NCL Sky in 2 weeks!

[dixielandings]

My DH and I, realizing that we are in desperate need of a couple's getaway, just booked the Sky for Feb 2 out of Miami. Talk about last minute. Sweet DH thought he'd surprise me with a dolpin swim (a long-time dream that I keep missing out on) so he booked it online, only to receive a call later informing us that the one time-slot we could do was already filled up. Oh well...

 

So now...we need something to do in Nassau. Since this is a "getaway", maybe we should get ourselves to the most beautiful beach available. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, help me with particulars - transportation around the island, food - can we take anything off the ship, are local places to grab a box lunch or something like that.

 

I'm half-wondering if we should just stay on the ship and take advantage of the free deck chairs.

 

Finally, we sailed into Nassau once before and skipped the chance to see Atlantis. We dig big ol' resorts and stuff, so I'm wondering if we should hop a cab there and spend the day exploring it. What kind of activities are there for day visitors that won't require too much cash?

 

Thanks, all. It's good to be back to the Boards!

 

Shelley

[Sauer-kraut]

I'm half-wondering if we should just stay on the ship and take advantage of the free deck chairs. This is a great opportunity to just sit and relax and enjoy a half empty ship. :)

 

Finally, we sailed into Nassau once before and skipped the chance to see Atlantis. We dig big ol' resorts and stuff, so I'm wondering if we should hop a cab there and spend the day exploring it. What kind of activities are there for day visitors that won't require too much cash? All you can basically see for free is the Casino, which you are welcome to use, but that might not end up being very cheap. ;) There are day stays at one of the hotels across from Atlantis that will get you access to the beach and pools there (not the waterpark) so you might want to look into that. For more ideas go over to the Bahamas board and you'll get all kinds of information on things to see in Nassau. (I'm one who would rather just stay on the ship, been there done that attitude.)

 

Thanks, all. It's good to be back to the Boards!

 

Shelley

 

Hope this helps, bummer about the dolphin swim!

[kittymommax4]

My DH and I, realizing that we are in desperate need of a couple's getaway, just booked the Sky for Feb 2 out of Miami. Talk about last minute. Sweet DH thought he'd surprise me with a dolpin swim (a long-time dream that I keep missing out on) so he booked it online, only to receive a call later informing us that the one time-slot we could do was already filled up. Oh well...

 

So now...we need something to do in Nassau. Since this is a "getaway", maybe we should get ourselves to the most beautiful beach available. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, help me with particulars - transportation around the island, food - can we take anything off the ship, are local places to grab a box lunch or something like that.

 

I'm half-wondering if we should just stay on the ship and take advantage of the free deck chairs.

 

Finally, we sailed into Nassau once before and skipped the chance to see Atlantis. We dig big ol' resorts and stuff, so I'm wondering if we should hop a cab there and spend the day exploring it. What kind of activities are there for day visitors that won't require too much cash?

 

Thanks, all. It's good to be back to the Boards!

 

Shelley

 

Is this the 3 day or 4 day cruise? There's a beach w/in walking distance - at the British Colonial Hilton (just past Senor Frogs). I haven't been, but I've read a lot on the boards about it. I think for $55 pp (which includes a $30 food voucher) you can use their beach, pool, etc. This is supposed to be a very quiet, relaxing area, with a great view of the ships in port. There's also the Sheraton Resort, which I think is $25pp for a day pass that's supposed to include use of the beach & pool, snorkel equipment, non-motorized water toys, etc. No lunch voucher & you need to take a taxi (cost?) or bus (which is something like $1.25pp). I guess it depends on how far you want to venture & what kind of atmosphere you're looking for. I've been to Nassau 4x and did ship sponsored shore excursions 3 out of 4 visits (including the dolphin swim, which was AWESOME - sorry to hear you'll be missing out on this). On one trip w/ DH on Carnival Sensation we stayed on the ship at the pool until mid-late afternoon (had the pool practically to ourselves!), then we just walked around the area across the street from Festival Place, poked our heads in a few shops, and went to Senor Frogs for a couple of drinks. BTW... been on the Sky twice and LOVE that ship! Have fun whatever you decide to do!

[kittymommax4]

Here are a few pics taken from the Carnival Sensation in March 2011.

 

IMG_1283 by Sally1014, on Flickr

 

IMG_1275 by Sally1014, on Flickr

 

IMG_1274 by Sally1014, on Flickr

 

IMG_1265 by Sally1014, on Flickr

 

IMG_1264 by Sally1014, on Flickr

 

IMG_1273 by Sally1014, on Flickr

[dixielandings]

Kitty - pretty pics. Is that Junkanoo?

[shelly11]

When my husband & I went to Nassau we did the Sea & See. It's a boat tour out to a 'semi sub' tour of the reefs. The boat then takes you back to land and you get a bus tour of the city. I think it was $75 each. We really enjoyed it, shopped a bit then got back on the ship.

[yoyocruiser]

We were just on the SKY last week for the Monday to Friday. We had an absoltuely wonderful time. The food and the entertainment are really good on this ship. Just a couple of things we discovered--1) The Italian restaurant IllIdagio also serves breakfast in the morning--waffles and eggs/omelets to order. It is very quiet--no one knows about it. While the selection is much smaller than in the buffet it is a great alternative if you don't want to go through the ordering etc. in the MDR. Also, it is beautiful and very initiamte--a real plus. 2) The Plantation bar had martinis "two for one" every day from 6 to 8. This was not advertised in the daily, I learned about it here at CC. 3) There is one little note in the daily about signing up to "dine with an officer" and they do a drawing. Go to Guest Services and register if you have an interest. We got selected (and they told us sometimes they don't even have enough people sign up--other times they have a lot). It's not a big dinner--its like you and a few people with one or two officers. Really nice.

 

Regarding excursions. I stayed on the ship in Nassau for the very reason you noted--great relaxation and a calm, quiet ship. I would recommend the Hilton however--very easy to get to--you can walk right from the ship and the fee is reasonable as you get msot of it back in food. Also, the hotel is very lovely. The excursions to Atlantis if you wanted to see anything (other than the casino) were over $100. I had no interest at all in that.

 

For other beaches and recommendations I would really recommend that you go to the Port Boards and look up Nassau--there are many wonderful suggestions and detailed information about many different excursions.

 

Also, I assume you mean February 3rd (Friday)??

[spacepotatoes]

Kitty - pretty pics. Is that Junkanoo?

 

Junkanoo is a public beach near the British Colonial Hilton. The photos that kittymomma posted are of the Hilton property. They offer day passes.

 

There isn't much to see at Atlantis for free anymore, unfortunately. But there is a nice public beach right next to it called Cable Beach. You could take a cab over there ($4 pp in a shared van, which are plentiful), walk around the free parts of Atlantis and then spend the time on Cable Beach before heading back.

[spacepotatoes]

Junkanoo is a public beach near the British Colonial Hilton. The photos that kittymomma posted are of the Hilton property. They offer day passes.

 

There isn't much to see at Atlantis for free anymore, unfortunately. But there is a nice public beach right next to it called Cable Beach. You could take a cab over there ($4 pp in a shared van, which are plentiful), walk around the free parts of Atlantis and then spend the time on Cable Beach before heading back.

 

Quick correction - it's Cabbage Beach beside Atlantis, not Cable Beach. Cable Beach is on the same island as Nassau. I always seem to get them mixed up!

[kittymommax4]

Kitty - pretty pics. Is that Junkanoo?

 

It's the beach at the British Colonial Hilton.