Nassaus Caribbean flavor, warm temperatures and beautiful natural environment have made the port a staple on cruise itineraries. (Additional volunteers after initial 2 for up to 6 total volunteers), (Additional volunteers after initial 2 for up to 5 total volunteers), (Age 3 and Under - Encounter and Beach Combo with a participating, paying adult), (Private boat for up to 4 divers with private instructor), (Private boat for up to 8 divers with private instructor), (Charter for up to 6 people, 4 fishing at a time. At Blue Lagoon, cruisers can swim in a calm lagoon, enjoy kayaking, water-biking or snorkeling tours, play with water toys like floats and inner tubes, or simply relax in a beach hammock under coconut palms. The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's private island, CocoCay. In addition to the nearby private-island beach experiences, there are several local beaches within walking or short driving distance. Interact with the dolphins in their sea water habitat. Port of Nassau Requirements - My Experience. This excursion is offered by most cruise lines and offered with many different combos. Many of the colorful and contemporary objects still use the duo's original designs. Cruise ships visiting Nassau dock at the Prince George Wharf within short walking distance of Bay Street and the downtown district. . Nassau offers a multitude of activities focused around the archipelagos beautiful blue waters and magnificent natural environment. Craft Cottage Bahamas is the premier showcase for locally made home dcor, glassware, jewelry, soaps, clothing and artwork in Nassau. 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). Start Times:
the beachs waters can be rough at times and the beach itself does not offer many amenities. Your choice of fishing: deep sea, light tackle, or shark. Nassaus best activities can be broken down into a few categories: New Providence Island, where Nassau is located, has plenty of beaches to choose from. With so much to do, Nassau features some of the best Bahamas tours and shore excursions that will immerse you in the traditions, culture, and marine life that are unique to the area. Swim, play, hug, kiss, and dance with dolphins - what a cool experience! Nassau can also feel a bit touristy at times, as the Prince George Wharf cruise ship dock can host as many as five large cruise ships at once. Free samples are available as well, so you can taste several flavors before choosing your favorite. This was one of the best cruises we have been on primarily for that reason. Paradise Island, positioned immediately to Nassaus north, has large hotels and all-inclusive resorts that offer day packages for cruise visitors, providing access to premium golf (at the Baha Mar resort), casino gaming (at Atlantis) as well as restaurants, shops and nightlife. Day pass holders also have beach access. We caught the cruise bug after a 32 year hiatus (it's called putting kids thru school!) They include: The Potters Cay conch shacks can be found beneath the high-arching bridge that connects Nassau to Paradise Island. Only offered onboard by Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, this excursion to the pristine Balmoral Island (a private atoll) is an excellent way to spend the day in Nassau. A small yet informative museum, the Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation takes visitors through the story of Pompey, a slave who started a rebellion in 1830 in Steventon, Exuma. 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. This is a popular spot to taste traditional Bahamian rum cake and buy a delicious souvenir for friends and family. Swim with dolphins during one of our dolphin encounters, learn to scuba dive, enjoy snorkeling among stingrays and the beautiful Bahamian coral reefs, or dive down in your own personal SUB for a one-of-a-kind diving experience. However, exploring them on a Bahamas shore excursion is the best way to experience these paradise islands. A huge aspect of discovering new cultures is trying new foods, and Nassau offers plenty of opportunities to do so. 8:15 AM. Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean all sail here, as does luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises, premium cruise operators Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises and budget operator Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. One of the most popular providers is Tru Bahamian Food Tours, who offers a selection of tours geared toward discovering Bahamian cuisine. 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. A delicious lunch and swim is also on the itinerary. There is a small window inside so guests can see how rum cakes are made. The boat ride from the cruise port to Blue Lagoon is included in the fare, which is usually around $85-100. Forts Fincastle and Charlotte transport you to the Bahamas' colonial past, while our exclusive tour at Graycliff unveils Al Capone's getaway. If you are cruising to Nassau with Royal Caribbean, this shore excursion to Pearl Island has to be booked onboard with the Shorex desk. All cruise lines offer different tours and combos for the novice or experienced snorkelers. Please refresh the page and try again. Around one million travelers board Caribbean cruise ships that travel to Nassau every year! Cabanas include sun chairs, an all-inclusive drink package, butler service, and lunch. A short, 30-minute boat ride off the coast is Pearl Island, one of the unique private islands of The Bahamas. Museum tours. Guests can also access the islands lighthouse at no extra cost. