Bay Street is lined with shops, restaurants and bars, and cruisers so inclined can spend the day strolling the area. Both cards offer hefty welcome bonuses, 130,000 and 150,000 points, respectively, after you meet the required spend of $2,000 within the first three months of account opening for the Surpass and $4,000 in the first three months of account opening for the Aspire. Technically, it's not part of the Caribbean region. Located at the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex, the staircase is within walking distance from downtown and perfect for small group tours. Its a common port on short Caribbean cruise itineraries, offering, Odds are if you take a Royal Caribbean cruise to somewhere in the Caribbean, there is a good chance you will stop in. 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. This historic Caribbean city is one of the world's most popular cruise and snorkeling destinations, and it's easy to see why. Relax and take in the quiet stretch of white sand, lined with tropical . 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. 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. Thrill Waterpark 4. 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. Flavors include pineapple, chocolate, caramel, Irish cream, Kentucky honey bourbon, and the original rum cake with pecans. Nassau Cruise Port, the most visited port in The Bahamas, set a passenger record today when 28,554 passengers visited from cruise ships in one day. Nassau Shore Excursion: Bahamas Snorkel Adventure. This is a fun-tastic day! By taxi: Taxi operators are staged around the Prince George Wharf area. Royal Caribbean has not released all the health protocols and changes for Adventure of the Seas restarted sailings from The Bahamas, but expect to only be able to go on cruise line shore excursions. Nassau is one of the most visited cruise ports in the Bahamas and one of the most popular cruising destinations in the Caribbean. Day 5 - Miami, Florida. An island tour with history and adventure. Nassau welcomed a record number of passengers in a single day this week, and by the end of May, will be welcoming even more. Stops include a favorite family owned "down home" eatery serving soul-warming Bahamian classics, locally sourced jams, salts, and island bush teas from a specialty spice merchant, and Nassau's best Euro-Caribbean fusion and an organic, fair trade Chocolatier featuring hand-made truffles by an award winning pastry chef will guarantee you experience a taste of Nassau. You can also look for a resort offering day passes. Renowned for its wine cellar with over 250,000 bottles from over 400 vintners in 15 countries, the Graycliff Hotel is equally praised for its Cigar and Chocolate factories that are a delight to tour. An unknown error has occurred. The capital city of The Bahamas is rich in culture, history, art, watersports, marine wildlife, and other great features to appeal to a wide variety of cruise guests, and is also close to many cruise lines private islands, making it even more desirable a destination. East of Nassau lies Saunders Beach, also popular with visitors and locals, and known for its beautiful twilight views. Aquaventure: Atlantis Aquaventure via Royal Caribbean Excursion - See 7,473 traveler reviews, 4,055 candid photos, and great deals for Nassau, New Providence Island, at Tripadvisor. Daredevil's Peak Waterslide 9. On busy days, cruise travelers are ubiquitous around the downtown area. Many beaches are lined with hotels and resorts, but their facilities are only available to guests. One the COVID life and all that goes with it. Virtually adjacent to the cruise port is Festival Place, an outdoor bazaar featuring 45 vendors selling crafts, food and drinks. We caught the cruise bug after a 32 year hiatus (it's called putting kids thru school!) You can book excursions through your cruise line or independently. Two the standard that RCI promotes. 7:15 AM, Start Times: Experience an unforgettable day on Pearl Island, a unique private island minutes from Nassau. Independent Quest: Maps and Guides for Travelers . Kick back and relax during this amazing 6-hour cruise featuring our famous barbecue! In addition to the nearby private-island beach experiences, there are several local beaches within walking or short driving distance. Everything was wonderful from start to finish. You can start earning points for your next vacation with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. 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. Adjacent to lively fruit markets, the brightly colored conch shacks feature nearly 40 chefs in different shacks cooking fresh conch dishes in myriad ways. Other tours available at Blue Lagoon Island include a segway and eco nature walking tour. Related: Which cruise brand is best for you? 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. Enjoy a day at the beach, use of fun beach toys and lunch! Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory was established in 2000 and has since been named the Official Rum Cake of the Bahamas. Saunders Beach: Spend free time on one of Nassau's most inviting beaches; also a popular swimming spot for the locals. Bahamas. 