Our trip dates were Nov 30 - Dec 7, 2002. The flights were very short...total of 4 hours with connection in Charlotte. Looking out the plane window down at the bahamian islands is the most beautiful site I have ever seen! Getting into the Bahamas is very easy. You only need to fill out a little immigration form on the plane, and hand it in at their airport. The airport in Nassau is very small, stinky, and run-down.....but don't let that discourage you! A bus will take you right to your hotel....be prepared for the left side of the road driving! The island seems poor, but the resorts are very nice. Check out Sean Connery's beach home on your left!

We were very impressed with the large, clean, and modern lobby of the Radisson. The clerks are professional, but take FOREVER to check you in. We had an upgrade coupon with us (from the travel agent) that put us into an 8th floor ocean view room. Don't be fooled! ALL the rooms are ocean view and it is very easy to get upgraded, so I recommend booking the cheapest room, then ask for a higher floor (6-9). We got 2 little cards with our names on them and were told to use them for the all-inclusive benefits. Our room (807- non smoking) was a nice size and very clean. Definitely not as nice as a room in the states, but more than satisfactory. The view from that room is fantastic...you can see the entire grounds and a 180 degree view of the turquoise ocean!

We threw on our suits and headed out for drinks and some sun! The temp was perfect! Sunny and 83! They served us top shelf drinks the entire time...you MUST try the Mango Freeze! The ocean was warm and beautiful. No stingrays or jellyfish to be seen. Grab a raft, go snorkeling, sailing, water biking, surfing, view boarding, or canoeing. Whatever you please...it's all included!

Warning - the pools were very chilly. The week before we arrived (Thanksgiving) it was cooler and cloudy, so the pools had too much time to get cold. Although it was 80 each day we were there, the last 2 days were the only time pools got warm enough to brave. I do highly recommend going right after Thanksgiving though...great weather, no rainy season, no bugs, and no scary things in the water. :)

A summary of the restaraunts:
Amici - very good service, good italian food, nice environment.
Avocados - not as nice as Amici, food decent, environment ok.
Bimini - Great breakfast & lunch buffets! They even serve late night pizzas and turkey clubs (10:30-midnight). Ate there every day.
Dolphin Grill - good chicken ceasar, very casual.
Islands - good conk fritters & baby back ribs, nice environment, friendly.
The Forge - cook your own meat on table grill. Sit with strangers if only 2 of you, tables almost too hot to sit at. Food decent, environment very cozy. Worth trying once.

We had no problems making reservations each morning for that nights dinner...even with the hotel at a 85% occupancy. We ate about 5 times a day due to the all-inclusive deal....lets not go there on the drinks....wheeww.

Casino in hotel was neat....some great table games like "Let it Ride" and inexpensive slots. Every person we met won at that casino including myself, so I would say the odds are very good.

Warning - don't even bother trying to call home! The prices were outrageous! Even a 1-800 was $2.60/minute plus $2.50 to connect....most other calls are $8/min. and up! The hotels 1-800 # is hard for your family to use since most the time they insist that they have to call the local number instead....but it still worked enough to get some calls. Also if you bring a laptop down, you can use it unlimited for $10/day.

Atlantis...3 words...Oh my God! That has to be the most amazing place I have seen. It is completely worth the 10 minute ride...($15 taxi, or $3 bus/ferry combo). I can't possibly say enough good things about Atlantis. If you go after 5pm, you can avoid the $25 "view the grounds" fee (personally I think that fee can be avoided altogether since there is no entry gate and you can walk through everything for free. HIGHLY recommend huge aquarium in Royal Towers and don't miss the awesome under water tunnel at Coral Towers. WOW! I'll be happy to forward pics if you email me.

Bad stuff? Not much. The parasailing is a rip off...and if you try to bargain the price down you get yelled at. Do NOT get a massage at the Radisson!!!! My fiance was offered sexual favors for $50 from very nasty women...and the massage itself was so painful that he could barely stand up straight afterwards. I am writing the hotel about that one.

The shopping is very expensive on the Island, but you can bargain....if you can stand the constant pushing from the vendors.

In a nutshell, GO, go ALL-INCLUSIVE for sure. 7 nights and 8 days costs us (2 people) $2675 including flights, transfers, hotel, meals, drinks and watersports. Definitely well worth the $ for a vacation I will never forget!

Feel free to email me if you have specific questions about anything. :)




Recommended: Yes