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as . Splash. One of the most popular shore excursions in Nassau, Bahamas is the Blue Lagoon Beach Day tour. Located at the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex, the staircase is within walking distance from downtown and perfect for small group tours. After a 15-month pandemic pause, this was the first North American voyage for Royal Caribbean. Find out how great it is to swim with the fishes. And for a taste of local Nassau culture, we offer sightseeing island tours via powerboat, ATV, and more. A four course meal paired with wines from the award winning wine cellar and a chance to explore this extraordinary wine collection. Experience the beautiful clear waters, white-sand beaches, and warm tropical sun from this hidden gem of an island. On busy days, cruise travelers are ubiquitous around the downtown area. Located on New Providence Island, Nassau's sightseeing opportunities, crystal clear blue waters, and white sand beaches make it a truly remarkable tropical vacation destination. Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. The excursion usually costs around $100. Hit all the must-see historical highlights with this fun, informative walking city tour of downtown Nassau. Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler. The number of visitors is even more impressive when considering that, collectively, the six ships also brought 10,302 international crew members to the port, for a grand total of 38,856 guests in a single day. is a cruise expert with a focus on the Caribbean and Latin America. Start Times:
Check first with a local or with a frequent Bahamas visitor (like a travel advisor) to determine which stall is the best for the day. You'll spend 30 minutes up-close-and-personal with these . See Details. Your easy-to-ride beach cruiser is the perfect mode of transport for exploring Nassau. Stretching about 80 square miles, Bahamas' capital city of Nassau welcomes more than 1,000 cruise ships per year, located just 180 miles off the Florida coast. Thrill Waterpark 4. Not to mention the remarkable historical sites, like the Queen's Staircase. Snorkeling, beach day, scuba diving, water sports, and sightseeing excursions await in the Bahamas' capital. Admission is $13.50 for adults and $6.75 for children 4-17. Still, the impressive numbers are a great sign for Nassaus economy. Indeed, the modern cruise industrys first itineraries in the 1970s focused on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean all sail here, as does luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises, premium cruise operators Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises and budget operator Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. All rights reserved. A must-do for any wine connoisseur or even novice, become a wine maker for the day and learn to blend your own wine on one of the most unique experiences in the Bahamas. Time zone: The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time. 12:00 PM. On this page, you will find the Editor's Choice of excursions organized by Cruise Lines and available onboard but also those that can be booked directly or with third-party services. Relax and take in the quiet stretch of white sand, lined with tropical . Read More. One the COVID life and all that goes with it. $$$$=$200-499. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Peas and rice: Referred to locally as peas n rice, this traditional Caribbean dish, prepared in local Bahamian fashion, features deep brown pigeon peas and white long-grain rice seasoned with tomatoes, onions, thyme, tomato paste, goat pepper and salted pork or bacon. In any of the famous beaches close to Nassau, the cruise traveler will be able to snorkel but the best places are the coral reefs offshore. Paradise Island & Atlantis Shore Excursion Experience the best of Nassau on this interesting and exciting tour of the island, highlighted by a visit to the world-famous Atlantis Resort. Adventure Pool 5. You can use 20,000 World of Hyatt points to book a day at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Junkanoo is the most popular festival in the Bahamas. Related: 12 giant ships that are packed with fun features. Snorkel, snorkel, snorkel! Transportation, lunch, kayaks, paddleboards, beach chairs, water mats and trampolines, showers, and bathroom facilities are included in the day pass for guests. Just 40-minute scenic boat ride away from the Cruise Port in Nassau, the Salt Cay is better known for its main feature - a Blue Lagoon where visitors can enjoy different interactions with Dolphins and Sea Lions. They offer Discover