there, as has been said, a brief visit is worth the effort.

 

Never have been at Coco Cay, but HAL's Half Moon Cay is a great beach-type experience. Another possible port to briefly visit, maybe have lunch there, and then return to the ship.

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We get off in Nassau in order for my son to take pics of the cruise ships and then we get back on. We don't leave the pier. One too many trips to the straw market and I said "never again." So that's the Piet I would skip. And empty(ish) ship, regardless of casino status, is very nice.

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Thanks everybody for the responses! I hadn't really considered making a quick trip to either of these places then getting back onboard. (We really are new to all this.) Maybe that will fit the bill.

 

People do this all the time.

In port your ship is like a hotel room -- you can go and come as you please. :D

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  • 3 weeks later...

We did this exact cruise in December. My Grandson took a friend with him. She had never been on a cruise or visited any of the ports. She wanted to walk around in Nassau and visit the infamous Straw Market, see the Queens stairs and get some photos so we went along with them. It had been a lot of years since we had visited Nassau. Everyone should visit the Straw Market once. We got back to the ship in time to have lunch and to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool. You can always go to the casino at Atlantis too.Coco Cay is a beach day. We get off the ship, spend a couple of hours on the beach, have the BBQ lunch provided and then head back to the ship to relax. Key West is one of our favorites and we've been there many times since that's where my Grandson was born. We did the usual this time and used the Conch train. I wouldn't miss Key West. There are some amazing restaurants there with fresh seafood and a casual atmosphere. There are loads of things to do and see in Key West. It's one of our FAVORITE ports and I would never consider missing it.

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Thanks everybody for the responses! I hadn't really considered making a quick trip to either of these places then getting back onboard. (We really are new to all this.) Maybe that will fit the bill.

 

I've been in Nassau. Never Coco Cay, but I can't imagine ever booking an itinerary that had a day in a place with nothing but beach. In either location, I would hang around the ship for awhile, have a leisurely breakfast, maybe some pool time. Then head ashore, walk a few blocks or down along the beach, maybe get some photos of the barbed wire fences at Coco Cay, get a first impression of the places. Buy a knick or knack. Then wander back aboard, pool time, maybe spa time, read a book, drink...

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Key West is a great port for a walkabout, I have not been to Coco Cay - I suppose it is largely a beach day - which, if that is good for you, would be fine. Nassau is pretty dreary - there are a couple of decent beaches, but the convenient ones can be terribly crowded. That would certainly be my stay-aboard day.

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I'm not a gambler, so was not aware of the casino at Atlantis. I think your wife would enjoy Key West, it's a lovely town to walk around and shop in. It sounds like you might enjoy getting off in Nassau then. Perhaps plan on getting off in Key West for sightseeing and shopping. Then on Nassau day your wife can stay onboard for the spa/pool while you can occupy yourself on the ship or head over to Atlantis for the casino.

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Going on our first cruise Sth pacific out of Sydney on explorer of the sets for 10 nights. Couple of questions - gratuities - i read on line that cruises booked from this year have gratuities included in the base price - does that include everything unless you want to tip exceptional service? Bathroom - we have a junior suite -what bathroom amenities are supplied? Has anyone purchased the speciality restaurant package - is this worth while? Dress code - do they still do formal nights? Thanks in advance

 

 

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Sounds like the Enchantment Itinerary [emoji4] We will be doing the same next month! I have been to Nassau 3 times and I could take it or leave it. We loved Key West and chose it specifically for that port. Honestly With Nassau I could take it or leave it. However, since this is your first time, I would get off the ship and explore every port. [emoji2]

 

 

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Nassau only has about 4 or 5 things to do and if you are not into water slides, don't want to go to a so-so beach or take a boat tour to go snorkeling or scuba diving (which is so-so in the area) or shopping in tons of jewelry and junk souvenir stores, it is an easy port to choose to miss.

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If this was my first cruise and the ports visited i have never been to i would not stay onboard, i use my sea days to explore the ship, i know others have said go to this one instead of that one but remember they have been to those port you haven't so go explore both.

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Going on our first cruise Sth pacific out of Sydney on explorer of the sets for 10 nights. Couple of questions - gratuities - i read on line that cruises booked from this year have gratuities included in the base price - does that include everything unless you want to tip exceptional service? Bathroom - we have a junior suite -what bathroom amenities are supplied? Has anyone purchased the speciality restaurant package - is this worth while? Dress code - do they still do formal nights? Thanks in advance

 

 

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You really should start a new topic for these questions. It doesn't relate to the subject of this thread so the people answering the OP will likely breeze right by this post. What cruise line are you on? This is a very line specific question so best bet would be to create a new thread on that lines board.

 

 

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If you want to gamble head to Atlantis in Nassau for a few hours, as the ship casino is closed while in port. Walk around the resort, it's beautiful. We love to get on the Key West trolley and learn about the history of the islands. The whole trip lasts maybe an hour. Cococay doesn't impress me, but Iike to at least take a quick walk around.

 

 

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