Straw Market/Nassau -- love it or hate it??

[heyitsmejudy]

Wow, I've never had a problem getting the vendors to come down on price. They know you're going to haggle. They've asked usually $70 for purses I've never paid more than $25 for.

[vafamily5]

Going to Nassau from August 20-25 on "Celebration." Never been to Nassau, so I guess I have to at least take a look at the Straw Market to see what everyone is talking about.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

The earlier thread about the straw market in Nassau got me to wondering ... have you been there too? What was your experience? I'd like to know, actually. I'd heard so much about it for years before we actually got there ... was quite surprised when reality bumped into legend. Am I in the minority?? What are YOUR thoughts?

 

We were there a couple times. Get tired of hearing, "come inside and look around pretty lady".

 

My sister was there once when it was the end of the day and they were closing up.She said she saw rats running around the place.

 

I'm with Bill. We head out to Cable Beach and thoroughly enjoy ourselves.

 

Bill

[cruise_pirate]

We do not waste our time at the straw market. Nassau does not impress us much but seems to be a popular stop for the cruise industry. When we go there we skip the straw market all together and head out to the Queens Staircase (worth seeing and nice and cool at the bottom) Go to the fort and pay the 50 cents to go to the top of the water tower. If you can arrive early take a taxi to Atlantis and go to the dig it is open and free before 9:00 am and is worth the taxi fare to get there if you want to see the aquarium. Other than that we usually head back to the ship and enjoy the pool.:)

[ManyMore]

Absolutely HATE IT!!!!!! How is that? lol It's hot, smelly, dirty and they are pushy and obnoxious!

[cruiseapril]

We don't have any interest in the Straw Market or other crowded areas, but do like Nassau. There are lots of enjoyable places, in Nassau/New Providence, away from the docks.

[cruiseapril]

Why is this thread on the Barbados forum?

[gumballz]

lol....someone will move it to the Bahamas thread soon, I'm sure.

[frito58]

Personally if the Bahamas was the only place to cruise to I would quit cruising. It is with a doubt the most dirty and disgusting port we have been to , well Belze would be a close 2nd. IMHO

[bguppies]

I totally agree about Atlantis. I haven't actually gone... so I don't want to "knock it until I try it", but it sounds like just another large, gaudy, over-priced hotel. Dosen't interest me at all. When I travel, I like to get as much of an authentic cultural experience as possible. I don't think that's what Atlantis is about. And besides, I can see gaudy hotels, a water park, the beach, and eat over-priced meals in my home town.

Our first trip to Nassau we didn't bother with Atlantis.

Our second trip we went over in the evening after dinner.

Saw the Digs Aquarium for free after 6PM. Was a very nice aquarium, but mostly one HUGE tank that you just keep seeing over and over from different angles as you walk through.

Definitely NOT worth the $29 you pay from 9AM-6PM-ish....

We walked through the Rodeo Drive style Galleria Mall there. (stores like Versace, etc..)

Checked out the Casino and all the various sculptures and architecture throughout the public areas.

Walked through the outdoor shopping area on a boardwalk by the yacht pier. (was pretty interesting seeing all of the million dollar yachts moored there)

All very nice, but nothing I would make a trip for.

 

Like I said, just like a transplanted Vegas resort and casino.

(with much higher prices for food. LOL....)

 

Bill

[RQINFL]

The straw market is crowded, and nothing worth purchasing, however it is fun to experience it.

[dreamer2]

If you're there, you need to take a look just to say you saw it. I will tell you.. the prices come way down towards the end of the day. It's fine to waste some time there if you are not going to do anything else. I opted to pay a driver to ride us around the island on a 3-hr. tour. Well worth the money. The history lesson along with great driver personality made for a great excursion.

[Cammie]

Call me crazy, but I love the staw market! It's exciting and busy and loud and hot and stuffy but I get a kick out of it. I've gotten some awesome souvenirs that remind me of Nassau whenever I see them. Good times. :)

[Caliber1]

walked in, walked back out. Won't go back.

[alphakitty]

Call me crazy, but I love the staw market! It's exciting and busy and loud and hot and stuffy but I get a kick out of it. I've gotten some awesome souvenirs that remind me of Nassau whenever I see them. Good times. :)

 

Ok Cammie, you asked for it....you're crazy!! :D LOL

 

I am one who hated the straw market. It was creepy, hot and dark in there. The vendors were all yelling at me to go to their tables. I don't like being yelled at!:eek: I'll never go back in there.

 

I do like Nassau though...it's a pretty island if you get out of the downtown area. We sailed to Rose Island and it was a wonderful day!:)

[cusyl]

I hate it. It is too small for the number of booths they have in it. Also, it is very hot in there. I couldn't even stay in it long enough to look at anything. They need to widen the aisles so people can actually walk down them.

[usacol]

Hey guys my first trip to Nassua we went to the Straw Market and had sensory overload. It was crowed , hot , nasty , confusing and people were pushy.:eek: We swore we would never go back. Well we have been back on our last 4 cruises. We love it now. :D Great knock offs that my daughter loves and the people are pretty good (just trying to make a living). Most make me smile now that I understand the workings in there. We will be going again in Oct. and wont miss a chance to go back. We usually leave out with plenty of purses and bags. It is still too hot and crowded.

[teacha50]

Have visited Atlantis and the Straw Market on last visit to Nassau and I prefer not to revisit either of them....so can anyone point out any good shopping areas in Nassau....? We are probably going to do the walking tour, however, if I had my way...I'd be going straight to the beach...but hubby has never been to Nassau

[alphakitty]

There are some nice high end stores along Bay Street which is only a block or two from the cruise dock. Fendi, Coach, Cartier are all there. It's fun to window shop at least. :) They are mixed in with other things as well.

[bguppies]

Have visited Atlantis and the Straw Market on last visit to Nassau and I prefer not to revisit either of them....so can anyone point out any good shopping areas in Nassau....? We are probably going to do the walking tour, however, if I had my way...I'd be going straight to the beach...but hubby has never been to Nassau

 

If you do the Walking tour that Zydecocruiser was kind enough to start that great thread with pictures from...........

 

Just do the tour until it gets to the British Colonial Hilton.

 

Then either take advantage of their $15 daypas at the BCH to use their pool, facilities and beach. (which we did both trips to Nassau this year)

 

Or....

 

Catch the #10 Jitney for $1, at the McDonalds right across the street from the BCH, to Cable Beach and take advantage of the Wyndham's $15 daypass for their facilities and beach.

 

The walking tour takes about 2 hours depending on how long you linger at the various stops.

Then beach/pool it, the rest of your day. :D

 

Bill

[VaMom2]

I took my kids to the straw market a week ago. I told them ahead of time not to touch anything and to say "No Thank you, just looking." After going through about two aisles, my daughter had picked out a cute little bracelet and my son a baseball cap. We went back to those place, asked how much and bargained down about 30%. It was a great experience! It was their first trip out of the country and I wanted them to see things that weren't "Americanized."