We decided to do a winter get away with some friends and are taking a RCI cruise for 4 nights and we have a stop in the Bahamas. There will be 4 adults and no kids. Right now, the only agenda is walk around, eat good food and have some drinks. The problem is (what a problem!) is that we will be there from 8 am until around midnight. I don’t think any of us want to do the big resort although the aquarium might be a go. So for those of you who have been there before, can you give me some suggestions? Thanks so much!
Which island will you be stopping at?
Nassau for a whole day and then Coco Cay and finally Key West, Fl.
We did the Aquarium tour at the Atlantis. It was pretty cool. There are quite a few stores there kind of like a mall. There is also the casino and restaurants.
You can always check out the beach and indulge with the locals for some of their conch speciality.
We went to an excursion to Blue Lagoon Island. They have ‘Swim with the Dolphins’ area and my daughter did that, but also has a beach day with swimming either in the lagoon or on the ocean side of the island. The beach is really nice. You take a boat ride right from the pier the cruise boats dock at, and that boat ride is nice too (you get to see Tiger’s house and a few other mansions). You can spent all day there or take a boat back at one hour intervals.
There are a few other excursions that people seem to like too. There is a botanical garden that looked beautiful.
Four or five hours in downtown Nassau is way too much. You’ll run out of things to do quickly if you just stay in town.
That’s what I was thinking too, twoinanddone. I think we are going to have to do something. I just read about a biking tour and that sounds interesting.
I’m doing virtually the same trip in April with RCI only no sea days so a short haul trip/end of winter getaway with a friend. I decided in Nassau we’re just going to have a leisurely breakfast on the ship, then get off and slowly make our way walking toward Fish Fry…maybe stop and swim at Junkanoo and stop and shop on the way. Have lunch at Fish Fry and then walk back and enjoy the rest of the time on the ship. I haven’t been to Nassau for twelve years so it will feel “fresh” I think and I’m not a ‘big resort Atlantis’ must see off a cruise ship person and my friend has stayed there. With no sea days, Nassau will give us a chance to just relax on board and do “day-time” things. We leave at 5. For you, since you leave so late, maybe do a variety of things during the day and then taxi to Fish Fry and back for dinner especially if you have a sea day to enjoy the trip. I’m on the same itinerary, but no sea days.
You may want to get onto Cruise Critic and sign up for the roll call for your specific cruise. Then you can both research what tons of experienced cruisers like to do in the port, and also maybe make some plans ahead of time with others on your cruise. You can also read extensive details about everyone’s experiences, and I’ll bet someone has been on the biking tour you’re considering.
Thanks, I’m a long-time member of Cruise Critic 
first cruise in the 70s. Mostly an annual “girlfriend” thing, but every once in awhile I get my husband to go along. Always in April after ski season…except one summer to Alaska.
If you’re going to the Fish Fry area, you can walk 2-3 blocks inland to see Ardastra Garden and the marching flamingos.