Bahamas first time cruiser

[MWBearFan]

Greetings,

 

My wife and I booked a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas this coming October for our 2 year anniversary. The ship is the Victory, sailing out of Miami, and visiting Half Moon Cay and Nassau before returning to Miami. It's a 4 night 5 day cruise. This is my first time out at sea let alone a cruise ship. My wife has been on one cruise through Norwegian to the Bahamas many years ago. We're pretty excited and are researching the ports, the ship, excursions, looking up tips, looking at pre-cruise hotel options, and setting preferences like dinner time and bed setup, etc. We sprung for the Aft extended balcony room so we should have a great view and the sound of the ships wake. I must admit it's been information overload at times. This seems like a good place to look for advice.

First of all we are from northern Indiana. I've been looking into hotels that would allow us to park and shuttle us to and from the port. Parking at the port is $20 a day ($100 for the 5 days), so we'd like to avoid that if we can. I know there are also park and cruise type lots that are significantly cheaper than at the port. We do like the idea of a pre cruise hotel stay. As far as traveling to Miami we've looked at flying or driving and we are leaning towards driving as we like road trips and don't mind spending the extra day traveling. Any recommendations on a pre-cruise hotel near the port of Miami. We don't need anything fancy, but one that has parking while you cruise and shuttle service is a huge plus.

 

Along with our boarding papers we both plan to have passports. I need to get one and she needs to renew hers. I do see that you can get a passport book and a passport card, would it be worth it to get the card to make it more convenient or will you only need the passport when you initially board the boat. It sounds like when you visit ports you'll just need your S&S card and your driver's license as photo ID.

 

We're going to go over the excursions available at HMC and Nassau, and we'll pick probably 2-3 that we'd like to do and spend the rest of our shore time shopping or at the beaches. Which of these stops has the best snorkeling? I'm guessing HMC. While the Wife isn't fond of heights the parasailing sounds cool. The closest to a glass bottom boat excursion seems to be the Sea World explorer mini sub. The Dolphin excursions all sound really cool but are they worth the high price? Too bad neither of us are scuba certified as those excursions look awesome. As for shopping I totally want to get one of those shirts that change color in the sun would those be available at the straw market in Nassau?

 

Lastly as a first time cruiser and my wife's second time cruising. What are some common mistakes people make that we can try to avoid. What are some good tips in general for first timers? Thanks in advance! Can't wait to set sail!

[Langley Cruisers]

...The ship is the Victory, sailing out of Miami... I've been looking into hotels that would allow us to park and shuttle us to and from the port. Parking at the port is $20 a day ($100 for the 5 days), so we'd like to avoid that if we can. I know there are also park and cruise type lots that are significantly cheaper than at the port....

 

Hi there,

 

I will reply to this section of your question. First of all, any and all local residents and most of us visitors know that parking anywhere in Miami is a gamble. PLEASE, please do not park anywhere except the Port of Miami. It is covered and secure and well worth the $20.00 per day. Other lots are available, but the horror stories I have read on these boards definitely changed my mind about using them. Many members have reported vandalism, theft, and one person returned from their cruise to find a homeless person sleeping in their car. YES, I'm serious. I can't respond to the park and cruise hotels - you'll have to do your research, but then again, you are leaving your car on their property and are subjecting your vehicle to the things I said above.

 

You want to enjoy your cruise and know that your car is safe and sound and will be where you parked it when you come back.

 

PLEASE park at the port. :)

 

Have fun.

.

[skrufy]

High neighbor, we drive sometimes fly from Northern Illinois. Langley cruiser has covered the parking. Totally agree, Park at the port. The downtown Miami area is safe but the fringe area is not.

The hotel situation. The area you will find park and cruise packages is out by the airport. The Blue Lagoon area is the nicest. Again it’s not the safest area but for one night it’s doable. Park and Cruise sometimes pops up in the Mary Brickell area ( just a few blocks south of downtown. Some of the hotels charge a fee to shuttle to the port.

Can’t help on the HMC snorkeling. Our two trips there we relaxed in the sun. There was no Delsol store on HMC, and there was not not one on Nassau but we have not gone there in a long time, almost all the other Caribbean ports have one.

Great cabin choice but you might feel a little vibration from the propulsion system.

[Oshawapilot]

We always do park-and-stay deals with hotels and have never had issues, but we also book with hotels that have decent secure lots and security. In the end, that's your call.

 

As for excursions, don't overdo things - 2 excursions in one day is not only likely to be logistically impossible (they tend to leave at times that won't mesh) but you'll not have any time at all to actually explore the port. Having been to Nassau a few times, it would be a port where I would book an excursion for sure as the actual town isn't anything particularly awesome honestly. Half Moon Cay, just enjoy the beach day and relax, don't feel like you need to jam an excursion in there unless there's something you really want to do.