Scuba dives for first-time divers as well as dives for certified divers to the coral reels, shipwrecks, and walls around the island. In that regard, this review will be primarily comparative to pre-Covid Cruising. Bahamas. There is a small entrance fee to visit the museum. The Queens Staircase or 66 Steps are framed by lush gardens and link downtown Nassau with Fort Fincastle. Delaporte Beach is west of Cable Beach near the former plantation village of Delaporte. Just about every conceivable water sport is available to Nassau visitors via cruise ship excursion. The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. Guests will travel to Pearl Island via boat from the cruise port and spend the day relaxing on the islands beaches, enjoying a traditional Bahamian lunch, walking around the islands paths, and participating in water activities. Or, book a cruise ship excursion highlighting historic forts, Bahamian cuisine, land and sea programs, private island experiences and even Junkanoo-style music and dancing. 8:00 AM
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Day 1 - Miami, Florida. These museums are all walkable from the cruise port, and most are relatively small, so visiting each museum will not take too much time. Not a lot of activities unless you were 5 years old or a young, We just returned from the Quantum March 13, 2015 sailing. Nassau, the largest city in the The best and the most popular shore excursions for passengers on a cruise to Nassau port: Reviews of Atlantis, Blue Lagoon, Scuba, Seaworld Explorer, Glass Bottom Boat, and more . By: Editor-in-Chief Update: January 6, 2023. Potter's Cay. Chances are if you are sailing on a three or four-night cruise with Royal Caribbean you are stopping in Nassau, Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas is one of the most common port stops on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and offers a variety of activities, Bahamian media are reporting Royal Caribbean has purchased land on the western end of Paradise Island in The Bahamas., If you are one of those people looking to do something different in Nassau, Bahamas, then perhaps flying a Boeing 737, Nassau is one of the worlds busiest cruise ports. The Seaworld Explorer is a semi-submarine with a 5 feet under-water air conditioned observatory. Montague Beach is situated east of the Paradise Island Bridge and is home to a historic fort constructed in the 18th century. When you first arrive, friendly staff members will provide you with a quick orientation about the dolphin encounter and help you fill out any necessary paperwork. Paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel gear are available to rent, and the island also offers nature tours with dolphins and stingrays. Not surprisingly, Nassau is a staple port of call for a wide variety of operators. What a way to spend your day! Disney Cruises is the only cruise line that offers the Aquaventure shore excursion combined with other experiences such as kayaking, snorkeling, or paddleboarding with Dolphins. The shop offers an extensive and impressive array of handcrafted jewelry, painted glass, straw bags and accessories including homemade soaps and bath products. Paradise Island is known for its white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. 1:00 PM, Vendor claims they meet CDC Compliant Guidelines. This under 2-hour tour starts with a narrated cruise in Nassau's harbor before reaching the 'Sea Gardens'. The cabana also has a fully stocked cooler, complimentary towels, a power outlet, and ceiling fan. We all tested negative, the teens multiple times but still identified them with bands to make sure we were treated accordingly. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Whether your a conformist or no. Located on the resort is the 15-acre Baha Bay waterpark which offers a limited number of day passes. The British Colonial Hilton Nassau is another Nassau resort where you can use points. 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. Ever dreamed about a private island getaway? Ascend to the top of the staircase to reach Fort Fincastle, constructed in the late 1700s atop Bennetts Hill. Beach lovers and travelers who enjoy water sports, diving or snorkeling will find a wide variety of excursions and activities to suit their tastes. Conch fritters: A Bahamian delicacy (and fortunately bountiful in local waters), the queen conch forms the basis of the territorys undisputed favorite dish. Cruise lines make a . 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. 2:15 PM. And we appreciate our contry and all she has to offer. The island has several beaches, small lagoons, hammocks, beach chairs, umbrellas, and games. 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. If not, just leave blank, Top 5 things to do in Nassau, Bahamas on a budget, Excursion Focus: Pearl Island Beach Escape in Nassau, Royal Caribbean purchases land on western side of Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, Excursion review: Fly A Jet Experience Jetline Simulation Bahamas, I cruise almost every weekend: here's my walking tour of Nassau, Excursion Focus: British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas. We sorted through the choices to find you the best Bahamas shore excursions. 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. Start Times:
