A day in Nassau, Bahamas: What to do whereas your cruise is in port

Cruising and the Bahamas have gone hand in hand since trendy cruising started within the Nineteen Seventies. The primary itineraries centered on three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from Miami. In the present day, seven-night and longer Caribbean itineraries typically embrace a port name in Nassau.

The Bahamas is among the trade’s main cruise port locations, with the capital metropolis of Nassau being one of many world’s busiest ports of name.

Made up of 700 islands unfold throughout 100,000 sq. miles of the North Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas boasts a few of the Caribbean’s most lovely, clear blue water, white and pink sand seashores, heat temperatures and points of interest galore. Nassau is greater than a cruise port on the 112-mile-long island of New Windfall. It is usually a vibrant metropolis stuffed with numerous diversions.

Within the north, Paradise Island has giant motels and all-inclusive resorts that provide day packages for cruise guests, offering entry to premium golf (on the Baha Mar resort), on line casino gaming (at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas) and eating places, outlets and nightlife.

Not surprisingly, Nassau is a staple port of name for a number of cruise strains, together with Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Superstar Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages.

For extra cruise information, opinions and ideas, join TPG’s new cruise e-newsletter.

In line with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in 2024, the Bahamas is predicted to host 5.6 million cruise passengers. This determine exceeds the 5.4 million the port hosted in prepandemic 2019. Nassau’s cruise port capability elevated from 20,000 passengers per day to greater than 30,000 in Might 2023, because of a $300 million renovation. The mission expanded and revitalized the Prince George Wharf port and added a brand new berth, permitting it to accommodate six ships per day.

The Nassau cruise port now includes a streamlined trendy arrivals plaza that gives a easy entry and exit. A brand new Nassau cruise tour store lets friends ebook every thing from taxis to Atlantis excursions in a single spot. New points of interest just like the Museum of Junkanoo, extra outlets, eating places and bars and an growth of the enduring Straw Market present a bevy of issues to do on the Nassau cruise port. Whereas the expanded port means extra passengers in Nassau, the arrivals plaza and surrounding space are well-laid-out, spreading out crowds and making a much less frenetic environment.

3 issues TPG loves about Nassau

• “Solar and enjoyable” actions
• Historic and cultural points of interest
• Distinctive delicacies

What we might do with out

Nassau is on an island inside an enormous archipelago. Many merchandise are essentially imported, which implies costs, together with meals at eating places, may be excessive. Nassau also can really feel a bit “touristy” at instances, because the Nassau Cruise Port at Prince George Wharf can host as many as six giant cruise ships without delay. On busy days, cruise vacationers are ubiquitous across the downtown space. As with every busy vacation spot, vacationers ought to keep alert and pay attention to their environment.

Nassau Cruise Port quick information

Nassau is extraordinarily fashionable as a warm-weather getaway vacation spot that is nearer to the U.S. Atlantic Coast than most Caribbean basin international locations. As a plus, whereas technically not positioned within the Caribbean, Nassau and the Bahamas supply the identical splendid sunny skies, good azure waters and wonderful tradition and traditions.

On the small island of New Windfall, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. The port is generally a bustling affair as disembarking friends stroll from the pier to Bay Road, parallel to the water. The downtown buying space is the place you will discover tour guides and Jet Ski, seashore and watersports tour operators, taxis for rent, scooter leases, craft and memento outlets and hair braiders.

Nassau’s close by Paradise Island district gives seashores, eating places and outlets, in addition to the Atlantis megaresort, which is amongst a number of properties providing day packages for cruisers searching for a daylong all-inclusive expertise. The excellent news is that, with a bit preparation, will probably be straightforward to search out the suitable Nassau exercise to suit your private trip fashion.

Associated: The 9 greatest Bahamas cruises for each kind of traveler

Arrival particulars

Cruise ships visiting Nassau dock on the Nassau Cruise Port at Prince George Wharf, which is a brief strolling distance from Bay Road and the downtown district. Passengers who’re booked on cruise line excursions will discover suppliers staged in areas main from the dock. Non-public operators, together with those that booked excursions with friends separate from the cruise line, can be discovered past the primary group.

You may ebook taxis and excursions upon disembarking at a clearly marked kiosk. In case your ship is docked at one of many farther berths, it may be a protracted stroll out of your ship to the port exit. The port gives shuttles to the terminal constructing for passengers with mobility points.

Time zone: The Bahamas operates on Japanese Normal Time.

Language: English is the official language.

