Cruise Destinations

The Best Cruise Destinations in the Bahamas

Finding the best cruise destinations is a part of planning your cruise to the Bahamas. There are different things to do depending on which port or call you visit. Your cruise will only have up to three options as to ports of call. You might want to check them out before you decide on a cruise.

Nassau is the most popular of the cruise destinations in the Bahamas. That is because there is so much to do and see while the ship is docked in Nassau. The place where the cruise ships dock is only a few minutes walk from Nassau's most famous shopping street, Bay Street.

You have many options of ways to spend your time when you are at a Nassau cruise destination. Of course, you can always let the ship's planners do the work for you and go on a shore excursion through them. This takes some of the pressure off when it comes to finding things to do.

However, at the Nassau cruise destination there are excursions you can book on your own through local sources. One trip that nearly everyone wants to do is the excursion to Sting Ray City. You can go with cruise ship shore excursions or local vendors.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism will give you tips on what to see and do if you want to make your own way on your Nassau cruise destination. They will give you maps and brochures so that you can see the city by walking to its attractions. You might want to go to the oldest house in the Bahamas or tour the zoo. When you make it up on your own, you have freedom of choice.

Freeport is the second largest cruise destination in the Bahamas. There are plenty of beaches and beach activities available when you get off the ship in Freeport. Scuba, snorkeling, jet-skiing, and just relaxing on the beach are among the favorite activities on the island. Xanadu Beach and Paradise Cove are among the loveliest beaches to be found.

The straw markets are popular, and it is almost a tradition for anyone visiting any of the Bahamas cruise destinations to go there. You will be a prime target for high prices, being a tourist, so do not forget to barter. There are also a few good restaurants in Freeport, including Sire's Bar and Restaurant.

The other cruise destinations that are available in the Bahamas are the private islands of the major cruise lines. Holland America has an island called Half Moon Cay. Norwegian has the Great Stirrup Cay. Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay is another private island. Disney has the Castaway Cay, while Princess Cruise Lines have the Princess Cays. The usual procedure to get to these islands is for the cruise ship to drop anchor near the island and guests to board tenders to take them the rest of the way in to the island.

Many of the ships will only stop at one cruise destination unless they have one of the private islands. It is uncommon to stop at both Nassau and Freeport on one cruise, but not impossible. When you book your cruise, look at the itinerary to find out the cruise destinations where you will be stopping.