Cycle through Nassau's downtown district to see an 18th-century limestone staircase, the Straw Market and so much more on this fun guided biking tour. A private island getaway to your own private, exclusive ocean-view cabana is waiting for you on beautiful Pearl Island. All products are developed in-house, crafted by the shops talented sewing team and visitors are encouraged to drop in at the factory, speak with the staff and watch the printers at work. Adventure Tours. Learn More , The port Terminals Driving Tunnel Parking Highlights Shopping, Discover all Reviews and Travel Guides to The Most Popular Cruise Ports in the Caribbean. The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory was established in 2000 and has since been named the Official Rum Cake of the Bahamas. Royal Theater, Running Track, Schooner Bar, SeaPlex, Shore Excursions, Sky Pad, Social 100, Solarium, Solarium Bistro, Sorrentos, Splashaway Bay, Starbucks, Suite Lounge, Swimming Pool, The Lime & Coconut, The Via, Two70, Vitality at Sea Fitness Center, Vitality at Sea Spa, Whirlpool, Windjammer Cafe . If you want to get a taste of city life, take a walking tour of downtown and nearby sightseeing destinations. With a touch of luxury, enjoy the impeccable service Pearl Island is known for. Our driver is also a guide and our vehicle handles those with mobility issues. 9:00 AM
Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. One way around this is to find a nearby restaurant or bar when you need a restroom. We're here to help you embark on a truly memorable getaway. During this perfect day, you'll serenely glide along tropical Caribbean waters. 9:00 AM
The Half-Day Beach Break Shore Excursion can be combined with other activities such as a Dolphin Swim. 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. About 4-4.5 hours on the island with a delicious lunch included. Guests on this tour will have the opportunity to taste dishes like conch fritters, Bahamian teas, and fresh seafood. 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. As a VIP guest on Blue Lagoon Island, guests will receive lunch as well as unlimited Bahama Mama cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. About a 15-minute walk or a brief taxi ride from the cruise port, Graycliff Hotel is in a historic mansion whose extensive grounds were once an 18th-century pirates headquarters. from . Several banks are located on Parliament Street, a short walk from the cruise terminal. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. The benefit of booking with a tour as opposed to snorkeling on your own is that you do not have to pack snorkeling gear with you for the cruise. Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles. Spend the day on water trampolines, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Zip Line 7. Thats thousands of visitors exploring downtown Nassau, learning about our island and culture through our restaurants, taxis and tours, and making wonderful memories of The Bahamas that will surely drive them to return, said Maura. It is, however, a warm-weather destination on the edge of the Caribbean and shares many of its cultural traditions, cuisine and music. Beachbumps. 12:15 PM. per adult. If you don't like to get wet but enjoy seeing the underwater world, this is the right shore excursion. Currency: The Bahamian dollar is equivalent to the U.S. dollar. It felt like the ship was ours. Modified Date: Feb 28, 2023. 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. It's possible that you have been signed out due to inactivity. Royal Caribbean offers tours such as the Discover Nassau Harbor Cruise, which brings guests on a scenic catamaran ride around Paradise Island as they learn about the history and culture of Nassau. $$$= $100-199. 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. Dive with this first-rate dive shop that was recently featured in National Geographic. Wave Pool 6. Nassau is on an island within a vast archipelago. Enjoy a combination of a wall dive, along with a visit to a shallow reef or a shipwreck. On foot: Many of Nassaus historic sites and the Bay Street retail district are within walking distance of the cruise ship pier and the downtown area. You can also book day passes at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau for $100 per adult and $50 per child or $325 for a beach cabana accommodating up to four people. Itinerary Overview. Likewise, many cruise passengers skip Nassau altogether and stay on the ship, believing that there is nothing worth seeing or doing on the island. Stuart Cove is also the diving provider for Royal Caribbean shore excursions. The first day of the cruise was a port in Nassau. Language: English is the official language. For some rest and relaxation, our Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day is a great opportunity to recharge. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.