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Let’s take an in-depth look at everything you need to know before booking a cruise to The Bahamas. Port Lucaya Marketplace is home to over 80 duty-free shops and specialty boutiques. Browse Freeport’s sprawling International Bazaar and the nearby straw market for unique wood, shell and straw creations.
IT'S TIME TO WIN THE WEEKEND
Choose your own ultimate beach day on a cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Refuel at the swim-up bar in the largest freshwater pool in The Bahamas. This is bragging rights earned — at the island voted Best Private Destination by Travel Weekly readers for three years running. Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas, and it’s a favorite port for many cruisers.
The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas
Divers, snorkelers, kayakers, paddleboarders and straight-up beach bums will find plenty of water-based fun in both the Bahamas and the Caribbean. From packing lightweight clothing to remembering sunscreen and comfortable shoes, here is our list of the top items to pack on a cruise to the Bahamas. Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. He has become one of the foremost expert on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Save Big With These Bahamas Cruise Deals
The island is packed with activities for all interests, from the tallest waterslide in North America to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. 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 relax in front of the iconic lighthouse while enjoying a frozen drink and freshly made conch salad.
Royal Caribbean International Bahamas Departure Ports
The other Bahamian ports aren't shopping destinations for much beyond souvenirs. In the Caribbean, St. Barth's is the place for swanky boutiques; French Martinique and St. Martin sell goods from France. St. Thomas is known for its duty-free shopping within easy reach of the port, and San Juan is full of art galleries and boutiques. If you're a novice snorkeler or dedicated sunbather, you'll be pleased with any Bahamas or Caribbean itinerary you choose. Experienced divers or water sports enthusiasts should research the ports that offer particular water sports experiences, such as windsurfing or advanced-level wreck diving. Western Caribbean cruise ports include several ports in Jamaica and Mexico, as well as Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras) and Belize City.
You won't find short cruises to the Southern Caribbean, so if you want to cruise to places like Aruba or St. Lucia, you'll need at least a week. If you're looking for luxury, the small-ship and high-end lines focus their attention in this area, as well as on the smaller Eastern Caribbean islands. Southern Caribbean sailings tend to be more port-intensive, with fewer sea days of all the Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Several hotels and resorts in Nassau offer day passes, which allow cruise ship guests to access the resorts’ amenities for the day. Some day passes are all-inclusive, whereas others give guests a monetary voucher for food and drinks. Balmoral Island is located a thirty minute boat ride from the cruise port and offers a picture-perfect beach day to guests with clear water, beach chairs and umbrellas, and two fresh-water pools.
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Discover the Atlantis Resort— an entertainment mecca and home to the largest water park in the Caribbean. Located across the harbor on Paradise Island, you’ll find acres of adventures to be had— whether exploring underground tunnel aquariums, plunging down waterslides, or swimming with dolphins. Little-known as a culinary ingredient in the continental U.S., conch is a large mollusk (akin to clams) with a meaty texture. Experience the top 7 most thrilling things to do at the Perfect Day at CocoCay from sliding down the tallest waterslide in North America to zip lining across the island and much more. If you want to unwind, head to Chill Island on the east side of CocoCay.
One of the best parts of cruising to The Bahamas is that you can often find fantastic deals, especially on shorter cruises. It’s not uncommon to find 3 or 4-night Bahamas cruises for as little as $575 for 2 adults in an interior room, including all taxes and fees. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with the highest chance of storms between August and September. However, you shouldn’t necessarily avoid booking a cruise during hurricane season. Both Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises often include a visit to The Bahamas in combination with stops in ports like Cozumel, Roatan, San Juan, St. Maarten, and Labadee.
Lunch is included in the excursion to Blue Lagoon as well, where you can enjoy hamburgers, chicken, veggie burgers, Caribbean rice, and a salad bar. Guests looking for a more exclusive experience at Pearl Island can reserve a VIP Cabana. Cabanas include sun chairs, an all-inclusive drink package, butler service, and lunch. The cabana also has a fully stocked cooler, complimentary towels, a power outlet, and ceiling fan. With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US. Switcha, which many locals consider the official Bahamian drink, blends lemons and limes to concoct a powerful accompaniment to dessert or a refreshing drink on a hot sunny day.
6 Bahamas Cruise Tips You Need to Know Before You Go - Cruise Critic
6 Bahamas Cruise Tips You Need to Know Before You Go.
Posted: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Nassau is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, receiving around 3 million cruise passengers per year. And while Nassau is best known for crystal clear beaches and world-famous resorts, the port offers plenty of activities for all interests. Fill your days on a short escape with Oasis Class thrills – onboard Allure of the Seas®. All while sailing to the picture-perfect shores of The Bahamas and our private destination Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Many guests that try to “wing it” on their day in Nassau end up disappointed and unsure of the best way to spend their day. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. The seafood is fresh, the sun is shining and there’s a whole lot to do, so get out there and explore the city before, during and after your cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Some cabanas come with extra perks, like the cabanas at Thrill Waterpark®, which include complimentary entry to all of the slides and activities inside for up to six guests.
If you want to explore the ruins of ancient Mayan cities, you'll want to choose an itinerary that visits Mexico and/or Belize. A cruise to the Bahamas offers a classic Caribbean cruise experience. From snorkeling in crystal clear waters to spending the day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, there’s always something to enjoy in the Bahamas. Adventure of the Seas becomes your gateway to memory-maxing week-long getaways in the Caribbean.
Check out our FAQs for more ways to maximize your day of thrills and chill. Grand Bahama is the most northwestern island in The Bahamas, located only 64 miles from Palm Beach, Florida. Cruises on Grand Bahama dock in the city of Freeport, the second largest city in The Bahamas with a population of around 24,000 people. Many visitors to Nassau take a taxi to Paradise Island, where they’ll find the famous Atlantis Resort and pristine Cabbage Beach. Day trips to nearby islands, such as Blue Lagoon and Pearl Island, can also be great options when spending the day in Nassau.
Outside of short getaways and cruises from the northeast, you’ll find a variety of other itineraries visiting The Bahamas, most commonly with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Most cruises departing from the northeast will stop at a few ports along the southeast coast of the United States before visiting The Bahamas, such as Charleston, South Carolina and Orlando, Florida. While Bimini is not the most common port stop on Royal Caribbean Bahamas itineraries, it offers a low-key, relaxing getaway for visitors looking to sunbathe, snorkel, or ride a golf cart around the island.