 

A 4 night cruise will be short enough without over-scheduling yourself, so just plan to do some relaxing and enjoy the experience. You asked about common mistakes, and IMHO that's one of them - trying to do too much. ;)

[MWBearFan]

Thank you for all the good replies. Very helpful. Neither of us have been to Miami but we've hheard it can be crazy. At most parking at the port would be $100 in peace of mind. Starting and ending in Miami was one negative when deciding what cruise to take. But it came down to either Freeport/princess cays or HMC/Nassau. From our research HMC sounds like the better of the two private islands. Some reviewers felt it is the best in the Bahamas.

 

Excursion wise we were thinking 2-3 max total. Some excursions are short others are long. If we do them we'll do them through the cruise so we are guaranteed to get back. Main thing is we want to balance our beach/relaxation time and adventures. We also want to be smart cost wise. The easy thing is to want to do it all and that's not a vacation it's a marathon that makes you want a vacation to recover from your vacation. Like any other vacation it's best to remember we can always come back.

[mjkacmom]

I’ve been to Nassau 4 times, have never used a ship excursion. We’ve just done resort day passes, but there are a lot of private excursions available that will be better and cheaper than those through the ship, check out trip advisor. A lot of people seem to hate Nassau, you couldn’t pay me to shop at the straw market, but that’s me.

[Schoifmom]

Excursion wise we were thinking 2-3 max total. Some excursions are short others are long. If we do them we'll do them through the cruise so we are guaranteed to get back. Main thing is we want to balance our beach/relaxation time and adventures. We also want to be smart cost wise. The easy thing is to want to do it all and that's not a vacation it's a marathon that makes you want a vacation to recover from your vacation. Like any other vacation it's best to remember we can always come back.

 

Even when doing ship sponsored excursions, 2 ports = 2 excursions. Don't attempt to do more. You will have no time for relaxation. You'll spend all of your time rushing from one to the next and stressing over whether you'll make it or not.

 

You asked about one of the common mistakes first time cruisers make. It's trying to do it all. Be selective and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy your vacation. There is no way you can do everything that is offered, or even everything you want to do.

[SRF]

The passport card is only really good for land travel to Mexico and Canada. So get the book.

 

If you want the card as backup, go for it, but always get the passport book.

 

If you have a valid passport, you don't need any other ID for boarding

 

Yes, take your DL for getting back on the ship. You will not need it on the private island, but last August in Nassau, they wanted sail pass and photo ID to get onto the pier.

 

I agree, do not over book. One excursion per port is enough.

 

On the private island, you might get by with two. We did both a sea kayak and a jet ski on Cococay (Royal Carib private island), and that worked out OK.

[cb at sea]

Unless you really want to, there's no need for "excursions" at HMC...it is a beach day on the cruise line's private island. Loungers are everywhere, and lunch is served on the island. It's a great, relaxing day. They do have plenty of things you can spend extra on, but it's not necessary!

[Oshawapilot]

Even when doing ship sponsored excursions, 2 ports = 2 excursions. Don't attempt to do more. You will have no time for relaxation. You'll spend all of your time rushing from one to the next and stressing over whether you'll make it or not..

 

Agreed, like I said, do NOT overwhelm yourself, and also strongly consider not bothering with anything on your private island day - go get a few lounge chairs with umbrellas on the beach, get a few beverages, and relax. Enjoy lunch, relax some more. If you want to do anything so far as activities/excursions, pick ONE and then leave yourself a few hours to do the relaxation thing.

 

Trust me, the time will FLY on a 5 day cruise - don't get home not having spent some time unwinding.

[Gomez56]

It's been 16 years but I still remember our Bahamas cruise :)

We did the para-sail and I loved it. Lifted off and returned to the deck on the back of the boat, it was so peaceful up there and a great view. I just wish I would have taken a camera up. We did a Conch Train tour in Key West and I'll never do that kind of guided tour again.

The straw market had burned not too long before we were there but they were set up in tents and it was an interesting way to spend a couple hours, as was touring the Atlantis Hotel & Casino. We did a sail & snorkel at Nassau and it was okay.

We were on RCI and so went to Coco Cay where we snorkeled some more but spend most of the day on the beach with rum drinks.

The best advice I can give is snorkeling and mustaches are not compatible - shave it off before you leave.

[Oshawapilot]

The best advice I can give is snorkeling and mustaches are not compatible - shave it off before you leave.

 

Vaseline fixes that.

 

Any reputable dive boat will have a tub onboard, just ask for it.

[Gomez56]

Vaseline fixes that.

 

Any reputable dive boat will have a tub onboard, just ask for it.

