Bahamas Cruises: Cruise to The Bahamas

Enjoy a spectacular day at the beachfront Pirate’s Cove doing most anything you please. With no schedule to follow, you can genuinely relax in style at your own pace. Festival Place, which sits right on the wharf, has more than 40 local vendors selling artisanal items. Cruise to Nassau and make your way to Bay Street— just a block away— for duty-free luxury goods. This waterfront promenade is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, and the nearby Straw Market is the go-to spot for authentic Bahamian hand-made treasures.

What to bring on a Bahamas cruise

Consider a pre- or post-cruise stay in Charleston to take in the city's historic landmarks, epic dining and charming cobblestone streets. On Bahamas cruises, embark on diverse adventures no matter the destination. Explore the Mayan Ruins in the Western Caribbean, snorkel past coral reefs in the Southern Caribbean, and sail on a catamaran in the Eastern Caribbean. Find activities for the family during a spring break vacation that feels like summer. Get a taste of traditional Caribbean culture as you sail to ports like Bonaire and Aruba.

Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island

Historically, new ships are reserved for longer itineraries, so this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a snack-size sampling of a brand-new ship without spending the money on a longer sailing. From first-timers to veteran cruisers, anyone looking for a short but fun-filled hop to the Bahamas should give Freedom of the Seas a look. Families looking for a quick escape will find entertainment and activities for toddlers to teens. The ship is also ideal for family reunions, bachelorette parties and birthday cruises.

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Spend the day relaxing beachside or snorkeling just off the shore. Find cruises to the Bahamas that fit just about any schedule with options of a short getaway or a week long Caribbean vacation with the family. 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. Join a watercolor painting class, snorkel over coral reefs, and even swim with friendly pigs. Learn about Nassau’s history, and sample conch fritters, the local specialty.

Plus, logistics for cruising out of Miami are simple enough for even first-time cruisers. From flight choices to pre- or post-cruise hotels, it's a city that caters to tourists, especially the cruising ones. You can visit The Bahamas without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Examples include sailings that depart and return to New York or Miami.

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]

Whether you’re a history-lover, adventure-seeker or laid-back traveler, discover the best Caribbean cruise destinations for any guest with Princess. Get a taste of the Caribbean while savoring tropical delights on each of the islands. Enjoy jerk chicken in Jamaica, coconut bread pudding in St. Kitts, or a beach barbecue in Princess Cays. Cruises to the Bahamas also come complete with island-inspired cocktails and cuisine on board. Laze in a beachside hammock or get your thrills at Thrill Waterpark on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Jump onboard a Bahamas cruise to stroll along the waterfront of capital city Nassau and see its distinctive pastel-colored buildings.

Port Canaveral (Orlando)

The resort features spectacular views from every guest room, including 274 rooms with private balconies where you can bask and soak up the sun. Explore the many luxuries found on the 26-acre property, including a stunning pool, a daily activities program, non-motorized water sports, a kids club, and unlimited food and drinks. If you've cruised or are planning to cruise to someplace warm, it's likely the Bahamas will pop up on your itinerary -- and for good reason. Found on Bahamas-exclusive sailings and Caribbean voyages, Bahamian ports offer plenty of sun and sand, as well as opportunities for shopping, gambling and more. Depending on which itinerary you choose, you can chill out on the beaches of Bimini, shop Nassau's iconic straw market or go horseback riding by the shore of Carnival's private island, Half Moon Cay.

Cruises to the Bahamas by Season

Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers who can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises. Disney waited a decade to build its next new ship, but Disney dreamers had their wish granted in 2022. Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando's Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. There's a beach with your name on it once you plan a Bahamas cruise vacation. Slip away for a 3-, 4- or 5-day cruise from Miami or Tampa, or cruise from Orlando (Port Canaveral) if you're in need of a quick getaway. Visit Great Stirrup Cay, where you can swim with stingrays, kayak, or enjoy island cocktails in your own private cabana.

It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Our award-winning service continues seamlessly as you venture ashore, with imaginative excursions ranging from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries.

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. To take your vacation experience to an entirely new level, visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, where a perfect day is waiting. Swim in the Bahamas' largest freshwater pool, go down the tallest waterslide in North America, and chill with a book in the only private overwater cabanas in the Bahamas. Other Bahamas stops include Bimini, which is less frequented, and cruise line private islands, which can only be accessed via cruise ship. One unique outlier is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which exclusively operates two-night voyages back and forth between Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas.

There’s no better way to discover The Bahamas than with Celebrity. Sail south from Fort Lauderdale to Key West before heading to Nassau, a laid-back port with everything from powdery beaches to handmade crafts and couture shopping. Nap in a hammock on Blue Lagoon Island or catch thrills at Atlantis, where you can stroll through tunnels in Predator Lagoon.

From casual poolside bites to Pan-Asian flavors at Tamarind and fine dining at Pinnacle Grill, our menus offer a culinary adventure. Carnival Cruise Line offers 10 different five-night sailings from Charleston, South Carolina, aboard the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine. It's currently Carnival's oldest ship (it debuted in 1996 under the name Carnival Destiny). However, in 2013, the line gave it a $200 million bow-to-stern glow-up and renamed it Carnival Sunshine. The overhaul produced a new top-deck WaterWorks water park, a comedy club and several bars, lounges and restaurants. Norwegian Cruise Line offers four-day sailings from Miami aboard Norwegian Jade.

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. Freedom of the Seas has plenty of onboard fun to occupy travelers of all ages on sea days. 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.

From relaxing on the shores of Seven Mile Beach to feeding majestic sea creatures at Stingray City, discover the top things to do in Grand Cayman with Princess. Discover the most relaxing things to do on your luxury getaway to Perfect Day at CocoCay from the luxury CocoCay Overwater Cabanas to the most popular Chill Island Cabanas and much more. Visit a thrilling water park or a relaxing lagoon to make your Perfect Day at CocoCay® even better. The best free activities and free things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay®, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. 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.

You'll also find large spas, casinos, showrooms and a nice selection of restaurants on board. Whether you're looking for a quick and cheap getaway or a week at the beach, here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries to start your search, in order from shortest to longest. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.