Kathleen

Family with teenager going to stay at the Princess in June. Please share your favorite experiences- snorkeling tours,restaurants,beaches, etc. Thanks for helping to make our trip even more enjoyable.

Jean E. Bowers

I don't know why you would travel to an island to stay at a hotel downtown. I have been to Grand Bahama many, many times and like the island very much. Please take a taxi or bus to the Lucaya area. You can use the beach at the Grand Bahama Beach Hotel or Atlantic Beach. The sea if you have not seen it before is quite beautiful. The Port Lucaya Marina and Marketplace is a great place to eat, shop and hook up for any activities on the water. Hopefully you did not sigh up for the meal plan. If not I suggest having a meal at a place called Giovanni. Genny Colo and her husband Giovanni are open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner except Sunday. Genny from Nassau and Giovanni from Italy are a great combo and their restaurant has wonderful food,(lots of islanders eat here) reasonable prices and speedy service. Try the Brass Helmet for very american selections,and reasonable prices. Pussers is another place I enjoy. If you want to eat at a place on the beach try the Stoned Crab which is on Taino Beach. It is pricey and you have to take a taxi, but a nice chance to dress up a little. The Pub on the Mall is within walking distance of your hotel. Michaels is a nice place where you can dine at umbrella tables and is on the edge of the International Bazar that is next to the Princess. The bus service from town to the Lucaya area is very good. It about 75 cents per trip. If you have to hire a taxi establish price before you get in. Take at least a #15 sun screen and use it often. Banana Boat make a good one that stays on even in the water. Sun glasses are also a must. Please feel free to e-mail me for further information.

Rocster

Why Grand Bahama island? The worst, most unfreindly <BR>in the carribean, everyone with their hand out for a tip, services charges on everything and they hate americans except their money. The worst vacation I have ever had, and I've been to many carribean islands. Trips to Grand Bahama are usually <BR>low priced, but beware of the the saying "You get what you pay for" Don't mean to throw water on your party, but if you paid for it already, then you're stuck Try to make the best of it. The only good thing I found is many places give you free Bahama-Mama's drinks. Makes it almost bearable

michael

The best part about Grand Bahama was leaving. <BR> <BR>One exception -- we spent a day driving out to the east end of the island. Grand Bahama actually has spectacular, uncrowded beaches which no one goes to because everyone is gambling or trapsing around Freeport. This is what I would recommend doing. Otherwise, the island is tacky and not very friendly.

Cheri

My favorite experience in Freeport was getting on the plane and coming home. We found the people extremely rude and the snorkel trip we went on was lousey except for the rum punch and the party we created. My daughter had a lot of kids to run around with, she was 17 at the time, but that's about it. It has been several years since we wer there and the drink prices then were what we are paying on other islands NOW.

Deb M

<BR>Kathleen, <BR> <BR>I hate to be a spoilsport, but please don't go to Freeport. My family and I went a few years ago and had a terrible time. Food and beverage prices are TWICE the U.S. cost (i.e. a 12" Subway Club is $9.00+, a 12-pack of beer is $18.00 U.S.). <BR> <BR>Also, there is begging on the streets AND in the restaurants (Burger King). These people come up to you while you're eating and sit down at the table - no fear at all! <BR> <BR>Also, there is garbage all over in the forests - don't try to hike it. The hotel we stayed at (Bahama Grand Hotel - not at the beach), had Concertina wire (circular barbed wire) all around the hotel, due to two female vacationers being RAPED on the premisis. The hotel was in very poor shape, and evidence of cockroaches (in the light fixtures) too. <BR> <BR>A bright spot though was the duty free shopping - British goods are especially reasonable. <BR> <BR>All in all, please DO NOT GO! We left early, short $400, but felt lucky to leave at all. If you must go, I would recommed it as a DAYTRIP only - the shopping is good, but the sights are no where near the quality of what you will find in Florida, and Florida is much cheaper! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, whatever your choice. <BR>

Reklaw

I must agree with many of the previous posts and tell you that GBI is not the best, especially the Princess Hotel. However, there are some nice things about the island. Go to the Lucayan National Park, which has a gorgeous, nearly deserted beach and nice nature trails. Take crackers or bread crumbs to feed the enormous fish in the marshes along one of the trails. The shark feedings at a restaurant called The Pier (?) are really cool to see, but do not eat there, just go for the show. The food is terrible, expensive, and the staff, rude. Go there to have a drink, because the view is very pretty. If you can change hotels, do. Stay at the Island Seas Hotel, right on a lovely beach, if possible. Much better than the Princess, and cheaper! Port Lucaya at night is a lot of fun, with the square decorated with lots of small lights. A good band plays until about 11 pm in the square. Giovanni's restaurant at Port Lucaya is excellent and affordable. Piscies is also quite good. While GBI is no paradise, there is some beauty to it. It just may take longer to find.