Freeport

[NKG6002]

I am getting a bit nervous about the Freeport port scheduled on our next cruise since reading some posts here. We are not beach fans. What is there to do in Freeport other than swimming and snorkeling ? Is the embarkation point within walking distance of town ? Anything interesting to see or do in town ? Thanks in advance :)

[caribbean dreams]

The only other thing that i can think of is shopping, yes, there will be shopping near the ship but still have to catch a cab to get there.

[golfadj]

I am getting a bit nervous about the Freeport port scheduled on our next cruise since reading some posts here. We are not beach fans. What is there to do in Freeport other than swimming and snorkeling ? Is the embarkation point within walking distance of town ? Anything interesting to see or do in town ? Thanks in advance :)

 

Go to the port of call page for more info.

 

We were there once and took a tour. Had a nice nap as I recall.

 

Need a cab to get out of the industrial area.

 

Never did see a reason to go back to Freeport after the one time.

[#1Ranger]

I used to live in Freeport, from 1974 to 1977. There must have been some changes since then I know, but we used to take our visitors to the Garden of the Groves, or the International Straw market, where all the streets are a different country. There was another place we used to visit where they had plants and birds which would feed from our hands and we saw pink flamingoes, but I can't remember the name of that place. I am sure the cruise excursion staff would know.

#1 Ranger

[BIG_Steve]

I used to live in Freeport, from 1974 to 1977. There must have been some changes since then I know, but we used to take our visitors to the Garden of the Groves, or the International Straw market, where all the streets are a different country. There was another place we used to visit where they had plants and birds which would feed from our hands and we saw pink flamingoes, but I can't remember the name of that place. I am sure the cruise excursion staff would know.

#1 Ranger

 

The port is a busy INDUSTRIAL port. There is a very small straw market, bar, and a gift shop, that's about all. The shopping and excursions are in "Our Lucaya." That's about $5.00 each way for a shared cab. At Lucaya is the main straw market, some boutique type shops (pretty nice, better than the straw market) a casino, and some restaurants. You would also catch any boat trips, or beach passes there.

 

The international straw market was badly damaged in a hurricane a few years back, and Lucaya has pretty much taken its place.

[Duckie26]

We were just in Freeport and we did the Jeep Adventure excursion. I'm glad we did. The weather was lousy but we still had a good time.

 

Freeport is not a very exciting island but there are some beautiful spots and interesting history. We learned all of this on the Jeep Adventure.

 

We went to Garden of the Groves for a full lunch which is advertised as a light snack. Loved this! And they had some nice "gift shops".

 

Taino Beach was gorgeous and there is a very small straw market there for shopping and you get to spend some time on the beach... for us it was too cool and windy so we just walked around a bit. But still beautiful.

 

We saw it all by Jeep and the tour guide was great too. The jeeps were well used LOL but it was all part of the charm. It's a really laid-back type of place.

[scgirlatheart]

We were just in Freeport and we did the Jeep Adventure excursion. I'm glad we did. The weather was lousy but we still had a good time.

 

Freeport is not a very exciting island but there are some beautiful spots and interesting history. We learned all of this on the Jeep Adventure.

 

We went to Garden of the Groves for a full lunch which is advertised as a light snack. Loved this! And they had some nice "gift shops".

 

Taino Beach was gorgeous and there is a very small straw market there for shopping and you get to spend some time on the beach... for us it was too cool and windy so we just walked around a bit. But still beautiful.

 

We saw it all by Jeep and the tour guide was great too. The jeeps were well used LOL but it was all part of the charm. It's a really laid-back type of place.

 

A question from a fellow southern Marylander...I was also interested in the jeep excursion, but my husband is disabled and has limited mobility. When the jeeps stop, he would not be able to walk down to a beach or go shopping. How long are the stops, and do you know if there are nearby restaurants or bars that he could hang out in until it was time to go?

[Duckie26]

A question from a fellow southern Marylander...I was also interested in the jeep excursion, but my husband is disabled and has limited mobility. When the jeeps stop, he would not be able to walk down to a beach or go shopping. How long are the stops, and do you know if there are nearby restaurants or bars that he could hang out in until it was time to go?

 

There are not any restaurants or bars along the jeep tour. We do stop at Garden of the Groves for lunch and you must walk from the parking lot to the center of the Garden for lunch. The stops and the time out of the jeep vary but they last no longer than 10-15 minutes for most, with the exception of the stops at Garden of the Groves and Taino Beach. Those last about an hour or so.

