Sunshine Panic! Help!

[hamp65]

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Hello,

I am in desperate need on suggestions for our cruise next Sunday. Yes, May 25th on the Sunshine for Bahamas. I usually have a plan by now, but I teach school and fell behind on my vacation plans. Yikes! So instead of putting in final grades, I have been reading reviews.

 

We are a family of 3 adults and one 8yr. We must have activities she can enjoy. She does swim, but we don't snorkel. We would love a great beach with activities, but the Atlantis has mixed reviews and seem not worth the money because of time. Any other suggestions?

 

Key West just seems like a port to walk around. Any other suggestions?

 

What about Freeport?

 

Thanks for any help!

Oh! Did anyone use camp carnival? We were on the Disney last year so my daughter has high expectations.

[R&S]

When we were in Key West (on the Sunshine) we left the ship and rented an electric car (glorified Golf Cart). It was great! They are all over the place and legal on the roads. We drove to the Southern Most Point, explored some of the area, and even went and had a photo taken with Sponge Man. (I'll let you google Sponge Man)

 

In Nassau we caught a water taxi to Atlantis and walked around a bit. My son and his wife paid for the water park there and loved every bit of it. Once you are on property you can see the cost of each attraction they offer.

 

You will love the Sunshine. Say hello to Iwana (Alchemy Bar) and make sure you spend time at the Havana Bar. Great folks there and always a place to sit down and relax.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

[kybluecruiser]

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Hello,

I am in desperate need on suggestions for our cruise next Sunday. Yes, May 25th on the Sunshine for Bahamas. I usually have a plan by now, but I teach school and fell behind on my vacation plans. Yikes! So instead of putting in final grades, I have been reading reviews.

 

We are a family of 3 adults and one 8yr. We must have activities she can enjoy. She does swim, but we don't snorkel. We would love a great beach with activities, but the Atlantis has mixed reviews and seem not worth the money because of time. Any other suggestions?

 

Key West just seems like a port to walk around. Any other suggestions?

 

What about Freeport?

 

Thanks for any help!

Oh! Did anyone use camp carnival? We were on the Disney last year so my daughter has high expectations.

 

Freeport try the jeep excursion. Pretty cool execpt driving on the left side of the road. Nassau walk to the public beach a few blocks away or buy day passes at the hilton next to the pier. At key west check out renting an eletric car very cheap from sunshine scooter rentals. Explore key west on your own.

[elainmir]

Atlantis is awesome! Hubby and I stayed there about 10-12 years ago...your child would LOVE the huge aquarium inside...it's amazing and a must see...the whole resort is very well put together...I was in love with the jitney (bus) driver we had...we took the bus all over the island for less than 10 bucks for the two of us! It was awesome! The lazy river around Atlantis was nice also....:) have fun!

[Rica6]

While in port at Freeport, I suggest staying on the ship. My husband and daughter (10) went and did a tour of the island and me and my boys (12, 9) stayed on the ship. We loved having a pick of loungers and pool almost to ourselves also no lines at the slides. I think we had a more relaxed time than they did.

[BSQ]

I was you three weeks ago :) I kind of just winged it.

 

In Key West I used a trolley tour map to find places that interested me, and all bought a trolley ticket to get around time more quickly.

 

Nassau I bought a day pass for the British Colonial Hilton to enjoy the beach. There's a public beach not too far beyond it as well. I've yet to go over to Atlantis.

 

Freeport, this last trip I used as a "beach day" on the ship ... minus the sand. But last trip I took a shuttle over to the Marketplace and there's a beach across the street.

 

My review of my latest trip there is linked in my signature.

[hamp65]

Thanks for all of the responses! Any other suggestions?

Is it strange that we will be in Nassau from 12-8PM?

[Mary Ellen1]

Key West: I'd go to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. You can walk there from the ship (approx. 15 minutes, which may be different depending on where you're docked). Very nice beach, swimming & snorkeling, picnic tables, restrooms, etc... There's also a Civil War-era fort to tour, with lots of cannon & other armaments. Dozens of large iguanas in the trees and various bird-life, if that interests you. There's a lot to do there for various ages & interests.

 

http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/home.html

[girlsjustwannacruise]

Do NOT STAY ON SHIP IN FREEPORT! Take a taxi van to the beach area. They have parasailing and some other activities and the beach very pretty. Not as wide of a sand strip as other beaches, but very pretty. There are several restaurants there to eat at that are clean, places to shop, and a very large casino if you gamble. It really is a very clean and pretty place to spend the day.

