Which shore excursion should I take?
I’m sailing to Half Moon Cay and Nassau in just under 5 months and am trying to pick a shore excursion. I found 2 dolphin interaction adventures in Nassau.
http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=BH&portcode=NAS&excursionname=Atlantis+Dolphin+Cay+Deep+Water+Swim&excursioncode=424041
and
http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=BH&portcode=NAS&excursionname=Atlantis+Dolphin+Cay+Shallow+Water+Interaction&excursioncode=424043
Too make things even harder, I found a horseback riding excursion for Half Moon Cay
http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=BH&portcode=HMC&excursionname=Horseback+Riding+by+Land+%26+Sea&excursioncode=420011
Has anyone been on any of the excursions and have feedback to give? I can only pick one. Also, I’ve never been to either location, so I’m not sure where I might want to explore on my own, and where I might want to be in a group.
Any suggestions welcomed. I’m so indecisive.
July 18th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Half Moon Cay is the cruise line’s private island. You don’t have to do an excursion there. It’s a beautiful place to just relax and enjoy. You can take a nice walk on your own. You might want to rent a “clamshell” for about $10. [Be sure and have something you can use to prop up the support at the back to let some air in.]
Nassau – some cruisers don’t really like this port. We went to the Blue Lagoon with a Carnival excursion and it was OK, but very “noisy” – announcements about various activities every few minutes – just like on the ship itself, unfortunately. The boat ride back was the ride from Hell – hot, overcrowded and very delayed in leaving the lagoon. Wouldn’t do it again.
Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on “Boards”, then “Ports of Call” and find your ports [HMC will be under "Private Islands"] for info from experienced cruisers.
Have a great time!!
July 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
There are THREE excellent excursions available on Half Moon Cay! One is kayaking, in which they take you to a remote area, show you what to do, and take you out for a couple of hours in a wonderful lagoon area. Most kayaks are for 2 people, but there are a couple for just 1 person. You need NO experience whatever, and don’t need to know how to swim, either, since life jackets are fitted and required of all. (By the way, you can rent a sit-on-top kayak at the beach and go out on your own where the beach area is.) Second, parasailing! It is from the boat and to the boat, so you are not in the water. If you have never done parasailing, this is a very good way to do it. Finally, horseback riding, which includes riding on land, on the beach, and into the water itself. People who have dont that say It is wonderful, and you don’t need to know how to ride. The horses are well-trained and gentle. You will, however, need clothes — shorts or slacks — over your swimsuit, and you will certainly get very, very wet!
As to Nassau, if you can actually get into the water and swim with the dolphins, that would be great! If not, you would still get “up close and personal”. If you have never been with dolphins before, it might be worthwhile. If you have, why not just go shopping on shore instead? There are great bargains.
You’ve got some decisions to make! As to Half Moon Cay, I have done the kayaking, which was excellent, and skipped the parasailing since I have no interest in it. People who have done the parasailing have raved about it, though. My next trip to Half Moon Cay IS going to involve the riding, which people seem to simply love! Of course, you can simply skip all shore excursions, enjoy the beach (where the swimming is great!), and have a drink or two at one of the beach bars.
I personally wouldn’t bother with the dolphins on Nassau, but that is only because I have been able to swim with dolphins in Acapulco. For shopping in Nassau, take your tabletop measurements with you because there is a Mr. Tablecloth, which has a wonderful selection. Also, be sure to stop in Del Sol! That’s the store where everything changes colors in the sunshine, and the goodies range from t-shirts to fit everybody from babies to very large men, to swimsuits for boys and men, to hairclips and headbands, to keyrings, to totebags, to sunglasses, and to nail polish (which really is a very nice quality). There is also some really good food available here and there in Nassau, and you don’t need to worry about the water. Have fun!