This excursion is another great option for cruise travelers that do not wish to get wet and want to contemplate the stunning underwater world of The Bahamas. Many beaches are lined with hotels and resorts, but their facilities are only available to guests. However, exploring them on a Bahamas shore excursion is the best way to experience these paradise islands. The beach is also a preferred spot for wading and picnicking. Enjoy a wine lover's dream at one of the Caribbean's first Five-Star restaurants. Or, spend 10,000 points plus $140. Free areas to visit at the Atlantis include the casino, indoor shopping areas, and several dining venues. New Providence Island. In 2016/2017, the last time frame for which full data is available, Nassau was the fifth busiest passenger cruise port in the world with 3.5 million annual visitors. Second, if you take advantage of the all-inclusive food and drinks, plus the pool and beach access, day passes can be a good deal. Day 4 - Cruising. A password reset email has been sent. If you're looking for more excitement, check out our catamaran cruise to Paradise Island to experience the resort's famous Aquaventure water park and water slides. Check here before booking an award fare. Cabanas include sun chairs, an all-inclusive drink package, butler service, and lunch. Some will package a bucket of beer with chairs and an umbrella. Once by the living coral, the excursionist will have a unique viewing. Most beaches are free and open to the public, and some are located just a short walk from the cruise terminal. Numerous ATMs are also found around downtown. The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. 10:20 AM From private cabanas to charter rentals, there's simply something magical about this place. Guests looking for a more exclusive experience at Pearl Island can reserve a VIP Cabana. Dont forget to bring your towel; chairs are available for rent chairs from vendors. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter. Indeed, the modern cruise industrys first itineraries in the 1970s focused on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. Junkanoo is the most popular festival in the Bahamas. Tropical beach bars, food, and a Starbucks are available on the island for an extra cost. On the small island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas archipelago. Start Times: First I want to say we are grateful to be in the US were we still have some freedom. A private island getaway to your own private, exclusive ocean-view cabana is waiting for you on beautiful Pearl Island. A 15-20 minute boat ride from Nassau's port. My most recent conference was cruising on the Independence of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. You can also look for a resort offering day passes. Museum tours. Start Times: Junkanoo Beach is approximately a 15-minute walk from the cruise port, offering travelers an inexpensive and convenient way to enjoy some sun and fun. Nassau is on an island within a vast archipelago. 12:15 PM. We've never seen these anywhere else! Whether found at a lively outdoor market or gourmet restaurant, Bahamian gastronomy is filled with island flavor. East of Nassau lies Saunders Beach, also popular with visitors and locals, and known for its beautiful twilight views. The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas takes visitors on a journey from pre-historic times in the Bahamas to today. The waterscape includes lagoons, pools, and habitats for marine animals. The Christmas decor was a nice touch. Snorkeling equipment is included for VIP guests. Day 2 - Nassau, Bahamas. Besides being a great place to sample an authentic Bahamian lunch featuring the freshest conch fritters and local dishes, the Potters Cay shacks are a great place to interact with locals, other visitors and the chefs themselves as they chat about the days catch and argue over a game of dominoes. 4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise. During this 2.5-hour sightseeing tour, huff up the Queen Victoria staircase for spectacular photo ops and visit the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory. We sorted through the choices to find you the best Bahamas shore excursions. Day visitors have the chance to. Historic sites near Prince George Wharf include Parliament Square, which houses the Bahamas House of Assembly, the Senate Building and Supreme Court in pink pastel colonial buildings. Things to Do in Nassau. Start Times: While the luxurious Baha Mar resort on Nassaus Cable Beach does not offer day passes, savvy and sybaritic cruisers will reserve a room for the day for access to the propertys premium facilities and amenities, including a private beach and beach club, motorized and nonmotorized watersports, a series of pools with shaded lounge chairs, cabanas and waterfall features. Nassau is a surprisingly diverse port. 144. A 66-step major landmark