Booked a cruise to the Bahamas - need ideas

[hornadylnl]

I just booked a cruise to the Bahamas with Royal Caribbean for my wife and I's 15th anniversary. The itinerary is this.

Monday, leave Miami
Tues, Nassau 8am-11:59pm
Wed, Cocoa Cay 8am-5pm
Thurs, Key West 10am-6pm
Friday, return to Miami

Have any of you guys been there and what excursions do you recommend? When looking before, they had underwater scooters listed for Nassau but I'm not seeing them this time. It's basically an underwater motorcycle with a bubble for your head. I thought that would be really cool. I'm seeing a lot of Atlantis type stuff as well. Is that place worth checking out? I'd like to keep our activities mostly water related or actually seeing the Bahamas, not hanging out in amusement parks.

We've been to Key West and I'll probably look into just doing a town tour and checking out Duval Street again.

Once we get on the ship, will we be able to book excursions then or will they all have to be done beforehand?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jetmechG550]

Be prepared to get bombarded with people asking if you want to buy weed and other drugs and if your wife has long hair every other one will be asking to braid her hair...

 

[sepe]

The straw market in Nassau is pretty cool. Depending on where you come in, the owners (when I was there) were really cool. Hammerheads' Bar & Grill

We did this while in Nassau. Blue Lagoon Island - The Real Bahamas - Enjoy the Dolphins and Secluded Beach

If by Atlantis, you're talking about the Paradise Island stuff...it'll be more expensive but they've got some decent shows and food. If the cruise comes in on the Atlantis port, you'll be on a different side than I was so I don't really know too much going on over there other than what was at Atlantis.

We did a tour of one of the forts. I can't remember which one but this one is suppose to be the most interesting. Fort Charlotte Nassau Bahamas

We stayed in Nassau for 3-4 days and I've had more people in Indy ask me if I want drugs in one night than did while I Nassau.

 

[Hammer]

I was not impressed with the Blue lagoon, but we did not do the dolphin swim either. It would be great for a family type outing with the kids.

Atlantis looked very nice and several people on our cruise liked it.

Try Kalick beer while you are there, very good and very high alcohol content. I was dancing down the halls on our way back. We also tried Konch salad at Senior Frogs in Nassau, they make it right in front of you. If you eat the one part of the Konch, you wife will love you forever.

I would suggest booking excursions early as they will book up pretty quick.
We went snorkeling off of Freeport and it was amazing!!!!

 

[Dave Doehrman]

Tues, Nassau 8am-11:59pm
Have any of you guys been there and what excursions do you recommend?

The straw market is right where all the cruise ships dock and passengers disembark. There are tons of items to shop for. The wood carvings are nice.

At the top of the city are the old forts dating back to the 1750s and 1800a. These3 are within walking distance.

I think the Atlantis tour is well worth the time. They have the worlds largest saltwater aquarium, a casino and the architecture of the buildings is fantastic. Here's a photo of the fountain at the main entrance.

I didn't do the underwater sled rides but some of the folks I talked to were disappointed with the tour.

Whatever you do get 3-4 bowls of conch chowder and then get some blackened conch to go with it. I just about busted a gut trying all the fresh seafood, bur I was there for 4 days.

I just though to add: if you're a cigar smoker or know someone who is, hang around the dock behind the straw market and you'll find guys selling authentic Cuban cigars. If you bargain and look around you can get them at a reasonable price.

 

[gregkl]

I just booked a cruise to the Bahamas with Royal Caribbean for my wife and I's 15th anniversary. The itinerary is this.

Monday, leave Miami
Tues, Nassau 8am-11:59pm
Wed, Cocoa Cay 8am-5pm
Thurs, Key West 10am-6pm
Friday, return to Miami

Have any of you guys been there and what excursions do you recommend? When looking before, they had underwater scooters listed for Nassau but I'm not seeing them this time. It's basically an underwater motorcycle with a bubble for your head. I thought that would be really cool. I'm seeing a lot of Atlantis type stuff as well. Is that place worth checking out? I'd like to keep our activities mostly water related or actually seeing the Bahamas, not hanging out in amusement parks.

We've been to Key West and I'll probably look into just doing a town tour and checking out Duval Street again.

Once we get on the ship, will we be able to book excursions then or will they all have to be done beforehand?

Thanks in advance.

We did the same cruise.

In Key West we went on a Kayak excursion in the mangroves. It was cool. Rays swimming right below you. You could paddle pretty close to huge Cormorants, it was fun.

On another cruise when In Key West we rented bikes and road to the waters edge and the cemetery. Sounds weird, but it was fun tooling around it. They bury everyone above ground. Then we found a cool place away from the tourist traps and had a beer and some great conch chowder.

Nassau we toured Atlantis and ate lunch there. It was pretty cool. Then spent a little time in the straw market. We also looked at the forts, IIRC.

Cocoa Cay we walked around part of the island and just hung out in a hammock drinking Bahama mama's or Goombay smashes, whatever they are called. I would go snorkeling though if I did it again.

Dress up for the Captain's dinner. I wasn't going to, but they are used to last minute requests for a tux, so I ended up getting penguined out.

All in all, we liked the cruise. We did a 7 day a couple years ago and that was fun too, but different destinations.

And above all, remember this is your anniversary. Do the things she likes, even if you are not so crazy about it.

 

[hornadylnl]

I'm not sure I want to do the Atlantis thing. I think we'll do one excursion in Nassau and spend the rest of the time seeing the island. We'll probably do something at Cocoa Cay as well. I'd like to do the scuba excursion in Key West.

I'm not sure if I'll do the dress up thing for dinner. Do they rent tuxes on the ship? I don't wear suits and I don't want to spend big money on a suit I'll likely wear once.

 

[Hammer]

More info in here than you can digest, but it will answer most of your questions you have and give you plenty of pointers.
Cruise Critic Message Boards

 

[femurphy77]

I'm not sure I want to do the Atlantis thing. I think we'll do one excursion in Nassau and spend the rest of the time seeing the island. We'll probably do something at Cocoa Cay as well. I'd like to do the scuba excursion in Key West.

I'm not sure if I'll do the dress up thing for dinner. Do they rent tuxes on the ship? I don't wear suits and I don't want to spend big money on a suit I'll likely wear once.

It it was anything like the Carnival cruise we did last year, the best food is going to be at the burger stand out by the pool. If you're not into dress-up skip the capts dinner. And don't expect too much of the food on the boat. Lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed.

Wouldn't do another cruise if it were free.

 

[atvdave]

Once we get on the ship, will we be able to book excursions then or will they all have to be done beforehand?

Thanks in advance.

Yes you can book a excursion after you board the ship, however I would suggest you do it before hand. When my wife and I went on out cruise we found the lines at the service desk very long, so if you know you want to do a certain excursion, I'd book as early as possible. They sale out quick.

Have fun...

 

[hornadylnl]

My idea of cruises beforehand was being stuck on a boat for several days. This particular cruise has a stop every day so I think we'll really enjoy it. My wife and I eat more for sustenance than enjoyment. We don't regularly splurge on fancy dinners so I don't think our expectations will be too high on the food.

 

[Jaredjosh]

Didi this same cruise. My favorite part was snorkeling in Cocoa Cay. The first time we went snorkeling was pretty good. The second time we went snorkeling wasn't as good but still good. We take our own snorkeling gear. Nassau is alright. I wish we ventured over to Treasure Island though.

 

[sepe]

I'm not sure I want to do the Atlantis thing. I think we'll do one excursion in Nassau and spend the rest of the time seeing the island. We'll probably do something at Cocoa Cay as well. I'd like to do the scuba excursion in Key West.

I'm not sure if I'll do the dress up thing for dinner. Do they rent tuxes on the ship? I don't wear suits and I don't want to spend big money on a suit I'll likely wear once.

We did a show and dinner at Atlantis and wore a button up shirt and pants a little nicer than jeans but I wouldn't really call them dress. Barely qualified as business casual.

I likes the Ardastra Gardens but then again, when I travel I always try to visit a zoo/nature center.

 

[Hammer]

Here are a few pics in Nassau from our cruise.

 

[Hammer]

Pics of the blue lagoon excursion.

 

[Hammer]

Parasailing is fun too. Done that in Great Stirrup Cay (which is right next to the cay you will visit)

 

[Hammer]

I cannot comment on RC cruises but I know that NCL had fabulous food and as much as we could ever eat. The pics are of our first meal on ship, window seat with the Miami skyline in the back ground.

 

[gregkl]

I'm not sure I want to do the Atlantis thing. I think we'll do one excursion in Nassau and spend the rest of the time seeing the island. We'll probably do something at Cocoa Cay as well. I'd like to do the scuba excursion in Key West.

I'm not sure if I'll do the dress up thing for dinner. Do they rent tuxes on the ship? I don't wear suits and I don't want to spend big money on a suit I'll likely wear once.

Yes, they rent them. I don't wear suits or ties unless someone dies. But some wives like to play dress up. Plus, in the tux I looked like Bond and had all kinds of Halle Berry look a likes wanting to take me to their room.

 

[atvdave]

All I did was wear a collared shirt (golf shirt) and dress paints. Lot's of others do the same. You don't have to wear a suit & tie. Some do, some don't.

 

[A_Brit_In_Indy]

Haven't done that cruise, But we went to Grand Cayman and did the submarine, that was awesome, cost about $100 each, best money we spent