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. here. Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid. Located 30 minutes away from the cruise port by boat, Pearl Island offers a small, turquoise beach, bar and lunch buffet, lounge chairs, watersports equipment, and more. Nassau's best activities can be broken down into a few categories: Beaches Islands for a beach day Day passes at resorts Adventures on and in the water Food & drink History & museums Walk around downtown Nassau Beaches New Providence Island, where Nassau is located, has plenty of beaches to choose from. Enjoy a unique pirate adventure while sailing the beautiful Bahamian waters. Prices for the same tours can vary across cruise lines and third-party sellers, so tours are listed below by price ranges, using the following shorthand (per adult): $= $0-50. 279 Reviews Full Details Excursion Size:Standard Excursion Type:Cultural, Scenic Food/Beverage:Not Included Activity Level:Easy Excursion Duration:2 Hours and 30 Minutes Pearl Island Beach Escape Price: $105.00 Nassau Private Charters - Exuma, Spanish Wells Swimming Pigs, Rose Island. Taxis are not metered, so always negotiate the fare before entering the vehicle. 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. There is a small fee to enter the museum. Whether youre looking for a beach day, hoping to try local foods, or learn about Bahamian history and culture, there are plenty of exciting activities to choose from in Nassau. The activities and excursions were exciting and fun. The entrance fee is $10 for guests and free for children under 12. 9:40 AM. The beach promenade is a popular hangout on weekends and public holidays, with local vendors offering delicious local food and drinks. The shop offers an extensive and impressive array of handcrafted jewelry, painted glass, straw bags and accessories including homemade soaps and bath products. 9:00 AM. 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. Around one million travelers board Caribbean cruise ships that travel to Nassau every year! Your easy-to-ride beach cruiser is the perfect mode of transport for exploring Nassau. In 2019, the Bahamas hosted 5.43 million cruise visitors, more than any other global cruise port, and it greeted nearly 1 million more travelers than Cozumel, Mexico, the next most-visited port. and after 2 wonderful cruises on the Vista 2018 and Symphony 2019 we couldnt wait to get back. 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. Hit all the must-see historical highlights with this fun, informative walking city tour of downtown Nassau. Finally a fun way to get to the beach for a great snorkel! Time zone: The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time. There's no shortage of great beaches in and around Nassau. Guests can also access the islands lighthouse at no extra cost. Spend your day snorkeling, playing and relaxing. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. No matter your style, there are plenty of activities for you to see and do on this lovely island. One common issue faced by those visiting public beaches is the lack of restroom facilities. Many guests that try to wing it on their day in Nassau end up disappointed and unsure of the best way to spend their day. 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. 2. It felt like the ship was ours. The food was delicious and the selection was outstanding day and night. The staff was friendly and helpful. Excursion Focus: Pearl Island Beach Escape in Nassau Nassau has it all. Currency: The Bahamian dollar is equivalent to the U.S. dollar. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Find excursions for your cruise itinerary 4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise. ResortPass is currently selling day passes to the SLS Baha Mar for $100 per adult and $50 per child or $400 per Bungalow Pool Cabana or Baha Bay Beach Club Cabana that accommodates up to four people. Discover the best of this Bahamian city on a walking tour, beach day excursion, or catamaran cruise line. With the whisper of the waves on the hull and the gentle warm ocean breezes across the bow, you will soon feel your cares slipping away on Nassau tours like this. The highlight, however, may be the hotels five-star restaurant, an elegant eatery with a menu combining continental and Bahamian traditions. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Day 4 - Cruising. Most cruise lines offer shore excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, but travelers can also book a visit through a travel advisor or on their own online. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. As an independent provider of shore excursions, ShoreTrips is not affiliated with any cruise line. Nassau is also filled with historic sites and shopping opportunities. Nassau, the Bahamas, combines the excitement of a big city with the relaxed lifestyle of a Caribbean utopia. ShoreTrips' many shore excursions in Nassau reveal its Caribbean elegance. Escape the bustle of the Nassau waterfront for some time on the beach and take a scenic Nassau harbor cruise to idyllic Pearl Island. Explore Allure of the Seas. Cabanas include sun chairs, an all-inclusive drink package, butler service, and lunch. 