in Nassau, it was carved out of solid limestone rock between 1793 and 1794. This yacht, on pristine waters, in a private cove. Around one million travelers board Caribbean cruise ships that travel to Nassau every year! Start Times: Sweeping views from the forts bluffs encompass downtown Nassau, the harbor and the cruise ship dock. Stuart Cove is the main diving provider on New Providence Island. The port is normally a bustling affair, as disembarking guests walk from the pier to Bay Street, parallel to the water, and the downtown shopping area where you'll find tour guides and Jet Ski, beach and watersports excursion operators, taxis for hire, scooter rentals, craft and souvenir shops, and hair braiders. In summary, the experience is 90% still there and a, This was Royal Caribbeans grand return to cruising on the first voyage of the Adventure of the Seas from Nassau, Bahamas. All cruise lines offer this type of tour with stops and photo ops in places like the Fort Charlotte, Queens staircase, the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay among others. Also, just a few minutes away from Paradise Island is Blue Lagoon Island, a private local-family owned island famous for its secluded beaches and animal encounter programs. It's also close to Paradise Island, home to the world-famous Atlantis Resort. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Potter's Cay. If the problem persists, you may, Shore Excursions - City Tours - Day Activities, TAINO BAY (PUERTO PLATA) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EASTERN CARIBBEAN THREE PORT DISCOUNT PACKAGE. Thrill Waterpark 4. Find out how great it is to swim with the fishes. Day pass holders also have beach access. Atlantis Aquaventure & Dolphin Cay Interaction. A visitor can spend an entire day exploring the property, which features one of the worlds largest private collections, chocolate-making and cigar-rolling facilities, art galleries and craft shops. Likewise, many cruise passengers skip Nassau altogether and stay on the ship, believing that there is nothing worth seeing or doing on the island. We were the 6th time out, and the staff told us that several things that weren't allowed were starting to be added back, such as the dance party on pool deck in, My wife and I are regular cruisers on Royal Caribbean, so while I am not normally the type to write reviews, it would seem helpful to add insight to the relatively new experience of post-Covid cruising out of the Bahamas by writing about our July 2021 cruise. Stuart Cove is also the diving provider for Royal Caribbean shore excursions. Nassau was at the heart of piracy from 1690 to 1720, when Nassau was taken over by English privateers who became lawless pirates. This excursion is one of the most exciting and fun activities when cruising to Nassau. Browse more of our Nassau shore excursions and tours below to find your perfect getaway. When youre shopping in the Bahamas, look for souvenirs like: Nassaus Bay Street retail district is steps of the cruise ship dock, but there are a few hidden shopping spots just a short taxi ride away. Dive with this first-rate dive shop that was recently featured in National Geographic. Enjoy sailing and snorkeling in the beautiful Bahamian waters. This assumption could not be more incorrect! Several banks are located on Parliament Street, a short walk from the cruise terminal. On this popular Nassau dolphin excursion, you'll be whisked away to a private island where you'll get to spend the day freely exploring a tropical paradise. Ready? 2. Remember These Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas. These museums are all walkable from the cruise port, and most are relatively small, so visiting each museum will not take too much time. Guests interested in Bahamian art and culture may want to visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. Start Times: Come with us on this awesome sightseeing tour! 1 - 10 of 21 Royal Caribbean Nassau Cruise Reviews. Water sports (kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, etc.) True to its Caribbean traditions, the Bahamas indigenous cuisine combines flavorful spices with fresh tropical fruit and seafood. A four course meal paired with wines from the award winning wine cellar and a chance to explore this extraordinary wine collection. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. With 25 years in the same location, McKenzie, a former conch fisherman turned restaurateur, is a local celebrity among Potter Cay purveyors, with a shack positioned as the first on the bridges west end. When it comes to oceangoing vacations, the Bahamas can accurately be described as the industrys leading destination, with the capital city of Nassau being cruisings number one port of call. Here are some of the most popular and recommended beaches in Nassau: The beaches of Nassau offer varied amenities, so be sure to check what is offered or located nearby at each beach. These three historic villages were settled by liberated Africans in the 1800s and still maintain their African heritage. Many products are necessarily imported and that means prices, including meals at restaurants, can be high. As a result, visitors can take a DIY-approach to exploring Nassau with help from the Bahamas.com website. As with other staple dishes, Johnny cakes are found around the Caribbean, with the Bahamas version traditionally baked in a large round pan until lightly browned then sliced and served in wedges. There's no shortage of great beaches in and around Nassau. This popular Nassau shore excursion takes the Atlantis Aquaventure to the next level! We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. A short, 30-minute boat ride off the coast is Pearl Island, one of the unique private islands of The Bahamas. Most day passes range from $70-125. Six ships from four different cruise lines visited Nassau Cruise Port on Monday, February 27, 2023, setting a one-day guest record for the port with an amazing 28,554 passengers. 8:15 AM. We went in knowing there would be kinks but as a family we were treated like lepers. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Nassau, the Bahamas, combines the excitement of a big city with the relaxed lifestyle of a Caribbean utopia. The first and most important that really hooked us was 2 major things, A voyager class ship that has been amped and has tons to do and 2 days at Coco Cay. Enjoy a unique pirate adventure while sailing the beautiful Bahamian waters. If that's not enough, we've also got tons of SCUBA tours, dolphin swims, and trips to the Blue Lagoon. This was our final stop to check out the Atlantis Resort, you were not able to go inside unless you actually were staying at the resort so we wandered around the outside grounds and took photos. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. While Nassau sometimes gets a bad rap as a touristy port of call and is often inundated by cruise travelers, the Bahamas capital city is actually a diverse port with an impressive array of historic attractions, a variety of beach experiences, distinctive cuisine and extensive shopping opportunities. There are a few types of day passes available, some of which give access just to the beach whereas others have access to the beach and waterpark. Adjacent to lively fruit markets, the brightly colored conch shacks feature nearly 40 chefs in different shacks cooking fresh conch dishes in myriad ways. Spend your day snorkeling, playing and relaxing. Also in port was Carnival Cruise Lines Excel-class Mardi Gras (14th largest cruise ship in the world); Celebrity Cruise Lines Solstice-class Celebrity Reflection and Edge-class Celebrity Beyond (50th largest); and MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class MSC Meraviglia (17th largest). The shop offers an extensive and impressive array of handcrafted jewelry, painted glass, straw bags and accessories including homemade soaps and bath products. The most basic shore excusion is titled "Discover Atlantis Tour", which can be combined with a day at the beach and many othe different activities. Paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel gear are available to rent, and the island also offers nature tours with dolphins and stingrays. Explore Allure of the Seas. The white and pink buildings that make up the lush Nassau landscape tell the story of a city at once colonial and tropical. The entrance fee is $10 for guests and free for children under 12. The port is just 305 miles (491 kilometers) from the worlds busiest passenger cruise port, Port Canaveral, and even closer to PortMiami (185 miles / 298 kilometers) and Port Everglades (190 miles / 306 kilometers). This makes Nassau Cruise Port especially convenient for short itineraries of just 3-4 nights, and it is also easy to add to longer itineraries as an additional port of call. By taxi: Taxi operators are staged around the Prince George Wharf area. Take a break from the ordinary and away from the noisy hustle and bustle of the sightseeing and beachgoing tours. ShoreTrips' many shore excursions in Nassau reveal its Caribbean elegance. The museum has a series of educational panels providing stories and descriptions of slavery in the Bahamas throughout history, and its impact on the culture and traditions seen in the Bahamas today. Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler. The beach promenade is a popular hangout on weekends and public holidays, with local vendors offering delicious local food and drinks. We booked a shore excursion through our cruise line Royal Caribbean to go on a tour of different places in Nassau. 9:45 AM Amenities and activities at the resort are split into two categories: areas open to the general public and areas available only for guests or day pass visitors.