Table Of Content
Luckily for cruise visitors, some resorts offer Resort Day Passes for cruisers that allow you to enjoy the same amenities as long-term guests. If you’re interested in getting away from the bustling port, take a water taxi and head out to the nearby private island of Rose Island. This extensive tour takes you through Nassau and important sites of New Providence Island, then over to Paradise Island and Atlantis, then time for shopping. Day passes at Atlantis are available for purchase at the resort....
More Royal Caribbean
Travel Advisory Issued for Top Cruise Destination - Cruise Hive
Travel Advisory Issued for Top Cruise Destination.
Posted: Sat, 27 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you don’t need any of their services, say no thanks and keep walking. ➡️ Click here to jump to my post on Nassau resort passes for more information. Nassau is known for its delicious seafood dishes, so don’t forget to indulge in some local cuisine in Nassau. My favorite is Twin Brothers for conch fritters and fried plantains. This popular zoo is home to flamingos, iguanas, exotic birds, and more. Marina Village – Paradise Island – designer & retail shops as well as restaurants and cafes.
Island beach escapes
When it comes to oceangoing vacations, the Bahamas can accurately be described as the industry's leading destination, with the capital city of Nassau being cruising's number one port of call. 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. Indeed, the modern cruise industry's first itineraries in the 1970s focused on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. As for the acceptance of US Dollars, they are widely accepted throughout Nassau and the rest of the Bahamas. You can use USD for everything from restaurants and shops to taxis and tours.
Shopping
High-speed ferries to Exuma, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells are available daily. Following the 2-year pause in cruise shipping due to the Coronavirus/global health crisis, in 2022 Nassau had scheduled 1100+ ship calls and handled a total of 3, million tourists. In 2023, the Port had booked a total of 1260 cruise ship berthings (eventually received 1210 calls), with expected ~4,2 million tourists (the year ended with handled 4, million, or +14% over the pre-COVID 2019). Before the COVID crisis, Nassau Cruise Port's annual passenger record was 3, million (2019). This number was surpassed in 2023 when the Port handled ~4,5 million cruisers.
Although within walking distance, both require some guidance, as does a tour of the imposing Fort Charlotte. In downtown Nassau (2-minutes walk away) there are very nice and interesting landmarks and museums to visit. For those that wish to enjoy more upscale beaches, there are excellent day-passes offering all-inclusive beach-breaks including the iconic Atlantis Resort. Cruise travelers have been waiting for these endless renovation works to be finished and, hopefully, souvenir stores and also a food court will return to where these once were. In the meantime, you will find most of these just outside the terminal.
It operates from the cruise port to Paradise Island and offers picturesque views of the harbor. Taxis are readily available at the cruise port and throughout the city, offering a convenient and flexible way to get around. RIU Palace is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located on Paradise Island near Atlantis. When you’re at Riu Palace, you will have access to a swim-up bar, two swimming pools, and a dedicated beach area on Cabbage Beach. A pass to Atlantis Adventure Water Park includes access to 141 acres of pools, water rides, Atlantis beaches, The Dig, Marina Village, and casino.
How many cruise ports are in Nassau?
Bringing small bills when preparing for your port day in Nassau is a good idea. You can use a VISA for food and drinks and should only bring a small amount of cash for souvenirs. Some parts are reserved for resorts, but plenty of public space also exists. The #10 Jitney bus will cost you $1.25 but will take about 40 minutes to get to the beach. A taxi will cost about $10 per person, and the trip is about 20 minutes.
Lynden Pindling International Airport Taxi Service to Nassau Cruise Port
As well, if you want to visit the waterpark, it comes with a hefty price tag (tickets can be booked directly before you arrive or often through your cruise line’s shore excursion desk). Outside the port gates are a number of spots that cater to cruisers, all within a short walk from the ships. Cross Woodes Rodgers Walk (the street running alongside the port) and you’ll find souvenirs, restaurants, all sorts of shops selling everything from jewelry to cigars to restaurants, and much more. This includes the famous Straw Market, a spot with lots of vendors selling anything you can imagine with “Bahamas” written on it. However, the main street is, in fact, parallel to this nice and attractive 'walk' along the harbor where you will find the Ferry Boats to Paradise Island, a few shops, bars, restaurants, and grills.
The facility is housed in a traditional Bahamian-style home that shares the grounds with a variety of local Bahamian artists who also use the property to work on their own art and products. The shop offers an extensive and impressive array of handcrafted jewelry, painted glass, straw bags and accessories including homemade soaps and bath products. Several historic sites around Nassau recognize this influence, including Adelaide, Fox Hill and Gambier.
This harbor was dredged between 1966 and 1969 and again in 2009. Before 1966, large ships would anchor outside the harbor’s entrance and transport their passengers to the dock. A remarkable sight and photo opportunity from the Woodes Rogers Walk as the ships approach the Prince George Dock. Tipping in the Bahamas is pretty similar to the United States, where you’re expected to tip bellhops and porters accordingly. Restaurants tend to include a service charge already in your bill, but an additional tip is always welcome for food services workers.
The Queen’s Staircase was named after Queen Victoria and is a 66-step staircase that was carved out of limestone in 1793 and meant to provide a direct route from downtown Nassau to Fort Fincastle. The exception to this is if you are sailing Virgin Voyages, you will need a passport regardless of where the ship begins its voyage. You’ll want to take a taxi or water ferry to get from Nassau to Paradise Island where Atlantis is located.
It is known to be one of the quieter beaches in Nassau, making it the ideal choice for families. At Saunders Beach, you can access restroom facilities and a playground. If you’re trying to save money on excursions during your cruise, these free beaches are the most popular and recommended. If you like to explore cruise ports by foot, then you will enjoy visiting Nassau. The pass will include beach club access, lunch, and beach chair rental. Certain extras, such as alcohol, soda, cabanas, day beds, and water sport activities, will cost more.
Port Nassau cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Nassau, Bahamas, New Providence Island. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Besides awe-inspiring beaches and fancy resorts, Nassau boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage that you can explore on one of the historic or cultural tours and experiences. You can reach this beautiful beach within less than a 10-minute drive from the port of Nassau.
It is about a 5 minute walk from the dock to Bay Street, the duty free shopping area in Nassau. This is where the famed Straw Market is located as well as Diamonds International, Del Sol and other port favorites. Nassau’s new cruise facilities, which can better accommodate today’s mega ships, opened Phase 1 in May 2023.
