Last Friday my husband and I went to Freeport, Bahamas for 5 days of diving fun and relaxation. The entire trip was a nightmare! From beggining to end.
Our flight to Freeport was actually fantastic, we even arrived about 20 minutes early. Our van to take us to the hotel was ready and waiting. When we arrived at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya the front desk didn't have the right reservation. I called about 3 days prior to confirm my res. and the type of room that I requested. I also asked them about the post-hurricane conditions, and I was assured that everything was great and that I should not reschedule my trip. So I was stuck with a room I didnt' ask for, Strike 1. We then went across the street to the Marketplace to get a bite to eat. We ate at Zorba's Greek Restaurant. Food was good and relatively cheap. We went back to the hotel to chek out the beach, etc. The beach was small and not what I expected, and there was construction going on, not a very relaxing spot. We asked the hotel personnell what there was to do that evening and they told us that ther was live music across the street at the square. When we arrived it was under construction! So no music and nothing else to do. We went to the casino next door and dropped a bunch of money from boredom. We ended up in our room watching TV.
That day upon arrival I had left a message with Karen from Sunn Odyssey divers to confirm our pick up time. That night she left us a message saying that although we were to be picked up at 8am, she couldn't come until noon b/c the boat was having fuel issues. Ok, so the next morning we killed time walking around (which was really boring) and were anticipating our noon pick up. With gear in hand we waited outside only to be met by Karen telling us that the boat wasn't working at all, so no diving. We were so upset. We tried calling around to other places, but nothing. So we decided to jump on a 1pm land tour that had a very nice itinerary in place. Well, several of the things on the list we werenot able to do b/c of the devastation from the hurricane. When we arrived at the Interntional BAzaar half of the shops were closed from damage. The people at the hotel kept telling us that that was the place to go and have fun at night, etc. I was like are you kidding me the thing is practically closed down. Everyone we asked kept saying - go here, go there- and when I would inform them that these places were closed they looked at me like I was nuts. I mean really - shouldn't the people in the hotel know that the main attractions are closed or under construction.
So anyway, we were miserable but still excited about diving the next day. We also booked a Bonfire trip for the next evening, and figured that a day of diving and a bonfire would make up for the first two days of misery. The next morning we get another call from Karen that the boat was inoperable and that the only people that could take us out could do so only at 2pm. Well, we had a bonfire scheduled ($100) so we didn't want to forefeit it. She said that she didnt' thinnk the boat would function the next day either. I had had enough, we paid $250 to leave 2 days early and skipped the Bonfire. We gave our tickets to a couple celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary...at least someone should have fun.
Now I know this might not sound so bad to some people, but when we were there we felt so miserable. We really needed to get away, relax and all we wanted to do was dive! None of those things happened for us. I felt very deceived from the people I spoke to prior to going there nad the people who still insisted everythign was ok when we arrived. I know that the Bahamas boasts beautiful diving...but I honestly don't think I will ever go back. To those who love it there and have been there a million times, dont' be offended, I am just highly dissapointed and upset.
Puck, I hope you had a better time!
Our flight to Freeport was actually fantastic, we even arrived about 20 minutes early. Our van to take us to the hotel was ready and waiting. When we arrived at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya the front desk didn't have the right reservation. I called about 3 days prior to confirm my res. and the type of room that I requested. I also asked them about the post-hurricane conditions, and I was assured that everything was great and that I should not reschedule my trip. So I was stuck with a room I didnt' ask for, Strike 1. We then went across the street to the Marketplace to get a bite to eat. We ate at Zorba's Greek Restaurant. Food was good and relatively cheap. We went back to the hotel to chek out the beach, etc. The beach was small and not what I expected, and there was construction going on, not a very relaxing spot. We asked the hotel personnell what there was to do that evening and they told us that ther was live music across the street at the square. When we arrived it was under construction! So no music and nothing else to do. We went to the casino next door and dropped a bunch of money from boredom. We ended up in our room watching TV.
That day upon arrival I had left a message with Karen from Sunn Odyssey divers to confirm our pick up time. That night she left us a message saying that although we were to be picked up at 8am, she couldn't come until noon b/c the boat was having fuel issues. Ok, so the next morning we killed time walking around (which was really boring) and were anticipating our noon pick up. With gear in hand we waited outside only to be met by Karen telling us that the boat wasn't working at all, so no diving. We were so upset. We tried calling around to other places, but nothing. So we decided to jump on a 1pm land tour that had a very nice itinerary in place. Well, several of the things on the list we werenot able to do b/c of the devastation from the hurricane. When we arrived at the Interntional BAzaar half of the shops were closed from damage. The people at the hotel kept telling us that that was the place to go and have fun at night, etc. I was like are you kidding me the thing is practically closed down. Everyone we asked kept saying - go here, go there- and when I would inform them that these places were closed they looked at me like I was nuts. I mean really - shouldn't the people in the hotel know that the main attractions are closed or under construction.
So anyway, we were miserable but still excited about diving the next day. We also booked a Bonfire trip for the next evening, and figured that a day of diving and a bonfire would make up for the first two days of misery. The next morning we get another call from Karen that the boat was inoperable and that the only people that could take us out could do so only at 2pm. Well, we had a bonfire scheduled ($100) so we didn't want to forefeit it. She said that she didnt' thinnk the boat would function the next day either. I had had enough, we paid $250 to leave 2 days early and skipped the Bonfire. We gave our tickets to a couple celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary...at least someone should have fun.
Now I know this might not sound so bad to some people, but when we were there we felt so miserable. We really needed to get away, relax and all we wanted to do was dive! None of those things happened for us. I felt very deceived from the people I spoke to prior to going there nad the people who still insisted everythign was ok when we arrived. I know that the Bahamas boasts beautiful diving...but I honestly don't think I will ever go back. To those who love it there and have been there a million times, dont' be offended, I am just highly dissapointed and upset.
Puck, I hope you had a better time!
