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Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau has just under 300,000 inhabitants. It’s a popular cruise port due to its rich history, beautiful beaches, stunning coral reefs, and a wide range of excursion opportunities. 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. The Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase are two highlights amongst the major historical landmarks of Nassau.
Best Things to Do in Nassau Cruise Port
Facilities at the beach include loungers, umbrellas, and water sports rentals. This beach tends to be quieter than beaches closer to the cruise terminal. Junkanoo Beach is a public beach within walking distance of the Nassau Bahamas Cruise Terminal. Junkanoo Beach offers pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. Aside from the mouthwatering food, Arawak Cay offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of Nassau residents, away from the tourist-centric areas. You can interact with local vendors, learn about the island’s culinary traditions, and maybe even pick up a recipe or two.
Emphasis on local shopping, artists, and culture
If you are cruising on a budget, there are many affordable (an even free) things to do. Both Junkanoo Beach (within walking distance from the cruise port) and Cabbage Beach ($10 USD taxi ride) are free. In mid-March 2020, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd announced plans to build a second (after St Johns Antigua) Royal Beach Club (private resort property) at Paradise Island's western end. The complex will be exclusive (for RCI cruise tourists only) and visited as a "beach day" shore excursion option (via private tours) from Nassau.
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You Can Walk, But Be Prepared for a Harder TimeWant to take a walking tour of Nassau? Absolutely you can, and there are a number of things to see close by. Sidewalks aren’t always smooth (if they exist at all), nor are walk signals at most intersections. As well, keep in mind that cars drive on the left here, so it will come from the opposite side when you cross streets. If you’re headed across the channel to Paradise Island or Atlantis, then there is a ferry you can ride for $7 each way. It’s rustic and open-air, with a guide that will point out some sights along the way.
Private Paradise
The Jeep and Beach Tour is a popular shore excursion offered by most cruise lines. For this tour, you will drive a Jeep Wrangler through downtown Nassau and see some prominent landmarks. When it comes to cruise ports, Nassau, Bahamas, is known for having some great snorkeling sports.
Nassau offers a multitude of activities focused around the archipelago's beautiful blue waters and magnificent natural environment. Just about every conceivable water sport is available to Nassau visitors via cruise ship excursion. This includes sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and encounters with sea lions, dolphins, stingrays and pigs (yes, swimming pigs). The Margaritaville Beach Resort is one of the closest hotels to the cruise port terminal. A day pass gives you access to several pools, a private beach, turquoise waters, a waterpark, and a lazy river. It’s important to note that you must purchase food and drink separately.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line passengers get a warning - TheStreet
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line passengers get a warning.
Posted: Tue, 13 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Food Court
Getting to Arawak Cay from the cruise port is easy, with taxis readily available to take you there in minutes. It’s advisable to visit during the early afternoon or evening, when the area is most lively. Remember to bring cash, as some smaller vendors may not accept credit cards. The historic capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, has plenty more to offer than historical buildings. Here are other excursions you can arrange during your cruise day in port. Tour guides provide fascinating information on the fort’s history.
On Paradise Island you can also head to Cabbage Beach, which is arguably the best beach in the area (and one of the busiest). Recently Nassau completely renovated the port area to the tune of several hundreds of millions of dollars. Not only are the piers and walkways completely renovated, but there was also a large welcome area constructed.
The Best Beaches in Nassau
There are waiting rooms and seating areas at the cruise ship port in Nassau, Bahamas. However, carrying some cash for small purchases is a good idea, especially in case some places don’t accept cards. Cash is also helpful for tipping, especially as some museum and fort tours are free, and the guides depend on tips. Snorkeling day excursions take between 2.5 and 5 hours, depending on the location and activities on offer. Atlantis is one of the best places for snorkeling and diving if you don’t want to travel too far from Nassau while in port. You can see coral, reefs, sea turtles, manatees, and sharks up close.
This beach was also the first point of arrival for Christopher Colombus. The animal encounter allows you to interact with those same dolphins and sea lions, though you can’t book them until you’re on the island. The beach stretches just over two miles long, leaving plenty of space for beachgoers to pick their noise-level preference. You have the option to snorkel among them to get an up-close and personal interaction, or you can simply feed them while on your tour.
Junkanoo is a street festival in the Bahamas that happens on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day every year. This cultural celebration includes dancing, spirituality, and listening to music. Here, you will learn about Pompey, a slave who led a rebellion in 1830 on the island of Exuma. One of the cool features of the Pirates of Nassau Museum is that they have a replica pirate ship.
Another iconic shopping experience is the Straw Market, where you can find an array of handcrafted straw goods and other Bahamian souvenirs. Walk for about 10 minutes from the airport to the John F. Kennedy roundabout. Local bus 12B, known as a "jitney," will drive by the roundabout, but you must wave it down to get it to stop for you. To help you relax, you can upgrade the pass to include various types of massages and all-day spa access.
In Nassau are registered most of the cruise vessels (both large and smaller-sized) as The Bahamas is the preferable flag-state for major cruise shipping companies. Many of the colorful and contemporary objects still use the duo's original designs. Once an open-air affair, Nassau's long-running Straw Market is located in the center of the retail action on Bay Street and also offers Bahamian gifts, crafts and souvenirs.
Parliament Square houses the Bahamas House of Assembly, Supreme Court, and Senate Building. This is a great spot for pictures as the colonial buildings are in a pink pastel color, and they look very tropical. This staircase provides a direct route from downtown Nassau to For Fincastle. If you get hungry or thirsty, there are various restaurants and bars nearby. Phase two involves completing the marine works and making upgrades to existing infrastructure.
The thing about Bahamian fish, conch, and crab is that everyone is going to have their own way of cooking it. 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.
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