Nassau

The second port of call is Nassau.  From the ship it looks like most islands in the area.  The wharf is surrounded by low colorful buildings most of which catering to the cruise traveler.  Farther away are houses and then the rest of the island.

The one MAJOR difference is located off the stern of the ship.....Paradise Island and Atlantis.  The large coral colored resort with lots to offer.  Today's excursion is a tour of Atlantis.  There is a travel agent tour available for a fee, but when added to getting a cab, it is just easier to do it through the ship.
Again it is leave the ship and figure out where to wait for our excursion.  I'm not sure if this is how NCL does it at all ports or just in  the Bahamas.  After waiting at the end of the pier, we walk to the waiting bus, along with most of the ship it seems.  The bus is small to navigate the streets, and has these unusual seats that fold down and fill in the area that was the passageway.  Not sure if that feature would make it here.
A short ride later and we are dropped off at the Atlantis.  The original hotel building, the Beach Tower, was in the new many years ago when Donald Trump and Merv Griffin were bidding over it.  Since then man other structures have been added to the resort, the Coral and Royal Towers, the Reef, the Cove and much more.  Our tour starts in the lobby leading to the Royal Tower.
There is a shopping arcade that connects many of the buildings.  There are many upscale shops with designer merchandise and then stores offering souvenirs and Atlantis branded items.  Once through the arcade we enter the casino.  It is arraigned like most with slot machines and gaming tables.  The most stunning feature are three blown glass sculptures hanging from the ceiling by Dale Chiluly.  They are quite dramatic.
Once through the casino we enter the lobby of the Royal Tower.  It features soaring spaces and beautiful decor if a bit too much for my tastes.  We walk down a sweeping staircase under a soaring dome.  On the lower level is the main part of our tour....the Marine Habitat.  It is a large aquarium complex of tanks featuring various species of marine life.  The tanks are also decorated with the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis.  So the tour guide while pointing out the marine life is also telling the tale of the lost city, this made it very entertaining.
After the official tour is completed, the group is free to wander around the resort.  Use of some of the facilities is included, but not the waterpark.  We wandered back through the shopping area, then went out and waited for our shuttle.  On the way back to the ship we experienced a typical tropical shower, heavy downpour for 10 minutes, then sunshine.
The shuttle dropped us off at the pier and we decided to wander around before boarding the ship.  Most of the shops are the same as the rest of the Caribbean ports.  The only real difference is the Straw Market with small local vendors.  I did purchase a lapel pin of the Bahamian flag, and also a Christmas ornament made from a shell.  A nice walk back down the pier and aboard the ship for a late lunch.

Freeport

Okay, so this is my first Norwegian cruise and also my first to the Bahamas, and things are done a bit 'different'.  On all my past cruises, shore excursions met in a designated area on the ship and then were called individually to head to the bus.  Well this time it was leave the ship and wander around the pier area looking for your assigned waiting area.  STRANGE.

Our excursion was the Garden of the Groves, so we found our area, after asking, and waited.  Once on our bus the tour guide NEVER shut up.  A constant dialog about EVERYTHING we passed.  A few minutes pause would have been nice.  After what seemed at least 4 hours we arrived at our destination.
The Garden of the Groves was a private garden developed by the Groves and donated to the city.  Mr Grove was one of the leaders in developing Freeport in the 1940s.  The Bahamian government sold him LOTS of land VERY cheap, and he developed it into modern day Freeport.
The gardens were guided through featured many local plants and some imports.  They were laid out in a very nice way interspersed with water features,a maze and small chapel.  All of these items provide for a nice way to spend an afternoon, whether on a cruise or a local.  At the end of the tour were a few little shops with local products.
On the drive to our next stop, we had the opportunity to stop at a small beach.  It was a a great little stretch of sand and totally deserted.  There was a small parking area that was empty and only three houses across the street.  Most people on the bus did go down and walk on the sand, a few children did go in the water.
Once back on the bus, and the nonstop commentary, we headed to Lucaya Beach.  The Lucaya area is the resort area on Grand Bahama island.  It is lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, and the Casino.  We wandered around the shops, walked over to the Casino then re-boarded the bus.

Back on the bus it was a passenger by passenger questioning of where where you from, been here before , etc.  This session lasted about 15 minutes too long.  On the way back to the ship, the play by play continued, really need to know the facts on that gas station.  A quick wander around the little shops at the port and then back on the ship.

One of the main businesses at the Port of Freeport is a large dry dock.  Many ships based in South Florida will go to Freeport for renovations.  While having lunch after our Freeport experience, one of the Princess fleet was being renovated and updated.

Another cruise....The Bahamas

So after being home for maybe three weeks, the roommate decides that another vacation is needed for Christmas.  Since neither of us have family nearby, going away has become something to do.  Last year was a short trip to Key West.  We stayed at The Douglas House just off Duval Street.  It was a fun short visit
This year he found the Norwegian Sky sailing to the Bahamas on a 4 night cruise on 19 Dec.  I would have preferred to stay home, but went anyway.  I had never been to the Bahamas and neither of us had ever sailed on NCL.  So cruise was booked and off we go.  But of course there is always something, roommate had an interview for 7 hours the week before we depart, so while on vacation he was waiting on word for that position.

The best thing about the lead up to the cruise was NO FLIGHTS!!!  The port of Miami  is only a 45 minute drive not an overnight flight.  Instead of parking at the pot, we used an offsite lot for $6/day not the $15 at the port.  There was a shuttle that picked delivered us to the terminal for the Norwegian Sky.  Since it was only a 4 night cruise, all I had was a carry-on and my loyal backpack.
Once through the lines for check in we walk up the ramp and board out floating hotel, only problem is, the cabins are not ready.  So now there is a cruise ship filling up with passengers, many with carry-on luggage with no cabins to occupy, not much fun.  With nothing else to do, follow the masses and head to the food.  At the outside dining option there was a nice assortment of items at most cook outs, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, assorted salads, all of which were tasty, and the chicken being my favorite.  With our plates full we find a table along with the rest of the passengers and enjoy the view of South Beach.
Once finished we relinquish our table so others can sit and eat and wander into one of the specialty restaurants. During the day it is a pizza parlor, and open to any passenger.  Since it is sort of secluded, it was not very busy and we sat at an empty table to one side.  My roommate goes off to see if the cabins are open and returns with good news, YES.
We had booked an inside guarantee an were given a handicapped accessible cabin.  This was nice since the cabin is larger than the standard and so is the bathroom.  There is also a small seating area with a love seat that does open to a single bed.  Extra space in a cabin is ALWAYS appreciated.

The Norwegian Sky was originally the Pride of Aloha sailing the Hawaiian Islands for NCL America.  The ship entered the Norwegian fleet in 2004 and has been cruising to the Bahamas since.  The ships origin is quite evident in the decor, scenes of the Hawaiian Islands, outrigger canoes, hibiscus flowers.  It is about time for a renovation.