Forex: The Bahamian greenback is equal to the U.S. greenback. Each are extensively accepted and customarily, it isn’t essential to alternate cash. If you wish to alternate cash, you are able to do so aboard your ship, though you’ll be able to normally get hold of a greater price at a neighborhood financial institution or ATM. A number of banks are on Parliament Road, a brief stroll from the Nassau cruise terminal. Quite a few ATMs are additionally round downtown.

Map:

Prime issues to do in Nassau Cruise Port

Seashore lovers and vacationers who take pleasure in water sports activities, diving or snorkeling will discover all kinds of excursions and actions to go well with their tastes. Nassau can be a sturdy buying and eating scene. Guests ought to undoubtedly discover the world’s wealthy historical past. You may ebook excursions by means of your cruise line or independently.

Associated: Greatest shore excursions for Bahamas cruises

Common Nassau excursions

Water sports activities

Nassau gives a large number of actions centered across the space’s unbelievable waters and pure setting. Nearly each water sport is accessible to Nassau guests by way of cruise ship excursions, together with crusing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and encounters with sea lions, dolphins, stingrays and even swimming pigs.

Different cruise ship excursions characteristic glass-bottom and jet boat excursions, catamaran sailings paired with reef snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and unique seashore days with personal cabanas.

Whereas the luxurious Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on Nassau’s Cable Seashore doesn’t supply day passes, nonguests can play within the on line casino, go to the property’s eating places, bars and outlets, ebook a spa therapy and play golf right here.

ResortPass gives day passes to the Baha Bay Waterpark (on the swanky Baha Mar complicated the place the Grand Hyatt is positioned) for $146 (per grownup) and $60 (per youngster) and consists of raft rides, drop slides, free-fall slides, a wave pool, an motion river, a surf simulator and the Caribbean’s solely water-coaster. You can too chill at one of many infinity swimming pools on the park, with entry to a bar and restaurant. The move doesn’t present entry to another components of the resort, nevertheless.

It additionally sells a day move to the British Colonial Nassau (previously a Hilton), which not too long ago reopened after a complete renovation, for $90 per grownup and $45 per youngster. The move consists of entry to the out of doors heated pool, the youngsters pool, seashore lounge chairs, towel service and a ten% low cost on meals and drinks.

Nassau’s close by personal islands supply a premium seashore expertise inside a 15- to 20-minute ferry trip. Most cruise strains supply shore excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, however vacationers also can ebook a go to by means of a journey advisor or on their very own on-line. The tour is fashionable and infrequently sells out, so reserve early in your voyage or previous to your cruise date.

At Blue Lagoon, cruisers can swim in a peaceful lagoon, take pleasure in kayaking, water-biking or snorkeling excursions, play with water toys like floats and inside tubes or just calm down in a seashore hammock below coconut palms. Blue Lagoon gives a present store, altering rooms, restrooms and bathe amenities.

Balmoral Island, Pearl Island and Sandy Toes additionally supply personal island experiences close to Nassau.

Cruise vacationers whose ships arrive early in Nassau could need to take the roughly one-hour drive to Stuart’s Cove, the place they will expertise snorkeling, diving and swimming with sharks.

Historic websites

Nassau’s historical past is intently tied to the Caribbean pirate period of the seventeenth and 18th centuries. The city served as a pirate sanctuary till 1718 when British Governor Woodes Rogers expelled the buccaneers. In the present day, the downtown district gives 20 sq. blocks that includes structure and monuments courting to this compelling period, most inside strolling distance of the cruise pier.

Consequently, guests can take a DIY strategy to exploring Nassau or ebook a cruise ship tour highlighting historic forts, Bahamian delicacies, “land and sea” packages, personal island experiences and even Junkanoo-style music and dancing.

Historic websites close to Prince George Wharf embrace Parliament Sq., which hosts the Home of Meeting, the Senate Constructing and the Supreme Courtroom of the Bahamas in pink neo-Georgian buildings. A statue of Queen Victoria erected within the early 1900s additionally stands on the web site.

Bahamian tradition was additionally formed by Africans who arrived within the territory as slaves from Sierra Leone and different West African nations. Others traveled to the Bahamas straight from Africa, Bermuda and Haiti — both enslaved by ex-British loyalists from Georgia and South Carolina or former troopers who received their freedom preventing for the British throughout the American Revolutionary Struggle.

A number of historic websites round Nassau acknowledge this affect, together with Adelaide, Fox Hill and Gambier. Liberated Africans settled these three historic villages within the 1800s and nonetheless preserve their African heritage. Cultural and sightseeing excursions to those villages can be found. Nassau’s Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation includes a everlasting exhibit on the African expertise within the Bahamas.

Do not miss the Nationwide Artwork Gallery of the Bahamas. Housed within the beautiful 1860s-era Villa Doyle, the museum showcases historic and modern Bahamian artwork all through its 4 gallery areas.

