Freeport: Our Lucayan and taxi questions? :)

[NOLAbebe]

Hi!

 

We are stopping in Freeport, and so far, our plan is to take a taxi to the Our Lucayan resort and do the day pass thing and the market across the street. Two questions:

 

1) Has anyone NOT liked this hotel or beach? May I ask why?

 

2) We have six people. How many people fit in a single taxi van? Do they ever NOT come back for you? This is our first cruise, and I keep imagining us stranded and crying on the dock as the ship sails away into the sunset.

 

Thank you!

[ransrider]

Your post made me laugh but am sure it happens. We are also interested in these AI properties.

 

Deb

[NOLAbebe]

Honestly, if the vans aren't bus-sized, I'd consider just buying out the remaining seats to make sure it would pick us up on time! Will I bribe a total Bahamian stranger without a single hesitation at the thought of being left behind in a foreign country? Yes. Yes, I will.

 

I figure if they seat, say 8 people, it's not too much of a stretch to cover the other two seats? Either that, or I'm going to be bribing strangers to join us if no one wants to go out there.

 

I've heard generally good things about the property, but I'd like to hear the downsides (if any) so that we're not expecting too much.

[NOLAbebe]

Your post made me laugh but am sure it happens. We are also interested in these AI properties.

 

Deb

 

 

P.S.

 

Deb, what is an 'AI' property?

[ransrider]

All inclusive

 

Deb

[nodogkisses]

You guys are so funny. You're cracking me up.

 

There will be plenty of taxi vans all lined up in front of the hotel They run all the time the ship is in port. They'll just take your $5 or your prepaid ticket (they try to get you to prepay for the ride back- I never do, though) and your group gets in the van and it fills up and they leave when all seats are filled. Maybe a 12-15 passenger van? Don't know exactly. I've done this many times. It's about a 15-20 minute ride back to the ship. The hotel across from the straw market area is where they have taxis. It's the one with the day passes. They changed the name a year or two ago-the Grand Lucayan??? They also have them at a location farther down the street. This is one reason I don't prepay. I don't want to go to there and they say my ticket is for the other area. Trust me. They're more than happy to take your $5 to take you back to port. It's actually very easy and you won't have any problems. Have fun!

 

 

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[cruiseapril]

So much depends on the weather. When we were at Our Lucaya it was quite windy. (It was April)- but there is plenty to do at the market.

 

We always have a non-beach excursion in mind if it is windy or cool.

[NOLAbebe]

Thank you, everyone! That is super helpful!

[ma40]

I've been to Freeport 3X,last time in Feb with Carnival. When you are on the ship you might want to go to an upper deck to look at the area. There is a Senor Frog's,look past that to see the taxi loading,it's efficient with 2 or 3 people sending the cabs to different places,Lucayan Marketplace being the busiest. They charge round trip,take you to the Marketplace,give you a return ticket. Your driver will give you information about the return trip in the cab. When they get there,they give you info about when the last cab will go back to the ship,and how often the cabs leave,it's when a cab gets full. It's a 10 passenger van including the seat next to the driver. Most people leave about 1:30 to have lunch on the ship.

The hotel has a guard at the front directing you to places,there is a casino open to the public, and a checkpoint to make sure you have a bracelet to get on the property. You can go to the public beach next to the police station,it's about 5 blocks to the right on the main st. The cab driver will point it out when you pass ,lots of people walking to it. The beach is nice, there is a water sport rental,jet skis,banana boat ride etc,go to the left to go to Lucaya resort. We sat on the beach but after 10 min were asked to leave,no bracelet. The water has some rocks, a gradual slope, women on beach selling jewelry,not pushy wish them good morning,sorry not interested, many things are made there,they will tell you what. Hope you enjoy

[NOLAbebe]

Thank you! I can't wait.

[Surrealistic]

How much is a day pass to Our Lucaya and what does it include once you enter the property? Can you just purchase on the spot, or do you need a reservation?

I'd like to have this option weather permitting. TIA.

[Prisc777]

Yeah, I asked myself the same hahaha!

[Midwestmom21969]

My husband have stayed at Our Lucayan a ways back when it was owned by Westin. We really liked it. There were TONS do cruisers there.

 

Beware about the beach. It really depends on the time of year you go. If it is cool in Florida - it will be cool there. It was freakishly windy when we stayed in October/November and not because of any tropical storms. They said it just can be there. Anyhow, beach and water was rough.

 

The market place across the street is really fun. So many restaurants and shops. You could eat there for such a reasonable price. If you really want the all inclusive convenience do it. But food is more than accessible across the street. But maybe you have to in order to access the beach.

[green eyed lady]

This is the reply I received to my email:

 

 

Thank you for your email. To answer your questions, we have day passes for visitors and cruisers. The cost is $15 for adults, and $7.50 for children. As a day pass owner, you will be able to use all our facilities; however, please note that a pool towel will not be included. Reservations are not necessary. The cab ride takes approximately 20+ minutes and will cost you $27 for two persons. Every additional person is $3 extra.

 

 

 

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

 

 

Krishnal Ciccolella

 

Concierge

Front Office

Grand Lucayan Bahamas

Tel: 242-350-5216