Freeport/Port Lucaya - Perfect, Cheap, Beach Day!

I thought I'd give a report of our Freeport day this past week. It was fantastic and I have friends here at Cruise Critic to thank for their advice, they always steer me in the right direction.

We'd been once before and knew that there is NOTHING right off the ship. It is for sure an industrial report and not pretty to look at. There are a few little vendors right off the ship, but not worth a glance in the grand scheme of things.

We hopped off and asked where to catch a taxi to Port Lucaya and the people there are SO NICE! They sent us in the right direction. There is a grassy little waiting area there (steps from the ship) with a little pull through area for taxis & buses. Buses pick people up for excursions on the right and taxis to various locations are on the left.

We waited about 5 minutes for the next van, they packed 10 people in. It's $5 per person and I asked to sit in the front since I get car sick. It was about 15 minutes and our driver was super nice. (As was the return driver) They drop you off in Lucaya at the Casino's front door. You are about a minute walk from shopping & eating, steps from the Casino and about 3 minutes from the beach.

Walking across the street first, we checked out the market place shopping area. There are all sorts of stores, everything you can imagine. There are plenty of places to eat, American food or local cuisine. You can dine indoors or out on patios. Plenty to choose from and bars everywhere as well. There are several restrooms, nice & clean. There's a straw market there as well. It looks something like this from the road, not a great picture. It's actually nicer in person and you can google it to find better pics I'm sure. I took my cheapy camera on this trip.

The back of the shopping area is where the marina is. It's VERY pretty, reminds me of Florida. (Jacksonville maybe) There are tons of boats, very nice. You can take a snorkel, fishing or sunset cruise from there. (If you are there long enough) Beautiful area and here is a pic of us there, again not a great pic. You get the idea though-

Then we walked across the street to the area everyone refers to as "Our Lucaya". It is one resort, made up of two hotels working together. The Sheraton & the Westin. Both are beautiful, the Westin is bigger. You walk across the street and right between the two hotels. Plenty of signs to lead you the right way, a stone (or was it brick?) pathway. The pathways connect the two hotels, their pools, tons of restaurants, etc...

You can walk straight onto the beach and pay $15 per person to the chairs guys back there. You get chairs, towels, use of pools at either resort (and there are quite a few at both resorts), use of the pool chairs and they have these huge cushions in them and restroom facilities which are super nice and clean.

Here is the Westin, from the beach. I can't believe I didn't take pics closer of the pools and stuff. We cruise so much now that I slack on pictures these days.

There are a few grill casual type places to eat and tons of "sit down" nicer places, some of those don't open until evening though. Some people were picking up things like Subway across the street from the market place area and bringing it to the beach. I took a few packs of chips, a small box of dry cereal from breakfast and bottles of water...shhh... don't tell anyone. We would have eaten at one of the little grill places if it weren't for the rain issue.

The staff is super nice to you once you've gotten your armband. There are ladies on the beach selling shell type jewelry and wanting to braid your hair, you're in the Bahamas after all. ;)

Here was my view from my chair:

It rained on and off during our day, which was kind of a bummer. It was still a perfect day and we'd do the same thing. Matter of fact we came straight home to look at prices for flying down & staying at one of the hotels right there. My husband said all day that day "It is SOOOOO MUCH NICER than I imagined!!!" We've also been looking into taking the same cruise or one with the same itinerary soon. I am a worry wart and was worried about how complicated this day pass thing would be, getting there and back. I was silly to worry. It was the most care free, easy, cheap and enjoyable day we've had in awhile. I would recommend it to anyone, any age, anytime!!

Great review. Nice pics too even with a "cheapy" camera:D I know what I will be doing in Freeport now!

Georgia Cruiser, please clarify your armband comment as this is the first mention we've seen on here of any kind of "day pass" at Our Lucaya. No doubt in the past one could go there and use the public beaches behind the hotel for free. Also, one could rent chairs and umbrellas....on the beach. This is a first mention of an armband that lets cruise guest use the hotel pools and pool chairs. Please explain the arm band, where you obtained it, how much did it cost, and what did it give you access to?

Thanks,

BobK/Orlando

Sure!

We walked straight to the beach and asked about chairs first. The "chair guy" told us that for $15 (each) we could have an armband that would give us towels (you have to get those around the pool area), chairs, access to the pools at either hotel there (Westin & Sheraton), chairs at the pools (with super huge thick comfy cushions) and use of their restroom facilities.

The armbands were green, he put them on us. They say "Sheraton Grand Bahamas Island Our Lucaya Resort" AND "The Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort". Mine is right here.

Later in the day when we were up near the pools there were some guys sitting with their feet in, just sitting on the side. The security guy walking around (we saw several on and off, walking & in golf carts) told them they would either have to pay for an armband or leave the pool area.

Great day!! Anymore questions, let me know.

