Thursday, April 18, 2024

Nassau, Bahamas: Cruise Port and Terminal Guide

bahamas cruise port

As a travel agent and Bahamas specialist with many years of experience, I have researched and booked numerous cruises to the beautiful island of Nassau in the Bahamas. 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. John Watling’s Rum Distillery in Nassau was established over 200 years ago. It takes min taxi ride (USD 10) and includes climbing a large hill.

bahamas cruise port

Shore excursions and tours

bahamas cruise port

The cruise port is on North Bimini, and the airport is on South Bimini. You can take a quick ride between the two islands with the local ferry service at $8 per person each way. The Rose Island Swim With Pigs is one of the most popular excursions in Nassau. Many major cruise lines offer this excursion, which is an amazing experience.

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Several islands in the Bahamas are used exclusively by cruise lines such as Disney’s Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbeans’ Coco Cay. When you are firmly grounded in the Bahamas, be sure to visit Freeport for the lure of the sun and sand. Duty-free shopping also awaits in Freeport at the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Check first with a local or with a frequent Bahamas visitor (like a travel advisor) to determine which stall is the best for the day. With 25 years in the same location, McKenzie, a former conch fisherman turned restaurateur, is a local celebrity among Potter Cay purveyors, with a shack positioned as the first on the bridge's west end. Balmoral Island, Pearl Island and Sandy Toes also offer private-island experiences near Nassau.

We’ve collated the top 20 things to do in Nassau Port on a Cruise

IQCruising is just providing the information and you should be aware that you are solely responsible for booking excursions online with these third-party services. Funds raised in 2021-Q2 (through an initial public offering via Bahamas Investment Fund) will be used for Phase 3. Marina Village – Paradise Island – designer & retail shops as well as restaurants and cafes. There are a few different car rental locations at the airport, but often its expensive for the day and will you need to remember to drive on the left side of the road. While there, make sure to taste the Bahamas’ handcrafted rum cocktails, delicious seafood, traditional mac ’n’ cheese, and a variety of authentic specialties, which are an important part of Bahamian culture.

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It can be overwhelming, so be prepared to politely decline if you're not interested. Island beach escapes tend to offer guests a more all-inclusive experience with less of a hassle. In most cases, you will meet a cruise ship shore excursion provider at a designated spot before being guided to a boat. From there, you can enjoy your day however you may choose before returning to meet your ride back to Nassau. If you want to spend the day snorkeling, this is a great place to do it, as there are sculptures and Hollywood memorabilia located underwater. If you get tired of snorkeling, you can take a walk through Clifton Heritage Park before settling down for a picnic lunch.

It also has regular entertainment and can fill several hours of time during a shore excursion visit. Bahamas-only cruises tend to be anywhere from two to five nights, and they visit a port or two in the Bahamas, as well as a private island (see below). In the Bahamas, the people are as warm as the weather, offering greetings and friendly smiles at every turn.

Prince George Wharf: Nassau Cruise Port

It is a good idea to plan something to do in advance, as it will be jam-packed when you leave the cruise port. Shoppers will find plenty to browse and buy at the 12-acre Port Lucaya Marketplace or at the International Bazaar, one of the oldest shopping areas in Freeport. It’s a common shore excursion about a 20-minute drive from the cruise terminal. Local historical attractions include Fort Charlotte, which is the largest on the islands, and the smaller forts Montagu or Fincastle. The Queen’s Staircase of Sixtysix Steps, right by Fort Fincastle, is a popular tourist attraction that was hand carved out of solid rock.

Where is Freeport and the cruise port

Also new is the Educulture Junkanoo Museum And Resource Centre (managed by Junkanoo World Museum & Arts Centre Ltd). This explains why these port cities are used as seasonal turnaround ports for homeporting (roundtrip itineraries) by many major cruise companies with ship deployments in the Caribbean. Royal Beach Club Bahamas will be developed with premium beaches and RCI's signature beachside resort amenities and service. In February 2020, RCG purchased land from private landowners ("multiple real estate parcels"/13,5-acres/5,5-hectares) on Paradise Island's western coast, at the cost of ~USD 50 million (~EUR 42 million). Additional 7 acres/2,8 hectares were leased by The Bahamas government. 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.

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Sweeping views from the fort's bluffs encompass downtown Nassau, the harbor and the cruise ship dock. Nassau is extremely popular as a warm-weather getaway destination that's closer to the U.S. As a plus, while technically not located in the Caribbean, Nassau and the Bahamas offers the same splendid sunny skies, brilliant blue waters and amazing culture and traditions. Bimini is primarily a beach destination that focuses on water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming with sharks, and jet skiing.

As mentioned before, the main things to do in Freeport are not close to the cruise port terminal. But that doesn't mean that you should stay onboard your cruise ship. By the concession deal, the Consortium invested ~USD 300 million (EUR 271M / GBP 240M) in expanding the cruise port's capacity and enhancing the passenger terminal as well as the downtown touring experience. In August, the consortium (Nassau Cruise Port Ltd) signed a 25-year concession deal for the Port's Prince George Wharf.

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 guide will teach you how to feed the pigs and interact with them while swimming. Afterward, you head to a private beach to relax and enjoy light snacks. This tour costs $79 for adults, $49 for kids between the ages of 4 and 12, and free for children under 4.

The downtown area, Bay Street retail district, and many of Nassau’s historic sites are within walking distance of the cruise ship pier. Passengers who have booked shore excursions through the cruise line will find their tour operators stationed near the dock. Those who have booked their shore excursions privately must meet their guides further down the dock. 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. Popular shopping destinations include the Straw Markets, which showcase local arts and crafts.

The project will include a new, iconic, arrivals terminal, a Junkanoo Museum, an Authentically Bahamian Marketplace, an Amphitheater, a coral reef exhibit, food and beverage and entertainment spaces. The local currency in Nassau, Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD). It’s pegged to the US dollar on a one-to-one basis, which means that 1 BSD equals 1 USD. This makes it simple for visitors to understand the value of items and services in the country. Lastly, Fort Charlotte, located near West Bay Street, provides a panoramic view of Nassau and Paradise Island. This 18th-century British colonial era fort is a treasure trove of secret tunnels and dungeons, making it an intriguing stop for history buffs.

The whole terminal area is designed to cater to cruise passengers’ needs, with facilities such as a welcome center, a Junkanoo museum, event and entertainment spaces, an Amphitheater, tour booths, shops and cafes. The revitalized port became a beloved cultural and entertainment destination that celebrates the heritage and history of Nassau, which was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2014. By showcasing the best of the country’s “Authentically Bahamian” culture, the port offers a one-of-a-kind experience for all visitors. NCP also incorporates environmental sustainability into key areas of the project and will promote and support environmental protection in partnership with local and international stakeholders. Many of the various cruise lines stop in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, which is home to the very popular Cable Beach. You can also visit the huge aquarium in Nassau, with over 50,000 fish and various marine life.

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