We're pleased to provide comfortable, accessible transportation and knowledgeable, local independent experts to help you maximize your time onshore. During these excursions, guests can get up close and personal with animals to observe them in their natural habitat. Find the right card for you. The excursion usually costs around $100. The activities and excursions were exciting and fun. Nassau Catamaran Sailing and Snorkeling Tour There's something special about the serenity of a Sail and Snorkel Cruise across the blue waters of the Bahamas. per adult. Shore Excursions & Cruise Guided Tours | Royal Caribbean Cruises Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly. 30 Things to Know About Perfect Day at CocoCay Bahamas (2023) - Cruise Hive Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles. Water sports (kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, etc.) 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. You'll spend 30 minutes up-close-and-personal with these . During this perfect day, you'll serenely glide along tropical Caribbean waters. Discover the best of this Bahamian city on a walking tour, beach day excursion, or catamaran cruise line. The entrance fee is $10 for guests and free for children under 12. One of the most popular shore excursions in Nassau, Bahamas is the Blue Lagoon Beach Day tour. Cultural and sightseeing tours to these villages can be arranged. Check here before booking an award fare. Those looking to experience the rest of the resort can purchase day passes. Jet Skis Lining a White Sandy Beach, Nassau, Bahamas One common issue faced by those visiting public beaches is the lack of restroom facilities. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! The ingredients combine to provide the rice its signature brown coloring. Yesterday, Nassau Cruise Port set a new single-day record welcoming 28,554 passengers with six ships in port. 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 is a small window inside so guests can see how rum cakes are made. 39. Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. We arrived at the Port of Bayonne around noon with a 1:45 pm check-in time. Went to the Bahamas and rode ATV's in the jungle of, The restaurants were not worth the extra cost. The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas takes visitors on a journey from pre-historic times in the Bahamas to today. Related: 8 Perfect Cruise Line Private Islands for Every Type of Traveler Day visitors have the chance to. 8:00 AM If you like cigars, you will love this behind-the-scenes tour of the Graycliff Cigar Company! It is, however, a warm-weather destination on the edge of the Caribbean and shares many of its cultural traditions, cuisine and music. As with other staple dishes, Johnny cakes are found around the Caribbean, with the Bahamas version traditionally baked in a large round pan until lightly browned then sliced and served in wedges. A statue of Queen Victoria erected in the early 1900s also stands at the site. come at an additional cost. Bay Street is lined with shops, restaurants and bars, and cruisers so inclined can spend the day strolling the area. Spend your day snorkeling, playing and relaxing. Photo Courtesy: Nassau Cruise Port. Language: English is the official language. . This Nassau shore excursion tour is the easiest way to get to know the Bahamas' capital city in just a few hours, without having to worry about planning transport. If you feel like ditching the beach chairs and treating yourself to a Bahamian dining experience, you can enjoy a unique meal at Graycliff. 2. By bus: Nassaus public buses are known as jitneys and offer a thrifty and convenient alternative to car rentals or taxis. For those looking into more active pursuits, the most popular tours invite the cruise traveler to explore the Aquaventure Water Park. Sweeping views from the forts bluffs encompass downtown Nassau, the harbor and the cruise ship dock. Conch fritters: A Bahamian delicacy (and fortunately bountiful in local waters), the queen conch forms the basis of the territorys undisputed favorite dish. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Background, wife and I are longtime cruiser almost exclusively with Royal Caribbean. Private Charter for up to 12 passengers on a 38ft Private Boat with Triple 300HP Engines. Snorkeling, beach day, scuba diving, water sports, and sightseeing excursions await in the Bahamas' capital. NO LINES! You can also explore Paradise Island's popular Atlantis Resort and its legendary Aquaventure water park. Experience an unforgettable day on Pearl Island, a unique private island minutes from Nassau. Related: 7 tips for visiting Atlantis on a budget. One of the most popular providers is Tru Bahamian Food Tours, who offers a selection of tours geared toward discovering Bahamian cuisine. Dont forget to bring your towel; chairs are available for rent chairs from vendors. Indeed, the modern cruise industrys first itineraries in the 1970s focused on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. The translucent, crystal clear waters of The Bahamas are an invitation for snorkeling. Enjoy a wine lover's dream at one of the Caribbean's first Five-Star restaurants. 9:30 AM. The highlight, however, may be the hotels five-star restaurant, an elegant eatery with a menu combining continental and Bahamian traditions. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Relax and take in the quiet stretch of white sand, lined with tropical . In the mood for some smooth spirits? The boats crew are dressed as pirates who tell pirate tales, share history, and provide an immersive experience for guests onboard. Whether you want to relax in a spa, golf on world-class golf courses, win big in two of the largest Caribbean casinos, or paddleboard all day, you'll be in paradise - literally and figuratively. Visitors to Nassau can choose to bring their own snorkel gear or book a snorkeling excursion through Royal Caribbean or an outside provider. Just put on your sneakers, disembark your ship, take a few steps and start exploring. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Day 2 - Nassau, Bahamas. Are you a chocoholic? Scuba diving opportunities are also plentiful in Nassau. Port of Nassau is currently expanding its docking facilities and upgrading other port features, a $300 million project that began in 2019 and will be finished in just a few more weeks, in May 2023. Day pass holders also have beach access. WOW - this is the ultimate experience with dolphins! A free activity to do in port is walk around downtown Nassau. The shop offers an extensive and impressive array of handcrafted jewelry, painted glass, straw bags and accessories including homemade soaps and bath products. 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. Blue Lagoon Island Nassau Bahamas Royal Caribbean Cruise Port Shore Excursion Review Deluxe Beach BreakCRUISE ESSENTIALS:Amazon Affilate Links:Multi-Color Pa. The tour makes stops at Tasty Teas, the World Famous Fish Fry, Potters Cay Dock, and John Watlings Distillery. 4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises Many beaches are lined with hotels and resorts, but their facilities are only available to guests. For those that are Certified Divers, Nassau has a few very interesting sites to explore. Guests interested in Bahamian art and culture may want to visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. 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. Amenities and activities at the resort are split into two categories: areas open to the general public and areas available only for guests or day pass visitors. Passengers who are booked on excursions arranged by the cruise line will find providers staged in areas leading from the dock. 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. Blue Lagoon Island Nassau Bahamas Royal Caribbean Cruise Shore The Seaworld Explorer is a semi-submarine with a 5 feet under-water air conditioned observatory. Those looking for a VIP experience can choose to book the VIP Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day. This includes sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and encounters with sea lions, dolphins, stingrays and pigs (yes, swimming pigs). If that's not enough, we've also got tons of SCUBA tours, dolphin swims, and trips to the Blue Lagoon. Related: 12 giant ships that are packed with fun features. Ready? A hybrid sea and land tour is also available, where guests start the tour on a catamaran and end with a land tour of downtown Nassau. Around one million travelers board Caribbean cruise ships that travel to Nassau every year! 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). Please refresh the page and try again. 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. 9:10 AM Many cruise passengers are eager to visit Atlantis Paradise Island, a resort with 3,805 rooms, a waterpark, shopping areas, casino, and a 154-acre waterscape. Nassaus nearby Paradise Island district offers beaches, restaurants and shops as well as the Atlantis megaresort, which is among several properties offering day packages for cruisers in search of a daylong all-inclusive experience. You can earn points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. 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. 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. 8:15 AM Perfect Day Bahamas (7 nights) | 02 Mar 2025 | Odyssey of the Seas Interact with the dolphins in their sea water habitat. Start Times: A free, short distillery tour with tastings is available. Enjoy a great shallow water encounter with these lovable mammals, with access to the Blue Lagoon resort. A colorful street parade with music, dance, and costumes, Junkanoo takes place on Boxing Day and New Years Day each year. 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. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 12:00 PM. Ascend to the top of the staircase to reach Fort Fincastle, constructed in the late 1700s atop Bennetts Hill. Numerous ATMs are also found around downtown. Guests interested in seeing marine life can book excursions such as the Dolphin Encounter and Beach Day or Sea Lion Encounter and Beach Day. We've never seen these anywhere else! Editorial disclaimer: 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. Introducing the new, fun Sea Lion Encounter a first in the Bahamas! 11:45 AM. Sandyport Beach is connected by a small bridge to the Venice-like resort Sandyport development near Cable Beach. This historic Caribbean city is one of the world's most popular cruise and snorkeling destinations, and it's easy to see why. Start Times: Nassau, the Bahamas, combines the excitement of a big city with the relaxed lifestyle of a Caribbean utopia. For some rest and relaxation, our Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day is a great opportunity to recharge. 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. Stuart Cove is also the diving provider for Royal Caribbean shore excursions. The sumptuous restaurant features four air-conditioned dining rooms and a garden dining area, with each room decorated to reflect the Graycliffs origins as a private home. Come with us on this awesome sightseeing tour! . During this 2.5-hour sightseeing tour, huff up the Queen Victoria staircase for spectacular photo ops and visit the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory. We're here to help you embark on a truly memorable getaway. This was one of the best cruises we have been on primarily for that reason. Those looking for an exhilarating day may want to reserve a day pass to the Aquaventure Oasis Waterpark at The Atlantis. Tropical beach bars, food, and a Starbucks are available on the island for an extra cost. 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. Start Times: Royal Caribbean offers the Nassau Sail & Reef Snorkeling tour, which brings guests on a sailboat to coral reefs near Spruce Cay and Athol Island. 1:30 PM. Things to Do at Perfect Day at CocoCay Bahamas for a Fee 3. Start Times: Guests looking for a more exclusive experience at Pearl Island can reserve a VIP Cabana. If you don't like to get wet but enjoy seeing the underwater world, this is the right shore excursion. 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. 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. About 4-4.5 hours on the island with a delicious lunch included. Lunch is included in the excursion to Blue Lagoon as well, where you can enjoy hamburgers, chicken, veggie burgers, Caribbean rice, and a salad bar. First, not all public beaches in Nassau have restrooms or cover if it starts raining. 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. The archipelagos spectacular natural environment features brilliant blue skies, warm temperatures and exceptionally clear waters. All cruise lines offer Scuba Diving shore excursions to different sites, options and combos - the James Bond wreck and the Jaws Cessna are two top film set-dives not to be missed. VIP Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas We are extremely pleased to report another record-setting passenger day here at Nassau Cruise Port, said Mike Maura Jr., CEO of Nassau Cruise Port. It felt like the ship was ours. Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island is a 20-minute walk or short taxi ride away from Nassau just over the bridge that spans the islands. Nassau Bahamas Shore Excursions & Cruise Activities | ShoreTrips Find excursions for your cruise itinerary Dive with this first-rate dive shop that was recently featured in National Geographic. Escape to a beautiful hotel for a traditional British afternoon tea and celebrate the finer things in life with a Bahamian twist. Make an impact in the lives of Nassau's children. 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. With these staggering numbers, it's easy to see that Nassau is truly a spot you won't want to miss. Not surprisingly, Nassau is a staple port of call for a wide variety of operators. 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. 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. Start Times: This cruise includes two perfect days at CocoCay, a stop in Cozumel, and a stop in Freeport. 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. Or, spend 10,000 points plus $140. Nassau was at the heart of piracy from 1690 to 1720, when Nassau was taken over by English privateers who became lawless pirates. Saunders Beach: Spend free time on one of Nassau's most inviting beaches; also a popular swimming spot for the locals. Cable Beach is home to several top Nassau resorts and offers a full array of watersports activities. 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. See Fort Montagu, the Potter's Cay Dock and more! How to plan a cruise with points and miles, The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler, Disney Cruise Line review Sailing Disney Wonder, 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly, Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship, 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid, The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises, Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? Read More. We were the 6th time out, and the staff told us that several things that weren't allowed were starting to be added back, such as the dance party on pool deck in, My wife and I are regular cruisers on Royal Caribbean, so while I am not normally the type to write reviews, it would seem helpful to add insight to the relatively new experience of post-Covid cruising out of the Bahamas by writing about our July 2021 cruise. . 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. Nassau is also filled with historic sites and shopping opportunities. Shore Excursion through Royal Caribbean - Review of Aquaventure, Nassau 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. One the COVID life and all that goes with it. Rose Island, Spanish Wells Pigs, Exuma Pigs, Allens Cay Iguanas and more Options. Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid. In keeping with its atmosphere, the dress code is strictly enforced at Graycliff Restaurant with required lunch attire described as "elegant casual. Nassaus Pompey Museum features a permanent exhibit on the African experience in the Bahamas. Of course, not every guest would automatically debark while visiting Nassau, and not all crew members have time off in each port of call to go ashore as visitors. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Shorex Combos. Nassau Caves: Quick photo stop at the caves of New Providence, home to the Arawak or Lucayan Indians, who were the original inhabitants of the Bahamas. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Not all cruise lines offer this shore excursion and cruise travelers may book it directly on-line However, if cruising to Nassau with Carnival you will need to book with the onboard Shorex desk. 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. Nassau is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, receiving around 3 million cruise passengers per year. 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. Visit the private island of Balmoral where you'll get to see the famous Bahamian swimming pigs, or join one of our dolphin encounters for an up-close and personal experience with dolphins and sea lions. Whether it's snorkeling with dolphins, scuba diving with sharks, or simply kicking back on the beach, our wide selection of Nassau shore excursions has something for everyone. Pearl Island Bahamas (Nassau) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Watch a cigar rolling demonstration then sample a variety of delicious Caribbean rums. View Excursion. And while Nassau is best known for crystal clear beaches and world-famous resorts, the port offers plenty of activities for all interests. The food was delicious and the selection was outstanding day and night. A simple, yet elegant wedding on one of Nassau's loveliest beaches. Cruises to Nassau, Bahamas | Royal Caribbean Cruises 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. 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. Obviously, all cruise lines also offer a basic beach day package to relax on a double hammock, participate in water activities or sip umbrella drinks. On the small island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas archipelago. 9:00 AM A 15-20 minute boat ride from Nassau's port. Your easy-to-ride beach cruiser is the perfect mode of transport for exploring Nassau. from . East of Nassau lies Saunders Beach, also popular with visitors and locals, and known for its beautiful twilight views. The port is just 305 miles (491 kilometers) from the worlds busiest passenger cruise port, Port Canaveral, and even closer to PortMiami (185 miles / 298 kilometers) and Port Everglades (190 miles / 306 kilometers).