It' been about two years ago that I came into Grand Bahama and Nassau on a cruise ship. In Grand Bahama the taxi's and buses took the tourist only thru the nice parts of town. I only knew this because I know the Island pretty well. I talked to the driver about the good ole days and shared some awesome memories. The government knows what attracts the tourists. This isn't new information. When we got to Nassau the cruise ship warned the tourists to beware of the crime in the area. Some tourist didn't even get off the ship. After that most tourists when looking at cruises wouldn't choose a cruise coming to that location. Not meant to be hurtful it's part of what is happening. The cruise lines solution I guess is to go somewhere else. By the way their private island is a joke. It isn't even a nice beach. They have set up a small straw market, and they feed you. They bring it all over on a small boat. It's not a true Island experience.

One last opinion of mine, good right. :) Cuba isn't a threat to Bahamas Tourism. I don't know any American's that have any desire to visit Cuba. We've been taught all of our live how bad Cuba's Communist Government is to their people. Our generation won't forget what all they have done, maybe in many, many years. They have and are changing our history books. The next generation won't have the knowledge that we do. I wouldn't worry about Cuba on the short term.

If one negative thing happens to a tourist, it hurts the cruise lines sales for a period of time. People forget, but it takes a while. They really don't think about the crime here at home or how many millions of people go without incident. People see only what they choose to see. It's just the way it is and probably won't change.

First anything I say is just my opinion and I don't want to offend anyone. Look at what the cruise lines are currently doing. They take the tourist to the private island, I think they are building or going to build a dock off shore. This keeps the tourists away from the local citizens. Why? Crime, Pushy sales tactics. I don't agree with this idea at all but a family coming in on holiday won't bring their children where they are being warned before they exited the ship to beware of the crime and to leave their valuables on board. Also most Americans want to go to established Resorts. I think it would be probably the best cruise I've ever taken to visit the out islands. Most Americans are looking for something else. I love the Bahamian culture and people, and when I visit I don't want to go to Paradise Island and stay in a gated Resort. That not what I do. Sunday morning I want to go over the hill to church. I want to eat in Bahamian Restaurants and get to know the people, but I don't think that's how most tourists think.

No I won't. I'll go to Breeze's. The Chinese are communist and aren't for the people generally. If they employee the Bahamian people with decent wages, then I'll support their ownership. I hope it's a good boost to the economy.

I'm coming in September, I'll probably stay there!

Who gets the money that is collected that every tourist pays when they come onto a Island? I was amazed at the break down on these bundle deals that we buy. The room that I was looking was 850.00 + 350.00 for taxes and fees. That's about 1/3 the cost of the room. Where does this money go? Plus your airline ticket also has taxes and fees or if you come in on a cruise ship you still pay these taxes and fees. If the money was invested in tourism or improving roads where needed. Anything for improvement and it would create jobs and increase tourism on all of the islands.

It would be great if they did, but they do have good reasons.

I can tell you why, but you don't want to hear it.

The major hotels are closed in Freeport. I thought they were, but I googled Memories and was going to go soon. As you know they are closed. I have so many memories in Freeport. I wanted to stand on the spiral staircase again. I just wish I could look up and see John again. I know we are older, but on the inside I'm the same person. I have faith that we will be together again. I'm coming again in September and anyone that knows him would have the biggest hug from me for bringing us together again. Anyway how can Freeport recover when all they have is a few cruise ships a week porting in for 4 to 5 hours. I'm praying for these Bahamians and their home.