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However, to get to other destinations, you can travel by taxi, pre-arranged shuttle bus, or local public transport. Here are more details about transport options for getting around Nassau. When leaving the port area, you will be on Bay Street, next to Nassau’s downtown.
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Sunny, tropical fun awaits you on any Bahamas cruise, whether you’re taking it easy onshore or shopping the day away at Nassau’s famous Straw Market. This is the main street in Nassau where you will find the majority of shops, restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions. It is located parallel to the Woodes Rodgers Walk, a 5-minute walk from the pier.
The 5 Closest Beaches to the Nassau Cruise Port (Free to Visit)
And if luxury is your thing, there are a few treats not be missed. With so much to choose from, if you decide to stay onboard, you have no idea what you may be missing. The Rose Island Swim With Pigs is one of the most popular excursions in Nassau. Many major cruise lines offer this excursion, which is an amazing experience. Afterward, you will head over to the beach, and you can spend time relaxing by the water.
The Straw Market
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]
Atlantis offers additional activities that cruise passengers can do. A pass to Atlantis Adventure Water Park includes access to 141 acres of pools, water rides, Atlantis beaches, The Dig, Marina Village, and casino. Food and drinks may or may not be included depending on the conditions of your ticket. Nassau is one of the main attractions in Nassau, Bahamas, but it is undoubtedly a pricey way to spend your day. A day pass to the Atlantis Aqua Adventure Water Park starts at $210 for adults and $150 for children if you purchase it through the Carnival Cruise Line. The boat ride to Pearl Island takes roughly 30 minutes, and the excursion lasts approximately 5 hours.
Glass-bottom boat tour
Nassau Bahamas cruise port has restroom facilities throughout the wharf and at the cruise terminal. Read on for our breakdown of the Nassau Cruise Port, including terminal information, cruise lines, services and more. RIU Palace Beach Resort is a luxurious all-inclusive hotel on Paradise Island. The resort’s day pass gives you access to unlimited lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a fitness center, swim-up bars, swimming pools, and poolside lounge chairs. There is also a grill station serving authentic Caribbean jerk food. Facilities are limited, but you can rent a beach chair and umbrella.
Arawak Cay (Fish Fry)
Many of Nassau’s historical sites are within walking distance of the port. These attractions include various fortifications, Parliament Square, the Queen’s Staircase, the National Art Gallery, museums, and the Nassau Straw Market. If this is your first time on a cruise in Nassau, then it’s probably best to arrange a ship-operated shore excursion. This is one of the safest and most reliable ways to spend an unforgettable day in the Bahamas. However, it’s good to note that they may be pricey and less personalized than booking a local tour.
Are there any local customs or etiquette I should be aware of to respect the culture of Nassau?
Fort Fincastle is a historic fort built on Society and Bennet’s Hills in 1793 to protect Nassau from pirates. Just a 15-minute walk from the terminal, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past. The unique building is built in the shape of a paddle-wheel steamer. The major historical tourist attractions and beaches in Nassau are mostly accessible on foot.
Bahamas Port Officially Breaks All-Time Cruise Passenger Record - Cruise Hive
Bahamas Port Officially Breaks All-Time Cruise Passenger Record.
Posted: Sat, 02 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

After considering your wants and needs, the next thing to consider is time and distance. Not feeling rushed between each one.If there’s something you’re considering embarking on independently, do some research before you do. If it’s far away or potentially dangerous, it might be best to go with an organized group. Atlantis isn’t actually found underwater, it’s located on Paradise Island. At this luxury resort, you’ll have access to different restaurants, attractions, pools, and a direct walk to the beach.

If you want to explore Nassau in a thrilling and adrenaline-packed way, go for an off-road tour around the city and the island of New Providence. Set in a lush tropical environment, this water park is a spectacular attraction equally enjoyable for both kids and adults. If you get hungry or thirsty, you’ll find several food chains and shops across the street. At a stone’s throw from Pompey Museum, the fascinating Pirates Museum reveals the 18th-century history of the city when Nassau served as a pirate base. You’ll see fantastic artifacts, a replica of a pirate ship, and exhibits that will throw you back to the era of pirates. When you remember these destinations, you’re allowing your trip to become that much more exciting.
Now, it is a modern marvel that tourists climb to access the shortcut that it was originally built to serve as. The entire thing took over 16 years to build and has lasted to this very day. This park spans seven and a half acres of the island’s hardwood forest and is a relatively undisturbed piece of land. Primeval Forest National Park was established in 2002 still allows guests to experience lush views of greenery and the coastline. Whether you’re simply looking for a place to hike, camp, and explore or you want a humble dose of history, Clifton Heritage National Park has it all.
Indeed, the modern cruise industry's first itineraries in the 1970s focused on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. You can walk to town to explore the pirate museum and the downtown area. You can also grab a cab to explore John Watlings Distillery or the forts.
Located east of Nassau, Potter’s Cay is one of the best places in the Caribbean to try fish fry. Attached to the Graycliff Hotel is a different experience that you’re more likely to find in Brazil. The term “churrascaria” actually refers to the Brazilian way of grilling, cut, and serving meats with large knives. Your tour will show you around the estate and the storehouse, and end with a chance to enjoy an authentic Bahamian cocktail, and the ability to look around the gift shop. Now, you can swim, paddleboard, kayak, and even snorkel among these creatures and so many more. You can even become a trainer for the day and work alongside an animal behavioralist to learn more about these aquatic mammals and their life at Dolphin Cay.
The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is the perfect museum for art enthusiasts. This museum features art from the locals and highlights Bahamian history and culture. If you’re traveling with kids, check out the Pirates of Nassau Museum. This is an interesting museum to learn about the history of Nassau and piracy between 1690 to 1720. 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.
If not, then head away from the ships on your own or on an excursion and you’ll see things calm down quickly. 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. So, if you’re traveling from the United States, you won’t need to exchange your money before or during your visit. Another must-do excursion is an Island Tour, where you can immerse yourself in the island’s rich history, vibrant culture, and picturesque landscapes.
You can give a 10-15% tip for other services like taxis and tour guides. Here are answers to questions many tourists ask before visiting Nassau on a Caribbean cruise for the first time. Swimming with sharks is a thrilling experience on offer at Stuart Cove’s. If you are a certified diver and want to feed sharks, this excursion is for you. Exhibits include artifacts, documents, and interactive displays that tell the story of slavery in The Bahamas and the fight for freedom. You’ll learn about Pompey, the enslaved person who led a rebellion on the island of Exuma.