Nassau, Bahamas

NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
U.S.A.
BAHAMAS
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Mi a mi
Nassau
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ALLURE SEAS
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© 2009 maps.com
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n 1684 the Spanish sailed into a protected cove on
the north coast of the island of New Providence. They
came ashore and entered the small village of Charles
Town. There was not much to see, however the settlement was English so the Spanish burned it to the ground
then promptly sailed away. The village was slowly rebuilt
and in 1695 it was renamed in honor of English King William III of the protestant Dutch House of Orange – Nassau. The small town was strategically located near some
of the busiest waters in the New World…which was quite
advantageous…for pirates.
By the early 1700s Thomas Barrow and Benjamin Hornigold were two of the most notorious pirates in the West
Indies. They had established Nassau as their “Pirate Republic”. This declaration attracted from throughout the
Caribbean and the Americas every cut-throat sailor that
ever craved the excitement and rewards that only a life
of pillage and plunder can bring. The town was under the
control of pirates to such an extent that the magistrate
was a man by the name of Edward Teach…the notorious
Blackbeard. The English Crown was forced to act…Nassau had to be retaken.
Captain Woodes Rogers was appointed by King George
I as Governor General of Nassau and the Bahamas. His
mission was to pardon, capture, kill or drive out the pirates in Nassau. This was a clever move on the part of
the King…for Woodes Rogers was himself a pirate. By
stringing them from the nearest yardarm, hanging them
in irons and public floggings (not to mention the presence
of four mighty English ships of war) Nassau was cleared
of buccaneers. This was only the beginning of the town’s
colorful history.
Today as the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau welcomes
visitors from all over the world.
HISTORY
Throughout its history the Bahamas have
often served as a base of operations for
a wide variety of iniquitous scallywags
who have been hell bent on making their
fortune by fair means or foul. There is
a long list of notorious ne'er-do-wells
dating back over the past 300 years.
From pirates to peccantable playboys,
from exiled kings to kingpins of the underworld …the scandalous, scheming
and scurrilous…there have been many
real life characters that seemed to have
stepped from the screen of a Hollywood
blockbuster, or better yet, a classic black
and white gangster movie. For decades
these islands have drawn to them the naive and the neophyte as preverbal moths
to the flame of the opportunist and the
odious… men whose motivation was the
money to be made by supplying the nefarious desires of a certain segment of
the reprobates in American society.
A “who’s who” of pirates made the Bahamas home during the late 17th and early
18th centuries. Men like Captain Kid,
Henry Morgan and the dreaded Blackbeard himself used the islands to launch
their attacks against Spanish treasure
ships and any other vessel they could
overtake or run aground. By 1700 Nassau didn’t just have pirates in town …
Nassau was a pirate town.
NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
Following the defeat of the English in the American War for
Independence, thousands of colonists still loyal to the Crown
headed to the Bahamas, many of whom brought their slaves
with them. In the 1830s the abolition of slavery throughout
the British Empire forced the islanders to seek other means
of livelihood. Countless salvage companies were formed and
they picked over hundred of ships that ran aground upon the
Bahamas’ dangerous reefs and shores. The ships were often
deceived into wrecking by the very salvage companies that
rushed in to scoop up the plunder.
During the American Civil War the Bahamas were used by southern blockade-runners helping to supply the Confederacy while
selling its cotton to Europe. It was rum-runners during Prohibition with their contraband of whisky stacked all along Bay Street
waiting to be loaded aboard boats at Prince George Warf…“the
mob” had arrived. Like Havana and Las Vegas, gambling in the
Bahamas was wrapped up with organized crime. In the 70s and
80s the mob was joined by international cartels that used the
islands as a base from which to flood America with the cocaine
and marijuana.
From its beginning as a “Pirate Republic” through the old days
of Confederate blockade runners and Prohibition bootleggers,
Nassau and the Bahamas have developed into one of the
premier family vacations destinations in the world. With local people that welcome visitors, warm weather, cool off shore
breezes, refreshing ocean waters and pristine white beaches…
though the buccaneers are long gone they knew a great place
when they found it.
