Hey everyone! I'm going on my first cruise Oct 18th to Nassau & Freeport. My friend told me not to miss Senor Frogs and the Straw Market while I'm in Nassau! Does anyone know how far from where the ship docks is to where these places are? This will be my first time in Nassau and I have no idea where anything is! From some of the research I've been doing they are both right near each other right? I thought about taking a cab, but how pricey is that and do they accept US Dollars? Last question I promise :-) I had seen a brief listing of hours for the straw market somewhere that said they were open from April to Oct 1. Has anyone been there past Oct 1 and had it still open? I don't wanna miss it!

ArmyWife:

I thought about taking a cab, but how pricey is that and do they accept US Dollars?

Right, they're both within EASY walking distance (a few blocks) from the pier and clearly visible while you're pulling into port.  They do take cash but don't have much change at the straw market so like Ladybug said take small bills.  We've been to Nassau in November and January and it was open both times.  Truly, though, it's one of those places where they sell knock-off cheap stuff, all the booths have basically the same things, it's VERY tight in there (can get almost suffocating at times) and the salespeople can be tiringly pushy.  Honestly, go to a few booths at the outer edge and you've probably seen it all.  I'd be more likely to shop my way down Bay Street until I got to Senor Frogs and skip the straw market all together!!  Also, if you're interested in some local cuisine for lunch, there's a Conch Cafe about 2 blocks in from Senor Frogs (across from the Hilton) that has some decent prices and some GREAT food!!

Armywife, Nassau is one of if not my favorite port.  I don't care for the straw market, it is a bunch of knock off purses and such, and they will harrass you until you run away.  The last poster was right, they are almost all of the same things and it is about 1 foot wide walkways and open air so it really is not pretty, hot, smelly and actually kind of stressful.  They do not like to take no for an answer.  You will also get harrassed until you run screaming about getting your hair braided...OMG they drove me nuts...every 2 feet.  This starts as soon as you get to the end of the pier.

Now, Senior Frogs is the place to be...it is a true party place.  If you are lucky to have an evening trip it gets even better after dark.  You have to get a yard glass and if you like the sweet drinks like baybreezes you HAVE to try a GOOMBAY SMASH...the BEST ever!  And don't forget to jump in on the congo lines a few times, who can resist free shots, just bring a napkin or 2 with you and hold it under your chin or you will be covered in booze, and don't wear white or anything light colored that will stain.  If you want to eat there it is not really authentic mexican food but it is decent and not terribly overpriced. 

Have fun...I will be there in November and I can't wait!

Hello!  My best friend and I are leaving for our first cruise on Oct. 11 to Freeport and Nassau.  I do hope the market is open.  I have been doing research and found a person who posted a walking tour and pictures.  You may enjoy it.  We are considering it as well as our other tours we want to do while in Nassau. 

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/nassau_walking_apr_2006.htm

Hi Girly Girl! My husband and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary on this cruz ! Only 26 days to go until we leave, so very excited. I am pregnant so I will be shopping alot on this cruise.  We've stayed in Nassau for a week and have shopped the straw market - its something to see. I do want to echo the sentiments of some of the other former straw market visitors...its a bit much. Do the perimeter of the market for the experience, but dont get pulled into the middle- its all the same stuff and it is tough to say no to the ladies that work there. There are loads of other shops with local Bahamian art and great finds. Are you from Baltimore or will you be travelling? We live north of Bmore about 25 miles. In any case, travel safe, we will see you on board!

Congratulations on your 5th anniversary.  Now only 25 days till we leave but who is counting?  Wait,  I AM!!!  My husband and I went to Nassau for our honeymoon 7 1/2 yrs. ago and stayed at an all inclusive resort.  We loved it there.  I'm excited about taking my best friend to the straw market.  She has never been to one.  I'm not worried about the people forcing sells, I know sign language and most people back off when they don't understand.  Sign language is my 2nd language and is great to know in situations like that.  My best friend and I are from Kentucky.  We will be driving down to Savannah the night before and staying there.  Then we will leave Savannah early Sun. morning to get to Port Canaveral.  Will you be driving also or flying?  Have a safe travel and see you on board!

ArmyWife,

As other posters have suggested the Straw Market is very cramped and hectic. What we did the last time we were on that cruise was to go to the Straw Market first thing in the morning. As soon as the ship docked we got off and went to the Straw Market. At that time, not many people were there and even some of the vendors were just getting there and setting up. This way we were able to walk through without alot of people there. Also, make sure you take small bills as suggested and put some in different pockets. Remember to haggle!!!! I got a photo album one time for less than half of what they were asking because I pulled out cash from one pocket and said "this is all I have"; and they took it. We are leaving for Nassau October 8th so I will post if they were shut down when we return, just before your cruise.

Also, check out Arawak Cay if you get a chance. It has great conch where all the locals go!!!

Hope you have a great cruise.

Geez, what is up with this Senor Frog, place? I've heard SO many great things about it! I'll definitely have to "hit it up."  I'm leaving in 11 days (whoo-hoo!) and we'll be in Nassau from 7 AM Tuesday until 6 Am on Wednesday. Glad I'll be able to enjoy the nightlife in another place!

I leave October 8th on the sensation and am sooo excited to check out Senor Frogs!!! I have heard great things about it!! Im just alittle upset because I think the night that we are docked in nassau overnight is the same night as our formal night. So now I have to choose to either get all dressed up like ive been looking forward to or go out and spend the night getting wasted at Senor Frogs! haha

Do both!  Your dinning will be over around 10:00-10:30 so that leaves you plenty of time to go the Senor Frogs if you want the night life there.  Who parties before 10:00pm?  The restaurant closes at 1am and the souvenir shop closes at 11pm.  You can always get souvenirs early and then go back to party.

girly girl:

Who parties before 10:00pm? 

I completly forgot we are going on yellowbirds partyboat from 2-5and from what i hear there is some crazy partying on that. We are gonna be exhausted by the end of that night. I wish we had more time in nassau!

KarKar:

I leave October 8th on the sensation and am sooo excited to check out Senor Frogs!!! I have heard great things about it!! Im just alittle upset because I think the night that we are docked in nassau overnight is the same night as our formal night. So now I have to choose to either get all dressed up like ive been looking forward to or go out and spend the night getting wasted at Senor Frogs! haha

KarKar,

We will be on the same cruise!!! We should meet up! The formal night, if they haven't changed things, is always on the evening of the "fun day at sea", which would be Saturday night for us. They don't want to compete with the activities available within the port of call. So you should be just fine for Senor Frogs.

We should try to meet up as the ship sails. There are about 14-16 of us girls cruising together this time and we would love to add to our group.

Happy Cruising and hope to see you on board.

Lena

KarKar:

I am acctually goiung with my boyfriend but if he decides to ditch me for the casino i will be sure to search for your big group haha.

You and your boyfriend are more than welcome to join us. "Wouldn't he be the hit with a big group full of girls". We decided to leave the husbands/boyfriends and kids at home and celebrate a "big" birthday. If you happen to join him in the casino you may see a few of us. We like to gamble!

So if you overhear somebody asking if anyone knows "KarKar" on the ship, you will know it is me.

Hope you have a great time!!!