I was a reluctant cruiser. After years of traveling through the US and Europe “independently,” setting our own schedule, stopping when we want to stop, eating when we want to eat, left me with a bias against cruises. Someone else having control of my schedule just isn’t my thing, I’d tell friends and clients alike. But earlier this year, our family was made an offer we couldn’t refuse and next thing we knew, we were booking our cabin on a Spring Break cruise to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream.
We boarded the ship on Monday leaving Port Canaveral for our first stop in Nassau. The ship’s lobby was gorgeous, very old Hollywood glamour, with a glass chandelier handmade in Italy, open ceilings and a touch of Disney with a bronze Admiral Donald Duck greeting passengers as they board.
Others had told me that the ships weren’t overly “Disneyfied” and that was true. Certainly, Disney was present in its décor, but subtly so. The biggest Disney characteristic was in the service provided on board. The staff was accommodating beyond words. Our wait staff, Gilbert and Christina, who remained with us every night despite rotating through the onboard restaurants, entertained the children along with providing impeccable wait service. The spa esthetician was the best I’ve experienced.
My husband found the workings of the ship itself fascinating. Never having travelled on such a large vessel, watching the crew “park” and secure the ship, was amazing itself. Watching the ship approach Nassau from our verandah, first a lighthouse, than a slip of land, then the massive Atlantis complex raised excitement from everyone. However, the most excitement for the day was swimming with the dolphins at the Blue Lagoon, one of ship excursions. After an hour with the dolphins and a few more spent snorkeling in the crystal blue lagoon, we were well on our way to becoming cruise converts. Going to dinner and a show then waking up in Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, made us fully converted.
I would be remiss to not mention the Oceaneer’s Club and Oceaneer’s Lab, the kids clubs for the younger kids onboard. Our children chose to go for an hour or so each day after dinner. During that time, my husband and I explored the ship’s adult areas. My personal favorite was the swanky champagne lounge, complete with pink and silver décor and a bubble fixture and corset bar. While I think my husband probably preferred the sports bar, what was clear is that there was plenty to do without children on board.
Champagne Bar
Perhaps the highlight of the trip, however, was Castaway Cay. The morning began with the Castaway Cay 5K, crossing the island at my slow and other passengers much faster pace. After the run, the beach provided plenty to do, from lounging to in-ocean waterslides and ropes area. The island itself has large family beach areas and adult beach area, bike trails and designated snorkeling areas. Despite the cruise being completely booked, the island never felt crowded or cramped. Snorkeling equipment and floats are available for rent. Our favorite activities were swimming with the stingrays and snorkeling searching for the sunken “treasure” off the beach.
After 5 days onboard, I must admit that never once did I tire of having the schedule set for us. There were dozens of activities scheduled each day, but we never once felt pressured to do any of them. They were options, not requirements. As the person who typically makes the plans on vacations, it was refreshing to not have to worry about where we were going to dinner or what we were doing on a particular day. Would I want to cruise for every vacation? Probably not. Will I do it again? Absolutely.
To book your trip or for more information, contact your favorite travel agent at Favorite Place Travel or call 404.409.4174.
My third visit to Nassau was on a short cruise, and I was ready to experience a typical “cruise excursion”, but I didn’t want to go through the cruise line. I used Shore Trips to book a 10-mile bike tour. My husband and I were instructed to meet our guide in front of the Parliament Building which is just a couple of blocks from the port.
While we were standing on the corner in front of the Parliament Building, limousines began arriving and dignitaries got out and walked into the building. They were a part of the mourning party for former parliamentarian and educator Frank Leopold Edgecombe. We were witnessing an important piece of Bahamian history!
Our guide met us in her personal car, a lovely lady who hailed from England, but has lived in Nassau over 20 years. She took us to her home where we got on her bikes and took off.
While this may seem unsafe, getting in the car of a total stranger and going to her home, I knew she was vetted and trusted by Shore Trips, and not once did I feel unsafe. The guide lives on the other side of the island, so we got to see a lot of Nassau that most tourists never get to see. We got to see where the locals live, away from the port, the rum cake and Senior Frogs.
We took off on our bikes, and the guide provided some cookies, bottled water and rain ponchos. I didn’t think we’d need the ponchos, but it turns out the local guide knew what she was doing, and a few miles in, the bottom fell out of the sky and we were spared from getting soaked due to the foresight of the rain ponchos.
Now, lest you be midled, this wasn’t a scenic tour of Nassau for 10 miles. We went down old roadways, through not-so-pretty scenery, but it wasn’t a strenuous ride, and we ended up at a local beach in the village of Adelaide where the water was still and clear, far from the tourists. I was able to get a conch shell right out of the water that the locals had discarded, instead of paying $20 for one marketed to the tourists.
“Keep da beach clean”
We returned to the ship in plenty of time, and of my three visits to Nassau, this experience was one of the favorites. Exploring on our own (Part 1) was excellent, although due to safety concerns, I don’t recommend it. My visit to Atlantis (Part 2) was once-in-a-lifetime, but been there, done that.
This organized trip by Shore Trips allowed us to see parts of the island we otherwise would not have seen and meet a great woman who loves her island and was eager to share with us.
To book your trip or for more information, contact your favorite travel agent at Favorite Place Travel or call 404.409.4174.
Catch a Southwest flight to Houston and you’ll be there in no time!
This fall, Disney Cruise Line® will say farewell to its homeport in Galveston, Texas. You can still get onboard and take advantage of a great lead rate—plus, receive an onboard credit and half-off deposit.
Lead rates for a 7-night Bahamian or Western Caribbean cruise start at $699 for an Inside stateroom, $749 for Oceanview stateroom and $899 for Verandah stateroom (per person, based on double occupancy).
Book a Disney Wonder® sailing and receive a $100 onboard credit with an Inside stateroom, a $150 onboard credit for Oceanview stateroom, or a $200 onboard credit for a Verandah stateroom—and receive half-off deposit if booked through July 31, 2013.
Travel Window: Valid on most 7-night sailings from Sept. 28 – Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 7, 2013 To book your trip or for more information, contact your travel agent at sgross@favoriteplacetravel.com or sglover@favoriteplacetravel.com or call Stacey at 404.409.4174, or Susan at 708.479.4693.
Book any sailing between September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 to receive up to $200 Onboard Credit and 50% Reduced Deposit!
To book your trip or for more information, contact your travel agent at sgross@favoriteplacetravel.com or sglover@favoriteplacetravel.com or call Stacey at 404.409.4174, or Susan at 708.479.4693.
About Favorite Place Travel
We are experienced travel agents who are well-traveled and well versed in locations throughout the US, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. We will work with you to ensure that your trip is what you want, creating a tailor-made trip for you and your travel companions, whether its family, friends, or on your own.