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NASSAU POINTS OF INTEREST
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Prince George Wharf was named for the Prince of Wales,
later to be crowned as George V. In years past the wharf was
a simple construction. Today it is one of the largest cruise ship
berths in the world.
2
Rawson Square is adjacent to the cruise ship pier. It is a good
starting point for visitors to get their bearings. The square is
named in honor of Sir R.W. Rawson who served as governor in
the 1960s.
NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
3
Parliament House, constructed in the early 1800s, is across
the street heading south from Rawson Square. With a statue
of Queen Victoria gracing the front, it remains a beautiful colonial
style building.
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5
The Supreme Court is next in line as visitors continue south.
It was built in the 1920s.
The Library is just beyond the Supreme Court building. The
library holds many of the historical records of the Bahamas.
The building was constructed as the town’s jail in the late 1700s.
6
Bay Street is the tourist center of downtown Nassau. Today
it is all about shopping however at one time the men that ran
Bay Street were the undisputed power brokers of the islands.
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The Straw Market is a collection of vendors offering a varied
assortment of hand woven bags, baskets and hats. Wood
carvings and other tourist nick-knacks are available.
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George and Market Streets both head south from Bay Street.
Along these two streets are a number of beautiful and historic
buildings and churches dating as far back as the late 1700s.
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The Pirates of Nassau Museum tells the history of many of
the famous pirates that sailed the waters of the Bahamas and
made Nassau their home.
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Balcony House was built in the late 1700s. It is the oldest wooden home remaining in Nassau. The interior has
been restored with authentic furnishings and artifacts. Constructed in the Tropical Colonial style, the home has welcomed many
distinguished guests over the past two centuries.
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Government House was the political seat of the appointed British Governor from 1801 through 1973. The building
was designed in the classic Roman style. Overlooking Nassau
from Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House is easily recognizable
by the statue of Christopher Columbus erected in front of the entrance.
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The Queen’s Staircase was carved into the hillside by
slave labor in the late 1700s. The purpose of the 66 stairs
was to give British soldiers access to Fort Fincastle.
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Fort Fincastle was built in 1793. It is not a large fortification however from the walls the views of Nassau and the
surrounding waters are excellent.
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The Water Tower is 126 feet tall and rises over 200 feet
above sea level. Visitors can climb the stairs or, for a
small fee, ride up in the elevator. Understandably, the views from
this vantage point are great.
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SHORE EXCURSIONS To make the most of your visit to Nassau and surrounding areas we suggest you take one of our
organized Shore Excursions. For more information, please
consult your Shore Excursion Brochure or contact the Shore
Excursion Desk. When going ashore, please be advised to take
only necessary items, and secure any valuables onboard.
SHOPPING Bay Street, close to the docks, is Nassau's main
tourist shopping area. International stores are represented as
well as shops offering locally produced merchandise. Deals
can still be found, however most prices reflect the fact that this
is primarily a tourist destination. Bay Street is also famous for
its colorful Straw Market. There are numerous cafes and restaurants all along the street.
LOCAL CUSTOMS Bargaining: Prices are fixed in restaurants
and most stores. Friendly bargaining at the Straw Market is
common.
Tipping: A 10-15 % tip is customary at restaurants.
Local Cuisine: Traditional cuisine in the Bahamas is based on
fresh sea food. Many of the recipes have been influenced by
South American and West African dishes. Among the many
favorites are: Baked Stuffed Crab, that combines cooked crab
meat with spiced bread crumbs and onions sautéed in butter,
salt and pepper. The mixture is spooned back into the crab
shell and baked. Try some fresh lemon juice sprinkled on top.
Conch Chowder combines cubed conch meat with tomatoes,
green peppers, onions, celery, carrots and potatoes then slowly
stewed. Conch Fritters are a deep fried batter made by combining cubed conch meat with eggs, onions, green peppers, celery,
salt and flour. Guava Duff is a rolled dough pastry with sliced
guava on the inside. It is baked and covered with a sauce
made from butter, vanilla, sugar and condensed milk.
