Nassau Bahamas Cruise Terminal Guide: Review 2023
Table Of Content
Another gorgeous island awaits you just off the northern coast of Nassau. Only a 10-minute walk from the cruise dock, you’ll come across a 19th-century residence of the British Governor-General housed in a well-preserved pink and white colonial mansion. It sits on a hill overlooking the harbor and boasts beautiful gardens ideal for a leisurely stroll. Bay Street - the main street in downtown Nassau - is known as a shopping paradise.
Best things to do in Nassau cruise port
Today's downtown district offers 20 square blocks featuring architecture and monuments dating to this compelling era, most within walking distance of the cruise pier. The good news is that, with a little preparation, it will be easy to find the right Nassau activity to fit your personal vacation style. When it comes to cruise ports, Nassau, Bahamas, is known for having some great snorkeling sports. You can book a snorkeling tour through the cruise line or a private vendor. If you want to visit this museum, it is only a 7-minute walk from the cruise port.
Tour the Queen’s Staircase
We’ve personally been on the beach when a woman who rented a ride accused the vendor of sexual assault. If you want to ride a jet ski, then look for a tour through the cruise line shore excursion desk. It definitely does not have the even surfaces and accessible sidewalks you might be used to back home. Still, if you want to simply take a walking tour, there are a number things to see and do around the city within walking distance. In addition to the nearby private-island beach experiences, there are several local beaches within walking or short driving distance.
Can you get off a cruise ship in Nassau without a passport?
Located only a 10-minute walk from the port, on Bay Street, Pompey Museum is a museum of slavery built on the site of the 18th-century slave auctions. Housed in an old, brightly colored pink building, it is a simple and small museum with an impressive story where you can learn about this dark period of Bahamian history. You will find zones in front of your cruise ship, which represent meeting places for tours. You will either be meeting your group at one of the zones or onboard, so be sure to double-check your tour ticket for details. In fact, besides the initial sales pestering, once outside the Terminal, the cruise traveler will be pretty much left alone. The onboard guide will offer all sorts of bargains, coupons and shopping deals but it is advisable to also look at many other shops that are not promoted by the cruise line.
Many products are necessarily imported and that means prices, including meals at restaurants, can be high. Nassau can also feel a bit "touristy" at times, as the Prince George Wharf cruise ship dock can host as many as five large cruise ships at once. On busy days, cruise travelers are ubiquitous around the downtown area. The Nassau cruise port welcomes millions of visitors each year, and it’s one of the most highly trafficked ports in the Bahamas. Cruisers pass through Nassau for relaxation, quality time at the sea, and outdoor adventure.
Cruise lines offer excursions on jet boats and scuba diving, along with cooking classes and walking tours. Nassau's Caribbean flavor, warm temperatures and beautiful natural environment have made the port a staple on cruise itineraries. 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. Blue Lagoon offers a gift shop, changing rooms, restrooms and shower facilities. Nassau's history is closely tied to the Caribbean pirate era of the 17th and 18th centuries, when the town served as a pirate sanctuary until 1718 when British Governor Woodes Rogers expelled the buccaneers.
In fact, you’ll find a taxi stand in the port area that can get you set up. Cabs can take you anywhere you want to go, including the popular Paradise Island. If you decide to travel to a place that’s a bit out of the way, keep in mind that it might be harder to find a taxi back. Sitting just 180 miles from Miami, Nassau is a city sitting on the eastern half of a larger island called New Providence.
Final Thoughts On Best Things to Do in Nassau Cruise Port
Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer as many 38 shore excursions. Oceania Cruises organizes 25 shore excursions, and Princess has 15 excursions available. For those interested in more active pleasures, the Atlantis Resort offers great adventures and exciting fun in its Aquaventure Water Park.
Nassau Cruise Port: Amenities, Location, What's Nearby and More
Walking toward Arawak Cay, you’ll find more local fish fry booths and smaller restaurants. Don’t miss Nassau’s famous Straw Market for a dose of souvenirs and local culture. You’ll find handmade straw goods, jewelry, clothing, and other Bahamian trinkets here.
In fact, Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports, attracting over 3.7 million cruise passengers annually. Freeport, Nassau, and private islands of the Bahamas like Half Moon Cay or Castaway Cay are the most popular cruise ship destinations. Although the Bahamas have over 700 islands, less than fifty are inhabited. The port is just a few minutes' walk to downtown Nassau where cruisers can find a variety of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, fine dining and more. The new terminal, which is expected to be finished in May 2023, will have its own dining and shopping area for cruisers.
As a result, visitors can take a DIY-approach to exploring Nassau with help from the Bahamas.com website. 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. Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, boasts one of the most vibrant cruise ports in the Caribbean.
For that reason, you are less likely to find a ton of vendors renting out chairs and umbrellas. Nassau has numerous different beaches for cruise passengers to choose from, and most of them are free! Note that if you choose to go to a public beach, there is a good chance that you will find a lack of restroom facilities. Even though there are nearby hotels and resorts, their facilities are only available to guests or those who purchased a day pass.
Well, there it is, everything you need to know about the Nassau cruise port. When shopping at Festival Place, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings as it can get very busy and hectic. Vendors will approach you, and it will not be a relaxing shopping experience. The glass-bottom boat is a popular attraction that many people will try when they are in Nassau.
9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau - Cruise Blog
9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You can also grab a cab to explore John Watlings Distillery or the forts. Nassau offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, perfect for soaking up the sun or snorkeling in the blue Bahamian waters. Graycliff Hotel is not very large and offer day passes (around USD 100 per person). The hotel has several dining rooms where guests can order the hotel's famous pizzas (around USD 20). Near is the Grayliff Chocolate factory offering free samples in its gift shop. Just offshore (opposite Port Nassau) is the world-famous Atlantis Paradise Island (privately-owned resort and residential property).
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Nassau 2024 (with Prices) - Nassau Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Nassau 2024 (with Prices) - Nassau Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:06:23 GMT [source]
Cruise ships usually offer a shore excursion of Nassau and the famous Ardastra Gardens. This tour usually includes a walk down Bay Street to the Queen's Staircase and a visit to Fort Fincastle and Fort Charlotte before concluding at the Ardastra Gardens. You’ll need to book an excursion to get out here, as it’s not accessible by public transportation. Most excursions include food and drinks, so you can spend the day exploring the island and then enjoy a beachside meal. Of course, you’ll find the best beaches on the private islands and Paradise Island, but Junkanoo Beach is a great alternative as it’s free and offers a variety of facilities to enjoy your day. It is a sandy beach with clear water and great swimming opportunities.
This is the same place you will enter when you are ready to return to the ship. Festival Place, which sits right on the wharf, has more than 40 local vendors selling artisanal items. Cruise to Nassau and make your way to Bay Street – just a block away – for duty-free luxury goods.
Comments
Post a Comment