Christopher Columbus got here first — making The Bahamas the first port of call on his first voyage to the New World in 1492. Five centuries later, 4 million cruise passengers a year make landfall in The Bahamas, and perhaps with the same intent as the crews of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria: to experience some much-needed, top-notch R&R. With 300 days of sunshine a year and its very name meaning “shallow seas,” The Bahamas is certainly the right place to tie up for rest and recreation, a world-class tropical getaway. There’s an abundance of the requisite white-sand beaches, water sports and nightlife; and daytime temperatures waver only slightly from the 80-degree mark year-round.
North Americans seeking sunny waters find The Bahamas not only enticing but also convenient. No long flights, no jet lag, no visas required for U.S. citizens. Beginning just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, the whole low-lying archipelago of The Bahamas, encompassing more than 700 islands, islets and cays, lies within easy reach not only of Miami and Fort Lauderdale but also of Galveston, New Orleans, Baltimore, even New York.
While commonly thought of as a Caribbean chain, The Bahamas is actually closer to the waters of the West Indies, although Bahamians consider themselves neither West Indian nor Caribbean. The islands became a British Crown Colony in 1718, serving as a refuge for American Loyalists and slaveholders. The slaves were freed in 1834, and their descendants make up 85 percent of the population today, while the descendants of white American Southerners and British Puritans account for most of the rest. In 1973, The Bahamas achieved complete independence although it retains Queen Elizabeth as its monarch, English as its official language and driving on the left side of the road as marks of its heritage. Today, tourism drives much of the economy, supplying half of all jobs — and cruise-ship passengers account for 70 percent of visitors.
The main question for those sailing to The Bahamas is which cruise to take. Plenty are offered, even during hurricane season, August through November. Some cruises are short, some are long; some are fit for families, some for party animals. Many cruises call on ports geared to shoppers, gamblers or golfers; others visit islands suited for adventurers, divers or fans of beach sports. And some cruises find harbors on private islands and cays, hideaways owned or leased by individual cruise lines.
In fact, perhaps what most distinguishes a Bahamas sailing are the private islands. These exclusive beachside retreats function as tropical resorts, offering their own cabana rentals, beach toys, shore excursions, boutiques, barbecues, bars and buffets. Castaway Cay in the northern Bahamas is the private hideaway for Disney Cruise Line passengers, a thousand-acre spread with its own dock and separate beachfront areas for families, teens and adults. CocoCay, located between Nassau and Freeport, is a 140-acre playground reserved for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line’s 250-acre hideaway is Great Stirrup Cay; Princess Cruises passengers have a mile and a half of beachfront to themselves at Princess Cays; and, not to be outdone, Holland America Line purchased a 2,400-acre island of its own in The Bahamas, Little San Salvador, redubbing it Half Moon Cay.

Tourists riding horses along the beach at Half Moon Cay © Ramunas Bruzas |
Dreamstime.com
Full voyages, lasting a week or more, usually make the line’s private island a prominent dish in a banquet of The Bahamas’ best beaches and top towns. Princess Cruises, for example, offering roundtrips from Houston in February and March 2016 aboard the 3,114-passenger Caribbean Princess, touches base in The Bahamas first at Freeport and then at its own private retreat, Princess Cays, on the isle of Eleuthera. Many of Holland America’s Caribbean weeklong cruises call on its private isle as well. Norwegian Cruise Line sails nearly every week October through December and February through April from New York on seven-day voyages to its private cay, as well as the Bahamian capital of Nassau.
Nassau, on New Providence Island (where segments of The Beatles’ signature movie Help were filmed) is overwhelmingly the most popular choice of major cruise lines plying The Bahamas. Of the 380,000 residents of these islands, 250,000 reside in Nassau. Connected by bridge to the aptly named Paradise Island, Nassau offers visitors a full range of attractions, from beaches and markets to casinos and historic forts. Chief among Nassau’s diversions are attractions like the Atlantis Resort with its phantasmagorical architecture, casino, night club and beach strip; the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre, featuring the famous marching flamingos, parrots and 300 other species; the Straw Market, recently relocated to Bay Street, showcasing nearly 500 vendors; Blue Lagoon Island (Salt Cay), where beach sports compete with 30-minute dolphin encounters; Fort Charlotte, an 18th-century fortress with dungeons, underground passages and fortifications with a view; and the interactive Pirates of Nassau museum, a family favorite. Aside from fine seafood dining, vibrant nightclubs and duty-free shopping, Nassau boasts more than 50 fun-in-the-sun beaches.
Freeport, the main port on Grand Bahama Island, is the islands’ second city, six times smaller than Nassau but a Las Vegas in miniature, with an array of casinos, night spots, boutiques and beaches. Freeport is also the gateway to The Bahamas’ chief ecological wonder, the underwater limestone caves of Lucayan National Park.

Bahamas reef life © Conchasolver | Dreamstime.com
Nassau and Freeport are often the focus of short Bahamian cruise junkets. Quick, cheap and sharply focused, these popular two- to five-night voyages can function as long weekends or short holiday escapes. If sailing in high luxury is your desire, Celebrity Cruises runs four-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale all year that spend a day in Nassau on the 2,170-passenger Celebrity Constellation.
If your vacation time is particularly pinched and you are partial to partying, the newly launched Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line sails every other day year-round from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Grand Bahama Island. You spend a single day in The Bahamas doing whatever you wish — snorkeling among coral reefs, shopping, gambling, swimming with dolphins, making a Jeep tour or simply relaxing on the stunning sands. The 1,896-passenger Grand Celebration serves as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s party ship. Equipped with a spa, a casino, five swimming pools, eight bars and lounges and headline performers, this vessel departs Florida at 6 p.m. and returns two nights later at 7 a.m., completing a hop designed for those seeking the ultimate midweek or weekend break.
Five centuries after Columbus weighed anchor here, The Bahamas offers cruise passengers from the New World a perfect place in the sun that’s exhilarating and exotic yet close to home.
Read This Next
Scottsdale Combines Tourism and Big Business
2015
Jan 1, 2016
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Oct 2, 2023Tricks and Treats Await in the Enchanted Forests and Gardens of America’s Botanical Gardens
Pleasant weather, autumn foliage and vibrant flowers are among the many delights awaiting nature lovers at botanical gardens and arboretums across the United States. However, some of these green spaces take on additional color this month and through Halloween when enterprising gardeners, landscape architects, management and other creative minds cast a spell with themed environments running the gamut from spooky to utterly bewitching.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Daily
Oct 2, 20235 Reasons Crystal Springs Resort Serves as the Perfect Backdrop for Fall Bucket List Escapes
For travelers who love all things autumn, Crystal Springs Resort, New York City’s closest destination resort, features special offers and experiences to meet the demands of everyone’s fall bucket list. Located only 80 minutes outside New York City in Sussex County, New Jersey, Crystal Springs Resort offers a quick getaway to enjoy fall foliage. Are any of these new offers or experiences on your bucket list?
Daily
Oct 2, 20237 Historic Cemeteries in Europe to See on Your Travels
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey with us through these historic (and famous) cemeteries in Europe.
Sponsored Content
Greece: A Life-Changing Experience
Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.
Daily
Oct 2, 2023At the Entrance of a French Fishing Village Lies the Perfect Hideaway
At the entrance to the fishing village of Les Goudes, a 40-minute drive south of Marseille facing the Mediterranean, is Tuba Club. Nestled in a historic seaside building,with its laid-back restaurant and sun-splashed terraces it is a perfect hideout for locals and international visitors who can actually find it.
Daily
Sep 27, 2023On This Cruise, You’re Guaranteed to See the Northern Lights or Your Second One’s Free
There’s no doubt the northern lights are awe-inspiring and spectacular. Unfortunately, they’re also fickle and fleeting, and despite your best-laid plans of checking this item off your bucket list, sometimes Mother Nature’s luminescent show just doesn’t cooperate. But one cruise line has a new fail-safe in place.
Sponsored Content
IHG® Hotels & Resorts Introduces Effortless WiFi Connection for Guests Worldwide
IHG Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce the launch of a new mobile product feature for members: IHG Wi-Fi Auto Connect. This feature is now available exclusively in the IHG One Rewards mobile app for both iOS and Android users and will automatically connect IHG One Rewards members to WiFi upon arrival at more than 5,000 IHG hotels worldwide — no separate passwords or log-ins needed. This is in addition to the exciting benefits of being an IHG Business Edge member. IHG Business Edge provides small- and medium-sized businesses access to a user-friendly portal that displays comprehensive spending and savings data while providing the convenience of direct booking with a guaranteed discount.
Daily
Sep 27, 2023Sail Away on Dream Yacht Worldwide’s Easy Crewed Expeditions
Think you need a degree in sailing to enjoy a yachting holiday? Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leader in yacht charters, wants you to relax and enjoy the journey. Newly expanded to include the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles, the "Easy Crewed” offered by Dream Yacht Worldwide also include charter options in Greece and Croatia.
ShareThis