 

With the other stops he would not have to get out of the Jeep but the tour is about 5 hours long. That's a long time to sit in a jeep. Also, if you decide to do this tour, make sure he gets a front seat of the jeep. The jeeps are not "4-doors" and whoever sits in the back has to squeeze out.

[scgirlatheart]

Thank you for your help...we'll take it into consideration.

[b_bay_girl]

I am getting a bit nervous about the Freeport port scheduled on our next cruise since reading some posts here. We are not beach fans. What is there to do in Freeport other than swimming and snorkeling ? Is the embarkation point within walking distance of town ? Anything interesting to see or do in town ? Thanks in advance :)

 

We will be in Freeport next week as our itinerary got changed due to a problem with the ship - you can't imagine how disappointed we were. My brother and his wife were in Freeport in March and said the same as many here - you get off the ship in an industrial area - and you need to get a cab to go anywhere. They did a beach thing on their own (to Lucaya) but there are no washroom facilities. We are thinking of doing the Wyndham Resort excursion even at a cost of $91 each (there are five of us). My other gripe about this change of itinerary though is that you can't book excursions now till we get on board the ship so we don't even know if this excursion will be available (or not sold out). Other than that, we have no idea what to do. I am not a salt water / ocean person so water activities are out for me. I like the beach and sun with a book and a drink!

[david_sobe]

Dont be afraid of Freeport. I was surprised how undeveloped it is compared to Nassau but that is an advantage in my book. How active are you? I had the best excursion there with the group bike ride across the island. We had a funny, informative, native tour guide that we all learned alot from about the Bahamas. It is 14 miles and a good work out. There are lots of stops and breaks and then they serve you lunch at some tropical park. Then they take you to the beach for an hour or so. It was the best excursion that had exercise, adventure, and even relaxation at the end.

The Jeep adventure looked cool too but I loved the bike ride.

Freeport is great!

[Scoodles]

We went horseback riding when we were in Freeport. We had a wonderful time, it was a 2hr trip & as we were riding we learned so much about the island from our guides. It wasn't just get on the horses & go, the guides love to share info about the island & the people. We got to ride on the beach & in the ocean to!

http://www.bahamascruiseexcursions.com/HorsebackRidingFreeport.htm

[otiscruiser]

Dont be afraid of Freeport. I was surprised how undeveloped it is compared to Nassau but that is an advantage in my book. How active are you? I had the best excursion there with the group bike ride across the island. We had a funny, informative, native tour guide that we all learned alot from about the Bahamas. It is 14 miles and a good work out. There are lots of stops and breaks and then they serve you lunch at some tropical park. Then they take you to the beach for an hour or so. It was the best excursion that had exercise, adventure, and even relaxation at the end.

The Jeep adventure looked cool too but I loved the bike ride.

Freeport is great!

What was the bicycle tour? Did you find it on your own? We are going to Freeport at the end of feb ( a group of relatively athletic women) and that sounds like it may be what we are looking for... Was it mostly adults, or did you have to wait for little kids? thanks for the info....:D

[b_bay_girl]

Just got back yesterday - Freeport was a huge disappointment. The weather was terrible. I guess it depends on the time of year you go. We have done three cruises - Jan and Feb - and I will not do one again this time of year I don't think it is hot enough for me :D High 60's and low 70's is not something I pay money for. I want at least 80 all the time. When the wind picks up - and it has done that quite a bit on my cruises - it gets quite chilly. My first stop in Freeport was to buy a sweatshirt. Other than jewelry stores that are in other ports, the only shopping is a "straw market" barter type of place and I don't like those types at all. I want to see a price tag and decide whether it is a good deal. I don't want to be approached by people and have things pushed on me. I don't find that at all relaxing shopping. I sat on the beach in my sweatshirt while others in my group did a semi sub tour which I had done last year in another port. There was too much wind for many other excursions. The sand was whipping around and actually hurt your legs. No one seemed to be having a good time on the beach in the wind / chill, but as I said, can't control the weather but for me I didn't see anything else to do there other than lie on a beach and I can do that in other ports and wouldn't take a cruise to this port again.

[bobsfamily]

FOR the OP, if beaching it is not your cup of tea, then get of the ship after everyone has left, wander around the shops right off the ship, get a deal because everyone else has left, grab a drink or 2 (cheaper than onboard), then take a relaxing stroll back to the ship and get a deal at the spa, or enjoy an empty pool, buffet, etc. Lovely quiet stressfree day with no crowds!!!:D