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Featured
FAMs by Publisher Gerry Notino
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FAM Trip Bahamas 2022 -
"Planning - Pain - Paradise"
Could it be? Is
it possible? No way - it
can’t be! This was me
August 2nd as I watched
and listened to the
weatherman destroy weeks
of planning, researching,
phoning, and emailing. A
two-year travel hiatus
could seem like an
eternity for a travel
agent, therefore this
year’s FAM Trip had to be
a “safe” bet.
Outside of the Hurricane
belt, Aruba was a
destination where I was
certain my travel plans
could be executed without
a hitch. Well as you can
guess, this low-risk
destination was hit with a
severe tropical storm the
day I was traveling and my
perfectly planned FAM Trip
was cancelled.
Rebooking was turning out
to be a nightmare, so it
was time to pick another
Caribbean Island.
I decided to finally find
out if “It's Better In The
Bahamas”. I began planning
at record pace, and my FAM
Trip was locked and loaded
within two weeks. First
stop would be Paradise
Island for a stay at the
Comfort Suites (2-nights)
and then off to Nassau,
where I would be
site-inspecting the
Margaritaville Resort
(5-nights). I
also tried to fit a few
excursions in the mix as
well (more on that later).
Travel Agent rates are
offered at both hotels and
are based on occupancy
levels. Either call or
email the properties with
dates check availability.
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Full disclosure: I tried to
book Atlantis, but it was completely
sold out, therefore I went with The Comfort Suites
Paradise Island as an
alternative. Best of all, this is an
affordable all-suite hotel comes with
full access to Atlantis Bahamas!
Although the Travel Agent Rate was sold
out, I booked a Junior Suite with 2
double beds, a separate sitting area
with sofa bed, chair, mini- fridge and
flat screen TV. The partial divider
separates the beds from the sitting area
which really gives a nice touch.
Unless you're spending most of your day
in the room, it’s spacious enough.
My kids had no problem using their
devices as there are plenty of outlets
with USB connections and yes there is
free wi-fi.
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Now let’s get to the best part,
guests enjoy the same facilities as any
Atlantis guest. YES, that includes
complimentary admission to Atlantis’
141-acre Aquaventure water park and
other amenities which include a casino,
huge fitness center, 11 awesome swimming
pools, white sand beaches, snorkeling
(bring your own or rent for a small fee)
and so much more. Just walking
around is an adventure with 15 exhibit
lagoons boasting the world's largest
open-air marine habitat. All this
is walking distance from the Comfort
Suites, but it is a good 10-minute (or
more) walk that includes walking through
Atlantis’ gift shops and casino to get
to the water park and beach area.
Atlantis itself is humongous and to get
anywhere on the property takes some
effort - so bring your sandals because
the walking areas get HOT!
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Ok, let’s get back to the
Comfort suites Paradise Island. There is
a nice size pool which features a
swim-up bar and plenty enough lounge
chairs, tables with umbrellas.
Even at full capacity, the pool area was
large enough so that it never felt
crowded. The pool bar and some seating
areas are covered, and the staff and
bartenders are amazing. Dining options
can get quite expensive in the Bahamas
especially in Atlantis. Thankfully the
hotel provides FREE daily breakfast
which includes a full assortment of your
favorites – pancakes, waffles, sausage,
bacon & eggs and so much more. One
quick note, the food must be eaten at
the restaurant - no takeout. We also
dined at the onsite family friendly
restaurant Crusoe’s. The conch
chowder and conch fritters were
excellent and a true taste of the
Bahamas. Although not as expensive as
the restaurants in Atlantis, it is
pricey, but the assortment of food
includes an array of “fresh tropical
flavors and tantalizing comfort foods”
which are sure to please the palate.
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To be honest, we needed one
more night, you really don’t run out of
things to do between these two amazing
properties. But it was off to Nassau,
where I’d be visiting the newly opened Margaritaville Beach
Resort. Although I’m not a Jimmy
Buffet fan, I was extremely excited to
site-inspect the property. I mean just
look at the photo, it screams tropical
paradise. Not sure what Jimmy
meant by “Wasting away Again in
Margaritaville”, but I didn’t think my
family would do that during our stay
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LOCATION – LOCATION-
LOCATION - I love the fact that
this resort feels like you’re on a
secluded tropical island, but it’s right
smack in the middle of Nassau. This
means that you are close to historic Bay
Street which features to restaurants,
shopping, entertainment, famous Straw
Market, museums artesian galleries, the
local Fish Fry and more. The
Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau has
two towers, we stayed in an Oceanfront
2-Queen residence at One Particular
Harbor. This tower consists of 129
premium condo-style residences that are
spacious and complete with custom,
all-white linens, and premium bedding. I
must say we used every amenity offered
from the full kitchen to the washer and
dryer. After a long day at the beach, we
enjoyed relaxing and watching the cruise
ships dock on the 8-ft wide fully
furnished private balcony. No need for
an early morning scramble down to the
pool area to reserve a premium lounge
chair, guests at One Particular Harbor
enjoy access an exclusive private pool
and beach area. Even at full occupancy,
prime spots were available throughout
the day.