Drink Specialties: When people think of the Bahamas the first
thing that comes to mind is rarely beer. Though is next to impossible to find outside of the islands, Kalik beer has a very
good reputation and is well spoken of by beer lovers. Just to
prove the point, the International Institute for Beer Quality Selections has awarded Kalik numerous Monde Selection Gold
Medals. Switcher is another popular drink in the islands. It combines coconut water, limes, milk and gin.
LOCAL CURRENCY The Bahamian dollar ($B) is the islands’
currency. The Bahamian Dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar.
U.S. dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.
POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES
There is a Post Office is located in the cruise ship
terminal, known as Festival Place. The main
Post Office is located on top of the hill of Parliament Street.
Place a call with your personal calling card using the following access code:
AT&T: 1.800.872.2881
MCI: 1.800.888.8000
NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
TOURIST INFORMATION There is a Tourist Information Center also located in Festival Place. The Ministry of Tourism is
located on Rawson Square, across from the cruise dock at
Prince George Wharf.
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TRANSPORTATION Taxis and mini buses travel throughout
the island. Nassau is easily walked and the cruise docks are
close to downtown.
LANGUAGE
mas.
English is the official language of the Baha-
NOTES
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This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose.
While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing.
© RCCL 2010. All rights reserved.
NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
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Your guide to the best shopping in port
FREE
B U Y E R’S G U A R A N
6
Nassau Map
Recommended
Parazul charm for
Nassau
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TEE
D AY
Parazul Handbags
& Accessories
available at
Diamonds
International
HEAD
DOWNTOWN
for the best deals!
Map of Downtown inside...
Getting around is as easy as 1, 2, 3
1 ) Visit your Port & Shopping Guide on the gangway to
pick up your shopping coupons and VIP cards.
2) To reach downtown Nassau, walk through Festival
Place to the base of Charlotte Street.
3) You don’t need a taxi to go shopping. All of the
guaranteed and recommended stores and restaurants
are within walking distance of the pier.
Shopping Checklist
Find the best deals on the designer brands listed
below at the recommended & guaranteed shops!
Ammolite by Korite jewelry
1a
5
Montblanc watches & accessories 11
Balissima jewelry 3a 3b 3c
Movado watches 1a 1b 5
Crown of Light diamonds 1a 1b
Philip Stein watches 1a 5
DiVersa jewelry 3a 3b 3c
Rebecca jewelry 5
Ernst Benz watches 5
7
Rosato jewelry 1a 1b
Fendi watches 5
Scott Kay jewelry 5
Hearts on Fire diamonds 1a 7
Sophia Fiori jewelry 7
Yvel pearls
Kabana jewelry 10
Mark Henry Alexandrite
5
10
6a 6b
ING STORE LOCATIONS
SEE SHOPPING MAP INSIDE FOR CORRESPOND
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NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
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Nassau
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FESTIVAL PLACE
© Onboard Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
only the stores listed o
diamonds international
1a
diamonds international watCH & desiGn
must
1b
see
#1 recommendation for diamonds
5
fine watches and designer jewelry
Parazul Handbags & accessories
• ACutAbovetheRest: Crown of Light, Hearts on Fire, The Eighty-Eight Collection
• Unbeatable Selection: An NDTC Sightholder in Nassau; Buying closest to the source affords you the
• FineJewelry:Asher, Caribbean Topaz, John Hardy, Judith Ripka, Ammolite by Korite
largest selection and savings on all loose and set diamonds.
• Become a Designer: Pick a diamond and pick a setting – create your own dream piece.
• Lifetime Diamond Upgrades: Trade-in your diamond for a bigger, brighter diamond.
• Certified GIA/EGL Appraisals: Graduate gemologists and master jewelers on staff
• Ask your Port & Shopping Guide how to get your free diamond charm bracelet.
tanzanite international
2
the Caribbean’s tanzanite expert
must
see
• From the Source: Buy direct from a Tanzanite One Sightholder at incredible prices.
