Bahamas FAM Trip: Nassau and Exuma

Last year, I went on a Travel Agent familiarization AKA “FAM” trip to Cancun to get familiar with Palace Resorts. This year, I was fortunate enough to head to the Bahamas FAM Trip to tour two Sandals properties – Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau and Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma.

Both properties were out of this world. I have sent many clients to Sandals properties, but seeing them first hand was an invaluable experience. Now I can properly articulate to my clients about all of the luxurious amenities and the level of attentiveness of the staff.

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Day 1 – Saturday

I arrived at the NAS airport around 10:50a in the morning. I was picked up by Sandals Resorts at the airport and driven to Sandals Royal Bahamian, the first stop of the Bahamas FAM Trip. This property is incredible. The moment I arrived, I saw bright and shiny Rolls Royce cars which are there to pick up Butler-level category guests. The resort is just so regal and extravagant. They don’t call it “Royal Bahamian” for nothing. The rest of the day was spent taking photos of the resort. As a Travel Agent, it’s imperative that I take photos of the resort so I can promote later on. It helps with my credibility that I’ve been to these resorts where I am selling clients. That’s why these FAM  trips are so important.

After taking pics and eating at the delicious restaurants onsite, I met up with the rest of the Travel Agents there around 7:00p for our happy hour. Great way to mingle and meet some wonderful folks from this industry.

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Day 2 Sunday

After an early breakfast, I attended the Sandals Resorts Marketing Forum where I was able to learn how to increase sales based on possible marketing efforts. Sandals Resorts is a wonderful partner for Travel Agents as they have many tools and resources that are helpful to our sales. After the marketing forum, I participated in the resort tour where a small group of us were able to walk around the resort and see the different amenities, activities, and room categories. We got to sample some bites at the restaurants including the afternoon high tea offered near the Balmoral Tower.

Award Ceremony

After all of the activities, I still made it back in time for the award ceremony later that evening. The award ceremony was held on the resort’s offshore island, which is a part of Sandals Royal Bahamian resort. You take a quick boat ride over to this offshore island where a pool, swim-up bar, and seafood restaurant called Schooner’s awaits you. A mini paradise from your paradise. After a filling dinner consisting of endless lobster tails, salad, jerk chicken, rice and peas, and desserts, there was a fire dancing performance with music. Afterwards, the ceremony began. I was given a sales award for the mid-Atlantic region at the award ceremony.

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Day 3 – Monday

Nassau Fish Fry

Monday was my “free day” in Nassau as part of the Bahamas FAM Trip. I was able to venture out of the resort paradise land and explore downtown Nassau. My first stop was heading to the famous Fish Fry to try some of the delicious fried conch fritters. There are several delicious restaurants, but I decided to try Frankie’s Gone Bananas. The breading was fried to perfection, and they almost had the texture consistency of hush puppies. While conch meat is usually slimy, when fried they were a little chewier. Great flavors and I highly recommend. While you’re at it, eat the Bahamian style macaroni and cheese, rice and peas (which ironically doesn’t contain any actual peas). It’s a mixture of dried red kidney beans, garlic, coconut milk, ground rice, thyme, and pepper.

Ardastra Gardens & Zoo

After eating, I headed to the Ardastra Gardens & Zoo. The Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre is a peaceful retreat spread over 4 acres of lush tropical gardens. Ardastra specializes in bird rescue & rehabilitation, education, preservation of history and conservation of natural resources. Ardastra is home to many native species of plants and animals – including the Bahamas National Bird, the beautiful and exotic Caribbean Flamingo.

The highlight of this zoo is the flamingo interaction. There are three daily shows: 10:30a, 2:15p, and 4:00p. It was so adorable seeing all of the brightly pink-colored flamingos walk in a single file line like school kids heading to recess.

Paradise Island

After a visit to the zoo, I took a ferry out to Paradise Island to view Atlantis resort. The ferry to and from is $8 per person, and cash is preferred. Just a heads up there is an even exchange with the US dollar and the Bahamian dollar. Most ATMs disperse both types. Along the way to Paradise Island, you pass by the pastel-colored Harborside Condos, that are in front of the famous resort Atlantis, which is one of the Caribbean’s top vacation resorts where you can find fine dining, water parks with sharks and casino gaming.

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Day 4 – Tuesday

Tuesday was a very early morning. A select few of us traveled from NAS airport to GGT airport via Bahamas Air at 6:20 am. Price of a one-way flight was $125 per person. We landed in George Town, Bahamas at 7:00 am. We headed to Sandals Emerald Bay resort, the second and last Sandals resort in the country. The water in Exuma is out of this world. This resort is perfect for golf enthusiasts as they have 6 golf courses on the property, built by the famous Greg Norman.

In the afternoon, after the resort tour, I took a ferry to Chat N Chill which is a popular spot to eat, grab a beer, feed stingrays, eat fresh conch salad, and relax. The round trip ferry from the George Town pier is $15 per person. As the sign reads, “The chat is free, pay for the chill.” Check out my full review of Chat N Chill here!

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Day 5 – Wednesday

This day I participated in a full day tour with 4C’s around the Exuma Cays – visiting endangered pink iguanas, the famous pigs at Pig Beach, visiting a sandbar in total paradise, and swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay.

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Day 6 – Thursday

After this Bahamas FAM Trip in paradise, I headed back to the GGT airport in the late morning. Flight left at 1:59p. GGT airport was probably the smallest airport I’ve ever been to. There were maybe 100 seats available for passengers to wait and there were only two gates. They are very efficient I will say that. Security took all of 2 minutes! If you have any questions about visiting Exuma give me a shout: cassandra@accent-on-travel.net.

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Heading to
Nassau and/or Exuma?

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