Nassau International Airport, "You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat"
Written: Mar 27 '06 (Updated May 03 '06)
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Pros: Wonderful arrival with music and drink
Cons: The US security area for departures needs more room to grow.
The Bottom Line: The airport is fine for arrivals but with the intended growth of the island they are going to have to get their act together.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Nassau International Airport |
In the Movie Jaws the local police chief, after seeing the huge shark, makes a statement to the captain with fear in his voice, saying, "You're gonna need a bigger boat".
After trying to depart the Bahamas and seeing what we were in for, I said the words, "You're gonna need a bigger airport." More later.
Getting off a plane and walking into the arrivals section of Nassau International Airport is a pleasant experience. Going through departures at the end of a stay is quite different.
The Airport
This is a relatively small airport with two terminals where one can easily walk from one to another. It about ten miles from downtown Nassau. There are no hotels nearby. The closest are in the Cable Beach area that included Sandals, a Raddison, and a Wyndham among others. These are 4-6 miles away.
I thought it strange that none of the city buses have rights to the airport. Taxis are the only means to get to a destination. Car rentals are available from all the majors. Most hotels have their own transport systems.
They have ATMs money exchange and telephones. They also have duty free shops, some restaurants and many bars throughout the airport. Bahemian agents of the different airlines are visible and quite helpful and courteous.
We flew in on Jet Blue but I also believe the airport also services Bahamasair, American, Delta,US Airways and United airlines. I suggest checking those. The nonstop on Jet Blue from NY Kennedy was excellent.
Arrivals
When we arrived the plane docked up immediately and there was no slowdown at all. In fact they opened the plane's back and front doors for faster disembarking. As we entered the terminal we saw a band that started playing some Caribbean music. It was an upbeat greeting, very nice. On the plane we were given custom's papers. Fill them out completely and ahead of time and keep them handy. You'll need them again when you leave the country. Going through both customs and immigration was a snap, no lines. I don't know if we came at a good time but there were plenty of agents at many booths. I liked that.
As soon as we were finished the gals and my brother-in-law used the restrooms. I on the other hand went immediately to a kiosk that was giving samples of Bacardi Rum. The guy was generous and quite knowledgeable. It was a good way to start the vacation for me. I had all my drink recipes in order. Bacardi, though made in Puerto Rico, seems to be the #1 rum served on the island. In a comment I received after this review was published I was told that Bacardi has a plant in the Bahamas.
We then had to wait about fifteen minutes until all our luggage was found on the belt.
After we were all set we went immediately to the Sandals kiosk and we were quickly on our way to a wonderful vacation.
Departures
Departures are always difficult because the frame of mind does not usually want to leave such a comfortable setting. We did have an excellent one week stay. Our taxi transport, a mini-type bus took us in front of the Jet Blue... What we saw before the doors going inside was a huge line that went around the building. Our driver said he didn't know what it was. He should have!
What I'm discussing now is for all flights with US destinations. I don't know about other countries. We learned that one must first go into the terminal with all luggage and go to your carrier's flight desk, check in and have all the luggage tagged. After it's tagged then you must go through a US processing point. That's what the huge line was for. We had to make our way back outside with all our now tagged luggage, not easy with all the people trying to come in with luggage, and get on the line that wrapped around the building. The only good thing I can say is that there was a quick thunderstorm about an hour later. I would not have liked to have been outside in that driving rain with all my luggage.
The line did move well. It took about twenty minutes to get to the first check point. Be prepared to place everything through magnometers 2Xs. At one point you will be on what is considered US jurisdiction. You will go through a customs check with questions as to what you are carrying back to the US etc. Again even though there were many people in a small area the staff was professional, yet thorough. After all is said and done the luggage is no longer in your hands and you are in the upstairs of the terminal. This was fine for me but my wife was quite upset.
You see the Duty Free Shops are all downstairs where you first come in. Seeing huge lines ahead of us we didn't take any leisure time to look around. We started the line process right away. It took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to get through all of it and some of the lines were even longer later.
There were a few shops, but not duty free upstairs. A bar was doing a brisk business. We waited in the crowded terminal another forty five minutes before we were called for boarding.
The Future?
The first thing I recommend it to get to the terminal early. I can see that those who decide to wait and leave just an hour or hour and a half for processing may not make the plane. I hated the fact we had to wait on line so long in tight quarters moving luggage a few hundred yards from inside to outside and then back inside again.
What I mean about the future here is that this airport had better get their act together if they are going to be able to handle what the future of this island may bring.
Right now there is much construction going on with more hotel units being built on Paradise Island they are also increasing thier fun things to do there. For more information read my review of Nassau.
The other big change is that on the west side of Nassau a three partner plan that includes Baha Mar Resorts Ltd., Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts plans to build the areas largest casino, many more hotels and a Jack Nicholas designed golf course. In addition an eco-park along with expanded beach, spa and pool additions are all planned. This will be starting in 2007 and hopefully completed by 2010. Many of cable beaches hotels including the Radisson hotel, Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, have been purchased by these three players. Rumor has it many will be leveled for the construction of even more hotels.
Some high rollers want nothing to do with the crap we had to deal with. Hey, I'm not a high roller and didn't want to go through all that.
Yes, of course I want every bag and person security checked but lets get real. More people = more service. I hope the airport keep up with the demands new construction will bring so everybody will be happy.
One last note. I rated the airport 2 stars but at the same time I recommend it. Seem strange. Hey I recommend going to Nassau in the bahamas and as of now there is no other way of getting there unless you go through NIA. I suggest you get there as often as you can!!
Sandals Royal Bahamian Our five star choice
Nassau, Bahamas How I saw it
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center Just one mile west of Nassau
Stuart Cove's Aqua Adventures Our Snorkeling Choice
Foder's Bahamas Guide
Recommended:
Yes
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