18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

[LittleImagineer]

In the past two monthes cruise passengers of various cruise lines have been robbed. Last week 18 passengers from the Royal Caribbean International and Disney Cruise Line were robbed by gunpoint while on a Segway Tour in Nassau. Two men with guns tied up their tour guide and then forced everyone on the ground. The men stole passports, phones, money, and other various items. No one was harmed. In October, 11 people on Carnival Cruise Lines were also robbed at gunpoint in Nassau near the Queen's Staricase.
Here's one link to an article: Too little, too late? A cruise passenger robbed in Nassau speaks out - Cruise Log - USATODAY.com

This happened sometime in November. What do you think of this? My mom is kind of nervous sicne we are going there in about a week on DCL. We have been warned numerous times (especially by Disney) that this is not a very safe place. Do you think Nassau is fine or do you think Disney should start going somewhere else?

[MissChristine]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

My husband and I did DCL to Nassau for our honeymoon. Thankfully, we were on one of the "double dip" voyages where we visited Castaway Cay twice (FL-CC-Nassau-CC-FL). When we came to port in Nassau, I had to say I was disappointed. While it was absolutely wonderful being in the Caribbean, it seemed like a pastel-colored Tijuana to me.

There's crime in every city, and dangerous people will prey on those who portray themselves as victims. You just have to be a smart traveler - leave your valuables in a safe place (if memory serves me right, there's a safe in the stateroom), don't take too much cash/too many credit cards with you, and stay aware of your surroundings.

And remind your mom that she doesn't have to leave the boat if she doesn't want to. There's plenty to do on ship, and sometimes there are special offers (i.e. special "in port" pricing @ the spa). But suggest that she at least to go the Atlantis hotel and casino. It is such a stunning resort!

[clockworkmonkey]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

I was surprised with how sketchy Nassau seemed during our visit too. Our first Cruise landed us in Nassau on Christmas Day and it was very, very quiet as a result. On our second cruise, the place was drastically different and uninviting. Between the dock and the straw market, we were given a new sales pitch every few feet, and a few of the locals were angry when we didn't want to buy (I should also note, most weren't and many seemed very nice). We wound up spending most of the day on the boat, and being happy with that choice.

[clockworkmonkey]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

Oh, and I wouldn't take my credit cards, passport, or cell phone with me into Nassau. You don't need the passport to come and go from the ship. Cell phone fees are likely to be exorbitant in a foreign country (they would've been on my plan anyway). You're probably not going to want to buy anything so pricey that the credit card makes the better option.

[seenoevil]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

I took the City Tour a few years ago and wasn't all that impressed. We went on our own to Atlantis to look around. Now that, I really liked. I'd either stay on the ship or just go to Atlantis. You won't miss much.

[Dr. Earkid]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

On our last trip we took two photocopies of our passports in addition to the originals. One copy we kept in the safe with our original passports and the other copy we kept on us when we left the ship. If the first copy gets lost or stolen we still had another photocopy. While on the 15 day cruise our original passports never left the safe.

[WarriorPoets]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

Well, anyone who has a cruise booked through the DCL and is concerned about Nassau ought to read this: 3 cruises cancel trips to Nassau after robberies - Yahoo! News

Not sure what that means other than Nassau is off Disney's plans for the time being.

[clockworkmonkey]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

Well, anyone who has a cruise booked through the DCL and is concerned about Nassau ought to read this: 3 cruises cancel trips to Nassau after robberies - Yahoo! News

Not sure what that means other than Nassau is off Disney's plans for the time being.

I'm a little confused by that article. The headline seems to state that the ships aren't going at all, but the way I read the body of the article, it sounds like they're just canceling some of the shore excursions.

[Disney Magic]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

This doesn't come as a shock at all. After just returning from DCL I have to say that the stop in Nassau was the only disappointing part of the whole trip. This was my first time in the Bahamas so I wanted to see the port. But if ever I am in that port again I'll just stay on the ship, there is really no reason to get off.

[Tonka's Skipper]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

We did the Dophin Encounter in Nassua and loved it........Then very happily spent the rest of the day on The Wonder!

[NeverNeverland]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

Bumping this up, because I was catching up on the blog posts I missed during Thanksgiving and one of the bloggers I follow was one of the robbed passengers!!!

She has an interesting account on her blog:
Kidnapped & Robbed at Gunpoint in Nassau, Bahamas – Thank you very much! | The Divine Miss Mommy

[MarkTwain]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

I took the City Tour a few years ago and wasn't all that impressed. We went on our own to Atlantis to look around. Now that, I really liked. I'd either stay on the ship or just go to Atlantis. You won't miss much.

I second this. My family generally prefers exploring the port town (at whatever port) to booking an excursion, and every time I went into Nassau, I returned to the ship unimpressed. I would recommend either going to Atlantis, booking a recreational excursion (like snorkeling, parasailing or the like), or staying on the ship. You won't be missing much by not seeing Nassau.

[MissBenilda]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

What is this world coming to?!
How awful. I hope that Disney can at least dock at a different place besides Nassau until things get better over there. They should go to Puerto Rico instead or somewhere.
I feel for all the ppl who were robbed (i read the woman's blog). Awful!

[pixie chick]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

Whoa. This is crazy! I'm seriously starting to wonder if it's worth getting off the ship in Nassau. We were trying to decide between the dolphin encounter or just going on our own to Atlantis, but it sounds like just getting off the boat can be a harrowing experience. I don't really enjoy going to Tijuana for the same reason. Maybe if we go with the Disney excursion straight to Atlantis, we'd be OK, but that costs some major bucks. :greedy:

[Tonka's Skipper]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

The dolpin encounter is on its own island and not in Nassua......enjoy.it was great...AKK

[stagolee]

Re: 18 cruise passengers robbed on Nassau

ive been to nassau twice, and didnt have any problems. Then again I didnt go on any tours that ventured far from the port...I just walked around, went to a few bars and thats about it. It looks like the wild west there haha. But yeah, when you go on tours anywhere, and they bus/drive you to some remote location anything can happen, youre pretty much at their mercy. theres not much you can say to a twelve inch machete or a gun. I would recommend staying in public areas wheres theres lots of people/tourists.