Greatest seashores close to the Nassau Cruise Port

There is not any scarcity of nice seashores in and round Nassau. Along with the close by personal island seashore experiences, a number of native seashores are inside strolling or brief driving distance.

Junkanoo Seashore

Junkanoo Seashore is a couple of 15-minute stroll from the cruise port, providing vacationers an affordable and handy approach to take pleasure in some solar and enjoyable. You may usually see your cruise ship from the close by seashore, and distributors dotting the seashore promote buckets of ice-cold Kalik and Sands beer (the native favorites). Do not forget to convey your towel; chairs can be found for lease from distributors. Some will bundle a bucket of beer with chairs and an umbrella.

Cabbage Seashore

Cabbage Seashore on Paradise Island is a 20-minute stroll or brief taxi trip from Nassau, simply over the bridge that spans the islands. Although lovely, the waters are generally tough, and the seashore doesn’t supply many facilities. Nevertheless, locals parade up and down the seashore, providing chairs for lease and drinks on the market.

Cable Seashore

Cable Seashore is a couple of 20-minute drive from Prince George’s Wharf. Get there by way of native taxi or a less expensive different, the No.10 bus, which prices round $1.25 per individual. The two.5-mile-long seashore is usually described as Nassau’s greatest, but it surely’s one among tons of throughout the Bahamas distinguished by bleach-white sands and remarkably clear blue waters. Cable Seashore is residence to a number of high Nassau resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian and Margaritaville Seashore Resort, which provide a full array of watersports actions. Cruise passengers can buy day passes to take pleasure in resort facilities. Day passes for Sandals are $340 per individual; Margaritaville at Sea day passes value $110 (for adults) and $55 (for friends age 12 and below).

Associated: Bahamas cruise packing checklist: What to pack for the islands

Different high Nassau seashores

Montague Seashore is located east of the Paradise Island Bridge and is residence to a historic fort constructed within the 18th century. The seashore promenade is a well-liked hangout on weekends and public holidays, with distributors providing scrumptious native meals and drinks. The seashore can be a most popular spot for wading and picnicking.

Delaporte Seashore is west of Cable Seashore, close to the previous plantation village of Delaporte. East of Nassau lies Saunders Seashore, which can be fashionable with guests and locals.

The seashore at Goodman’s Bay options leisure amenities for kids and is fashionable amongst joggers and train lovers. A small bridge connects Sandyport Seashore to the Venice-like Sandyport resort growth close to Cable Seashore.

The right way to get round by yourself

On foot: A lot of Nassau’s historic websites and the Bay Road retail district are inside strolling distance of the cruise ship pier and the downtown space, and some of the fashionable issues to do is stroll round right here. Bay Road is lined with outlets, eating places and bars, and cruisers who’re so inclined can spend the day strolling the world. Simply put in your sneakers, disembark your ship, take just a few steps and begin exploring.

By taxi: You may ebook a taxi on the arrivals space from a marked kiosk. Taxis will not be metered, so at all times negotiate the fare earlier than coming into the car.

By bus: Nassau’s public buses are often known as jitneys and supply a thrifty and handy different to automotive leases or taxis. The jitneys value round $1.25 per individual and cease at fashionable spots, together with Cable Seashore (see under).

Different transportation: There are additionally ferries to close by points of interest, and it is also attainable to lease a automotive or motor scooter.

Nassau eating places close to the cruise port

True to its Caribbean traditions, the Bahamas’ indigenous delicacies combines flavorful spices with recent tropical fruit and seafood. Whether or not discovered at a vigorous out of doors market or gourmand restaurant, Bahamian gastronomy is stuffed with island taste.

Guests will discover quite a lot of spots serving native favorites like conch fritters, bite-sized flakes of conch meat fried in batter seasoned with goat pepper, scorching sauce and sea salt, plus frequent Bahamian greens. This Bahamian deal with is the territory’s undisputed favourite dish. Different conventional dishes price making an attempt embrace peas and rice (deep brown pigeon peas and white long-grain rice seasoned with tomatoes, onions, thyme, tomato paste, goat pepper and salted pork) and Johnny desserts, a dense and barely candy cake-like bread typically served at breakfast.

A handful of Nassau meals experiences — from informal to upscale — await guests. For instance, the Potter’s Cay conch shacks are beneath the high-arching bridge that connects Nassau to Paradise Island. Adjoining to vigorous fruit markets, the brightly coloured conch shacks characteristic almost 40 cooks in numerous shacks cooking recent conch dishes in myriad methods.

