Freeport or Nassau for shopping

[flcraigs5]

We are cruising over Christmas break and was wondering whether both ports will have the same stuff? Is one port better than the other for shopping? Alcohol- where to purchase for best prices?

 

Thanks:) Cruisng in 50 days!!

[RuthlessBoss]

I don't even get off the ship in Freeport, not terribly touristy, it's more industrial. Of course I've been there, but if I had never been there, I would get off and check it out. I've only gotten alcohol in Nassau. I had a taste of Nassau Mango rum and cleaned the place out. I could not find that brand nor taste in any liquor store here.

[suzski]

Completely concur with RuthlessBoss on the shopping....Nassau has a LOT more shopping than Freeport...plus, you can shop to your heart's content after stepping off the ship in Nassau....in Freeport there are, like, four or five shops at the pier. Otherwise, you have to take a 25 min ride into Lucaya.

[BIG_Steve]

Nassau has the straw market and also Bay street, for nicer stuff. Yes, Freeport is industrial. But you don't stay at the port. Take a shared cab for 5 bucks to Our Lucaya. There is a straw market and Boutique style shops. On a smaller scale then Nassau. There is also restaurants and a Casino.

 

If you're into shopping, you'd probably prefer Nassau. Just don't stay on the ship in Freeport!!

[JRock59]

NASSUA! :) See if your ships Shopping Specialist has the coupon for Effy's you can go into each store (think there were 4 stores)and get a free gift can't remember if it's earrings or necklace but for $10 you can get the matching item (earring or necklace) Each store has a different color. They are a colored topaz set in silver very cute good for a teen gift or for simple everyday wear on yourself.

[flcraigs5]

Thanks for all the replies :)

We will definately get off the ship at both ports to explore some since we have never been to either before and will have 5 20+ year olds with us. 2 of them being girls that I know will want to do some shopping. We are thinking of taken a taxi to Our Lucaya Marketplace and wander around the shops a bit and look into see about going parasailing or something like that at the marina and then when we go to Nassau we will be there from 7am -6am the next day so we have scheduled the dolphin swim at Blue Lagoon at 10:30 and then figured we would still have time to do some shopping before the shops close up in the evening and maybe checkout the Atlantis Casino for a bit? I know my son want to pick up a couple bottles of the Ricardo Banana Rum while we are there so we will look for it in Freeport and Nassau...

[BIG_Steve]

Thanks for all the replies :)

We will definately get off the ship at both ports to explore some since we have never been to either before and will have 5 20+ year olds with us. 2 of them being girls that I know will want to do some shopping. We are thinking of taken a taxi to Our Lucaya Marketplace and wander around the shops a bit and look into see about going parasailing or something like that at the marina and then when we go to Nassau we will be there from 7am -6am the next day so we have scheduled the dolphin swim at Blue Lagoon at 10:30 and then figured we would still have time to do some shopping before the shops close up in the evening and maybe checkout the Atlantis Casino for a bit? I know my son want to pick up a couple bottles of the Ricardo Banana Rum while we are there so we will look for it in Freeport and Nassau...

 

Check the ship's store the evening before you go into port. I lugged some bottles around Nassau all day, only to see them on board for $1.00 more per bottle. Would have been happy to pay the extra couple dollars instead of schlepping them around.

[flcraigs5]

Thanks for the advice. I will check out prices on the ship before we go into port :)