Just got back today from our 2nd Bahamas cruise.

[bguppies]

Just got home from our 2nd 4 day Sensation cruise with stops in Freeport and Nassau.

 

1st time, we stayed on the ship in Freeport.

This time, we took a cab for $5 per person, each way, to Our Lucaya and checked out the gorgeous beach and the market across the street.

 

Sadly, as gorgeous as the beach was, and as warm as it was out on Monday, (the water was too cold to swim, but it was sunny and 75 degrees or so and felt warmer in the sun on the beach) there was absolutely no one working at either of the cheaper hotels to rent us a lounge chair to use on the beach. (as many posters do on their visits.)

Not one lifeguard, pool deck worker, anybody, except a lifeguard at the Westin, who told us that the lounges at the Westin, were for hotel guest use only. PERIOD.

So we walked the beach, checked out the beautiful pools at the hotels , then stopped for a minute at the Casino and shopped for a few minutes before heading back to the ship.

 

 

Tuesday was our 2nd trip to Nassau. (both 24 hour, 7AM-7AM stays)

 

This time, we again stared our morning early,(breakfast and left ship as soon as the gangplank was lowered) by again stopping at our favorite stops on Zydecocruisers walking tour. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332656

Stopped by and said Hi to Phillip, the tour guide at the Queen's Staircase again.

Stopped by the Graycliff again to pick up a few cigars at their factory, to enjoy on the ship that night and on the sea day.

Hit a few shops on the way back to the ship and then returned to drop off our purchases, change into our swim suits and eat lunch.

 

Left the ship around 12:30 or so and headed to the British Colonial Hilton to enjoy the warm weather and their $15 daypass. (AGAIN)

Stayed mostly sunny all afternoon and I braved the pool a couple of times. (but it was COLD) Dipped my feet a few times on the beach.

We left the BCH around 4:30 or 5PM and headed back to the ship for dinner and changing again.

 

We left the ship again around 6PM and took a cab to Atlantis.

Got left off at one end of the mall area (if you call Versace, etc... a mall) and could find no Directory to the hotel with directions, so we wandered until we stumbled on the Casino, went through and eventually stumbled on the main lobby and the restaurant with the fish tank side of the Digs showing and found the entrance to the Digs on the far right.

 

The Digs was very cool, but I would definitely not pay $29 to see this attraction.

It was very cool how they made the passages through the various tanks, look like an archeological dig, with hieroglyphics on the walls and artifacts all over.

The main tank that you see out front, with tons of fish and a huge Manta Ray, is the same tank, that you keep seeing, over and over and over and over and over yet again, from every possible angle, as you meander through the Digs.

You have a window to the main tank, then a tank of Lobsters, a small tank of grouper, then yet another window to the main tank.

A small tank with jellyfish, a small tank with Moray Eels, then yet another window into the main tank.

This repeats throughout the entire Dig.

 

For free after 6PM, the Digs is a great hour or so of your day.

I can't see paying $29 per person for one huge tank and a handful of tiny tanks. (go to your local city aquarium [baltimore, Atlanta, etc]for less. All I have been to were much better, aquarium-wise.)

 

We then checked out the Atlantis lobby area. (HUGE) then headed outside and meandered throughout the grounds, shops, etc. and took a cab back to the dock area and hit Senor Frogs for a few drinks and some laughs, before heading back to the ship.

 

 

We squeezed in very full day for the cost of $30 for the daypasses and $21 roundtrip to get to Atlantis. (plus a few $$$ for drinks at Senor Frogs)

 

I can't imagine what we will choose for our next trip to Nassau in September, since it will be our first time, with less than 24 hours in port.(maybe Ardastra Zoo? and the BCH)

 

Thanks again to Zydecocruiser and Scubagirl for their wonderful help on these boards, making both of our stops in Nassau, great times.

 

Bill

[scubagirrl]

Just got home from our 2nd 4 day Sensation cruise with stops in Freeport and Nassau.

 

Thanks again to Zydecocruiser and Scubagirl for their wonderful help on these boards, making both of our stops in Nassau, great times.

 

Bill

glad you had a wonderful trip. It always amazes me that some cruisers can't find something fun to do here.

 

sg

[deputy836]

Bill, Hi there. Thanks for your great post. I think you just mapped out our day for us. Sounds great! This will be our first time to Nassau...We will be on RC SOS in May. We were also wondering about wether or not there is access to any of the lighthouses on the island. My friend is really into lighthouses and collects them..so I'm trying to find out if we canactually see one for some great 'real' photos. Thanks again.

Dee

[sbeth]

So the pool at the BCH was cold, how was the water temperature on the beach?

[bguppies]

So the pool at the BCH was cold, how was the water temperature on the beach?

Cold....

I think the pool had actually heated up a bit, since it was such a small amount of water to heat.

I walked calf high in the surf, but opted for the pool instead.

 

Bill

[bguppies]

Bill, Hi there. Thanks for your great post. I think you just mapped out our day for us. Sounds great! This will be our first time to Nassau...We will be on RC SOS in May. We were also wondering about wether or not there is access to any of the lighthouses on the island. My friend is really into lighthouses and collects them..so I'm trying to find out if we canactually see one for some great 'real' photos. Thanks again.

Dee

The lighthouse up by Fort Fincastle supposedly, you can walk to the top for $.50.

But like I said, when we were there in September and last week, it was closed to the public.

 

There is also a small lighthouse at the opening of the cruise dock area, that you can see right across from the British Colonial Hilton.

 

I'm sure if you looked at some maps of the Island, there would have to be other lighthouses at various points around the island.

 

I'd suggest making a new thread inquiring about lighthouses specifically, so Scubagirl or one of the other knowledgeable boardmembers can give you the information you need.

 

Bill

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

That "lighthouse" up by Fort Fincastle is actually a water tower, not a lighthouse. It's been closed and fenced-in since it was damaged during a 2005 hurricane and there never seems to be any work being done to get it open again. And that's a shame because that 50-cent entry fee bought the most fantasic view on the island.

 

BobK/Orlando

[bguppies]

That "lighthouse" up by Fort Fincastle is actually a water tower, not a lighthouse. It's been closed and fenced-in since it was damaged during a 2005 hurricane and there never seems to be any work being done to get it open again. And that's a shame because that 50-cent entry fee bought the most fantasic view on the island.

 

BobK/Orlando

Thanks Bob....

 

Why in the Heck did I call it a lighthouse.....?

(putting down my crackpipe)

 

Bill

[flapr]

Bguppies,

 

Please tell me, what does the Hilton's day pass include?

[nimbex1970]

Bguppies,

 

Please tell me, what does the Hilton's day pass include?

 

full use of the facility, changing room, beach chairs, towels, pool. We had a very nice lunch beach side there. There grounds are very nice. The beach is small but clean and clear and it's usually not too crowded from what I've read.

 

You can see the ships in port from here, it's in walking distance.

[para]

Awesome pics Bill ! looks and sounds like you had a wonderful trip.