You must love browsing this site. I see your name everywhere. This Travelpage is so wonderful for those who need information from the seasoned cruisers such as yourself. We appreciate you, at least I do. We may become good friends after a while.

Anyway, we are going RCI Enchantment of the Seas. My husband and I went on our first cruise on the Monarch of the Seas (RCI) Jan 30, 2000, Southern route out of San Juan. What ports are you sailing? Love to be able to do that route again, but flights are too expensive for a second cruise in one year especially for 4 now. We're only going again for our two boys 9 and 11 to experience cruising (and because we got some income tax money back for once). We checked into a 4 night Bahamas cruise, and the girl at Buycruises.com said there was a 7 night Eastern where the kids (third and fourth persons) cruise for $74 each in a quad room with us. It ended up only $300 more, total, than the 4 night Bahamian cruise. Can you believe it. Beginning to mid Dec. isn't a high time so they need to do promo's I guess. Have you been to Nassau (I'm sure you have). We're thinking of going to Crystal Cay Marine Park and also a quick tour of Fort Charlotte and Paradise Beach. If you've been there would you know if there's a ferry to the Silver Cay island (I'm sure there is) and how much the cost? We're trying to do our own excursions vs. RCI's because they can be sooo expensive, especially for 4 now. Most if it is transportation and admittance fees which at Crystal Cay I found out was only $16.00 ea. RCI probably charges $35 or more a piece which includes transporation. Any other suggestions if you've been there.

Talk to you soon (I mean write to you soon).

Sympatico, the cost for our kids does not include port & tax though. I think they ended up a total of $203 ea., cruise, port and tax. Still not bad considering that's still less than the 4 night bahamas. As far as Nassau, we are there a full day. You're right, it's a lot to do, but I'm organized to the minute (or try to be) as far as when we have to go on to the next adventure. Silver Cay is just to the north (left) of Paradise Island. The marine park is just like Coral World in St. Thomas if you've been there, except much larger windows below the sea from the web page I saw. It's owned by the same company too I believe. I have read that Nassau itself isn't much to see, that's why we're going beyond the city. Straw market I would like to see. A friend of mine said they went there in '87 on their honeymoon and she bought some coasters or something similar, where the straw is wound up in a coil shape and when they got to Miami and stayed in the hotel that night, she said they had some hitchhikers, there were thousands of ants just pouring out of her bag. That's disgusting. I'm going to be careful with any of my purchases.

We are also planning on taking a quick tour of Fort Charlotte. Sounds midevel with the dungeons and all. The kids will think that's cool.

Any particular beaches you would recommend? We're thinking Paradise Beach, we'd like some waves and it looks like that beach being right on the Atlantic side would be perfect.

Thanks for any recommendations you may have to make our stop on Nassau fulfilling.

You sound like you've had experience dickering. I'm so bad at it. I get embarrassed. When my husband dickers with salespeople for cars or anything else, I have to walk away. Maybe I'll give it a try at the Straw Market.

I would recommend either Cable Beach on Nausau or Paradise Beach - if I had to choose one I would probably go to Paradise Island, as you can see the Atlantis resort at the same time.

The shops in Nassau close early (most at 5pm)so shop earlier in the day. Kids t-shirts can be found 3 for $10.00 at the straw market(the shops charge much more for the identical shirts). Paradise Beach at the Atlantis hotel is off limits(only Disney cruise passengers were allowed), for $32.00 pp you may tour the marine facilities only. Our tablemates were very disappointed as they were denied access. Water taxi to Paradise Island was $6.00 pp return trip. We did the Blue Lagoon excursion with the stingray add on (our 11yr. old son absolutely loved the stingrays). Have a great holiday!

Lori - can we go to other parts of Paradise beach? It looks like such a long beach on the map.

Thanks for your replies.

[This message has been edited by denisej (edited 05-03-2000).]

Our tablemates after being denied access to the beach at the Atlantis attempted to locate a public beach but did not find one and wasted a lot of time. I'm sure there must be one on Paradise Island. Maybe someone else would respond on the destination section on this site. Our tour desk told these people they could visit the Atlantis for 25.00 per person and use all the facilities including the beach. When they arrived at the Atlantis they found the price had gone up to $32.00 per person and did not allow them to use the beach or any pools or water activities. The cost was strictly for a tour of the underground dig which was great but pricey. (By the way this was in March)

Because of such limited time in port you definetly want to be sure of where you are going. When you leave the ship there is a pedestrian walkway which takes you to Rawson Square and Bay Street. You will see the new Welcome Center of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism en route. Be sure to stop there first before getting in your taxi and pick up maps, brochures and other info concerning beaches.