Monica

We have stayed at both hotels in the past and they go back and forth about the wristbands. They are generally available to cruise passengers and not available to people staying at other hotels... so it gets kinda strange. There are several hotels near the complex that use the beach - beach is free - but cannot use the pools. One has an agreement with Westin sometimes and other times no. Crazy but you are in the Bahamas!

The wristband for cruisers is usually available during the summer when the hotel is not full. Not available during spring break, thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Well worth it if you want a nice beach day with no hassles.

The wristband for cruisers is usually available during the summer when the hotel is not full. Not available during spring break, thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Well worth it if you want a nice beach day with no hassles.

Well pooh:mad: We are going during Thanksgiving week. Oh well, we can always just give it a try I guess!

Thank you for your review. Great to see the photos.

Well pooh:mad: We are going during Thanksgiving week. Oh well, we can always just give it a try I guess!

I would try it as that was two years ago... who knows now. It really depends on how many are staying... I guess like Atlantis in Nassau. If they have to many guests then no extra passes.

Good Luck.

BTW depending on the time in port you could always see how much a room is at the hotel.

Monica, thanks for the update. This is excellent information for cruisers to Grand Bahama Island. $15 for chairs and pool use at Our Lucaya is a great value. And I believe this information is new to Cruise Critic; we've seen some rumors about it but I don't think anyone has ever confirmed such an armband/pass actually existing.

I will also point out to anyone who cares that the Sheraton Grand Bahama Island is apparently a new operating name for what was previously called the Sheraton at Our Lucaya. Tourist authorities are increasingly marketing the island as Grand Bahama Island in lieu of Freeport and Lucaya. Freeport has a bad rep and not many know where Lucaya is.

BobK/Orlando

I will also point out to anyone who cares that the Sheraton Grand Bahama Island is apparently a new operating name for what was previously called the Sheraton at Our Lucaya. Tourist authorities are increasingly marketing the island as Grand Bahama Island in lieu of Freeport and Lucaya. Freeport has a bad rep and not many know where Lucaya is.

BobK/Orlando

You are quite right... Freeport makes some people go euouhhh! and part of it is where the ship docks or the location of "Freeport" which is actually inland and not near the beach. Both the Westin and Sheraton now say Grand Bahama Island with Our Lucaya Resort in small print.

Thank you for your great review but I need your opinion.

We will cruise the Norwegian Spirit in a 3 weeks. The ship arrives at port at 7h00 am and leaves the port at 1h00 pm.

Do we have anough time to visit Port Lucaya?

Thank you for your great review but I need your opinion.

We will cruise the Norwegian Spirit in a 3 weeks. The ship arrives at port at 7h00 am and leaves the port at 1h00 pm.

Do we have anough time to visit Port Lucaya?

You will have time... you should be able to get off by 8ish and be back by 11:30-noon. 3 or so hours shopping and sun/beach. Some will just stay onboard rather than go for that short of time.

Freeport was FREE for us in August. :D We didn't use the pool area, just the beach.

Thank you for your great review but I need your opinion. We will cruise the Norwegian Spirit in a 3 weeks. The ship arrives at port at 7h00 am and leaves the port at 1h00 pm. Do we have anough time to visit Port Lucaya?

Absolutely. The cruise ferry Discovery Cruise Lines offers daily service to Grand Bahama Island from Fort Lauderdale and for those doing the trip as a same day return, you get just over 3 hours on the island. And that is sufficient time to go to Port Lucaya and shop, hang out, visit the casino and wander around the Our Lucaya Resort. For those preferring a beach day, that's enough time to spend a couple hours on the sands.

BobK/Orlando

Absolutely. The cruise ferry Discovery Cruise Lines offers daily service to Grand Bahama Island from Fort Lauderdale and for those doing the trip as a same day return, you get just over 3 hours on the island. And that is sufficient time to go to Port Lucaya and shop, hang out, visit the casino and wander around the Our Lucaya Resort. For those preferring a beach day, that's enough time to spend a couple hours on the sands.

 

BobK/Orlando

Thank you so much

Georgia Cruiser, thanks so much for the info and pictures! i was to worried about doing this. Where leaving in just 3 weeks on our first cruise!!!

Kristal

Kristal, have a fun cruise! Hope you get just as addicted as the rest of us!

Bobk/Orlando

Yep, I agree with all above. Plenty of time to do it! 15 minutes there and back in the taxi, 3 hours or so on the beach & shopping. It's so worth it!!! Promise:D

Kristal- So very exciting!!! If you have any more questions, let me know. I have just met a new friend from this board this week. Her family is also taking their first cruise and she had tons of questions that might appear "silly" to some, but it's things her family wondered about. We've been emailing all week and I've made a new friend. Anyway, we're all here to help so don't be shy about asking. My blog is tannerlife.blogspot.com If you have any more questions though, feel free to email me monicastanner@aol.com Just put cruise something in the subject so I don't delete it!! You'll love cruising!!!!

thanks Monica thats really sweet! I have had alot of questions but thanks also to cruise critic I've found out alot of info. Excuse me from not replying sooner I've just got done with my oldest child graduation and party so I've not had time to reply. :(