Jamman's Solo FANTASY Adventure - 2/11/14 (with Pics)

[Jamman]

The Enchantment of the Seas is docked next to us. She is preparing to sail after over nighting in Nassau.....

The Carnival Magic's funnel....

Carnival Magic's water slides.....

Looking Aft from Deck 12.....

The Celebrity Century is entering the harbor.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

Time to head back to the cabin to get ready to go ashore, and on the way I snapped this photo of the entrance to Spa Carnival. That’s as close as I ever got to the place…..

I hung around in the cabin for awhile, since I was not in a hurry to get off the ship. Recently, there are times when I just stay aboard here in Nassau. During my cruising history I have been here many, many times. Add to the fact, that before I became a cruise addict, I did quite a few fly in vacations here, spending time at hotels at Cable Beach and Paradise Island. My favorite was the Paradise Island Resort and Casino, owned by Merv Griffen, that would eventually be torn down and replaced by the Atlantis. How many of you know, or remember, that Carnival once owned a hotel at Cable Beach called the Crystal Palace, and that Carnival also once owned an airline that could get you there?

So I have seen and done just about everything there is to do or see in Nassau. To me, you haven’t experienced Nassau until you have stood three deep on Bay Street, 2 am on New Year’s Day, to watch the START of that yearly spectacle, the Junkanoo Parade. That’s Nassau!!!

But I’m not planning to stay on board today. I originally thought about trying one of the “newer” Carnival excursions here, Balmoral Island. In the past, that island was known as Blackbeard’s Cay and I remembered that the excursion there was pretty good. Carnival sells the Balmoral excursions in quite a few varieties, with lunch, without lunch, stingrays, dolphins ,etc. I decided against going because of the negative things that I have read and heard about Balmoral Island at the present time. Long transit times to and from the island on sub-par uncomfortable boats. Then having to wait LONG periods of time to get your lunch and drinks. That and the fact that the weather was to be iffy turned me off.

Now if you have already booked this excursion on line, please don’t go running to cancel it. My opinions are just mine, my likes and dislikes different then yours. Try it out and then report back to the boards on how it went. I know that someday in the near future, I will try it out.

Today I will get off the ship, stretch the legs, take some pictures of the ships and port, then take a stroll up to Junkanoo Beach. So around 10:30 am, after the rush has long since departed, I casually leave the ship. Welcome to Nassau!! (Again)…..

Carnival Fantasy gangway…..

Carnival Fantasy docked in Nassau…..

A Bahamian Naval Vessel…..

I see that the Enchantment of the Seas has left us. The Carnival Magic docked in Nassau…..

To be continued…..

 

[Jamman]

I see another Carnival ship pulling in.....

It's the Carnival Pride, another old friend of mine.....

Another pier side view of the Carnival Magic.....

The Norwegian Breakaway is docked at the furthest pier.....

My yacht, the Triple Seven. (I wish!!!).....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

The stern of the Carnival Magic…..

The Celebrity Century docked in Nassau…..

Some pier side views of the Norwegian Breakaway…..

Here is a view of the bridges to Paradise Island. I remember when there was only one…..

To be continued…..

 

[Jamman]

The Carnival Pride arrives in Nassau…..

This is a great close by party place, Sharkeez…..

I pass by, and keep on going by, the entrance to the rebuilt straw market…..

I have arrived, after about a 15 minute walk, at Junkanoo Beach. Just follow the signs…..

To be continued…..

 

[Jamman]

Here are some views to the entrance of Junkanoo Beach.....

Junkanoo Beach views.....

It's a busy day at the Port of Nassau today.....

One of the Nassau Segway tours rolls by.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

There they go. My wife Patti, and son Ryan, enjoyed themselves on that tour on our Splendor cruise here last August……

Here is the Bikini Tiki Bar. My favorite place at Junkanoo Beach…..

I needed a cold beer after my walk. Now that’s service with a smile!!.....

My favorite Bahamian Beer, Kalik…..

The people here are SO friendly. The person doing the cooking fried up a whole platter of conch fritters, and gave some to everybody for free. They were so good. I ordered a seafood platter for lunch, which he prepared for me literally 15 ft. away. It was unbelievably good!!.......

A little after 1 pm, and 8 Kalik’s later, the clouds came rolling in, and we began to to have some light rain showers. That was my cue to start to head back to the ship. While walking back I took this shot looking down Bay Street towards the center of town…..

To be continued……

 

[Jamman]

Continuing my walk back to the ship, I took this photo of the three Carnival ships in port today, the Fantasy, Pride, and Magic…..

How handy is it that Senor Frog’s is about halfway back to the ship?.....

Feeling thirsty again, I went in and ordered up a yard of Goombay Smash, and sat back to watch the party. The place was packed!! After about an hour, I stopped in the gift shop to purchase a hat, since I had forgotten to pack one. Then I proceeded to finish my walk back to the ship. The lines in the terminal to get back to the ships were incredibly long, but I have to say they moved very quickly. The reason for the lines was clear. It was raining pretty hard now, and with all the ships in port today, and everyone deciding to head back at the same time. It was understandable.

