Bahamas..who would and who wouldn't do themagain?

[2PinaColadas]

We've been to Nassau twice-- just okay to me. The last time, we got day passes at RIU on Paradise Island. The vendors on the beach really got on my nerves. A polite no would work, but there were so many of them. My DH did have fun snorkeling. We've been to Half Moon Cay twice also. It was so pretty the first time-- no cabanas or goofy pirate ship like now. It is still pretty, but Carnival is ruining it. Then there is Freeport-- would not want to go back. Once was more than enough. It's an ugly port with very little to do -- the beaches are much better in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. My DH once spent a week there-- said if you do not scuba dive, there really is no reason to go to Freeport.

 

I love the Caribbean and have really enjoyed the southern and western Caribbean islands/ports. However, I won't book another cruise to the Bahamas.

[092306]

Been to Nassau a number of times because it's so prevalent in itineraries, but I could easily skip it. We are going to the zoo again this time, but if not I would probably stay on the ship that day.

[screamin400]

Sounds pretty much like a friend of mine said. He thought it was his least favorite cruise.

[ROwens]

Why not try a Western Caribbean Cruise out of Tampa? We have been on this itinerary several times, and the weather and the water in January are generally very nice.

 

We will be doing a Western Caribbean in January, 2015 on the Carnival Pride. The port stops are Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Grand Cayman.

 

We are also doing this in a couple of weeks on the NCL Sun. Port stops on that cruise are Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Costa Maya.

 

Rosemary :)

[screamin400]

Been to Cozumel and Grand Caymen twice already. Too many other places I have not seen.

[dorisis]

The Bahamas are in the Atlantic and are just south and east of Florida. They do not have Caribbean weather and the Atlantic can be rougher than the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We did the Bahamas quite a few times years ago when Nassau had a better reputation. Now we avoid itineraries that have Nassau on them.

Why not choose a Southern Caribbean cruise that goes to the ABC islands?

[whataboutport]

Water in the Bahamas in winter (Jan/Feb/mar) is pretty dang cold. I'm from CA and the water even in the summer there doesn't get too warm. The water at Coco Cay was WAY too cold for me to get in more than my shins.

 

Nassau, yeah once you've done it once or twice that's about it. Seems like the times you are in port are always weird. Once we were there till midnight. Um no thanks. Another time got there at 7am and left at 2pm. Most shops and restaurants don't even open til at least 10:30! Never made it to the Fish Fry for that reason.

 

There are so many other places to go. Western Caribbean itineraries don't only have to be Grand Cayman, Coz, and Jamaica. There's Belize, Roatan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama.

[navybankerteacher]

I think a port call at Nassau is great - so many get off the ship leaving it to we few who know how little Nassau has to offer. Atlantis is costly - better to visit for a few days to take advantage of the water rides, etc. The only thing worth doing off the ship is Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island, just east of Atlantis - a good free beach, fairly easy to get to - still, better to stay on board.

[gritsnc]

This is one of the things I have heard.

 

We had a decent time just because we didn't have to cook or work, but I would never do it again. We spent most of our time inside of the ship.

[screamin400]

We are doing a 7 night southern Caribbean cruise in Feb. We have already done Cozumel and the Grand Caymens twice. We have done Jamaica and Haiti already. Maybe another leg out of Puerto Rico? I was hoping to leave from the states but running out of places to go from Florida. Eventually will have to try the Bahamas just so we go somewhere different. I want to see all the islands eventually. I need to line them up by importance is all.

[tm32561]

Atlantis is very nice! The aquariums there are beautiful and the large glass artwork is amazing! I even won a little bit at the casino. But I'm not a fan of the ports in the Bahamas. We've been twice. Half Moon Cay is nice. If we ever go again, I choose to stay on the boat

 

 

Carnival Elation 2010

Carnival Fascination 2011

Carnival Ecstasy 2013

Carnival Dream 2014

Carnival Liberty 2015

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[Bryanti]

We rented a car in Freeport and Nassau.. Freeport doesn't get much love, but we really enjoyed it. The Freeport car rental place warned us about the slow pace of the island, but it was just what we were looking for. We cruised out to Lacayan National Park, saw some wild life and had a huge stretch of beach to ourselves for almost 2 hours. Afterwards we drove over to Bishops for some conch.. Also came across some old NASA buildings from decades ago. Probably two of the best ports for cruisers renting a car for the first time. Flat island....unlike driving in St.Lucia.

Hi! My family and I will be heading to Freeport next week. My teenage boys really want to visit Lacayan National Park. We will be there from 12:00-7:00. We are thinking about renting a car and driving ourselves but I have read so many posts about it taking to long to get there and back. I also wonder about the safety of the trip out to the Park We rented a jeep in Cozumel and didn't have such a great experience. How is trip out to the park and did it seem safe? Would you do it again? Thanks for any info. That you can give me!

[SuiteTraveler]

It can be a real "poop hole", if you know what I'm saying. It is very ghetto looking, junk everywhere, people hounding you to buy this and that, homeless people hounding you, etc. Thats as you head in town, I hear the area where Atlantis is isn't bad though.

 

 

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Atlantis isn't bad because it is in a guarded and gated area so the hawkers can't get in.

[paul929207]

Been there once, and that was more than enough. Not going again

[navybankerteacher]

Nassau and Freeport are dreary - and if you are talking winter, the water is pretty cool - as can be the air temps. Sure, it's better than the Northeast in February, but there is so much better opportunity just a bit further south in the Caribbean.