Bahamas

Hi! We are looking at possible cruises around the Memorial day week. Thinking about the 4 night Bahamas cruise on Carnival (our daughter is under 3 so Carnival is our cruiseline of choice right now :-) Any suggested areas in Freeport and Nassau for a family with a 2.5 year old daughter? We love nice clean beaches (w/ facilities) and we just enjoyed swimming with the StingRays in Grand Caymen - so this type of excursion is OK if the waters are <5ft deep. We are planning to do something with the whole family on one or both of the islands if possible. We are not adverse to taking taxis to a good spot - (if you know an approx. price for the taxi would also help us know we aren't getting "taken for a ride" literally - otherwise we can check at the pursers/excursion desk).

Also - any tips/comments from past 4 night cruisers to Bahamas? The ship we are looking at is the Carnival ship Fascination (I think).

Thanks in advance!
Jodi

Hi Jodi:
We'll be calling in Nassau ourselves later this month with a toddler. I'm considering taking a ferry to Blue Lagoon Island to go to the beach. However, I suggest asking the shore excursions desk for more info such as how often do boats leave, etc. Another idea is taking a cab to Andastra Gardens and Zoo -- it's a botanical garden and small zoo where reportedly the flamingoes put on a show where they march at 11 a.m. each day! Another option would be to ask the shore excursions desk what hotels on Paradise Island let day trippers use their facilities. I wouldn't purchase the Atlantis Dig pass -- very expensive and you don't get to use the beach or great water facilities.
I hope this helps. I'll be away from 3/22-29 on the Zuiderdam so feel free to query me again at the end of March as to what we did in Nassau.

Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor

I posted a similar message and got several responses that blue lagoon was okay for families, but very crowded. It amazed me how many people said they would just as soon stay on the boat in freeport. My husband has been, but i haven't. he wasn't impressed with it either, but we've heard that nassau is much better. We are sailing June 1, 2003 on Fantasy. I went to google and did a search for "freeport bahamas" and "nassau bahamas". Also if you are with AAA they will send you a free travel book for the caribbean that includes sites to see in the Bahamas.

[Debi]

If you can purchase the ability to use the facilities at the Atlantis in Paradise Island, do it. Your child will be in heaven there is so much to do. The beaches and pools are crowded but perfect and the activities surrounding the pool will keep all of your occupied. Great day trip.

Atlantis is very strict about not allowing day visitors to use their pool/water slides facilties in order to keep them from getting too crowded. Too bad because they are lots of fun!
You can purchase a shore excursion to see The Dig at Atlantis. Since I've been to Atlantis before, I don't think I'd pay more than $15 a person to see The Dig and I think the shore excursions are generally much more than that.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor