Having 2nd thoughts

[bippytrip]

On getting off the ship in the Bahamas.
Just read this report that I found on another board, and it doesn't paint such a pretty picture of Nassau and the Bahamas.
Anyone have any thoughts on the credibility of this report?
link:
[url]http://www.reporter.int.tc/[/url]

[Beth]

We loved the Blue Lagoon tour thru Carnival in the Bahamas.

[GoinCruisin]

Bippy, I personally did not like Freeport (not sure about Nassau, but have not been anywhere in the Bahamas that I would travel to again)... you will see alot of poverty. I thought it was a bit dirty, there were a TON of street vendors just begging.... I certainly would not be out and about on my own... I just think there are many more caribbean locations that are much nicer. You may go there and get a completely different opinion.... I would say to go, you won't have a terrible time, but everyone's experience is different....

[Grayce]

I took a day cruise to Freeport about 14 years ago. I went with another female friend, we were both in our early 20's. We spent time in walking through the market and had a meal at a restaurant there. I don't remember feeling threatened at all and people selling things were not aggressive. I certainly didn't feel unsafe. I wonder how things could have changed that much since then?

[GoinCruisin]

Grayce, we went on our own 4 years ago and not on a cruise.... I hear that the excursions the cruiseships have are much better. I think if you go to the touristy areas, things may be better. Everyone has a different experience... I felt the same way about Montego Bay... it was great inside the resort, but the harsh reality of the poverty slaps you in the face once outside... I have always heard conflicting reports, some love it, some hate it... but I think everyone should experience it themselves...

[bippytrip]

GoinCruisin

We have been to Nassau last year on a cruise thru Celebrity. We did get off, and found it to be VERY annoying. What scares me is I didn't realize the crime rate was so high.
I honestly think we won't be getting off this time. Not just because of reading one report, but our experience last time combined with this new information we were unaware of before may be the deciding factor to stay on the ship and enjoy the less crowded pool on the Nassau and Freeport stops.

We are usually spontaneous, so this decision is subject to change.

I just posted this link to that report to see if others had any bad experiences while in the Bahamas, and as a heads up to those who will be traveling there. Better to be safe than sorry.

Our experience wansn't 100% bad, but we didn't like the rude treatment or the constant sales attempts, and vacation is not for aggravation, (get enough of that at work).

Thanks for your input.

[jemingway]

Nassau is not my favorite, but you don't feel threatened. If you have never been there, it is fine. After several times, however, it loses its attraction.

[Lilylady]

[font=Courier New][color=blue]I was in Nassau in January and was not thrilled with it. The people were fine but there was nothing to do. If you like to gamble, you can go to Atlantis which is a beautiful resort/casino. I'm sure that others on the board can make suggestions. We did not want to pay a lot for a ship excursion and don't want to swim with dolphins, so we took a tour from one of the guys who greet you as you get off the ship. We then walked a few blocks from the ship to a beach which was decent. Nassau is much better than Montego Bay which I would [b]never[/b] leave the ship for again. [/color][/font]

[judyjbest]

We've cruised to the port of Nassau three times. Saying this is not my favorite port is an understatement. But, without reservation, I would always enjoy whatever the port has to offer.

The first time we cruised there as a family and snorkeled with the Stingrays, a wonderful experience.

The second time we took the ferry to Atlantis. Atlantis is an amazing resort, but we aren't gamblers, so we were quickly ready to return to the ship.

The third time we strolled through the market until we found a horse and carriage willing to take us to the Queen's Staircase. This is an amazing place.

Very little time is required to enjoy the culture of Nassau, but the worst thing that happened in all three trips was men asking if we wished to purchase marijuana. A straightforward NO to deterred them from further comment. Enjoy Nassau!

[ilionite65]

Went to Nassau last March. Took a boat to Atlantis which was very interesting. There is more to do than just the casino. The aquarium is very different from any I have ever seen and well worth going to. I also enjoyed just walking around Atlantis and its grounds.

