Bahamas If the elusive question is regarding your vacation then the answer is yes! yes !yes! it is better in the Bahamas! The Bahamas are actually over 700 hundred islands grouped together. When most people speak about vacation in the Bahamas they are usually are referring to visiting New Providence-where Nassau is located or Grand Bahama Island where Freeport is situated. Nassau You can shop til you drop in Nassau. A fashionable and cosmopolitan city always bustling with activity. Everything from diamonds to Versace can be bought in the shops along Bay street. The vendors here are friendly and helpful- in fact one at Diamonds International recently set and sized a diamond ring for my sister's fiance all in under an hour and drove him back tour soon to be departing ship. Swimming with the dolphins or wading with the stingrays in knee high water-no stingray barb to the heart happening here. All sorts of interaction with marine life awaits you here. Paradise Island is right next door to Nassau. Here you will see the famous Atlantis Hotel that rises like an enormous pink sand castle from the beach. It is located on a serene cove of warm water. There are tours available for those not staying at the hotel. You can walk through and see the water park and clear slide that snakes through the shark pool for a unique view of these marvelous creatures. This tour is little pricey at around $40 considering you cannot partake of the water park fun but are allowed to proceed to the beach.  Dolphin Encounter In Freeport, Bahamas Grand Bahama Island This is the place for you if you want a less touristy experience. Freeport is the biggest city on this island. Long term vacation condo rentals are common and reasonably priced. The gorgeous beaches are less crowded except on cruise ship days. You can swim with Flipper's cousin or just have a dolphin encounter in the pool.
Half Moon Cay Also known as Little San Salvador this island is owned by Carnival Corporation and is used for private cruise ship functions. A top notch place to put you in the lap of luxury. What could compare to your own private spot for yourself and fellow cruise passengers. No one else goes here-no planes or water taxis. The only inhabitants are the employees of the cruise line. Castaway Cay Disney's version of the private island includes and adults only side. They have provided for all your needs before you know you have them-very Disney. This island is only accessible on a cruise. All food is included in your cruise fare.
On the cheap To go to Atlantis beach cheap just take a taxi. If you get out before the Royal towers area of the hotel the beach entrance is no charge and you do not have to walk through any hotel. It cost us $4 each for the taxi ride from where the cruise ships dock-about a 15 minute ride away. Icy drinks are plentiful and chairs are available for rent. Get one chair to put all your stuff on just so it doesn't get full of sand. Once you get into this crystal clear water you won't come out to sit on a plastic chair anyway. Remember what they say in the Bahamas "If it get's hot, you just jump in da sea".
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