Adjacent to this tower is
Icon’s high-tech entertainment which
features bowling, billiards,
virtual-reality sports, karaoke,
billiards, and a private movie
theatre. The other tower is on
the resort and hotel side, which
feature all the restaurants, bars, and
water park. There are 155 ocean
front rooms including 12 Suites, all
with waterfront. One quick note, both
towers have fitness centers. The rooms
and spaces have Margaritaville’s
well-themed casual signatures but with
a contemporary modern flair.
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| Oceanfront 2-Queen
residence at One Particular
Harbor |
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There are tons of amenities
and activities to experience at this
wonderful resort. The luxurious yet
modern property is surrounded by 5 acres
of palm trees and turquoise waters. The
beach area is a bit small, but guests
can enjoy the use of umbrellas, sun
loungers and beach water sports. We used
the kayaks (single or double) and paddle
boards all included in the resort fee.
Cabana packages are available as well.
Again, we have had no problem securing a
spot to relax and soak up the sun, but
this side is definitely more crowded.
The most prominent feature of
the resort is the “Fins Up Water Park”.
Of course, free for guests, however, day
passes are available. Tons of
“aquatainment” can be had cooling off in
the Lazy River which surrounds the pool
area, and you can even dare to take a
plunge off the 10’ jump platform.
There’s a splash park for the little
ones and for a bit more excitement there
are 4 waterslides, The Z• FlowRider® -
boogie board surfing simulation and a
Rock-climbing wall.
Adults can relax in the Infinity pool
deck area which encompasses a zero-entry
pool, spa, and SOS bar. While relaxing,
parents can be assured the kids will
have plenty to do while enjoying The
Parakeets Kids’ Club. For a daily fee,
they can enjoy pool and beach games,
arts & crafts, and other daily fun
activities with trained staff and
counselors.
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RESTAURANTS & BARS at
the Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau
From upscale dining experiences to a
quick grab and go sandwich, there is an
abundance of dining options. JWB
Prime Steak & Seafood is an
oceanside steak and seafood restaurant.
Frank & Lola’s features Italian
cuisine and of course pizza. While
relaxing poolside, The Feeding Frenzy
offers burgers, hotdogs, fresh salads,
fish tacos and much more. Signature
cocktails and frozen tropical drinks can
also be ordered. The Vacation Café
offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a
relaxed laid-back atmosphere. Joe
Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions
offers coffee (excellent espresso),
breakfast options, sandwiches, salads,
snacks, and other options when you’re on
the go. The Pointe Market is a gourmet
general store with an excellent
selection of wine, local and
international beers, cheese, dips,
charcuterie, and Starbucks freshly
brewed coffee. Unfortunately, the
Milk + Cream was not open yet, but this
ice cream parlor specializes in premium
Bubble tea lattes and Ben & Jerry's
ice cream served in a cup, waffle cone,
or waffle bowl. There are three unique
bars that are tailored made to put you
in right “the state of mind”. 12
Volt Bar – located on the pool deck with
ocean views, Changes in Latitude Bar is
in the main lobby and the S.O.S Bar
which overlooks the water park.
My family and I had a chance to take
advantage of the newly opened VIP club
lounge. For a nominal fee, guests will
have access to this exclusive relaxing
lounge for the entire day. Best of all,
there is FOOD and lots of it. By far,
the best part of the day was breakfast.
A full hot and cold breakfast buffet is
offered along with pastries, muffins,
croissants, assorted fruits, juices,
coffee and tea stations and so much
more. Snacks are available
throughout the day which include ice
cream, cookies, and chips. Dinner
consisted of a lovely salad bar, one
entree, rice or pasta and assorted
wraps. Lastly, there is a good selection
of top shelf alcoholic drinks, sodas,
juices, and bottled water available
throughout the day. A great option
for the cost-conscious traveler.
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| VIP Lounge
Margaritaville Beach Resort
Nassau |
A notable mention there are plenty of
dining options outside of the resort. We
snuck a McDonalds breakfast in one day
and a Dairy Queen Sundae after walking
around the Straw Market. The famous
“Fish Fry” is within walking distance
and features delicious local cuisine.
There are dozens of restaurants and
bars, so you can not only bar hop, but
you can food hop. We ate at Goldie’s
where we finally tried the famous Conch
Salad and “Cracked (fried)” Conch.
The Bahamas & Plenty
of Excursion Options
The Bahamas consists of 16 major
islands but there are literally
thousands of cays and islets scattered
across the archipelago. Dozens of tour
companies offer surfing, snuba,
snorkeling, diving, charters, deep-sea
fishing, swimming with pigs (yes, it’s
true) to name a few. My plan was to
take at least two excursions and one
of them had to include
snorkeling. I narrowed it down
to these two tour companies for the
snorkeling.
