Why doesn't Princess stop at Nassau?

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Speechless

Guest
I just noticed that recently.

We would love to go back to Nassau, but it sucks cuz Princess happens to be our favourite cruise line.
 
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Al

Guest
Princess substitutes its own "private island," Princess Cays, for what could be a stop in Nassau. Frankly, I found the Bahamas to be filthy and expensive, with merchants as aggressive (if not more so) than in Jamaica. I'd much rather spend some time at Princess Cays, winding down from a fabulous journey. I plan to book the '05 @ddicts cruise aboard the Mariner of the Seas, which will stop at Nassau. It will be another day at sea for us, as we won't leave the ship.
 
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Lisa

Guest
I agree. Nassau is not that great - would much rather be at Princess Cays that day!
 
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CaribbeanSun

Guest
They substituted Nassau and Freeport when Cartagena was not used on several Panama Canal cruises. I have to agree with the above, Freeport and Nassau are not desirable ports in my mind. I also love the private beach -- Princess Cays.
 
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Speechless

Guest
Wow, I didn't realize Nassau was so unpopular especially since we loved it.

Personally, I find Princess Cays nice, but to me, it's just another beach - I could find a nice beach anywhere in the carribean. To me, a port day in Princess Cays is just "filler" - a cheap way to keep passengers entertained for half a day. Next time i'm there, I think I'll spend the day enjoying the ship.
But I respect others' opinions - we all go for something different.

Paradise Island in Nassau is awesome, with the hotel and the aquarium. And mainland, we loved the restaurant "Conch Fritters" cuz they had awesome drinks and those everso tasty conch fritters and the world's greatest rum cake is there (Bacardi rum cake) -which completely destroy's the overrated Tortuga rum cake by a longshot and is worth the $15 US even if it's pricey. And the shopping there was pretty good.

But it seems people actually DO find value in Princess Cays, so I guess that sort of answers my question.

Am I alone here, or does anyone else here feel Nassau has more to offer than Princess Cays?
 
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MortgageChick

Guest
Sorry, been there 3 times and it is getting very "old" with us, Next time we will stay on the ship and enjoy the amenities.
 
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Al

Guest
Cheap??? Princess spends a bundle on maintaining the Cays. The line does not own the island, but pays the Bahamian government a tidy sum for exclusive use of the property, and foots the bill for its upkeep. Your post is the only negative one I've seen about the facility. For many, Princess Cays is the highlight of the cruise, especially for those of us who have been in the eastern Caribbean dozens of times. If you believe that shopping in Nassau is comparable to St. Maarten and St. Thomas, you need to read a few threads on this site. I'm a veteran of 20 cruises, and know the Caribbean well. I wouldn't spend a dime in Nassau, knowing what I do about StT and StM. But you're right: to each his own ... and yes, thus far you're alone here.
 
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Speechless

Guest
Ha ha, sorry if I ruined your day.

But you make a good point, if they spend all that money on PC then why go to Nassau when PC is just around the corner?

My point is simply that a little variety never hurts. Especially for certain itineraries where shopping is scarce and beach breaks are already plentiful.



Post Edited (06-29-04 11:45)
 
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CaribbeanSun

Guest
Princess spends millions a year on Princess Cays and for me, it is the highlight of my many cruises on Princess. It is a very clean and safe beach and the bbq is great.

Nassau is one of the dirtiest ports I have stopped at. Atlantis is nice to visit once but the tour is over rated and too expensive and you can't swim in their pools. When you walk in town in Nassau, you are bugged beyond belief. I didn't feel safe. A lot of the ships that do stop here are 3 and 4 night cruises that are cheap.
 
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bOB

Guest
Nobody is ever alone on Cruise Addicts........

Some just have different opinions.
 
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newmexicoNita

Guest
Please tell me why anyone with any island experience would want to stop in Nassau? We have cruised 90% of the Caribbean and think Nassua is the worst or close to it anyway. Yes, Paradise Island is nice, but all in all give me a ships private island anyday.

NMNita
 
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carolinarockman

Guest
Al is correct in his/her assesment of the Bahamas. We have found that the Bahamian employes who work Princess Cays' gift shop have the same surly attitude as they do in Nassau.

We once were diverted to Nassau due to a hurricane and the port was overwhelmed with our ship's passengers. Got a tour of the Atlantis Hotel (worth seeing).
 
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