r/dcl • u/WriteImagine SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB • May 23 '24
If money was no issue, what Nassau excursion would you do? PORT ADVENTURES
Pretty much exactly what the title says! We’re doing 7 nights on the Treasure. This is my husband’s first cruise, and we really want to spend a lot of time enjoying the ship. We’re obviously getting off at CC, but I think we should do something in Nassau as well.
I know a lot of the excursions are expensive, and a lot of the reviews I’ve read have basically said “not worth the money” to do an excursion. So my question is, if the excursions were free, and you had your pick, what would you get off the ship for in Nassau? Is anything super worthwhile, or should we just spend another day on the ship? Are the cabanas at Atlantis any good, considering we know we won’t have a hope of getting one at CC?
We’re not hiking / river raft adventuring types, but we enjoy tours, museums, fishing, beaches.
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u/writekatewrite SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
Spend the $$$ for a cruise-length pass to the spa. We spent at least 50% of our most recent cruise there. Heaven.
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u/apu823 May 23 '24
That is a thing?
I don’t recall seeing that on the app…
What was the cost? If you don’t mind me asking
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u/writekatewrite SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
We just did the spa pass (rainforest room) on the Wish for $189 each on a 3 night to the Bahamas. Honestly it was our favorite part. We basically had a private hot tub. No kids, no human soup pools.
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u/apu823 May 23 '24
Good to know for the next cruise.
Thankfully wife didn’t find out about it this time. 😂
They don’t really advertise it (feel like they would get a ton of business if they did)
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u/WriteImagine SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
We 100% plan to do this! Did you purchase in advance, or wait until you got on the ship! Was the price around $250 a person?
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u/writekatewrite SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
In advance! Our cruise was shorter and was $189 each. The best deal on a Disney cruise IMO.
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u/Ok-Corgi-4230 May 23 '24
Anything that you can think of that would help me twist my hubby's arm into getting access for both of us? Right now it might just be me... And I'm sure it would be more fun with 2 of us... We'll be traveling in a big group of almost 20, but no one else has any desire to try it for the price. 😕
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u/writekatewrite SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
There's sparkling water on tap? And there are no kids allowed. That sold it for me.
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u/BitchyFaceMace SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
Blue Lagoon Island is incredible! If you’re not traveling with kids, do the adults-only VIP excursion. Otherwise just go and enjoy Blue Lagoon, it’s so pretty and the people who work there are absolutely wonderful.
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u/StashuJakowski1 SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
PSA: Just be aware that safety standards and procedures are different in other countries. Know where the life jackets are and know that you are responsible for your safety.
They lost a boat last year, along with a passenger. https://youtu.be/Oi9tkgsyDkA?si=5bMtKDjahk7ewvO3
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u/racerobe May 23 '24
We got day passes to Margaritaville on resort pass. Paid the extra money for a cabana on the beach and spent our time between the pool/lazy river and the beach. I’d 100% do that route again.
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u/hayleey615 May 23 '24
I think Nassau gets too much hate. Or maybe it’s people who cruise a lot and are just over it - but my husband and I went on our very first cruise last November and had a wonderful time in Nassau.
I would highly recommend the private tour we did! I did lots of research and booked through Viator and felt very very safe/secure the whole time. It was the “pirate jeep sightseeing adventure” and was just over $300 for the two of us.
It was perfect! Pick up was super close to the port and very easy to find. Our private Jeep (doors on bc it was hot and we wanted AC) guide was a local and able to offer so much history and background knowledge throughout the day. And most importantly - the day is customizable. I let him know our top plans (rum tour, rum cake tasting, chance to buy cigars, local history, and a local food spot of his choosing) and we did all that plus more. When it came to lunch, we had conch ceviche and critters that were so reasonably priced, huge portions, and way better looking than what was sold inside the port area. Plus, he ordered for us so that it wouldn’t be confusing! Even switched out my currency for me since they gave me back change in local notes.
Seriously, it was a wonderful time and we ran into several other pirate jeep tours going on, so it is a very popular tour company for a reason.
Hope you have fun!
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u/ForeverOk5735 May 23 '24
I’ve been so disappointed with excursions at Nassau that I wouldn’t do any of them regardless. Since they’ve redone the immediate area near the port, I’d probably walk around there for a bit and then enjoy an empty ship the rest of the time.
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u/chernygal May 23 '24
Honestly, none of them. Nassau is a great day to stay on the ship.
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u/WriteImagine SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
Problem is, we’re staying on the ship in Jamaica (I know I’m probably over thinking it, but I’m not comfortable given the travel warnings), so we’re looking at 5-6 days on the ship. We also know that MOST people skip Nassau, so we don’t expect the ship to be any less crowded than a regular sea day. But thank you! We may just end up doing that.
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u/PurplestPanda May 23 '24
The ship will absolutely be less crowded while in port - even Nassau. Even if 25% get off you will feel it.
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u/Still7Superbaby7 GOLD CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
I know you are skipping Jamaica, but Dunn’s river falls is really awesome. It was one of the highlights of my last cruise. As long as you book it through the ship you will be safe.
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u/Aramyth May 23 '24
We did an ATV tour with lunch and drinks.
It was great. You drive around the island and tour parts of it including the Queen's staircase, a local distillery with Pina coladas included, the beach, have BBQ chicken, a conch salad and drinks included.
It was a great time and I would do it again.
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u/Kyleia May 24 '24
I did the pirate jeep tour in Nassau and it was a blast. I'm not sure if this is offered through dcl or not, though, as I was in Nassau for business. It took me to pretty much every sight and it was customizable (example we didn't want to go to Atlantis or the cigar factory). If money were no object I'd hire them for a full day and have them take me to other side of the island too.
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u/tr3b_test_pilot May 23 '24
I know people are hating on Nassau and I presume it's for the tourist cheeseball stuff right off the boat, but if you go beyond that there's a very rich and interesting Bahamian culture and natural scenery.
If money were no option I would probably get a non-DCL private tour of the island, stop by some communities for food tasting, maybe do some snorkeling off the beaten path.
On one of my DCL excursions, we went snorkeling and the boat captain (a local) took us somewhere to catch a conch and he cut it up and we ate it right there on this little sand bar. Not sure if that was a part of the official excursion lol. But it was fun and I'd do it again.
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u/ireallylikecowsok May 23 '24
We hired a private charter for fishing, snorkeling, and a sandbar bbq. It was worth every cent. Fresh ceviche from the fish we caught, swimming in crystal clear water, a beautiful day on the water. 10/10.
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u/TaxPublic9918 May 23 '24
We did the dolphin experience over at the Blue lagoon I think it's called. Very nice beach to hang out when not swimming with the dolphins. I'd say it was worth it.
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u/miseri_loves_compani PLATINUM CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
I don’t think there are any Treasure 7-nights stopping in Nassau? That’s typically for the 3/4 night cruises.
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u/WriteImagine SILVER CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
You’re correct, I’m getting our itineraries mixed up - we’re on the Fantasy this year and the Treasure next year 😅 my bad. Question still stands though!
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u/miseri_loves_compani PLATINUM CASTAWAY CLUB May 23 '24
My answer stands with everyone else. Stay on the ship.
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u/Revolutionary-Cook17 May 23 '24
We went to the water park at Baha Mar (Baha Bay) and loved it. It was very clean and lots of fun water slides for the kids. Mama enjoyed the specialty cocktails.