There is a much more significant problem in Nassau than repaving streets and a few coats of paint. New Providence's infrastructure is sub-standard, there is little to do on the island aside from shopping and beaches (I include Atlantis here). Look for art galleries and stores in Nassau and beyond. 4 and of them, one is the Art Museum of the Bahamas and one is an arts and crafts store. How many time has Nassau made the US State Department traveler's advisory list? Too many to count. I'm sure we all have examples of the like about Nassau/New Providence.
I like Nassau. DW and I always go ashore on a Bahamian cruise. I attribute that more to my years of service in the US Navy and the expectations I developed when visiting ports overseas (with and without her) than to the amenities provided in Nassau.
This is my opinion, but Nassau presents itself as a very poor choice for fun. Compare it to Georgetown (Grand Cayman). There's no comparison. Georgetown is clean, safe, offers more to do and see than fun in the sun (which is pretty awesome on its own
).
This has nothing to do with the Bahamian people. My experience is that (on the whole) they are pleasant people who look to please and be pleased. I just think it's an unrealistic expectation of the Bahamian Ministry to expect to get cruise lines just due to geographic location. This may perpetuate for a while. Dream's bread-n-butter is the Bahamian run and must be a huge moneymaker for
DCL. Cuba isn't much further south at a decent cruising speed. Not sure, but to advertise Nassau as a great place in and of itself is not in accordance with my experience.
My opinion, take it for what it's worth.