8:30 AM This popular Nassau shore excursion takes the Atlantis Aquaventure to the next level! 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. Its ideal for folks seeking last-minute souvenirs and gifts just before they depart aboard their ship and for arriving passengers in search of shopping close to the port. Guests on this tour will have the opportunity to taste dishes like conch fritters, Bahamian teas, and fresh seafood. The tour makes stops at Tasty Teas, the World Famous Fish Fry, Potters Cay Dock, and John Watlings Distillery. Nassau is extremely popular as a warm-weather getaway destination thats closer to the U.S. Atlantic Coast than most Caribbean basin countries. The first three ports ranked by passenger visits are all cruise ship homeports Port Canaveral, PortMiami, and Port Everglades. Breathtaking views, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, Caribbean music, full service bar. These tours were designed with you in mind. The Seaworld Explorer is a semi-submarine with a 5 feet under-water air conditioned observatory. Language: English is the official language. Day 2 - 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. 2023 INDEPENDENT QUEST LLC Florida - USA. For some rest and relaxation, our Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day is a great opportunity to recharge. per adult. Blue Lagoon Island Nassau Bahamas Royal Caribbean Cruise Port Shore Excursion Review Deluxe Beach BreakCRUISE ESSENTIALS:Amazon Affilate Links:Multi-Color Pa. For those that are Certified Divers, Nassau has a few very interesting sites to explore. 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. Sat Nassau Depart 9:00, We wanted to participate in the first sailing, shame on us for assuming it would be special. Zip Line 7. The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. 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. There are also ferries to nearby attractions and its also possible to rent a car or motor scooter. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Escape to a beautiful hotel for a traditional British afternoon tea and celebrate the finer things in life with a Bahamian twist. Ascend to the top of the staircase to reach Fort Fincastle, constructed in the late 1700s atop Bennetts Hill. Start Times: 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. 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. If you are cruising to Nassau with Royal Caribbean, this shore excursion to Pearl Island has to be booked onboard with the Shorex desk. If you want to exchange money, you can do so aboard your ship, although you can usually obtain a better rate at a local bank or ATM. Day pass holders also have beach access. Stuart Cove is the main diving provider on New Providence Island. 12 Coolest Slides On Cruise Ships Long Weekend Cruises Many products are necessarily imported and that means prices, including meals at restaurants, can be high. Guests interested in seeing marine life can book excursions such as the Dolphin Encounter and Beach Day or Sea Lion Encounter and Beach Day. Service was slow and they seemed very over worked. You can also visit Marina Village, an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment space located around the Atlantis Marina, at no extra cost. Not surprisingly, Nassau is a staple port of call for a wide variety of operators. You won't leave hungry on this food-oriented Nassau walking tour. Most beaches are free and open to the public, and some are located just a short walk from the cruise terminal. Afterward, the fun of your . Remember These Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas. In keeping with its atmosphere, the dress code is strictly enforced at Graycliff Restaurant with required lunch attire described as "elegant casual. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Montague Beach is situated east of the Paradise Island Bridge and is home to a historic fort constructed in the 18th century. Nassau Cruise Port is currently undergoing . In the mood for some smooth spirits? In that regard, this review will be primarily comparative to pre-Covid Cruising. Short on time? Start Times: Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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 entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Paradise Island has something for everyone. Embarkation Swim, play, hug, kiss, and dance with dolphins - what a cool experience! The expanded berths are certainly delivering on the sizeable investment that we have made in them, creating the additional capacity required to achieve this extraordinary new record today.. A must-see spot to include on a food tour is the Fish Fry, a strip of restaurants and vendors specializing in seafood including conch, grilled shrimp, fried snapper, and lobster tails. Wave Pool 6. 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.