Hi! I'm planning on taking an Apr. 25 3-day from Miami to Nassau on the Carnival Fascination for my first cruise. I've learned alot just by lurking here on the boards, but I still have a couple questions.

First, with so many excursions in Nassau, can anyone who has been there done that offer suggestions as to which are over-rated and which are 'can't miss' opportunities for a 28 and 17 year old?

Second, is it worth the money to pay for an outside room on the Fascination or are you just paying for a tiny porthole?

Thanks for any help!
Meg

Welcome to the wonderful world of cruising. I am sure you will enjoy it.
As for Nassau, we took a private tour. There was a ton of men standing on the dock, and we chose one to take us around Nassau. It cost $25.00 per person. It was very educational, but the inside of Nassau is not very pretty. It’s not something I want to do again. The Atlantis was cool. I was told you could take a water taxi from the pier to the Atlantis for $6.00. Hope I was some help.
I have never had the pleasure of sailing on the Fascination, but I have had an interior and exterior cabin. The window did not matter to me. I spend so little time in the room that it did not matter at all to me. I would not pay any extra money for an outside cabin, but I am sure others must have different opinions.

Hi Meg, and Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

Haven't done any excursions in Nassau for a long while, so I can't comment. The last few times we have just gone over to Cabbage Beach beside Atlantis. Do not take the water taxi mentioned. It is over-crowded and not fun. The drop off point leaves a very long walk to Atlantis. If you decide to go over, go through the building at the end of the pier to the front. There will be regular taxis to take you right to the property, Cabbage Beach is to the right.

For me an outside cabin would not be a priority on a 3 day cruise. However it would be nice since it is your first cruise. The outside cabins have good sized picture windows. There are only a few cabins up front in the curve of the ship that have portholes. I say if not that big of a price difference to go for the outside.

Welcome aboard,

Dwayne

Hi, we thought Nassau was very pretty...lot's of interesting old architecture, great history, good shopping at the Straw Market if you're in to that. My husband and daughter did a snorkeling excursion and really enjoyed that, also. Their tour showed them where all the celebrities' homes were. We prefer outside cabins for the view-just our opinion. Have fun!

I am going to reinforce the do not take the water taxi. No one told us not to take it and we did. it was 25 minutes of shear terror. the "boat" was way way overcrowded and just plain dangerous. it is an accident waiting to happen...
as for nassau if you just want to sight see, go to the queenstair case, not for everyone but we enjoyed it. we took a city bus for 1 u s dollar and rode around town, get on at mcdonalds beside the straw market, you dont pay until u get off, let your driver know you are sight seeing and ask him to point out the sights. The driver we had was awesome. he showed us nassau as it is, not what the brochures show us. I loved it. best dollar we ever spent traveling. we did tip him very well..
stay off of the water taxi!!!

I am glad I checked this thread again. Like I said, we had never taken the water taxi. So, I didn't know what to expect. We will not be taking them now. LOL
Emily

emily, not taking the water taxi is the best decision you can make...the water taxis are double deckers. no life jackets in sight, and so over crowded they ride really really low in the water. if that "boat" starts to take on water the people on the lower deck have no chance at all....very dangerous. We were on the lower deck. my heart kept saying this is dangerous, this is scary, get off. I didnt. then when we took off and the water wasnt 6 inches below the "boat" i was really scared. I dont know how to swim....It was terrifying.

I've been all over Nassau and the only place worth visiting in my opinon is the Atlantis hotel and casino. Nassau,to me, is not one of the places I want to return to. I was there twice last year,once by choice and the second time, we were redirected there because of a hurricane. The first time was enough. Years ago it was nice, now it's just a hustlers paridise.

Atlantis is the most awesome island hotel I have ever visited. The hotel itself is just unbelievable. The aquarium is an excursion in itself. The water slide that ends up going through the shark aquarium via a clear tube, I will never forget!

Click here.

Dwayne

Atlantis is definitely a must see, but take a taxi over and then go to Cabbage Beach which is adjacent to the hotel. I love the queen's staircase, and enjoyed the straw market. There use to be a turtle farm there, not sure if it's still around that was interesting but smelly. An inside cabin will be dark 24 hours a day, and I definitely don't enjoy that. However, if you don't mind and want to save the money for your next cruise, you can always go up on deck. You really won't be in your cabin much at all. From the first time we experienced a balcony, it's hard for us to do anything else. However, for a short cruise, to save money for a longer one, we'll book an inside. Best wishes and sure hope this will be the beginning of many more to come!

Tompands, I have to agree with you one, been there done that, and thats enough. I am glad I went but it is not a place I would choose again. that is one reason we are hesitant to take an eastern carribean cruise, most of the cruises go to nassau at some point. But i am glad we did it once.

I am new to cruising as well. I have booked on Carnival Sensation. Has anyone been on this ship recently? Also, has anyone been to Breezes for an excursion. I would really appreciate any information. Many Thanks!!

The cab ride to the Atlantis was $4.00 each way the last time I was there....We spent most of the day just sitting and walking around the hotel....you can see most of the big aquariums for free....won a few bucks in the casino too...The only problem was the high cost for food in the hotel restaurants.....Have a great cruise...

Bob E

I know you probably have it already but do NOT take the water taxis. Scarey. Anyway I LOVE the Pirate museum. It is just a short walk from the ship and well worth it. Very interesting and not alot of money. You can go on your own and I believe they have it included in a couple of excursions offered by the ship. I traveled on the Fascination with my husband and two kids 2 years ago and we had a great time. I personally do not like the inside cabins too dark for me. I know you are not in the cabin alot but I don't like not knowing if it is night or day. The outside cabins on this class of ships is great. Nice big picture windows. Definately worth the extra money. Have a great cruise.