Thread: Why would you book a cruise with a port stop in Nassau?

A call at Nassau would not stop me booking a cruise, but I may stay on the ship, even if that were the only port of call.

Working as a crew member I have seen Nassau over 100 times - so my only reason to return would be for the to die for Cafe Matisse. Amazing menu, great service and a little courtyard out the back where you can pour yourself a number of glasses of sweet white wine!!
Italian Restaurant Nassau Bahamas | Cafe Matisse

Originally Posted by shoretours.com.au

Working as a crew member I have seen Nassau over 100 times - so my only reason to return would be for the to die for Cafe Matisse. Amazing menu, great service and a little courtyard out the back where you can pour yourself a number of glasses of sweet white wine!!
Italian Restaurant Nassau Bahamas | Cafe Matisse

Now, that might be a reason to get off the ship!


Cafe Matisse Desserts

MILLEFOGLIE ALLA PAPAYA
Papaya Napoleon cake - thin layers of crispy puff pastry filled with fresh papaya

NUVOLA DI ZABAYONE E FRAGOLE
Creamy dessert with Muscat wine and strawberries

SEMIFREDDO ALLE MANDORLE, SALSA BARBAJADA
Almond parfait with a chocolate and coffee sauce

CASSATA SICILIANA, SALSA AGLI AGRUMI
Ricotta cheese sponge cake with a citrus sauce

TORTINO TIEPIDO AL CIOCCOLATO FONDENTE CON SALSA ALLA VANIGLIA
Warm chocolate tart with vanilla sauce

CARPACCIO D'ANANAS MARINATO ALLE SPEZIE CON SORBETTO DI LIMONE
Pineapple carpaccio marinated with spices and served with a lemon sorbet

TIRAMISU
Tiramisu

TORTA ALLA MOUSSE DI CIOCCOLATO BIANCO E AMARO
White and dark chocolate mousse cake

CREME BRULEE
Classic caramelized custard

AFFOGATO AL CAFFE
Warm coffee served with vanilla ice cream

SORBETTI DI FRUTTA
Fresh fruit sorbets

GELATI
Assorted ice cream
[ Home ] [ Menu ] [ Wine List ] [ Desserts ]
© Cafe Matisse | Italian Restaurant Nassau

Seriously, Nassau does have a few things going for it. The architecture downtown is quite striking and is worthy of a stroll. Second, there are the flamingos which are a definite "must see" at least once. Then there is the Atlantis. The fish tank is really nice..... Many good touristy activities. Not my favorite place but it does have a lot going for it.

No more Nassau for me as a choice. It won't stop me from an otherwise great itinerary if this is a port stop and I'd make the best of it but there are cetain things that I would not do again.

Like get on a ferry with those nasty, nasty crew members who insist on tips, who don't offer a hand, and who gripe about those who refuse to tip them. Have had multiple experinces of that in Nassau.

Atlantis was cool though

Been to Nassau once on a cruise ship stop. Booked a disappointing snorkel excursion. Might only go back to check out the Atlantis Resort. Otherwise, would probably avoid it.

Originally Posted by Norman

Usually your cruise is going farther afield to the Caribbean or further, am I one of the few that has had no problems with the two visits I have had to Nassau. The Bahamas are the same as most Caribbean islands, a mixture of the very poor and the super-rich. It is seeing more of the poor I believe that put people off.

I would definitely visit again, different to Guadeloupe; I never wish to see again.

Excellent Point! Our first cruise was a 3 day trip that only went to Nassau. We did a tour at Atlantis and liked the hotel. We got back early and decided to check out the Senior Frogs area and flea market thing. The bartering quickly turned my G/F off to the island. We returned to Nassau on Oasis and booked a beach tour. G/F comments this time ... Bahamas how pretty, glad I gave it a second chance.

So, she let the awful bartering of the poor trying to sell their crap cloud her judgement.

We would return if it was part of an itinerary that we would take for another reason. We find Bahamas nice, just no interest to rush back.

My mom takes me on an out-of-state vacation every year. She is unable to do that this year because of her new job - nanny for my sister's 6-year old son and twin babies - so she can only travel to another Florida city for 2-3 nights. When Mom told my sister that, the recommendation was a three-night cruise out of Florida. The only way to do that is sail on the Carnival Sensation to Bahamas and back from Port Canaveral. We considered NCL's cruises to nowhere out of Tampa, but the Star does not do that year-round. So the only reason for booking a Bahamas cruise is otherwise, I can't take a vacation this year.

Hi all...haven't posted for awhile but planned a 5-night cruise to the Bahamas in May as we are staying Myrtle Beach for the month. We love going elsewhere for a few days and no flights to worry about as the ship leaves from Charleston. Nassau happens to be one of two stops, the other being Freeport. Plan to do some shopping in Nassau but not too sure what is really worth doing in Freeport.

Garden of the Groves appears to be an option combined with the Market, and as we will be on the beach for May in Myrtle, not too interested in visiting beaches there. Any suggestions?

Thanks......Diane