I finally got back on board around 2:30 pm, and shortly thereafter the sun came back out and stayed out the rest of our time here. I hung out at Serenity, relaxing until it was time to sail away from Nassau. Here’s a view looking down the pier towards the terminal building…..

Sharkeez is right across the street. Darn, I meant to stop there, but didn’t…..

It’s time to throw the lines…..

We are now sailing from Nassau……

To be continued…..

 

[Jamman]

As we backed out of our berth before spinning around to head out to sea, I took some photos along the way. Here's Senor Frog's.....

Next door is the British Colonial Hilton.....

Fat Tuesday's is a little further down.....

And finally a long shot looking towards Junkanoo Beach.....

Here's a view of the Atlantis and the Norwegian Breakaway.....

The Norwegian Breakaway and the Celebrity Century.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

As we leave, here is one last close up of the Carnival Pride…..

Leaving the last three ships and the Port of Nassau behind…..

Afterwards, I made my way to the internet cafe to touch base with Patti, then went back to the cabin for a short, much needed, nap before dinner.

Dinner tonight was once again, very good. I had the Shrimp Cocktail, French Onion Soup, and for my entrees, the Atlantic Salmon, and the Sicilian Chicken. Dessert was two scoops of Chocolate Ice Cream. Tonight, the wait staff danced to “Low, Low, Low”. Very funny!!......

After dinner I went to the casino and made a $200. donation to the Blackjack Gods. Yikes, I’m down again for this cruise, thank goodness I have two more days to right the ship. Since it was now after midnight I made it back to the cabin, and tonight’s towel animal…….

After a room service BLT, I’m off to sleep, dreaming of my nice day in Nassau.

Coming up next, paradise on earth, Half Moon Cay!!!

 

[Donna - dsw]

Boy you got some great photos! You sure do a great review - and those photos of the ships! Thanks so much for sharing. I usually don't go ashore anymore either - but might have to visit the new Straw Market! lol

 

[Christoffer]

More great photos, thank you.
Kalik beer, not bad at all.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful review.

I love reviews that come with pictures -- makes me fill like I am right there.

 

[Lurline63]

Fantastic review and photos so far! I look forward to the next installment.

 

[connie seabee]

Fantastic reviews and photos! I look forward to the next one.

I didn't know that Carnival once owned a hotel in Nassau. Interesting!

 

[iluvcruzin]

I am loving your review Jamman! I like how they have become more organized at the port in Charleston. I cruised out of there a few years ago on the Celebrity Mercury. They had people standing in the hot sun for a few hours before they started the shuttles. It was so disorganized and the locals acted like they weren't happy with the cruise invasion. Your photos show that it's really improved.

I really like the photos of the ship itself. I was thinking the Fantasy was an old ship and maybe kind of tired. But you totally proved me wrong on that thinking! It looks like a very nice ship.

I'm so glad you posted this review. It might just tempt me into cruising out of that port again.

I do remember the Hotel and Casino on Paradise Island. I think I have some pictures of it from a cruise back in the 80's.

 

[seamom]

Thanks for the free cruise! I've seen more than I would if I walked around myself.

 

[Funnel]

Another set of great photos!
This is perfect! It feels like I'm on a cruise, but now I don't need to cruise before fall...

Thanks again Jeff! :doubleup:

/Erik

 

[Jamman]

Hi again everybody! There’s nothing like spending the day at Half Moon Cay, my favorite port of call.

If there is a time of year when Half Moon Cay is skipped because of adverse tendering conditions, this is it. However, looking at the bow camera view on the TV, it showed me that it was sunny out, and the seas were calm. We wouldn’t be skipping here today!!

Having been here over a half a dozen times, we have always rented a cabana. Being a solo this time, it made no sense to rent one by myself, and I had planned to just pull a lounger in the shade and hang out. At our informal meet and greet on embarkation day, Jan and her daughter Lauren, mentioned that they had rented a cabana, and that we were all invited to spend the day there with them. So thank you, thank you, to Jan and Lauren for keeping my cabana streak alive!!!

This also meant that I wouldn’t have to be on the very first tender over to the island, so I went up to the Lido for my usual omelet breakfast. Afterwards, I went back to my cabin to get ready before heading down to Guest Services. Being Platinum, I was entitled to priority tendering, so when you are ready to go, you just head to Guest Services, and they will escort you down to the front of the line. I was led down, along with a couple who had purchased FTTF (Faster to the Fun), and we were the first persons to board the third tender over to the island. It was a nice smooth, beautiful ride. Once there, my camera immediately sprang to life! Welcome back to Half Moon Cay!!!.......

The fountain at the Pirate’s Cove…..

This is Rumrunners Bar, the closest bar to the tender landing area. Very handy location when waiting to catch the last tender back to the ship….

The vendor Market Stalls. You use your Sail & Sign card for everything else on the island, but only cash accepted here….

To be continued……

 

[Jamman]

You can get your hair braided here. They won't make any money on me!! Lol.....

The HMC Gift Shop.....

A couple of the Distance Signs.....

The Water Sports Hut and Locker Rental.....

The Oasis. There is only one, and it costs $1,500. To rent it, but it's worth it if you have a group.....

To be continued.....