The Nassau question rears its ugly head!!! About This Page:

[graygables]

We are looking at a 3 night (just can't bring myself to do 4 yet! ) Dec 8-11. It will just be me and DDs (9 and 7 then) and I am seriously considering not getting off the ship at Nassau. I have travelled the world, so I don't think it's that big of a deal, but I'm not sure how DDs will react. One has Asperger's and doesn't do strangers well, the other is bipolar and "crazy" situations can set her off, plus she uses a stroller as a wheelchair (chronic fatigue and it helps her regain control if she loses it). We are also doing this trip on a shoestring (doing 4 days on land, too), so I don't need to be spending money on excursions if I can help it.

*IF* I do OK on the cruise (I have leviathanophobia ), then we will surely do another, most likely a 7 day a few years down the road and we can do all the excursions they like. If I don't do OK, then they ain't gonna be no more cruises and DDs will have to wait until their hubbies can take them to the Bahamas!

Is there enough on the ship to keep us all entertained while in Nassau? Should I sign up for the rainforest and lose the kid's club pager? JK! Should we at least step off the ship to say we've been there? (I packed my teddy bear when I was 16 in a suitcase on a flight through Iceland so I could say he'd been there, OK??? )

Any opinions are greatly appreciated...this whole thing makes me nervous!

[DISNEYGOOF]

The one thing we did at Nassau that I really enjoyed was tour Atlantis resort. The resort is beautiful and really big. We walked around by the pool and looked at the aquarium(outdoors)we also got an ice cream but I can't remember the name of the little shop. The first time we went to Atlantis, the pool was open so they didn't allow us(non-guests)to go by the pool but when we went in March the pool was closed for the day(still a bit of daylight left)so we were able to walk all around. We took a taxi to the resort and it was $4.00 a person.

[crystalloubear]

Never been on a Disney cruise, but on other cruise lines just getting off the ship and walking to anything in Nassau is a pretty good walk. When you dock, it looks like you are right there, but the way the pier goes around it makes for a long walk to actually get anywhere.
I have stopped at Nassau on several non-Disney cruises. We got off the ship a couple times and stayed on a couple times. Personally, I wouldn't get off. There will be plenty to do on board the ship. I would stay on and just relax - alot of people will get off and just swimming will be much more fun with less crowds.

[JoanW]

Having just been, stay on the ship and enjoy the day onboard. Nassau is pretty dirty and crowded. There is so much onboard that you will never discover all of it in three days. Especially if you want to get the most out of your cruising dollars.

[TESS64]

I agree with Joan. Stay on the ship.

[barries5199]

It's nice to hear folks saying it's good to stay onboard. DH wants to go scuba diving in Nassau when we go on our cruise; but DS & I will stay on board. We'll probably hang out together a bit, just mom-n-son bonding, then he can head to the kids club and me to the rainforest!

It's so nice to know there are choices!

Hey, does anyone know if they actually stamp your passport in Nassau? I might walk off just to get the stamp and then get back on, but if no stamp, no getting off the boat!!

[Belle*]

No stamp at Nassau. Sorry!

[JoanW]

My kids were so disappointed they did not get their passports stamped. I feel that if we have to have them now, I want it stamped!

[Dave Marx]

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Hey, does anyone know if they actually stamp your passport in Nassau? I might walk off just to get the stamp and then get back on, but if no stamp, no getting off the boat!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, there's no passport stamping in any of DCL's regular ports of call. With so many people descending upon the port at once (often two or three 2,000-3,000 passenger cruise ships arrive in a port within a few hours), the cost and delays would be prohibitive. Instead, the cruise line "certifies" its passengers to the local immigration officials. As part of that process they send out a passenger manifest in advance of arrival in the port. That's a big part of the reason the cruise lines check passports/ID when you check in for the cruise.

Not surprisingly, the US is the most stringent about these matters. While they don't stamp passports, there is a customs/immigration process on board the ship before you visit the US Virgin Islands. Nobody can leave the ship until all passengers have been cleared (a representative of each family on board presents documentation for the entire group).

[barries5199]

Sad to hear, but nice to know! Thanks!

[DrDolphin]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree with Joan. Stay on the ship.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree as well - I just told mom that if she, dad and Jolene do a shore excursion, I want to stay on the ship and relax....

[Tink and co.]

We only got off in Nassau for a couple of hours, and I wouldn't do it again, except to go visit the Atlantis. My kids didn't get off the ship with us,as none of them were interested, and I don't think they would have enjoyed it. We had a lovely afternoon in the spa, and don't worry about there being enough to do! There's more to do than you possibly can!