 

No idea why people do not like freeport. We enjoyed this way more than Nassau.

[Dreacrusingaway]

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Hello,

I am in desperate need on suggestions for our cruise next Sunday. Yes, May 25th on the Sunshine for Bahamas. I usually have a plan by now, but I teach school and fell behind on my vacation plans. Yikes! So instead of putting in final grades, I have been reading reviews.

 

We are a family of 3 adults and one 8yr. We must have activities she can enjoy. She does swim, but we don't snorkel. We would love a great beach with activities, but the Atlantis has mixed reviews and seem not worth the money because of time. Any other suggestions?

 

Key West just seems like a port to walk around. Any other suggestions?

 

What about Freeport?

 

Thanks for any help!

Oh! Did anyone use camp carnival? We were on the Disney last year so my daughter has high expectations.

 

 

We are on the same sailing. In Key West we scored a great deal on tickets in the City View Trolly. It's 29.99 per adult from Carnival, but $19 direct, $18 online. We got 2 tickets on Groupon for $36 plus had a $10 Groupon coupon so got them for $26 total. Kids under 12 are free. We also plan to go to the Key West Eco center which is free admission. I think the kids will enjoy it.

 

In Nassau we plan on going to the Melia resort for a day pass. I agree Atlantis seems expensive especially since we don't arrive until noon. We thought about Blue Lagoon, but the last boat is at 3:30 once again making it not worth the money with our arrival time.

 

We are snorkeling on Pat & Diane in Freeport. But our 2nd choice was the Port Lucaya resort day pass there. I hear the pools are nice.

 

I hope this helps!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[abccruise]

Double check Blue Lagoon....I think their last ferry is at 6 or so now that it is May...we were there in April and I thought it was later!!

Well worth the money and a lot of fun!! 8 year old would love the inflatable water park!!

[Dreacrusingaway]

Double check Blue Lagoon....I think their last ferry is at 6 or so now that it is May...we were there in April and I thought it was later!!

Well worth the money and a lot of fun!! 8 year old would love the inflatable water park!!

 

The website still has the last one leaving at 4pm..BUT it also shows the last boat heading there at 3:30. Which made me wonder if there is a later one. I actually called with the question a few months ago, but the person who answered was less than helpful.

 

We may go there next year when we go on our Disney cruise. Or just wait for another occasion when we are in port a little earlier.

[CruisinCrow]

For Nassau, I second Blue Lagoon if your ship offers the excursion. Otherwise, you'll probably be stuck coming back on the 4 o'clock ferry and wouldn't have much time on the island.

 

Melia would be great too. Good beach, 3 pools, watersports (floats, kayaks, water trike).

 

In Key West, there is a neat Butterfly Garden. It's near the Southernmost Point, which is good for a photo op. There's also Hemmingway House (6-toed cats), the lighthouse, ship wrecker's museum. Key West isn't known for its great beaches. :)

[hamp65]

We are on the same sailing. In Key West we scored a great deal on tickets in the City View Trolly. It's 29.99 per adult from Carnival, but $19 direct, $18 online. We got 2 tickets on Groupon for $36 plus had a $10 Groupon coupon so got them for $26 total. Kids under 12 are free. We also plan to go to the Key West Eco center which is free admission. I think the kids will enjoy it.

 

In Nassau we plan on going to the Melia resort for a day pass. I agree Atlantis seems expensive especially since we don't arrive until noon. We thought about Blue Lagoon, but the last boat is at 3:30 once again making it not worth the money with our arrival time.

 

We are snorkeling on Pat & Diane in Freeport. But our 2nd choice was the Port Lucaya resort day pass there. I hear the pools are nice.

 

I hope this helps!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thanks for the info! You got a fabulous ride on the trolley. What site did you use?

[Dreacrusingaway]

Thanks for the info! You got a fabulous ride on the trolley. What site did you use?

 

 

Here is the link to the Groupon.

 

http://www.groupon.com/deals/city-view-trolley-tours-5

 

I had a $10 off coupon on my personal Groupon account I applied. I guess it was because I had not used the site in a while. But $36 for 2 is still a decent deal compared to what the cruise lines charge for the same tickets. Through Carnival 2 tickets are $59.98 so its a decent savings.