• Tanzanite: Thousands of loose and set pieces in every size, shape and color
• Authentic Tanzanite: Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity.
• Opportunity: Tanzanite is increasingly rare and its value increases each year.
effy jewelers
3a
3b
3c
exclusive retailer of diVersa and Balissima jewelry
must
see
•DiVersa: Only changeable jewelry brand with 60-day guarantee; 2 looks in 1
• Changes from studs to dangles, necklaces to pendants, sapphires to diamonds.
• Timepieces: Audemars Piguet, Concord, Corum, Cyma, Dubey & Schaldenbrand, ESQ, Maurice Lacroix,
Longines, Michele, Movado, Philip Stein “Oprah Watch” and Ulysse Nardin
ColomBian emeralds international
6a 6b
Celebrating life's most memorable moments
•Jewelry: Emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, AMORO and Gregg Ruth brand jewelry
• Certified appraisals; Free 90-day loss, damage, theft insurance; Service center
•Watches: Jaeger LeCoultre, Ebel, Baume Mercier, Longines, Tissot, Citizen and Seiko
•InstantCredit: Up to one full year to pay with no interest and no payments
Venetian jewelers
must
7
se
e
the only Place for sophia fiori Blue diamonds
•SophiaFioriBlueDiamonds: Hot fashions and award winning designs
•BlueDiamonds: Caribbean Ocean colors with all the fire found only in a diamond
• Hearts on Fire, Solare 129 perfect cut for blue diamonds, GIA/EGL certified
• Philip Stein, Maurice Lacroix, Ernst Benz, ESQ, Seiko and Marah Lago Larimar
• Natural color changing TZAR 1834 alexandrite, Canadian ammolite by Karma Gems
•Balissima: Handcrafted in Bali, sterling silver and stone intensive jewelry
PrestiGe silVer
• #1 recommendation for innovation and colored gemstones
one of nassau's largest sterling silver jewelry retailers
• Unlimited and fantastic range of .925 silver jewelry at incredibly low prices
• Jewelry:Chains, bracelets, bangles, earrings, rings
• Charms, anklets, body jewelry and much more
• Since 1979; Men’s jewelry, certified diamonds, lifetime guarantee
del sol
4
world’s largest Color-Change retailer;
must
see
Guaranteed to make you say wow!
•JustAddSun! See Del Sol products change vibrant colors outside in the sun!
•Over100ClothingOptions: T-shirts, shorts, kids apparel, women’s tees and more
•Solize: Polarized sunglasses with lifetime guarantee even if you lose them!
•FunAccessories: Nail polish, jewelry, beach bags, flip-flops, hats and more
must
see
8
jewelers wareHouse
9
the island's Value leader
• Up to 50% off quality jewelry and fine watches
• All jewelry comes with a certified appraisal at time of purchase.
• Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, tanzanite, Italian gold jewelry
•FashionWatches: Seiko, Citizen and Wenger
must
see
NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
9 11 6b
1b
3b
4
5
15b
13
Diamonds International 1a 1b
Two Movado Watches with Stainless Steel Bands
for $595
Diamonds International Watch & Design
Philip Stein watches for $505
5
Del Sol 4
SolizeTM Polarized Sunglasses for $45 Lifetime Guaranteed
Colombian Emeralds International
Blue Topaz Pendant for $35
6a 6b
Tanzanite International 2
1/2 Carat Tanzanite Studs for $179
F
ted on this map provide the
oix,
in Nassau
3c
1a
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B U Y E R’S
60-day buyer's guarantee
Park lane jewelers
10
• Offering designer brands synonymous with elegance and high quality
• Exclusive and authorized retailer for famous designer brands
• Charriol, Kabana, Aaron Basha, Simon G, Oliva, Yvel and Marah Lago
• Significant savings due to legendary Caribbean pricing
• A reputation of excellence with almost 30 years in the business
REE
GUA R A NTEE
6 0 - D AY
Effy Jewelers 3a 3b 3c
DiVersa Diamond Earrings for $495
Venetian Jewelers 7
Sophia Fiori Blue and White Diamond Pendant for $395
must
see
quantum duty free
11
one of the Best selections of fine limited edition watches in nassau
•HandcraftedWatches: Jaeger Le Coultre, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Blanc Pain, Baume & Mercier,
Piaget and Bedat & Co.; Christian Dior and U-Boat
• Jewelry by Piaget and fine writing instruments by Montblanc
• All purchases come with international warranties; Ask about specials.
