Excursions - What did you do on PCC 1.0 and would you recommend it?

[tlcoke]

I am curious about Excursions that were taken on PCC 1.0 either in Nassau or on Castaway Cay.

1. What Excursion did you do?
2. Which port was the Excursion from?
3. Would you recommend it to others?

Also share general information about the excursion good or bad.


Thanks,

 

[OKW Lover]

We didn't do any excursions at either port and I would recommend that.

We enjoyed just being on board ship while in Nassau. At Castaway Cay we enjoyed just beaching for a while, then going to the PodCast party.

 

[Launchpad11B]

I did the jet ski ECO tour. It sucked. We didn't stop anywhere, no one talked or explained anything. The guides took off at 100 miles an hour and never looked back. I was pissed. Don't waste your time or money on this excursion.

 

[robind]

I did the jet ski ECO tour. It sucked. We didn't stop anywhere, no one talked or explained anything. The guides took off at 100 miles an hour and never looked back. I was pissed. Don't waste your time or money on this excursion.

Paul that's good to know, I was thinking about doing this.

I did the para-sailing at Castaway Cay there were about 18 dis'ers that did this at the same time. They split us onto 2 boats - each boat holds about 10 people. It was awesome. I've done it twice before so this was my 3rd time. I love it, it's so quiet and calm when you are up there, it's like being in a different world.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This particular trip I didn't take any excursions, but the ones I've done in the past were:

Nassau - Ardastra Garden & City Tour -- really enjoyed it

Castaway Cay - Nature Walk & Kayaking -- loved it. I took the morning tour before it got too hot.

I have a trip report in my signature for the 3-day cruise with my reviews of the excursions.

 

[DVCsince02]

I agree with Robin, parasailing was awesome! The cost was $75 per person, the boat holds 10 people. You can go tandem if you make the weight limit of 375 total. We were up about 800 feet.

They are very careful about getting you wet if you have a camera, so be sure to tell the boat drivers.

I also did the Sting Ray excursion with Shelly at CC, and I won't be going back. The rays weren't hanging around us very much (probably full) and it was towards the end so the water was a bit stirred up and murky. I found out I like my sting rays behind glass. LOL

 

[L.E. Ott]

As much as I discourage anyone from venturing too deep into Nassau, I'd highly recommend the Ardastra Gardens tour. During the ride there, we were in a very nice, air conditioned minibus, and we got to see all the highlights, and lowlights of Nassau with historical/social information being provided by the driver. The Gardens theirselves were gret, especially if you're an animal lover. The miniature parrots were a memory I will have forever, and the flamingos put on quite a show. On the way back, we stopped at two different forts, the capital building, and several other sights of interest. Beyond the recommended excursions though, Nassau isn't a place I'd recommend much solo adventuring.

 

[mainegal]

I am considering visiting the garden and touring the city.

Rather than purchasing the excursion from Disney, how about a group of DISers hiring a taxi and doing it on their own? Would this be cheaper and perhaps more convenient than going with a larger group?

My mother and her brother went on several cruises and usually hired a taxi (sometimes with another couple) to take them places.

 

[L.E. Ott]

I recommend the actual Disney Excursion. You know what to expect then. The buses are clean, the drivers informative, and your return to the ship is guaranteed. I've heard reports about Nassau taxis, both good and horribly bad. I'd say going it on your own and hiring a taxi, is a gamble at best. I can say, we had more than enough time at the gardens, and the additional city tour was informative, and interesting. We also went and did some shopping on our own, but that was the big turnoff for us as far as the Nassau atmosphere goes. When the tour ended we were ready to call it a day and get back on the boat.

 

[BriarRosie]

I did the jet ski ECO tour. It sucked. We didn't stop anywhere, no one talked or explained anything. The guides took off at 100 miles an hour and never looked back. I was pissed. Don't waste your time or money on this excursion.

Did you leave feedback on the ship? If Disney knows what you experienced on your "tour", they would probably go about taking this tour off the rotation if guests are being hosed.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Did you leave feedback on the ship? If Disney knows what you experienced on your "tour", they would probably go about taking this tour off the rotation if guests are being hosed.

We informed guest relations. The advertised tour said the jet skis make multiple stops on and around Castaway Cay and describe the eco system. The actual tour went so far away from CC that all you could see was the ship!! No island! The guides were jumping the jet ski's over each others wakes. Not one stop, not one word spoken the whole time. If you are a VERY experienced jet skier, and enjoy going as fast as possible in the open ocean, bouncing over the waves then go ahead and try it. I hated it.

