Extreme Meal Planning/Packing - Harborside at Atlantis

[FLDVCFamily]

OP, you did awesome! My friend just got an Atlantis trade, and my advice to her was to pack a suitcase full of food. We went in April, 2001 and the food cost was INSANE. If we ever do manage a Harborside trade, we are doing what you did.

Can I ask where you bought the groceries? Is there a grocery store nearby/walking distance?

 

[MichaelColey]

There is a grocery store across the bridge. It's a fairly long walk. I walked there with our stroller and loaded it up. Might have been worth getting a taxi.

We also arranged for our driver to stop at a grocery store on the way from the airport, but we ended up needing more stuff.

The resort also offers a shuttle (for a fee) to a grocery store, if I remember right. Not sure what store, pricing, or schedule.

 

[kwindham]

fantastic planning!

 

[ScoopKona]

I think Michael's "pack all your food" is extreme. We used to go to Nassau all the time when we lived in Florida. It was a nice change of pace.

Firstly, no trip to Nassau is complete without several trips to Goldie's for conch salad. That's what you eat in the Bahamas -- like eating the poke in Hawaii. Also, there is Potter's Cay dock and all their fish shacks. I can't imagine going to Nassau and not eating there several times, either.

The markets there are overpriced compared to those in Florida. But not SO overpriced that they should be avoided.

We always brought items like olive oil. That way we didn't have to buy a big bottle of olive oil when all we needed was a few ounces over the course of a week.

As for getting around, their bus system is very convenient. Sure beats walking.

 

[MichaelColey]

There was no cost to us to pack food (I get free checked bags with my AA status), so that was one factor for us. We basically packed all of our non-perishable food, plus a couple small coolers inside our luggage full of a mix of frozen and cold food that we knew would travel well. We basically just had to buy fresh fruits and veggies, water, local items and things that wouldn't travel well. Even beyond the savings, it made the shopping trip in the Bahamas much smaller/shorter, giving us more time to enjoy our stay.

 

[JulieAB]

I'm totally with Michael. Even when we make the short drive to disneyland, I pack several bags of food and a cooler. We eat at the park A LOT, but who wants to grocery shop on vacation if you don't have to! We mostly eat breakfast and random lunches in our timeshare. Plus, I have our favorite brands and such.

 

[Sea Six]

My wife won't take food to the Bahamas because of this (from the Harborside web site): Oh sure, everyone says they've done this and never got caught, but my wife thinks she will be the one who does get caught. You never know, I guess, if you choose not to declare at customs.

 

[ScoopKona]

My wife won't take food to the Bahamas because of this (from the Harborside web site): Oh sure, everyone says they've done this and never got caught, but my wife thinks she will be the one who does get caught. You never know, I guess, if you choose not to declare at customs.

I agree with your wife. Why risk it?

Buy the foodstuffs that the Bahamas is known for -- tropical fruit and seafood. If you keep it local and seasonal, food doesn't cost that much more than the mainland.

 

[kwindham]

I have never tried Michaels idea on a flight trip, but always do it with more moderation on a drive trip. In May when we drove from Louisiana to Williamsburg and then on to DC I packed 2 coolers and 2 boxes of food. When you have kids, teenagers in my case, food adds up quickly. I find there is always other things I would like to spend my budget on other than food. We do eat out a couple/few times, but def eat in as well.

 

[Elan]

I have never tried Michaels idea on a flight trip, but always do it with more moderation on a drive trip. In May when we drove from Louisiana to Williamsburg and then on to DC I packed 2 coolers and 2 boxes of food. When you have kids, teenagers in my case, food adds up quickly. I find there is always other things I would like to spend my budget on other than food. We do eat out a couple/few times, but def eat in as well.

Agreed. Kids are the big variable here. We like to eat out, but kids can add to the dining bill quickly. Also, I think Michael has younger kids, which sometimes makes eating out a less than pleasurable experience.

 

[CSB]

Here is the the Bahamas High Commission website question and answer.

"12. What can i bring into the bahamas as far as food items?

You may take any item up to a value of $100USD Duty free. However, no fresh fruit or vegetables allowed. Chicken and beef are taxable. One quart of alcohol including beer and wine and 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars are allowed for persons over 21. Additional information may be obtained from The Comptroller of Customs, Customs House, Thompson Blvd, PO Box N-155, Nassau, The Bahamas. (Tel: 001 242 3264401)."

We have brought food countless times into the Bahamas and never had anyone ask for tax, duty or customs on it.

 

[MichaelColey]

Fresh fruit and vegetables was one of the things we specifically didn't bring. I didn't know about the restriction, but I figured those items wouldn't travel well and from what I remember, local fruits and vegetables were reasonably priced.

 

[CSB]

I should qualify the type of food that I have taken. Frozen sausages, meat, fish. Canned and bottled things like chutney, olive oil, salad dressing, maple syrup and seasonings.

 

[boyblue]

Not saying that Michael did anything wrong (as a matter of fact I doubt he was even asked if he had anything to declare) but the duty on that stuff might have been $50.00 so, I suggest that if you're going to carry groceries, and if you are asked directly tell the officer "We brought some stuff cause we wouldn't be able to afford the trip otherwise" and 9 times out of 10 he's probably going to let you slide.

As far as grocery shopping during vacation, that's part of the fun for us, but then again no kids so everything is fun