Art_Vandalay Posted March 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Hi everyone. My family will be on Oasis in June (2 adults, 2 teens), and we're trying to decide whether to get a hotel day pass for Nassau (about $250 total,) or stay onboard and enjoy the ship with less people. We have been on one other cruise, but this will be our first time on Oasis. Along with Nassau, we are stopping at St. Maarten and St. Thomas. We have been to both ports before, and loved them. We have excursions booked for these stops. So, I'm really leaning towards staying on the ship in Nassau to enjoy another day on Oasis. What I'm wondering is, in your experience, is there a noticeable difference in crowds on board when you stop at Nassau? My kids want to ride the Flowrider, swim, and just hang out. This stop is on day 2 of the cruise. If the crowds aren't much thinner then maybe we will get off and explore a bit or do the day pass. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlaturne Posted March 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Us-we stay on board in Nassau-but have never done the day pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpayroll Posted March 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 2, 2017 In January when we were on Allure, we elected to stay on the ship while in Nassau since we have been there several times. We will do that from now on. Very enjoyable day on ship since there is so much to do. Take advantage of the ship while most people are off . :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted March 2, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 2, 2017 If the duration is the normal short (5 hours or so) stop that Oasis class has had, I'd stay onboard and enjoy thr ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brunello22 Posted March 2, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 2, 2017 After visiting Nassau many times, we prefer to stay onboard and enjoy the ship while it is less crowded and quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted March 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We did the same ports on Allure. My wife and I left the ship long enough to go to the straw market for a few souvenirs then spent the rest of the stay on board enjoying a less crowded time by the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3happyferrets Posted March 2, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We did the hotel day pass in Nassau. I didn't care for the place and we've done this in a lot of the ports. We stay on the boat, but we've also been to Nassau quite a few times. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 2, 2017 There are public beaches in Nassau, if you don't want to pay for a beach day..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allie3490 Posted March 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We just came back from Harmony with the same stops. I read from a few on this board that walked to a public beach in Nassau - Junkanoo Beach so that 's what we did. I can tell you I would never recommend this beach nor would I recommend walking to it. You pass by very smelly dumpsters and sewers we actually had to hold our breath. Then when we finally got to the beach - and I use the term loosely, it was one of the ugliest beaches we've ever seen. Since we paid about $10 per chair we decided to just stay for a bit. The view was horrible and the water was cold. We stayed for about 2 hours and took a cab back to the ship. Once back on the ship it looked like more than half the passengers didn't even get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted March 2, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Since you have great plans for St. Maarten and St. Thomas, do seriously consider staying on the ship in Nassau. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted March 2, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I like the idea of staying aboard, we do this on lots of stops, love the ship without the crowds, the other factors for us is we have been to many of these ports multiple times and have the drink package, but always get off at the better ports such as St Marteen, St Thomas Cozumel etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliemcb13 Posted March 2, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We did the hotel day pass in Nassau. I didn't care for the place and we've done this in a lot of the ports. We stay on the boat, but we've also been to Nassau quite a few times. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Which hotel did you do for the day passes? We are considering Melia in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3happyferrets Posted March 2, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Which hotel did you do for the day passes? We are considering Melia in May. I've done two different ones through the resort for a day. I think the first one years ago was a Hilton, but it felt like the lobby of the tower of terror ride, lol. The second was the Breezes by the Sandals people. Maybe it was just an off day, but the pool was nasty. Stuff floating all in it and the food and drinks that were included weren't good. Just felt like a lot of money for that. I've just since decided since we get the drink packages on board anyway to stay on the boat from now on. But this is just my opinion, some people really like these places and like Nassau, it's just not for me. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkacmom Posted March 2, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Which hotel did you do for the day passes? We are considering Melia in May. We thought the Melia was great, beautiful pools, gorgeous beach! Plus hex daiquiri shack is right across the street. ETA, love your user name, OP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare thrifty99 Posted March 2, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I would stay on the ship. You may want to see if there are any private lessons for the FlowRider at that time - your kids could learn some fun tricks. The only place I would pay to go to and spend a full day in Nassau would be Atlantis. We stayed there for a week several years ago... best waterpark for teens I've ever been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted March 2, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 2, 2017 The ship won't really be that empty. Lots of folks rather stay on the ship in Nassau. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartel11 Posted March 2, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Wait... you're supposed to get off the ship in Nassau? I thought that was another sea day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spacecaydet Posted March 2, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We took a beach day at the Sheraton in Nassau with the Allure in 2014. We enjoyed the beach and the pool, it was a very nice experience. We booked a cap a head of time separate from the cruise line to get us there and back. It worked well. However, if you think cruise drink prices are expensive get ready to shell out $8.00 for a local beer. Last year with Disney Dream we got off and walked around the shops right by the port and went right back to ship. This coming May the Nassau port will definitely be a ship day for us. The Oasis class ships have so much to see and do and Nassau just doesn't. As the ports go, we did the same itinerary and LOVED the beaches at St. Thomas and St. Maarten, Nassau really isn't necessary. In fact when's a good time to start asking RCI when/if the Oasis class ships will choose other ports instead of Nassau? I know it's not the rule but it usually is the exception when a Caribbean sailing oasis class ship does not stop first at Nassau! Maybe since the ships are registered in the Bahamas they are required to stop there once a week? Not sure but I'd much rather hit Puerto Rico or Grand Cayman and push the first port day to day 3 if necessary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted March 2, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 2, 2017 If you have never been there then do the all day to Atlantis. We did that two years ago with kids and grandkids and it was a blast. In November 2016, just DW and I stayed on the ship and it was a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jovitaqueen Posted March 2, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Could someone who has done Atlantis post a little about Atlantis? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbjen Posted March 2, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 2, 2017 We're doing the same itinerary too, planning to do the sightseeing tour of Atlantis but not any of the water park/beach activities, its too expensive for what it is for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art_Vandalay Posted March 3, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks so much for your input! I was the last holdout, so the family is happy to hear that I've decided we will just stay on board. They have logged a lot of hours on different Flowriders and are excited to log some more! Hubby is excited to save $250. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art_Vandalay Posted March 3, 2017 Author #23 Share Posted March 3, 2017 We thought the Melia was great, beautiful pools, gorgeous beach! Plus hex daiquiri shack is right across the street. ETA, love your user name, OP! Just remember, "it's not a lie if you believe it!" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNcruising02 Posted March 3, 2017 #24 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I would stay on the ship. You may want to see if there are any private lessons for the FlowRider at that time - your kids could learn some fun tricks. The only place I would pay to go to and spend a full day in Nassau would be Atlantis. We stayed there for a week several years ago... best waterpark for teens I've ever been to. I agree. Atlantis is great excursion, especially for teens. We've been there a couple of times on cruises and once for four nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firsttimecruise2017 Posted March 3, 2017 #25 Share Posted March 3, 2017 We did the hotel day pass in Nassau. I didn't care for the place and we've done this in a lot of the ports. We stay on the boat, but we've also been to Nassau quite a few times. Which hotel did you not enjoy? I'm torn about what to do as well and I have a reservation at Breezes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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