Freeport Answers

[uolisallthat]

We just returned from a Fantasy cruise to freeport and nassau. I could not find much info on freeport before we left so here is my experience. We left the ship and went to the taxi area. We told the driver we wanted to go to Lucaya Beach, we were loaded into a small van with others seeking the same destination. The driver took us to the Sheraton/ Westin Hotels. The beaches there are public. There is also shopping across the street. We paid $5 a person and arranged a time with the driver for return to the ship. The beach was beautiful, there were bathrooms outside the hotels that we were able to use. We also wandered around the hotel properties and were never questioned. Hotel employees were organizing activites and inviting everyone on the beach to participate. There were beach side grills selling drinks and food. We did a little shopping , there was sort of a mini straw market as well as some restaurants small shops and drug store where my husband was able to buy the Mountain Dew he was having withdrawls for. All in all it was the best day of the vacation for us. We have two teenage daughters and they absolutely loved the beach, a trip to florida will never be acceptable for them again. Bottom line, dont just stay on the ship in freeport, or you will miss a great experiece. Our taxi drive was very friendly as others seemed to be. Everyone waiting outside the hotel for a ride back to the ship was asking for their driver by name. There will be lots of people headed in the same direction as you so dont be afraid to venture out. P.S. If you get a taxi driver named Vincent tell him he came highly recomended.

[jonsmom]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this for all of us who have been searching for something to do in Freeport. I will definitely go there now - sounds like a little something for everyone.

 

Thank Thank You!

 

Jonsmom

[md1jw]

We did exactly the same thing in October, when we made an unscheduled stop there. When we docked, my heart sank - the area looked very bleak, but nevertheless we followed the crowds and caught a taxi. The driver was great and we arranged a pick up time, not believing that he would be there! He was!! It was one of the best days we had. Many stayed on the ship and many were complaining of the dock area and how bad Freeport was. Don't be put off.

[utvolsfan]

Thanks for the info on freeport beaches. Can you please tell me if you can rent chairs and umbrellas at the Sheraton/Westin resorts? I think that is what we will do on our first Carnival cruise in May. Thank you!

[Coolcruise02]

Thank you so much for posting your review. How long was the taxi ride to Lucaya Beach? :)

[TonyCruise]

We just got back from Fantasy and we took the Carnival Snorkel Trip on Freeport. The trip was great but a bit crowded. The snorkeling was over a beautiful reef off of Lucaya beach. There is a nice little market at the tour boat dock but unfortunately you did not have time to shop since the bus comes right after you get off the snorkel boat.

[sleeples23]

Is it worth bringing your snorkel gear off the ship for the beach. Or would you have to arrange a trip to a reef to see anything worthwhile?;)

[Coolcruise02]

How do you pronounce Lucaya? Thanks :)

[tropicalsunset]

was that $5 each way for the taxi .... and was there a charge to use the beach...or charge for chairs...

 

anyone know how long it takes to clear the ship when you pull into this port as the Grandeur gets in at 2pm... wondering if we would have time for a beach break...

[Coolcruise02]

I see your leaving in a couple days. Lucky You!! Give us a review when your back. :)

[BillR]

I couldn't agree more.....a trip to Lucaya is a must do when docked in Freeport. We have been there 5 times and they have the friendliest workers/staff/cab drivers of all the islands we visited.

[Coolcruise02]

Have you ever taken the city bus?

[tropicalsunset]

Just back from the Grandeur.. we did go to Lucaya Beach.. I believe the ship was a little early in to port and no problems getting ashore right away... took a cab to Lucaya where we were dropped at the Sheraton... it was very nice there with a trampoline my 22 enjoyed out in the water. However. beach chairs were rented at $22. a day... no negotiations on time/price... they were not kind to those of us coming from the ships... the beach attendent when we refused to rent a chair proceeded to pile chairs right in front of where we placed our beach towels...

We much preferred the beach at Coco CAy... it was an awesome day!!!

[Coolcruise02]

How long was the cab ride and how much was it? Thanks :)

[DM]

Hi, I have some questions about the beach. Was there a charge for the water trampoline? Also, were cruise passengers allowed to use the hotel pool? The $22. charge, was that per person for just a chair rental or did that cover the cost of using the hotel's facilities for the day?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Debbie

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The last time we were there the taxi price was $5 to Lucaya (pronounced Lou-ki-ya) and $3 to the International Bazaar area. The taxi union is strong on Grand Bahama so there is no city bus service at the pier that I can recall. However, if you're at the IB and want to go to Lucaya or vice versa, you can use the city busses (more like large vans) and they cost $1 per person one way. The busses aren't really marked but the bus stops are and that's where you catch them.

 

There is nothing to do at the port. There was a tiny straw market with 3-4 vendors when we were there but nothing else. It's very industrial; some cruise ships do their drydocks there and there are a few other retired cruise ships docked their, awaiting their final fates. Overall very bleak and you must head into "town" to actually do something.

 

Shopping is pretty much only at the International Bazaar in Freeport and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, across from the Sheraton/Westin in Lucaya. Large hotels will have gift shops. Downtown Freeport (about 1/2 mile north of the IB) has nothing of interest to tourists. The UNEXSO "swim with the dolphins" program is at Port Lucaya too.

 

If you're in to casinos, there is one adjacent the International Bazaar and another out past the Westin/Sheraton complex.

 

BobK/Orlando

just off: Sea Princess