Pearl Island Bahamas
was my first choice because it
offered a private getaway with
snorkeling, kayaking, and much more.
Just a quick ferry ride from Nassau’s
waterfront, Pearl Island is filled
with incredible experiences and
activities. From basking on powdery
beaches, to thrill-seeking adventures
like snorkeling, kayaking, and much
more – you’ll find it all here.
Travel agents receive a 20%
discount. Request the discount
via email and they will send you the
discount code.
info@pearlislandbahamas.com
+1.242.422.2211
If your main focus has anything to do
with water, Stuart Cove's Dive
Bahamas is the tour
company for you. Operating for
over 40 years, this family-owned
business specializes in Diving and
Snorkeling. Highlights: Scuba
certification courses in Nassau
Bahamas, Shark diving, Private
Charters in Nassau Bahamas, dive, and
snorkel in our crystal-clear waters.
Explore our beautiful reefs, dramatic
walls, and intriguing wrecks.
Travel Agent Discount: 20% off
discount to agents for any standard
activity. ** Agent Discounts
apply to 2-Tank dives - Snorkel
Adventure - SNUBA Adventure - Shark
Adventure dives. Please note that this
discount only applies on payment made
On-Island at the time of the activity
which is $10.00 higher than the online
rates. Call or email to book
+ 1-242-362-4171
diveshop@stuartcove.com
I literally searched tons of tours
that specialize in the Exuma Islands.
The best bang for your buck was Comfort Venture
Tours. The Exumas are
famous for their sapphire blue waters
that are even visible in space! This
chain of islands boasts secluded
footprint-free beaches, deserted
cayes, immaculate private islands and
ultra-exclusive resorts.
They offer an array of private and
public full day and half day tours:
Tours are complete with playful and
interactive wildlife, perfect water
with gentle currents for snorkeling,
and some of the most unforgettable
scenery in the world. Take photos with
The Swimming Pig, sunbathe on the
beautiful beaches, feed the iguanas,
spot wild stingrays, and dive deep for
an amazing marine life experience!
This tour provides a great
introduction to Exuma, allowing you to
see the highlights, spend plenty of
time off the ship, and still have time
to spend part of the day by the pool
or beach at your hotel or villa. It is
ideal for business getaways and large
family vacations. We are sure that
this trip will be something worth
Travel agent Discounts are offered
based on availability. Please
email to request a booking.
+1 242-357-0611
info@comfortventuretours.com
Ironically, I didn’t have the
opportunity to experience any of the
above. My advice, book your excursions
early and at the beginning of your
vacation. I planned the Exuma trip for
my last full day in the Bahamas. But
as with all tours, it was subject to
weather and if there are enough seats
sold - It was cancelled.
As far as snorkeling, I went with
something a little unexpected. I’m a
big history fan, so after doing some
digging, I found a perfect
excursion. Clifton Heritage
National Park combines the
historical and cultural legacy of
three important groups that had an
impact on the country: the Lucayans,
the Loyalists and Africans. Local
fauna includes songbirds, wading
birds, seabirds, and other wildlife.
You can enjoy swimming, fishing,
hiking, camping, snorkeling,
birdwatching, and picnicking in the
park and the panoramic views from the
cliffs provide perfect photo
opportunities. We opted for the
“Land and Sea” tour which combines
historical sightseeing tour with
extremely knowledge guides and
includes snorkeling off Nirvana Beach
(equipment is included). Quick
notes: You must over 12 years old and
a good swimmer for the snorkeling as
you must swim out about 50 ft. to get
to the reef.
They do not offer a Travel Agent
Discount.
You can call directly to reserve your
tour; they will pick you up at your
hotel. Phone: 1 242-362-9312
Honorable mentions (within walking
distance from Margaritaville Resort
Nassau):
The Chocolatier
Graycliff factory.
“The Art of Chocolate and Factory
Tour” is a great educational
experience for the entire
family. You will learn the art
of chocolate-making with plenty of
tasting too!
Pirates of Nassau
Museum. What would a visit to
Nassau be without Pirates. After all,
this place was stronghold for
“Republic of Pirates”. It’s an
interactive Pirate experience that
explains the history pirating and the
eventual eradication of the practice
in the Caribbean.
No Travel Agent Discount Offered for
these two suppliers.
THE TAKEAWAY
In all, The Bahamas is expensive!
There are value added taxes (VAT), a
tourism levy, service charges,
gratuity 15% added to food,
restaurants, drinks (even for
takeout), and a resort fee for some
hotels. This can easily add up to 20%
(or more) to your final bill.
Should that stop you from getting to
see this wonderful destination?
Absolutely not! I just think you
should know that going in. But these
islands have so much to offer and are
so unique, it should be on anyone’s
bucket list.
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