OK...I know the cruise is still months...and months away but...

I know there are a lot of you out there because of the "room shuffle" I had to go through to reserve eight (8) cabins. We are doing a "family and friends" cruise just to get away and have some fun. We are all on the Empress deck...spread out as much as possible to annoy as many people as we can...just kidding. I actually had to get one of those new balcony rooms in order to be close to our minor children. I don't usually do the balcony thing on a carribean cruise as we are rarely in our rooms. In my opinion, it is a must for the Alaskan cruise....but I digress.

This will be my first trip to Nassau and Freeport. Does anyone have any suggestions on excursions? We are looking at the scuba trip but didn't know how it would compare to the crystal clear waters of Cozumel. My 12-year-old wants to swim with the dolphins but I'm not sure if it is worth the money. We are open to just about everything with the exception of the "Yellow Party Boat". Not quite appropriate for a family vacation.

OK...we have six months to get to know some more folks. See you on the ship.

Ok, I may be a little chatty here, so please bare with me. I understand your cruise is months away (mine too) but you're still excited.  I am too!!!   The last time we did the four day cruise to Nassau and Freeport we did the dolphin swim in Freeport!  It was awesome!! The water wasn't as clear where the excursion took place but the activity made up for that small flaw!  Living here in Central Florida, we have gone to Discovery Cove and spent almost double what they are asking for the excursion in the Bahamas and Disc. Cove wasn't near as good!

If you do swim with the dolphins, here are a couple tips. As you are going with a group, see how many of them would like to do the same excursion. The more in your group the better (I will tell you why).  Also, our excursion was the later one (good tip here also).

If most of the excursion is part of the same group, (I believe 9 was the max for the excursion, we had 8)they tend to do more with you. Also, because ours was the last for their day they took more time with us.  My husband, didn't do the excursion and was waiting for me in Lucaya Market Place and he said we were an hour later than we were supposed to be.  Even though the water wasn't clear like I would have liked, it was still worth the money, especially if you know what Disc Cove gets for much less interaction. Also, because my husband wasn't going on the excursion, I wanted to spend the morning with him, so the excursion rep was kind enough to give me directions on where to meet them instead of riding the bus from the ship. We were then able to rent scooters and explore the island together before I had to be at the appropriate spot.

I haven't tried dolphin swim at Nassau, but the waters seem to be clearer there, so that could be an option to Freeport if water clarity is a factor.  However, if it was me, because of all the other options on Nassau versus Freeport, I would do the excursion in Freeport so you could possibly venture out in Nassau. If you like history and the like you will want to visit the forts etc. in Nassau.

Also, if you like trying local foods (seafood), you must try Arawak Cay. It's not far from the ship, but maybe too far to walk. It's a row of restaurants (actually just before going onto Arawak Cay) and although I haven't tried it yet, I have heard some great reviews from others in our party. (I will be trying it in October though).

If someone wants to venture through the straw market GET THERE EARLY! It is very cramped spaces and you could feel clastrophobic, but you can find some neat trinkets. Plus you could get really good deals if there isn't a lot of tourists around. Make sure you have plenty of small bills and my trick was telling them that's all I had. Haggle Haggle Haggle (I found a hand made photo album to hold our pictures of the trip).

If anyone likes casinos there are more than just the Atlantis, but with a family vacation...

Hope all this helps! Keep us informed and let us know how your trip goes!

Happy Cruising!

Thanks LovNLife. Lots of great info. Strange you mention Discovery Cove because I was looking at that option for July...now I think I will wait until the cruise for the Dolphin Experience. We are still going to Orlando over the July 4th weekend (I know...crazy right?) but we will just do Universal Studios. I lived in Fort Pierce for a few years so I know what I am getting myself into visiting Orlando during a holiday weekend...sigh.

I think I will take your advice and do the late dolphin experience. Shopping is always on the agenda so I will use that advice as well.

Thanks again.

 Any other November cruisers out there?

My Finace and I will be on our honeymoon for this cruise. This will be my second cruies and her first. We are really looking forward to it.

Ok.  I see that your cruise is in October.  What dates are you cruising.  I have a group of like 36 people that are traveling on October 18-22nd to the Bahamas.   Where is the seafood restaurant at that you are referring to?  I think you said the name was Arawk Cay.   My boyfriend loves seafood so I would love to take him there.

Happy Cruising! 

Congrats on the Wedding.

I am sure she will have a great time. Who was your first cruise with (Carnival?) and where did it go?

 It was with Carnival (fantasy if I remember correctly) for my senior cruise 11 years ago. It was a 3 day cruise to Nassau. We had a blast!

I'm sure you all will have a wonderful time! We cruise on the 8th so we won't be on the same one. Darn!

Arawak Cay is an island about 1.25 miles west of the port. Just before you go onto the island there is a "restaurant row". I think the locals call it The Fish Fry. You can get snacks up to full meals. The link below, if allowed, shows a picture and a short bit of info on the area including how to get there. I hope this helps. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_un85FN-LriE/Rr3BclufcmI/AAAAAAAAAJI/GY2pqnAUPGY/s400/arawakcay1_420.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nativestew.com/2007/08/arawak-cay.html&usg=__rRxx3gyJCJSYNlegz6DDo-Yw2O0=&h=234&w=400&sz=26&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=FOPSRtIMnlGL-M:&tbnh=73&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Darawak%2Bcay%2Bfish%2Bfry%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

Happy Cruising.

We only two months away now. Anyone else out there going on this cruise?

We are going on the Sensation on 11/22 as well.  Travelling with husband (first time cruiser), 16 year old daughter, mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  Some of us took this ship in February and had a really good time.  Never saw my daughter as she thoroughly enjoyed the teen club.  The recent dry dock updated a lot of features on this ship and added balconies which are really nice.  See you in 33 days!!!!

Can't wait!

"First time cruiser"...that was me about 2 years ago. Now I love cruising and go as often as I can. This time we are taking quite a few family members with us. I have three boys (21, 17, 13) and the oldest two are bringing a friend. Throw in some in-laws and great friends and there are a total of 11 of us going. Funny you mention the new balconies. I usually don't get one because we are hardly ever in our rooms but I thought I would get one for this cruise (E221). I am definately going to have a balcony for our Alaskan cruise next August.

Are you all doing any shore excursions? Not sure about us. I was told by some pass cruisers to just wait and book on the docks in Nassau. My 17 year old is contemplating just stayin on the ship the whole time...doesn't like walking around shopping.

I have done dolphin excursion in other areas and it was well worth the money that was paid. It was great. They are usually put on by Dolphin Discovery so they are probably all about the same thing. Go and have a great time.

We did the glass bottom boat trip in February.  Very crowded down in the viewing area with steep stairs down.  We also went to Atlantis but did it on our own.  We took a water taxi over and then took a taxi back.  You can walk around the resort and see part of the aquarium and the casino; however, you cannot go out to the waterpark, pool or beach area.  The cruise line does not recommend renting scooters and driving around but you will see a lot of people doing that.  Traffic in Nassau is unbelievable!!!  I have not been to Freeport so can't help with that.

My boyfriend and I (early 30's) are going, and this will be the first cruise for both of us. I can't wait!