Golden karat
12
Home of the reversible omega
•ReversibleOmegaChain: Low prices with a lifetime guarantee
• 50% off all jewelry and watches
• Largest selection of .925 silver jewelry
•DesignerSunglasses: Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Gucci, Bvlgari, D&G, Tuscany
tortuGa rum Cakes & duty-free liquors
a taste of the islands of the Bahamas
• Six flavors of the most popular rum cakes on the island; Free samples available
• The only outlet in the Bahamas selling Tortuga Rums, the finest Caribbean rums
• Liquor safety bag provided free for onward air travel
PrestiGe ColleCtions
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• The locals’ recommended ladies clothing store, located on Bay Street
• Fashionable clothing at amazingly affordable prices
• Large selection of quality handbags, shoes and accessories
•Don’tMisstheStorewideSale: Take advantage of 50% off all items
t-sHirt faCtory outlet 15a
15b
The One and Only T-Shirt Factory in the Bahamas
• T-shirts: Sizes from kids small to adult 5XL and any size in between
• Don’t miss the in-store specials featuring super low prices.
•Souvenirs:Mugs, magnets, shot glasses, caps, spoons, key rings and more
• Bahamas hot sauces, spices and Caribbean coffee
DInIng
Hard roCk Café
16
world famous restaurant, Bar and souvenir store
•GreatValueAllDayEveryDay: Legendary burgers and amazing cocktails
•RockShop: Highly Collectible T-shirts, hats, children’s wear and ladies fashion
nOTES
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NPN Caribbean Cruise Ports - Nassau, Bahamas
Buyer’s FREE 60-Day
FREE
GUARANTEE
Shop with confidence, knowing that all
B U Y E R’S G U A R A N T E E
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If your time is limited in port...
SHOP! these
must
see
stores.
merchants on this map have been carefully
selected and each offers a 60-day guarantee
to cruise line guests.
•This guarantee ensures buyers that all recommended
merchants will repair or replace any unsatisfactory
item, excluding buyer’s negligence, buyer’s remorse,
watches and lost or stolen merchandise. Some
watches and other branded merchandise will be
repaired or replaced by the brand service centers.
•For purposes of determining quality and value of
jewelry related to a buyer’s complaint, only appraisals
secured by a buyer from gem laboratories or
independent graduate gemologists, not affiliated with
jewelry retailing, will be acceptable. Watches and other
branded merchandise valuation comparisons must be
based on retail prices offered by authorized
brand retailers.
•All returns must be authorized by the merchant. Please
ask about individual store return policies before
you buy.
•The port shopping program is operated by Onboard
Media; Inc. who stands behind all customer relations
claims relating to the guarantee.
•Participating merchants have paid an advertising fee
to Onboard Media for inclusion in this program.
•If you become aware of a problem during your cruise,
please contact the Port & Shopping Guide onboard for
immediate assistance.
•If a problem arises after your cruise but within 60 days
of the purchase date, please contact the Customer
Relations Department at Onboard Media.
ONBOARD MEDIA, INC .
1691 Michigan Ave., Suite 600, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: (800) 396-2999 • Fax: (305) 673-2741 • E-mail:
[email protected]
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm;
Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm EST
WHERE
THERE IS LIGHT…
THERE IS
LOVE.
In case of an emergency, call:
Global United Ltd.
# 26 Airport Industrial Park Ave
+ 1-242-323-4661
Exclusively at Diamonds International
05/13/10