bahamas cruise.....

[lesliejohn]

has anyone here done the virgin two day break to the bahamas,hotel pick up catamaran there and back and a night in the hotel.
if so what did you think of it? was it good value for money etc?
many thanks
les..

[kaiser]

I have not been on this but I have been to the Bahamas and I have to say we did not love it, the reason was we stayed at the Atlantis hotel on Paradise island, the prices there are outrageous, I think we paid about $35 for a burger and fries (that was per person!)

I don't know if this is the case throughout the whole island but it ruined it a bit, I was flat broke when I got home (we had been to Orlando the week before too mind!).

We ventured out one night to see if we could find anywhere cheaper to eat, when we crossed over the bridge from the hotel to the mainland we were confronted with "women of the night" and their "employers" we ended up in Subway which we had to ring a bell to get them to let us in, it was very unpleasant, we were pretty sure we would get mugged or worse, we stayed in the hotel for the rest of the time.

Don't get me wrong the Bahamas is beautiful and the Atlantis hotel is AMAZING it was just so expensive. I would not go back unless I was very wealthy or had been saving for yonks.

Kai

[lesliejohn]

heh kai,
thanks for your reply and sorry to hear of your experience.
les..

[rusty30]

We did a Bahamas trip years ago, but it has changed slightly since we did it.

We coached down to Fort Lauderdale and got on an aged Laker Airways plane to the Bahamas. Stayed at was the "Princess Resort and Casino" but the name has changed now (Virgin still use the same resort though).

Overall, it was an expensive mistake. We found Grand Bahama very run down and shabby. The hotel was OK, but nothing amazing. The beaches were disappointing (we prefer the ones on the Gulf Coast), everything was expensive and you were "pestered" the whole time by hair braiders, taxi drivers, street hawkers etc etc.

I didnt like it much at all. It was a looooonng drive to Orlando to Ft Lauderdale and we didnt get to the Bahamas till quite late, so only got that night and half the following day to explore. We had to pay about $80 "departure tax" to leave the states and another tax when we got the Bahamas, so make sure you read the small print and know exactly what you will need to pay.

Wouldnt recommend this trip, but we also did the two day Marco Island / Naples and Everglades tour which was fantastic! As long as you dont have small children (its a long way) then I would definately do this one instead! We got an airboat ride, alligator show, Cruise round Naples with lunch and rum punch plus loads more...tons better than the Bahamas one!

[Cheryl Lynn]

We did the same trip as you Allie with the exact same experience - it was a waste of two days imo, however I can now say I've been through the Bermuda Triangle and lived to tell the tale lol !

[terrynewpack]

Yes total waste of time.


Terry

[JaimeH]

We also did that trip, but we ended up at Kenny's bar on the beach which was far worse, just dumped on the beach and left. We took a trip on a bus that was down to the wire on the tyres, to a market that was selling fruit in plastic bags in the heat the fruit had all melted and it was just awful. And that Laker Airways plane terrified me. I had nail marks in the palm of my hand by the time I got off. Nasty trip. I have heard better from people who have been to different parts of the Bahamas though.


Jaime

[rusty30]

Oh, gosh that Laker plane!! As the plane was taxiing down the runway, I noticed the overhead locker above me was vibrating and about to collapse on my head!! Buzzed for the cabin crew who practically lifted me from my seat (good job I was very thin in those days :D) and put me in another one....where the seat belts were broken so they tied it round me in a navy knot!!!! They just got back to their seats as the plane accelerated for take off!

No wonder why I dont like flying!!