Nassau worth to got from the Wish

[DigitalOlli]

Hello,

We are going on our first cruise in July. We are going on the 4 night Wish Cruise from Port Carneveral.

We are stoping at Nassau and Castaway Cay ( where we will definitly go off the ship?

We are 2 adults and 1 child ( 7 years)

We are thinking of staying at the ship in Nassau ( we never went to Nassau), or are there any must sees?

Thanks

Oliver

 

[jrez]

Staying on the ship in Nassau is pretty normal. I’ve only been there 4 times. Stayed on the ship twice and went to Atlantis twice. I might feel differently if it was a week long cruise.

 

[JM_97]

It's not the most popular port but it's not a third world country that some make it out to be. Nassau isn't a place I'd go out of my way for, but I like it more than most people.

We did a dolphin excursion the first time which was fun, but it's kind of a 1 and done thing for me. It's good if you have young kids, or you can do any of the other water based or Atlantis based excursions. I recommend going through Disney. It costs more but the peace of mind is worth it.

We've done excursions but also have done our own thing. And I've never walked back on the ship saying, "wow that was a dump and I will never return"

 

[DigitalOlli]

We go to Discovery Cove one week before the Cruise. So i think the Dolphin Part is not the best for us.

We are trying to decide if the money is worth it.

We know the Atlantis in Dubai ( and did not like the whole complex )

 

[JM_97]

We go to Discovery Cove one week before the Cruise. So i think the Dolphin Part is not the best for us.

We are trying to decide if the money is worth it.

We know the Atlantis in Dubai ( and did not like the whole complex )

I also like getting off the ship, no matter the port. Everyone is different but to me the ports are just as important as the ship. Even if it's just for a couple of hours to shop and grab some food, I like walking around and experiencing the ports and the local culture.

I'll have other days to explore the ship, but only one at that specific port!

 

[tinkerjo]

Granted, we have not been in about 10 years, but I have ZERO interest in returning to Nassau. We didn’t do much, a beach, and straw market, but by our 3rd cruise we said never again. We found plenty on the ship to keep us busy and actually enjoyed the lower crowds on the ship. You are paying a lot of money to enjoy DCL, make the most of it!!!

 

[soniam]

We got off to buy rum cake. Then there was some stuff we needed from a pharmacy that we couldn't find on the ship or near the port, and my husband decided to do a trek for it. I told him that I was just heading back, because we were getting a little far from the port and the pavement was bad, my ankle had gotten tweaked right before the trip. After reading the US warning, I'm glad we did head back.

 

[Cfabar1]

The US recommends you don't go right now. That's reason enough for me to stay on the ship. Disney might want to figure out a plan B soon.

 

[JM_97]

We got off to buy rum cake. Then there was some stuff we needed from a pharmacy that we couldn't find on the ship or near the port, and my husband decided to do a trek for it. I told him that I was just heading back, because we were getting a little far from the port and the pavement was bad, my ankle had gotten tweaked right before the trip. After reading the US warning, I'm glad we did head back.

I had no idea about the travel warning until now. That would definitely change my mind if I was on a cruise right now.

 

[auntlynne]

I have stayed on the ship more times than I have left.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of “must do” activities or excursions in this port. There are some that have big fans and some that people might recommend. When someone talks Nassau, two things come to my mind: Atlantis water park and Blue Lagoon dolphins. I have done both. For those interested, I would say, yes, do it.

For a first visit to a port, I typically get off the ship and at least see some of the area. The only place I did not leave the secure port development was Falmouth, Jamaica.

From this Florida newspaper article last week:

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/0...-to-use-extreme-caution-when-visiting-nassau/

“In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the “Over the Hill” area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population,” the advisory said. “Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”
“It noted that none of the murders involved any visitor to the Bahamas and that the islands remain at a Level 2 alert status, which it has been for a long time. There are four alert levels issued by the State Department: Level 1 (exercise normal precautions); Level 2 (exercise increased caution); Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Level 4 (do not travel).

Other destinations with Level 2 status — because of crime or threats of terrorism — include Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Denmark, India, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Panama, Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.”

Jamaica is at Level 3.

 

[auntlynne]

You’ve got the dolphin activity covered for the trip. The photo of the Atlantis in Dubai could be a twin to Nassau. Sounds like you have been there, done that.

I would say to make no plans for excursions for that day. If you are feeling okay about the port situation when you arrive, it is easy to get off the ship and walk a little into town. My teen nieces and I walked to the Queen’s Staircase and an old Anglican Church. Another time, two 50+ yo women walked to the Main street (Bay) and Starbucks.

I enjoyed seeing the colorful British Colonial architecture on Bay St - including the Traffic Cop on the podium at the road intersection.

You can make a quick visit. The shopping/Parliament bldg is just a few blocks from the port.

The port has recently been renovated (last year).

Avoid the area south of Shirley St; it has been this way for years. I think daytime robberies have occurred there (and near the Queen’s Staircase.



Again, take the advisement of the State Dept (practice increased caution), consider what your family interests, travel style, and needs for the day.

Have a great cruise!

 

[onesam319]

We walked to the Queen's Staircase in February 2021, during masking times. There were some guided tour groups there at the time. I kind of wish we had done one of those to learn more information about the fort at the top. In December 2023 the port area had been totally made over. If you are at all worried about travel advisories, at least get off and walk around the port area shops. The next time we go, in April 2025, I think we'll check out the museum at the port.

 

[soniam]

I had no idea about the travel warning until now. That would definitely change my mind if I was on a cruise right now.

There’s a small secure area just at the port with shops. If you are just wanting to look at Knick knacks/get off the ship, that would be fine. The rum cake place wasn’t in there though

 

[PAGA2003]

The US recommends you don't go right now. That's reason enough for me to stay on the ship. Disney might want to figure out a plan B soon.

The travel advisory is a Level 2 which is just to Exercise Increased Caution. A Level 4 is Do Not Travel. As was pointed out above many European countries are also Level 2 right now. Also, New Zealand currently has the US as a Level 2.

 

[OpieDoodle]

A lot of people stay on the ship. I personally got off recently when we were there to check out the new market area. It was super nice and secure but outside of the gated area I would avoid due to the travel advisories.

 

[JM_97]

There’s a small secure area just at the port with shops. If you are just wanting to look at Knick knacks/get off the ship, that would be fine. The rum cake place wasn’t in there though

I love a rum cake (or anything with rum ). But it appears Nassau is at a "Level 2" which is common in other areas of the world too. Just need to be on your toes more

 

[MamaMermaid]

Just stay on the ship.

 

[Drfate102]

It is only a level 2 advisory, which is the same as France and Spain. Don't worry too much about it.

There is a really fun excursion that we did on our first trip and that was the Land & Sea tour. You get to see some of the great sights.

Also, with a 7 year old, they might like the Black Beard's Revenge Pirate Ship, it was corny, but fun.

 

[mjkacmom]

https://ardastra.com/

 

[dcassetta]

When my niece was 8 she really enjoyed the Chocolate tour at Graycliff. We got a short tour of the chocolate factory and then got to make our own which we took back to the ship.