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I was wondering if anyone has any experience vacationing in the Bahamas. I am looking for good snorkeling, clear waters with great visibility. So far, NASSAU in NEW PROVIDENCE though probably not the best of the islands to go to, and probably too touristy, sounds like the best bet for two reasons. Got a possible deal on two hotels there, and the connections out of Miami and West Palm Beach look great. So to narrow this down, has anyone got any experience in around NASSAU and PARADISE ISLAND? I know its real expensive from what I have read. I am looking for great snorkeling and a little bit of bar life, good local food eating but not overly expensive restaurants. Maybe some tips on snorkeling excursions. Give it up.
Wow, I just checked this out. So add another hundred bucks per night or so.....read this...
ADDITIONAL CHARGES:
Atlantis guests are subject to $45 per night for each additional person, 12 years old and older; 6% guest room tax per person, per night; 3% Paradise Island Tourism and Development Association levy per person, per night; 3% Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board levy per person, per night and up to $18 per person per day mandatory housekeeping gratuity and utility service fee. If you purchased an Atlantis package these charges are already included in your package price. Harborside Resort guests are subject to 6% guest room tax per person, per night; 3% Paradise Island Tourism and Development Association levy per person, per night; and 3% Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board levy per person, per night and up to $11.25 per person per day mandatory housekeeping gratuity and utility service fee depending on unit type. The Cove Atlantis guests are subject to 6% guest room tax per person, per night; 3% Paradise Island Tourism and Development Association levy per person, per night; and 3% Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board levy per person, per night and up to $18 per person per day mandatory housekeeping gratuity and utility service fee. If you purchased a Destination Atlantis or The Cove Atlantis package these charges are already included in your package price. If you purchased an Accommodations Only rate you will be charged these taxes upon check out at the property.
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Try checking out the Radisson Cable Beach .. also the www.superclubs.com chain have a few hotels there and normally offer industry rates ...
The UK interline site <a href="http://www.touchdown.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.touchdown.co.uk/</A> shows several hotel deals for the Bahamas ranging from USD 70 - 300 which might give some pointers.
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Thank you very much for those websites. I'll be checking those out. Thanks again.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BRITSKI99:
Try checking out the Radisson Cable Beach .. also the www.superclubs.com chain have a few hotels there and normally offer industry rates ...
The UK interline site <a href="http://www.touchdown.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.touchdown.co.uk/</A> shows several hotel deals for the Bahamas ranging from USD 70 - 300 which might give some pointers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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www.stuartcove.com/
On New Providence Island, located on the opposite side of the island from Nassau, good company from personal experience.
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Wow! Talk about being feed to death! I like this term:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">mandatory housekeeping gratuity </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here's a couple of definitions for "gratuity":
1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
2. an award (as for meritorious service) given without claim or obligation
So if a gratuity is mandatory it's not really a gratuity at all, is it? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...n_confused.gif
Ok, sorry to rant. I know that's not helpful Nassau info. It's been at least 15 years since I went. But do get away from the resorts and go down to the straw market. Your likely to find some good inexpensive local cuisine there.
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Sorry Chris,
Getting a bit off topic here but I'm afraid that you have to blame your fellow countrymen for this mandatory gratuity ethos. Many of us Europeans find it odd that in the US often people expect a tip just for doing their job .. e.g. shuttle bus drivers at airports ( I know that its to do with the low wages that some employees get but of course it then can permeate all levels of employment and becomes an expectation ).
As you mention it should be a personal decision so isn't it nice to see that restaurants now automatically add the gratuity they think appropriate to the bill for groups of 5 or more ...'for your convenience' !!!
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Only two places in the world I SAW where tips are not expected. JAPAN and CHINA. Here, tipping is expected in hotels, cabs, bars, restaurants. A tip from me is meant to keep the good service coming. If I get good service and I enjoyed my visit to the restaurant, I am a pretty generous tipper. But some of the tipping thing goes too far. It's expected regardless of how some perform their job. I see people are willing to tip a pretty snobby waitress or bartender, but the poor mechanic sticking in a battery for your car in 100 degree heat, what does he get? Maybe the customer thinks he is overpaying for a battery and to the hell with the grease monkey right?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BRITSKI99:
Sorry Chris,
Getting a bit off topic here but I'm afraid that you have to blame your fellow countrymen for this mandatory gratuity ethos. Many of us Europeans find it odd that in the US often people expect a tip just for doing their job .. e.g. shuttle bus drivers at airports ( I know that its to do with the low wages that some employees get but of course it then can permeate all levels of employment and becomes an expectation ).
As you mention it should be a personal decision so isn't it nice to see that restaurants now automatically add the gratuity they think appropriate to the bill for groups of 5 or more ...'for your convenience' !!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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Like BRUTHAH. Thanks alot for that tip. Sounds like a real good deal. SNORKEL with the sharks? Shhheeeee......it! I see the wife is automatically not going to do it. Looks like I'm on my own. Am I nuts or what? Talk to me. Hey, That was an excellent tip. Man, I really wanna check this out!!! Snorkel with the sharks while they chow down on some bait.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Randy:
www.stuartcove.com/
On New Providence Island, located on the opposite side of the island from Nassau, good company from personal experience. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 29Palms: If you purchased an Accommodations Only rate you will be charged these taxes upon check out at the property. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Unexpected hotel fees, one of my hot button issues! Recently I was in Vegas, at check-out I noticed tacked onto the bill a $19.99 per night "resort fee". My great hotel deal had vanished as fast as a gambler's lucky streak. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif However after some discussion the "resort fees" were changed into a "goodwill credit"... non-rev magic. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Keep'em flying
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You do NOT tip in Tahiti! Now, here in the States, there is a tip jar every where, we don't bother with it.
We agree, us Americans have really spoiled things with all these tip$!