[Cotton]

[b][color=darkslategray]I love the Bahamas! (Bippy, that Harald guy in your article is SCARY-looking! Just what I need to see before going to bed. Thx.):eek: [/color][/b]

[b][color=#2f4f4f]Anyhoo, as I was saying, I really love going to the Bahamas. I've cruised there three times, and have taken several land vacations in both Freeport and Nassau - usually 4-5 days each time. [/color][/b]

[b][color=#2f4f4f]While there, I've gone all over the islands by taxi, as well as their bus system. I've never encountered any problem, and although I'm all over the place, I have yet to have a beggar approach me, and certainly not a mugger! (Although I'm sure it does happen.) I'm not easily frightened, but I do use COMMON SENSE, and I stay with crowds and on lighted streets.[/color][/b]

[b][color=#2f4f4f]The Bahamas are great (my opinion), and the food and entertainment is wonderful. My last trip there was just over a year ago - 4 days in Freeport.[/color][/b]

[bippytrip]

(Bippy, that Harald guy in your article is SCARY-looking! Just what I need to see before going to bed. Thx.)

LOL, he is scary isn't he:)

Although I do believe you had a good time, I do find it hard to believe that you have not encountered any beggars or VERY aggressive vendors trying to sell you just about anything. They are EVERYWHERE.
They are just plain rude and are very annoying after a while.

[Cotton]

[b][color=darkslategray]Hard to believe or not, it's true.:) A friend of mine owns a cottage in Freeport, in a very nice area, and that's where I stay while there...altho I DO get out and about for groceries, and certainly to the beach and other areas. Maybe I just have 'blinders' on and don't notice the seedier side? Or maybe I've just been lucky.[/color][/b]

[GoinCruisin]

Cotton, I have had friends visit freeport and had a completely different experience from me. I really think it also depends on time of year, location, etc. During prime time tourist season, the street vendors are probably more aggressive. I will also say that Cozumel was just as bad... those guys actually tried to pull us into every store and would follow us down the street... I guess you get it everywhere from time to time... The areas we were in (Freeport), there was just such obvious poverty, and I guess I went into "guilt" mode as here I was on vacation, staying at a resort, and there were children begging us for money... just tugged on my heart strings a bit.... last thing you need when on vacation!!!!

[Ocruise]

We just visited Nassau last Tuesday on the Disney Wonder and had a great time. This was our second time in Nassau (in 2000 we stayed at the Atlantis & took the ferry to do some shopping in Cable Street in Nasssau). We felt completely safe in Nassau both times. All the stores take US dollars, it is crawling with other tourists. Don't stay on the ship, you will miss a great experience. I found the Bahamean people charming & helpful. No one hassles you at all. When you gett off the boat some poeople might ask you for hair braiding or a taxi/tour. A "no thank you" suffices, no one stalks you. (it's nothing like Jamaica, where I ran back on the ship. Now there I did not feel safe, but that was just my experience). The only place I would avoid is the straw market (which is in an indoor place a feww minutes walk in downtown). I found it cramped & some vedndors there to be mildly, not very pushy. If you pick something up, they start lowering the price so you buy it. I just thought the indoor straw market was hot & overcrowded. We loved the stores on cable street, you will get such great souveniers. We also took the # 10 bus (1.oo US dollar per person) to the Wyndham in Cable beach (they welcome cruise passangers) we used the beach for free & had a lovely time.
Hope this helps,
Marina

[nrgo]

Yikes. Thanks for the link, it provided some interesting info.
It's not going to keep me from getting off the ship in Nassua though. I've never been and I think I want to see stuff for myself. I will, as always when visiting new places, take special p[font='Times New Roman'][font=Verdana][size=2]recautions. I don't care where you go in the U.S. or abroad, there are always going to be incidents of crime and areas you should avoid due to drugs or hostilities. In some places the area to avoid is larger than in others. It's a shame, but it's the truth. [/size][/font][/font]

[staceyvols]

Blue Lagoon is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. It's small but it's just got the crystal clear water. We all loved it!