 

That is true; as a short term fix. However Vaseline is water soluble and in my case I was probably 100 yards from shore when it dissolved to the point the mask started leaking. We are leaving for our next cruise in 22 days (you bet I'm counting :)) and I will be sans mustache. :D

[SRF]

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is not water soluble. It is a oil based product.

 

Some Vaseline products, like lotions are water soluble.

[Gomez56]

My apologies, I guess a better way to have said it was that it washed away after 30 minutes or so.

[BahamaMama1214]

I did a dolphin excursion in Nassau and it was not my favorite excursion. The area where they kept the dolphins was dirty and you barely get to interact with the dolphins between the trainers putting on their little shows and the other people in your group taking their turn. Also we were not allowed our personal cameras and it was something like $75 for just one photo. I don't regret doing it, but it wasn't worth the money.

 

In HMC, I would just use it as a free beach day, save the money, and relax. It's a little slice of paradise and a great place to spend the day without an excursion. I've never snorkeled in the Bahamas, but beach at HMC has nothing in the water and I imagine the snorkeling would be pretty boring, so I might try snorkeling in Nassau instead.

[SRF]

I did a dolphin excursion in Nassau and it was not my favorite excursion. The area where they kept the dolphins was dirty and you barely get to interact with the dolphins between the trainers putting on their little shows and the other people in your group taking their turn. Also we were not allowed our personal cameras and it was something like $75 for just one photo. I don't regret doing it, but it wasn't worth the money.

 

Other than the dirty, most are like that. There used to be a place in the Keys, where you actually got to swim around with the dolphins.

 

Funny thing was, that place was the subject of an expose bout how badly the dolphins were treated. Held captive, etc.

 

What was funny was, the dolphins were free to leave anytime they wanted. The fence had large holes underwater. The fence was there to keep the boats from running into the dolphin area. They told us, the dolphins would leave, then come back. Sometimes bringing other dolphins.

[Flymia]

Thank you for all the good replies. Very helpful. Neither of us have been to Miami but we've hheard it can be crazy. At most parking at the port would be $100 in peace of mind. Starting and ending in Miami was one negative when deciding what cruise to take. .

 

Don't let the things you hear about Miami scare you. Millions and millions of people visit Miami and its not because its a negative. Enjoy your time and start your vacation off in Miami. I would always recommend flying in, but that is of course a personal choice.

 

As for Miami: Port Miami is right in the middle of the city. Any hotel in Downtown Miami or the Brickell area (which is just South of Downtown Miami) will be very close to the port. If you are lucky you can find a park and cruise option at a downtown or Brickell hotel. That would be your #1 option. If not you could always just park at the port. Its actually $22/day now. Where a park and cruise might cost an extra $10-$12 a day. Even if you park in Downtown Miami/Brickell or just stay there the drive to the port is super quick and very cheap Uber/Lyft ride, $6-$9.00 ride. 5-10 minute drive.

 

Staying in Miami especially Downtown and Brickell will give you a lot of nice options for dinning and things to do the pre-cruise day too. Most park and cruise options are hotels by the airprot. Obviously most airport hotels are not in the best areas, but if you are driving its an easy drive to get to nicer areas like Brickell, Downtown or Miami Beach.

 

For specifics regarding Miami ask questions in the Florida departure forum. You'll get more than all the information you need there.

 

As for other general tips. Its a 4-night cruise, its not that long, don't try to do too much. 1-excursion a day is more than enough. I usually don't even do an excursion a day.

 

Nassau is typically not one of the most sought after ports. I enjoy Nassau, but I've been going there (not on cruises) since I was a young kid. I would certainly do an excursion here. For other things you can check out Downtown and the straw market. Get some Conch Salad by the port. And if you want you can check out the Atlantis Hotel in Paradise Island. You can see everything and do everything there other than the water park/pools and some of the aquariums without needing to pay for access.

 

The casino, resturants, comeddy club, night clubs, shops and even a few areas to view their awesome fish tanks are all open to the public. I would suggest going here if you had a long overnight in Nassau but I see you don't.

 

Any other questions ask away.

 

And just get a passport no need for the passport and the card.

[zookiebird]

HMC is one of our favorite stops. In addition to the incredible beach two of our favorite activities there have been horseback riding thru the surf and the manta ray interface. Both very cool.

[Underwatr]

Vaseline fixes that.

 

Any reputable dive boat will have a tub onboard, just ask for it.

If it's your own mask you should use a different sealant than Vaseline since its not compatible with the silicon mask seals.

 

http://www2.padi.com/blog/2015/12/01/moustache-divers-tips-for-improving-your-mask-seal/

 

PADI recommends (above) a silicone-based grease.

[jdvmd]

Don't think you really need to do an excursion at HMC. Treat it as a beach day.

 

Also, check out the Ports of Call board as well as the Carnival board and your roll call for more information.

 

Remember, October is hurricane season too.

 

Happy Anniversary!