Our first cruise is in dec 09. We are not booking any excursions, just looking to do things on our own to save money. I was wondering if in freeport and nassau if you can walk right off the ship to the beaches or what? Like i said i am a new cruiser so I have no idea what to expect. Any advice on anything would be helpful. Thank you!

In Freeport you will need to take a cab as believe most of the ships still dock in the area of the freight ships.  There are a small number of little shops at the dock but the best shopping is further inland as well as needing to take a cab to get to the beach areas.  I believe the same applies to Nassau although the main shopping area is right at the dock.

Enjoy your cruise!

In Freeport you can even share a taxi with other cruisers to the main shopping area.  The cabbie will know where to go.

In Nassau just get off the ship and head for the terminal.  There is shopping in the building but the straw market is located outside the teminal to the right.  Don't forget to stop at Senor Frogs for a cold one.

Have a blast!!

You can't walk to a beach from either terminal.  Freeport is very industrial and you will need to take a cab as it is about a 20 minute ride to the beach.  Nassau you can take a cab but it is not as far...but having been there a few times I don' recall seeing a beach within walking distance, unless it is a far walk.

tracyanns:

You can't walk to a beach from either terminal.  Nassau you can take a cab but it is not as far...but having been there a few times I don' recall seeing a beach within walking distance, unless it is a far walk.

The British Colonial Hilton has a beach and it's just a few blocks from the pier - cost from what I've seen here is $40 admission but you get a $30 meal voucher included in that cost. 

Go under Carnival website under Nassau shore excursion and look for YELLOWBIRD. I think it the last one. For the money 30 bucs you get a boat ride free rum all the way to the beach and get to goto a private beach at that. And if not, take a cab to CABBAGE BEACH, the last time i remember it was free but the cab ride was 4 dollars but i herd it went up to 5. but ill be there in 5/20/2010 and in 9/5/2010