Table Of Content
Saunter the lively streets of Nassau, chill by a freshwater pool in Perfect Day at CocoCay, or get a history lesson at the Heritage Museum during your cruise to the Bahamas. Cruise passengers will find opportunities to hike in national parks, enjoy nearly deserted beaches, and explore many small churches—the Bahamas boasts more churches per capita than anywhere else in the world. Book flights that depart and arrive in time for Caribbean cruises with Holland America Line Flight Ease®.
Cruise Ports
There, Disney promises a celebration of Bahamian culture, including Junkanoo parades, characters from Bahamas folklore, and performances by local artists. Family-friendly attractions abound but grown-ups can also drop the kids off in a supervised activity program and head to the adults-only beach to sip cocktails while lounging in private cabanas. The Bahamas offers a range of activities to enjoy during your cruise. In Nassau, you could relax on beautiful beaches on Pearl Island or the Blue Lagoon.
Choosing the Right Caribbean and Bahamas Cruise
To get around, take the local jitneys, the buses making the rounds to Nassau and Cable Beach. Visit the Bahamas and hop on the ferry to get to Paradise Island, the home of the Atlantis resort.
Cruises to the Bahamas by Season
It's loaded with top-deck slides and water features, specialty restaurant choices and more entertainment options than you can take in on a short cruise. Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming. Obviously, Parrotheads are gonna want to try this ship, with all its Jimmy Buffett-inspired themes and decor, but it's also a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising. Pricing makes this a great cruise to enjoy an escape without spending a fortune.
Try the conch fritters—always on the menu—while sipping on a cool tropical drink. A Bahamas cruise isn’t complete without enjoying different types of Caribbean rum, whether sampling on its own, in a piña colada, as a soaked rum cake, or on a distillery tour. On a Bahamas cruise, you’ll learn about the islands’ rich history. A former British colony in the 18th century, the Bahamas is famed for its pirate invasions and history of occupations.
A city that boasts year-round tropical weather and offers some of the clearest snorkeling and most well-preserved coral reef structures in the world. It’s easy to feel at home in Key West among the swaying palms and small fishing boats glittering off the harbor. Then set out for attractions along Duval Street or Mallory Square, both hubs for shopping and nightlife. A short, 30-minute boat ride off the coast is Pearl Island, one of the unique private islands of The Bahamas. Spend the day on water trampolines, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Or shop for hand-rolled Cuban cigars, hand-painted Bahamian art, and hand-woven straw hats at local markets. Disney Cruise Line has ships in the Bahamas year-round, starting with quick three- and four-night sailings from Florida ports. What has Disney fans all atwitter is the opening in summer 2024 of a second exclusive for Disney Bahamas destination, Lighthouse Point, on the island of Eleuthera.
Fall Bahamas cruises
Explore Fort Charlotte, a historic British colonial fort that once protected Nassau from pirates and other invaders. Learn about the history of slavery and emancipation at the Pompey Museum. Nassau’s culture is hugely influenced by the Creole and African populations who settled there.
Man arrested after woman found dead on Margaritaville cruise headed for the Bahamas - USA TODAY
Man arrested after woman found dead on Margaritaville cruise headed for the Bahamas.
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Charm & Beauty of Nassau & Paradise Island
Virgin Voyages aimed to be a disrupter in the cruise market from the beginning — creating a product designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. Yet the itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Scarlet Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini. Junkanoo Beach is a free, public stretch of sand with affordable lounge-chair and umbrella rentals and tasty Bahama Mamas.
It's bustling and busy, and it can feel overwhelming to travelers visiting for the first time, especially when there are several ships docked at the same time. Norwegian Jewel might not have the extensive top-deck attractions of newer ships, like Norwegian Prima, or as many restaurants and bars. However, passengers will find plenty to occupy their time onboard with scheduled activities, a casino, spa and pool areas. The newest, biggest ships in the world typically sail longer cruises. Offering short cruises on its humongous Oasis Class ships is new for Royal Caribbean; sister ship Allure of the Seas will test out the concept before Utopia launches.
Because of how crowded and frenetic the main Bahamian ports can be, luxury lines tend to stay away. The line operates sailings to some of the Bahamas' Out Islands, which are too tiny for larger, more mainstream vessels to reach. Islands in the Bahamas are found on lots of itineraries, ranging from short, Bahamas-specific sailings to longer Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.
For fabulous food, ask a local to point you in the direction of their favorite restaurant, and head off the beaten path to try some conch fritters (fried conch meat) and peas with rice. You'll mainly find sailings with the "big eight" brands -- Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
From radiant sunshine to turquoise waters, enjoy the best Caribbean cruise weather all year round when you sail to these tropical lands with Princess. Spice up your holiday season on a Bahamas cruise and immerse yourself in the best of each destination with our exclusive Local Connections Program. Sample Blue Curacao on a distillery tour, snorkel alongside friendly stingrays in Antigua or discover St. Lucia’s Creole traditions from a master craftsman.
