Discovery Cruise to Bahamas

[sergeantnic]

Anybody done the day cruise with stayover from Ft Lauderdale to Bahamas on the Discovery Cruise lines? I just booked a weekend trip for the wife's birthday. Leaving on Friday morning at 7am, hit Freeport Bahamas at 1pm. Stay until Sunday at the Windham. Get back on the boat at 4pm and hit Ft Lauderdale at 10pm. It's only $800 for the both of us plus some eronious fees and it's all inclusive so I'm betting on a cool $1000.

Just wondered if anybody had any experience with this company? Also, how's the diving in the area? I won't have a dive buddy but was hoping to at least get one dive in.

 

[Tavi]

I've taken Discovery to Grand Bahama a couple of times. It's a fun trip once or twice. Now I prefer to fly and get there quicker!!

They feed you real well, and there is a Casino on board. There is also live entertainment.

Cabins are available for those that want them.

When I'm in Freeport I dive with Grand Bahama Scuba.

Have a great trip and don't forget to tell us all about it when you get back!!!

 

[del_mo]

Literally just got back from the Discovery Cruise to Wyndham (look for the "Fortuna" signs when getting a taxi). The cruise is kinda long, and unless you pay extra, there is no cabin. Limit your carry-on!

We got a cheapie price, too. Otherwise, flying is the way to go.

We didn't dive with the Viva operation only because we didn't reserve spots and they were full. Good thing. Their boat is like an oversized rowboat. No shelter or shade. And once you have your spot on the boat, you can't move around. They hooked us up with Xanadu, who picked us up ON TIME and had wonderful DM's whom we thorougly enjoyed. The DM's will take you on tours of the dive site or you can go your own way.

On our day dives we saw green and spotted morays, a sleeping nurse shark, black tipped reef sharks, bugs, arrow crabs, two stingrays (adult and kid), and on our night dive we saw an octopus, another moray and two squids (really cool).

There is a nice little reef off the Wyndams beach, easily reached and marked by a bouy, in about 6 feet of water. Tons of fish and if you want to bring them a little snack, they'll appreciate it.

The hotel itself is pretty nice for a 3*. We had a small kitchen with a one-burner range, micro and fridge. Beds were comfortable by Caribbean standards. The buffet food was okay for buffet, but the Italian restaurant was nicer. Beach is beautiful, and the sports equipment was in pretty decent shape. The pool was very nice and very popular. Place was clean (there are cleaning crews everywhere all the time) and the Bahamian staff were very nice and friendly.

Enjoy.