It is an incredible place to pattern an genuine Bahamian lunch that includes the freshest conch fritters and native dishes. You can too work together with the cooks and different locals as they chat in regards to the day’s catch or argue over a recreation of dominoes.

Test first with a neighborhood or with a frequent Bahamas customer (like a journey advisor) to find out which stall is one of the best for the day. With 25 years in the identical location, McKenzie, a former conch fisherman turned restaurateur, is a neighborhood movie star amongst Potter Cay purveyors, with a shack positioned as the primary on the bridge’s west finish.

For a unique Bahamas expertise, head to Graycliff Resort and Restaurant, a couple of 15-minute stroll or a quick taxi trip from the cruise port. The restaurant is in Graycliff Resort, a historic 18th-century mansion that was as soon as the headquarters of a pirate, Captain John Howard Graysmith. Spend a day exploring the property, which options a formidable heritage museum, chocolate-making and cigar-rolling amenities, artwork galleries and craft outlets.

The spotlight, nevertheless, often is the resort’s five-star Graycliff Restaurant, a chic venue with a menu combining continental and Bahamian traditions. The luxurious restaurant options 4 air-conditioned eating rooms and a backyard eating space, with every room embellished to mirror Graycliff’s origins as a personal residence. In line with its environment, the “elegant informal” gown code is strictly enforced.

Nassau Cruise Port buying

When buying within the Bahamas, search for souvenirs like authentic work, wooden carvings and craftwork and handmade clothes in vivid tropical colours. Nassau’s Bay Road retail district is steps from the cruise ship dock, however there are just a few hidden buying spots only a brief taxi trip away.

Just about adjoining to the cruise port is Pageant Place, an outside bazaar that includes 45 distributors promoting crafts, meals and drinks. It is superb for folk searching for last-minute souvenirs and items simply earlier than they depart aboard their ship and for arriving passengers in the hunt for buying near the port.

As soon as an open-air affair, Nassau’s long-running Straw Market has been expanded into the brand new cruise port terminal. Its brightly hued stalls characteristic Bahamian items, crafts, souvenirs and distinctive Bahamian-designed clothes and artwork. Bay Road includes a proliferation of high-end, designer shops promoting luxurious items, together with attire, jewellery, cosmetics and fragrances.

You can too take a taxi to succeed in Nassau’s best-kept secrets and techniques in the case of handcrafted, authentic artwork and crafts, plus attire and residential items. Close to the nook of Ernest Road and Okra Hill, Bahama Hand Prints gives “daring and good” designs throughout a variety of clothes, equipment and residential furnishings. The store was established in 1966 by artists Helen Astarita and Berta Sands. All merchandise are developed in-house and crafted by the store’s proficient stitching staff. Guests are inspired to drop in on the manufacturing facility, converse with the workers and watch the printers at work.

At Craft Cottage Bahamas, you will discover domestically made residence decor, glassware, jewellery, soaps, clothes and art work. On the grounds of the Doongalik Studios & Artwork Gallery in Japanese Nassau, the charming store and gallery characteristic a various and eclectic array of Bahamian-inspired gadgets and emphasize conventional crafting methods.

The ability is housed in a standard Bahamian-style residence that shares the grounds with quite a lot of native Bahamian artists who additionally use the property to work on their very own artwork and merchandise. The store gives an intensive and spectacular array of handcrafted jewellery, painted glass, straw luggage and equipment, together with do-it-yourself soaps and bathtub merchandise.

Free issues to do in Nassau Cruise Port

When you do not need to spend any money while you get to the Nassau cruise port, a handful of issues to do within the Bahamian capital will not value you a dime.

Since you’re within the Bahamas, benefit from the seashore, a free exercise. Junkanoo Seashore is only a 15-minute stroll from the cruise port. Carry a towel and a ebook and spend the day sunbathing and swimming within the clear, turquoise water at no cost.

The Queen’s Staircase, or “66 Steps,” is framed by lush gardens and hyperlinks downtown Nassau with Fort Fincastle. Ascend to the highest of the staircase to succeed in Fort Fincastle, constructed within the late 1700s atop Bennett’s Hill. From there, take pleasure in sweeping views of downtown Nassau, the harbor and the cruise ship dock.

Nassau’s historic district and Bay Road, which is stuffed with extra outlets, are additionally inside strolling distance of the port, and searching is at all times free.

Backside line

Nassau generally will get a nasty rap as a “touristy” port of name, and cruise vacationers typically inundate it. Nevertheless, the Bahamas’ capital metropolis is a various port with a formidable array of historic points of interest, diversified seashore experiences, distinctive delicacies and intensive buying alternatives. Nassau’s Caribbean taste, heat temperatures and exquisite pure setting have made the port a staple on cruise itineraries.

Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales: