Recommended Sailing
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On a cruise to Nassau, you’ll arrive in a town filled with energy, whether you’re chatting to locals in the Straw Market, joining a rum-tasting masterclass, or admiring the jaunty colors of the Caribbean that sit alongside colonial-era forts and grand Georgian mansions. The city is a highlight of any Bahamas cruise for its exciting cuisine, stylish shopping, and abundance of cultural attractions.
What Nassau and neighboring Paradise Island are best known for, of course, are their powder-soft white-sand beaches and fringing coral reefs. There’s a shoreline here for every mood, whether you want to unwind in style on a palm-fringed private island, have fun at Junkanoo Beach, or snorkel amid tropical fish in every shade of the rainbow.
Discover the relaxing charm of Nassau, where vibrant markets, turquoise waters, and an exciting culinary scene await. And, starting December 2025, elevate your island escape at the new Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island by Royal Caribbean, where exclusive meets all-inclusive. Vacationing hits next level here with private cabanas and swim-up bars to mouthwatering cuisine-this is beach day, redefined. Cruise bookings open Spring 2025.
The colorful Straw Market on Bay Street is a local institution. It stems from the days when Bahamians developed the skill of plaiting and weaving straw into fishing traps and sturdy baskets for carrying fruit. Straw goods evolved into popular souvenirs, and today, you can pick up hats, table mats, dolls, bags, and purses here, as well as wood carvings and jewelry made from glossy pink conch shells. Polite haggling is expected, so don’t be shy.
You’ll find historic buildings all over downtown Nassau, many of them the legacy of 325 years of British rule. One such structure is the Queen’s Staircase, 66 limestone steps hewn out of the rock in 1793 in order to provide a quick escape route from hilltop Fort Fincastle to the urban area below in the event of a pirate raid. You can still walk up and down the leafy stone stairs, which were named in honor of Queen Victoria for her role in abolishing slavery in the British Empire.
Thrill-seekers will love Aquaventure at the glitzy Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Fly down waterslides, including the plunging, 200-foot The Abyss and the daredevil Leap of Faith, which drops you 60 vertical feet out of a recreated Mayan temple into a lagoon. Explore marine habitats like Predator Lagoon, where you can wander through an underwater tunnel as sharks, sawfish, and giant grouper circle above you. Or snorkel in the Ruins Lagoon, surrounded by some 20,000 dazzling reef fish.
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At Pearl Island, a palm-fringed speck of paradise eight miles from Nassau, you’ll find kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, and water trampolines to play on. Sample Bahamian cuisine such as BBQ chicken, fried fish filets, plantains, and peas ‘n’ rice at the lunchtime buffet. Rent your own private cabana on the beach and spend your day drifting between the clear, warm water, where you can snorkel over teeming coral reefs, and gazing out over the sparkling ocean.
Cocktail lovers should not miss a chance to sample Bahamian rum, which is the star ingredient in anything from fruity punch to rum cake. Head to John Watling’s Distillery, which dates back to the 18th century and is located on Nassau’s historic Buena Vista estate. John Watling was a 17th-century privateer; legend has it that the treasure he stashed on San Salvador Island has never been found. You can taste the rum crafted in his name on a tour, as well as the distillery’s vodka and gin.
You’ll find Arawak Cay, also known as The Fish Fry, on Nassau’s West Bay Street. This cluster of authentic Bahamian restaurants is where locals go to eat, for good reason. You’ll find the best conch here, a local delicacy, which is served “cracked”, which means coated in crispy batter and deep fried, or “scorched”, a fiery version with peppers, lime, and onions. This is also the place to try sweet lobster tails and plump, grilled shrimp, all washed down with an ice-cold Kalik beer.
Bahamian cuisine combines influences with the British colonial period as well as Africa, continental Europe, and the original Taino inhabitants. Seafood is abundant here, with the prized conch in season from November to April. Try it fried, cold, as a ceviche, or in a rich chowder. Spiny lobster is also a delicacy, available from August to the end of March. These Caribbean lobsters don’t have claws, so you eat the sweet meat of the tail.
Other things to try include Johnnycakes, a cross between bread and a semi-sweet cake, fried plantains, which are crispy on the outside and sweet on the inside, and decadently boozy rum cake. Rum, of course, is a feature of many cocktail menus; try a Bahama Mama, a fruity concoction of two types of rum, orange juice, lime, grenadine, and ice.
The Bahamas were originally inhabited by the Lucayan people, who were enslaved by European colonizers and eventually wiped out. Nassau became a settlement in 1649 and a trading port around 1670 in an era of lawlessness and piracy, the shallow waters and hidden coves of the Bahamas an ideal hiding place for pirates.
The Bahamas, including Nassau and New Providence island as a whole, became a colony of Great Britain in 1718 and remained so until 1973, when the country celebrated independence. Today, the economy of the islands depends mainly on tourism and offshore banking. You’ll find a rich, colorful culture in Nassau, the annual calendar peppered with festivals. The most important is Junkanoo, a lavish and exuberant parade that takes place on Boxing Day, December 26, and New Year’s Day.
Cruise ships dock at Prince George Wharf, a short walk from downtown Nassau. The revitalized Nassau cruise terminal is a destination in itself; this is where you’ll find the Museum of Junkanoo, as well as some 60 local souvenir and craft vendors, and places to eat and drink. There’s also a pharmacy, free Wi-Fi, and a tourist information desk.
There are plenty of ways to get around Nassau. Taxis are plentiful, while car rental is available, although you’d need to get used to driving on the left. Scooters and ATVs are also available. Water taxis and ferries ply the waters between Nassau and Paradise Island, a journey of around 10 minutes. Local buses are called jitneys and are an affordable way to get around; wave at the jitney to stop it and pay on exit. You’ll need some small change in Bahamian dollars for this.
There are craft and souvenir vendors at the cruise terminal, and for more retail therapy, downtown Nassau is just a 10- to 15-minute walk from the port. The famous Nassau Straw Market is ideal for haggling for conch jewelry and handwoven straw bags. For more upscale shopping, Bay Street has high-end fashion and duty-free goods. There are multiple retail possibilities at Atlantis on Paradise Island, too; Crystal Court is where you’ll find big-name international designers—think of it as the Rodeo Drive of the Bahamas.
The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD). It’s pegged to the U.S. Dollar at 1:1, so the two are interchangeable, and your U.S. currency will be accepted here. You may, however, be given change in Bahamian dollars. Tipping in the Bahamas is similar to the United States. Restaurants tend to include a service charge of up to 15%, but an additional cash gratuity is always welcome. Don’t forget to leave a tip for taxi drivers, at least 15% of the fare. Haggling isn’t common, but you can bargain at the local straw markets.
Come walk around this British-colonial fort which once protected Nassau from pirates and invasions. It’s a quick walk from the Port of Nassau, and it’s a must-see landmark for those curious about the history of Nassau or who want to catch a view of the cruise harbor and the city of Nassau unfolding from the hilltop below. You’ll find tour guides ready to give you information on how the fort was used and what life was like in the 17th century.
Head to this famous open-air market for souvenirs and shopping in downtown Nassau, where you can find goods made from local vendors like woven hats and purses, jewelry, trinkets, and plenty of stalls where you can find the perfect memento to bring back on the ship with you.
Discover the history of slavery and emancipation in Nassau and the Bahamas at this historic pink building in downtown Nassau. If you’re looking to learn more about the island’s history of slavery, the Pompey Museum is a must-see.
For a more luxury experience, head to the private beach resort Balmoral Island to swim with stingrays and dolphins. This tropical paradise offers swimming and relaxation as well as vibrant bars and restaurants.
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