Has anybody ever stayed on board while in Nassau? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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The last time we went to Nassua, we did the dolphin encounter. It was fun, but we don't want to do it again. I found a couple of other excursions for this coming trip, but nothing that I was just dead set on. My son really likes being on the boat and doing activities on the boat, so I asked him what he thought about just staying on the boat instead of doing an excursion and he thought that sounded great. I'm game for it - just need to ask DH what he thinks.
Anyway, has anybody else just stayed on the boat while in dock? Were you happy you did? I looked at a Personal Navigator sheet for the Nassau day and it seems like there's a lot to do onboard. Any thoughts?
That is what we are planning on doing. We might get off for a short walk thru some shops or over to the Pirate exhibit in town. But with in walking range. So I guess I could let you know how my son's like just staying on the ship after our trip this May. But from what I was told alot of stuff does go on while in port.
We got off for a short van tour and waste of time and money, but were back on board at lunch time. In the future, we would not get off the ship and just enjoy what is onboard.
Some ports simply don't interest me, with Nassau being at the top of that list. Many of the excurisions are overpriced for what you get.
I'd rather schedule spa time, find an interesting activity, or simply grab a deck chair than visit Nassau. Time on the ships is limited and goes way too fast, so I like to enjoy every minute while on board.
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Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
Good to hear! I, too, was just not that thrilled with Nassau. I think an extra day on board with less crowds at the pool, some spa time, etc. is just what the doctor ordered! Plus, that will be Thanksgiving day - who wants to do anything but relax on Thanksgiving!
DD wished we had stayed onboard. She cried when we took her out of the kid's club to go to the Atlantis (which was just not a great time). The next time we cruise, we'll definitely be staying onboard, or if anything, just get off and walk around the shops just near the pier.
In December we got off the ship for about an hour and walked around, we spent the rest of the day getting a massage and playing by the pool. We've done shore excursions other times and it just didn't seem worth it. We loved having the day on the ship, it was much quieter with most of the people on shore.
I won't get off the ship in Nassau next time. The kids and I decided to stay on board during our last cruise on our Cozumel day. We were the only family out at the Goofy pool for most of the morning. I threw in a load of laundry (had to, we were away from home for 2 weeks), and the girls and I did a mother/daughter spa treatment. It was one of the best days of the whole cruise. I plan on skipping Cozumel and maybe another port on my cruise next year as well. The ship is just so calm when everyone else is out!
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We did not get off the boat at Nassau as Stefanie said she wouldn't. We finally figured out that she was worried about not getting back on board. We had a wonderful day. I scheduled a spa appointment during which Stefanie and Luke enjoyed the pool. I joined them and we ate lunch poolside. Later we cleaned up and took in a movie. It was an absolutely relaxing day. I'd do it again next time easily.
I'm in agreement with everyone else. Nassau is not our favorite place and we wished we had stayed on board, too. As it was, we were so disillusioned with the island that we were back on board by 11:30. We enjoyed a relaxing lunch by the pool while the kids swam and then we all went to (part of) a movie and played ping-pong and basketball until it was time to get cleaned up for dinner. Very nice.
Wow. Im glad to see that I wasnt the only one after looking thru what they had at Nassau to think about staying on board. With this being our first cruise and it only being for 3 nights, I would rather explore what the ship has to offer. And I must also admit, a spa sounds great too! Might have to book me one of those!
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Kim
"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."-- John Bingham
Wow, I thought I was the only one who didn't think too much of Nassau. We did the Atlantis aquarium tour, and to be honest, it just wasn't worth it. It's a lot of walking for kids, not a whole lot of fish, and a little bit of a selling tour for the hotel.
On top of that, Nassau ended up being our only beautiful, sunny day (we sailed in late Dec. 2005), and I had pulled my kids away from the pool for the tour. Boy, did I regret that later when it poured rain on our Castaway Cay beach day!
So, I wish we would have stayed put at the pool. I think my kids would have been a lot happier!
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Lisa
With Mickey at Animal Kingdom, on a very cold day in Jan. 2008
On my first cruise, Mom and I shopped around a little and then took a cab over to Atlantis for a while. We were back on the ship by lunch time. On the 2nd cruise with DH, we only got off the ship for an hour. DH was not impressed with Nassau. Since both were only 3 day cruises, the extra time on the ship was really nice.
I have to agree, just getting through the dock area was difficult. (Downright insulting!) We all did our own walking tour and had a great time(I had read a lot of travel literature), but, just as be were reboarding the ship, a sudden storm came up and nearly blew us over! I think we will be staying onboard next time,too!