Why Cruise to The Bahamas?

The Bahamas is a collection of islands in the Atlantic, and home to the famous Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. If you take a cruise from Miami, chances are good you’ll end up spending some time here.

The Bahamas is a great option for travelers short on time; three- and four-night sailings are offered by multiple cruise lines for anyone looking for a quick getaway.

Another neat feature of The Bahamas are the private islands scattered throughout; many cruise lines own and operate these slices of paradise as additional stops on a Bahamas cruise.

What are Popular Activities in the Bahamas?

Visitors to The Bahamas can spend a day getting in the water, taking a tour by ATV or doing a little duty-free shopping.

Interacting with the abundant marine life is a popular activity for families in The Bahamas; the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter in Nassau is one of the few dolphin experiences certified by the Humane Society for animal welfare standards. For a more offbeat animal encounter, look into a swimming with pigs (yes, resident pigs) excursion, mainly accessible from private islands Great Stirrup Cay and CocoCay.

Pirates left their mark on The Bahamas, and guided tours and museums go into the history of the golden age of piracy, including notable local legends like Blackbeard and Calico Jack.

For as much as there is to do, many guests also spend the day at a resort or on the beach.

When is a Good Time to Cruise to the Bahamas?

June through October is hurricane season, which means the best time to visit the Bahamas is actually in the winter, though weather is warm year-round. Travel during hurricane season is totally possible, but stay flexible and consider insurance in case stormy conditions arise.

What are Popular Ports in the Bahamas?

Nassau and Freeport are the two main cruise ports in The Bahamas. Nassau is the capital, located on New Providence Island, while Freeport is on Grand Bahama Island.

A number of cruise lines own private islands in the Bahamas, including Disney Cruise Line (Castaway Cay), Royal Caribbean (Perfect Day at CocoCay), Holland America (Half Moon Cay), Princess Cruises (Princess Cays) and Norwegian Cruise Line (Great Stirrup Cay). Here, guests can rent cabanas, careen down waterslides or drink rum punch by the pitcher with nothing more than their cruise card.

Where do Bahamas cruises depart from?

Due to Florida’s close proximity to The Bahamas (just 50 miles off the coast), Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral near Orlando are common departure points for a Bahamas cruise — sometimes Jacksonville.

Baltimore, New York and Norfolk are examples of other East Coast ports that also offer the occasional Bahamas sailing.

What are Tips to Find Cruise deals to Bahamas?

Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to Bahamas. If you book a “guaranteed cabin” (they select for you), a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to Bahamas. Last minute cruises deals to Bahamas appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually 1-2 weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to Bahamas in the shoulder season (before or after the peak season) can also be a great way to find a cruise deal.