Nassau, Bahamas - Nassau - TravBuddy

I've been to Nassau both before and after the large fire that destroyed the straw market.

I haven't been to Nassau in awhile and I'm thinking my next cruise will go there because I miss it. I've always had a good time in Nassau. I've always found the snorkeling to be great (more for the fish and marine life than coral.) Paradise Island is EXPENSIVE but fun to see.

Some tips if your ship stops there:
1. Small children sell flutes by the ship. I've heard varying reports of buying them. Of course, you're giving money to children and families who could use it, but I've also heard to NOT give the children money because it'll encourage their parents to keep them out of school and sell flutes. I don't know either way for sure.
2. You're going to get asked if you want your hair braided (even if you have very short hair). If you want to get it braided, you might want to think about having them use a comb of yours, not theirs. I'm sure they don't sanitize them in between customers. Agree on a price and exactly what you want before starting. If you don't want to get your hair braided say "no thank you" with a smile. You'll have to do this a few hundred times. Less people ask the further away from the ship you go.
3. There are a couple nice drug-store type shops in Nassau. GREAT place to pick up any toiletries you forgot or the airline confiscated because they were more than 3 oz. People in the stores are extremely friendly if you need help finding something. Picking up a map of the Caribbean in these store is cheap and makes a great souvenir.
4. Take the water taxi to Paradise Island. When I was there, they were a bit cheaper and more fun if you ask me. Paradise Island is very touristy, very expensive, and limited access / privileges to cruise ship passengers. I have heard of people buying day passes and reserving rooms just to play at the water park though.
5. Senor Frog’s is walking distance from the ship port. It’s a tourist mecca like all the others in the Caribbean – but fun for a wild night out.

I hope to go back to Nassau soon so I can update this. I give Nassau a hearty thumbs-up!

(Sorry, no photos - both of my trips to Nassau pre-date me owning a digital camera.)