 

[cocowum]

Did you leave feedback on the ship? If Disney knows what you experienced on your "tour", they would probably go about taking this tour off the rotation if guests are being hosed.

Yep, we told guest relations about it and we left a detailed review on the comment card.

 

[BriarRosie]

We informed guest relations. The advertised tour said the jet skis make multiple stops on and around Castaway Cay and describe the eco system. The actual tour went so far away from CC that all you could see was the ship!! No island! The guides were jumping the jet ski's over each others wakes. Not one stop, not one word spoken the whole time. If you are a VERY experienced jet skier, and enjoy going as fast as possible in the open ocean, bouncing over the waves then go ahead and try it. I hated it.

Yep, we told guest relations about it and we left a detailed review on the comment card.

Ugh. I'm glad you left the comment cards on that excursion. I would have hated that, too.

 

[chirurgeon]

I will agree with Robin and Jen about the parasailing. I plan on doing it on the next cruise. I also did the Segway tour on Nassau. Mindy, Jason, Susan and a few other Dis'ers were also on the tour. It was great. They let you go faster than you can at Epcot or Ft Wilderness. They even show you how to go hands free. You go through a nature reserve. I love Segways. I will most likely so that again. Podcast scheduling being kept in mind of course. I didn't do any spa stuff on this cruise, but I might do the spa too on the next cruise. Plenty of time to save up.

Kim

 

[ma2jr]

I agree with L.E. Ott

 

[MinnieGarden]

We didn't do any excursions. The Nassau day was pent enjoying podcast activities. If we hadn't been doing that we would have been enjoying the ship - spa, pools, etc.

While on Castaway Cay, I had a cabana massage. I highly recommend it, but do it early in the morning, as my cabana just had fans. If it had been any later I think it might have been a little too warm.

 

[dpuck1998]

We didn't do any organized excursions, but we went on the snorkel trail at CC. The equipment sucked, but it was fun. Lots to see on the trail.

On Nassau we went to the pirate museum. The walk to and back was awful, but I would highly recommend the museum itself. It was excellent.

 

[disneyholic family]

we weren't on PCC 1.0, but we've been on two DCL cruises on the Wonder.

Our excursion likes/dislikes:

CC:
Parasailing - loved
Banana boat - hated
on our own, we snorkeled - it was ok, but we wouldn't do it again..
rented bikes - loved this - we did it both times...rode around CC, to the adult beach and on the bike trail - we would definitely do this again..

Nassau
on the first cruise, we did the whole rent a room at comfort and swim at atlantis thing (that i understand you don't have to do anymore to be able to swim at atlantis)..
anyway, the kids really enjoyed the slides and lazy river at atlantis, but we only spent about 2 hours there- we were back on the boat by 1:30, in time for the special screening of lilo&stitch in the big theater..

on our second cruise, we stayed on the ship in nassau.....

i think the next time, we might go back to atlantis again - maybe check out the casino for an hour.....or maybe if there's another excursion that sounds interesting...

i wish we were going to CC twice instead of nassau - now that would REALLY be fun!!

 

[jeanigor]

On PCC 1.0:
I parasailed at CastAway Cay. Absolutely LOVED it!!!

At Nassau just got off the boat, got my passport stamped and walked around the area immediately next to the docks.

On PCC 2.0:
Maybe the Segway thing on Nassau. Or maybe just stay on the boat. Who knows. We'll have to see if there is a Martini tasting......just sayin'

On Castaway, I would like to do the morning run (I know its not officially an excursion, but its an event none-the-less). Quite possibly parasail again. I was interested in the EcoTour on JetSkis, but after what Paul has said, I think I will skip that one. I can do that at home.

 

[dpuck1998]

On PCC 1.0:
I parasailed at CastAway Cay. Absolutely LOVED it!!!

At Nassau just got off the boat, got my passport stamped and walked around the area immediately next to the docks.

On PCC 2.0:
Maybe the Segway thing on Nassau. Or maybe just stay on the boat. Who knows. We'll have to see if there is a Martini tasting......just sayin'

On Castaway, I would like to do the morning run (I know its not officially an excursion, but its an event none-the-less). Quite possibly parasail again. I was interested in the EcoTour on JetSkis, but after what Paul has said, I think I will skip that one. I can do that at home.

Loved the morning run Todd! It was hot, but I'm so glad I did it. I ran really slow and stopped alot to take pictures with Dave. It was a good time being almost alone on the island.