Bahamas Cruise - Carnival Sensation - Nassau - Day 3

Nassau was the 2nd stop on Day 3 of our cruise.  Due to a lot of walking in Freeport, we were really tired and everyone kind of got up late.  I was first one to get up and go for breakfast.  The first thing at the port of Nassau, when you go out on the deck, your attention is drawn to the beautiful view of the Atlantis Resort.

View from the ship at the port of Nassau

We all got ready and headed out of the ship around 11 am.  Important: Make sure you take an ID card with you when you go out of the ship to see the town.  It can be even driver's license!! When we were coming back from town, Nassau officials were checking everyone's cruise sail-and-sign card and an another identity card at the security check!! Once you walk out of the ship, there is a little shaded walkway that you go through.  Right there, there are quite few people standing waiting for tourists and trying to get them to come with them for city tour if you are interested.  Since we did adventurous excursion in Freeport, we wanted to take the city tour in Nassau.  As soon as I got hold of guide, Bernard, he offered the city tour of 2 to 2 and half hours for $25/person.  We bargained a little bit and asked for $20/person since there were 4 of us.  He agreed and got some more people for his van.  We all followed him to his van and off we go to the city tour.

Through his guide, we found out that the island of Nassau is very small.  It is just 21 miles long and 7 miles wide.  This is the reason the it has everything so close including the police station, the post office, the library, etc.  The place also feels little congested since the roads are very narrow.  It has population of about quarter of a million people.  The guide pointed out some major local spots as he was driving through them.  Our first stop on the tour was Fort Fincastle.  It is not that big, but you can still go in to check it out and see a 360 degrees view of the island from top.  The admission to the fort is not free, it's $1/person if you want to go in.  I think it was worth going in there since you are already there!!

Fort Fincastle @ Nassau, Bahamas

View from top of Fort Fincastle

After the visit to the fort, our next stop was visit to the Queen's staircase which was just a short walk from the fort.  If you have knee problem and can't walk a lot, you might not be able to walk down the stairs.  The guide gave option to those people to just sit in the van and drive down where the queen's staircase ended.  My friends and I decided to walk down the staircase.  I think it was gorgeous view from the staircase because the trees are covered on both sides which kind of looks like a passage in the woods :P.

Queen's Staircase @ Nassau, Bahamas

Waterfall at the Queen's Staircase

After what felt like a nice encounter with nature, we continued our city tour.  On the way, we found out that a lot of Hollywood actors own houses on this island which are quite pricey.  Some of the famous names include Anna Nicole Smith, Michel Jordan, Leonardo De Caprio, Oprah, and many more I am sure!!  The tour also had the Nassau hospital on the route where apparently Anna Nicole Smith's son was treated who later died there.  The next stop on the tour was Atlantis resort.  Now, for those who think that Atlantis is on Nassau, it is not!! Atlantis is on a separate island (I think it's known as Paradise Island) which you can go to through a bridge from Nassau.  There is a $2 toll right when you enter the perimeter at the entrance.  Also, if you are going to Atlantis to just visit it (and not staying in the hotel), you are only able to access some areas of it including the Casino.  The casino is also worth going because it includes some amazing art pieces/sculptures which are worth checking out!! The inside of Atlantis seriously feels like the Forum Shops of Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas and the Venetian shops with high-end brand shops and all.

Atlantis @ Paradise Island

After half an hour or so, we were picked up from the Atlantis and we finished our tour by seeing some local spots of Nassau from the Van itself.  After we were dropped off back at the ship, we went to the Straw Market.  Now, if you want to shop, this is the place for you!! It's packed with stalls of bags, jewellery, hand crafted items, etc.  And you can try to bargain as well.  There is also a public beach just 10 minutes walk from the cruise ship port which our server, Marko, had told us about, but we didn't have time to go there.  We headed back on the ship after another fun day, grabbed hot chocolate and sat out on the deck.  It was a nice view and good weather!

The rest of the day, there wasn't anything planned except dinner, my brother and I decided to be in the casino and try out Black Jack.  We met one of the casino crew member, Richard, who was from South Africa.  He showed us how to play Black Jack and we played couple of rounds with him.  He was very nice and welcoming guy...he asked us where we were from and upon finding out that we were from India, he shared his story with us.  He said that he met Shah Rukh Khan and Shilpa Shetty in South Africa when they had gone for their Cricket teams' match!!  I was so jealous :P...haha!!  Anyways, throughout the night, we pretty much lost all that we had played (after winning some and then losing the winning money as well)...so decided to call it a night.

The next day was going to be very relaxing since it was going to be on the sea :).  With that, I conclude my 3rd day of the cruise and hope you guys had fun reading it!!  I will be back with my 4th day adventures later....until then, have a great time!!