You will be taken to private islands and beach-lined paradises when you visit the best Bahamas cru ises. New and jazzed-up ships are available to sail on short and weeklong Bahamas itineraries. You can go to the Bahamas without a passport if you want.
Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival all offer cruises to the Bahamas. There are a number of itineraries on premium lines like Celebrity and Holland America during the winter and early spring.
The luxury lines are the only ones that don't sail in the Bahamas. Many of the ships on our list of the best Bahamas cruises have suites with concierge services, private enclaves or special spa privileges. If you want to go on a luxury cruise to the Bahamas, look at the top suite options.
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In order from shortest to longest, here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries to begin your search.
The new cruise line is a rebranded version of the old Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The Paradise was refurbished for Costa Cruises.
The ship is a perfect fit for the laid back vibe of the Bahamas. The 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, the Par-A-Dice Casino, and the musical production, "Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy's Ship Show" are all within walking distance of one another. There is a kids club, a teen club, a spa, and two pools.
One day on the cruise you can shop, play the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. You can explore on your own. The cruise itineraries include two nights onboard the ship. You can choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where you can stay two or four nights, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea.
The average size of the inside and ocean-view cabins on most mainstream ships is less than 180 square feet. There are ten suites with balconies available.
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Who should leave? This ship is a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising, with all its Jimmy Buffet-inspired themes and decor, but it is also a good place to start. This cruise is a great way to escape and not spend a lot of money. There are weekday sailings that start at $99.
There are tips for first-timers and repeat visitors.
The itinerary may be the best one. The cruises stop at Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The two stops give cruisers the chance to enjoy water sports, spend time at the beach and experience a bit of the country's culture.
Travelers of all ages can enjoy the onboard fun at Freedom of the Sea. It has more entertainment options than a short cruise can offer, including top-deck slides and water features. It is large enough to impress without being overwhelming.
Logistics for cruising out of Miami are easy for first-timers. It's a city that caters to tourists from all walks of life.
Who should leave? Anyone looking for a short but fun hop to the Bahamas should check out Freedom of the Seas. Families with children of all ages will find things to do. The adults-only Solarium is a great place to relax with your spouse or partner. The suites on the ship aren't the two-deck variety found on some of the line's newer ships.
It has been a long time since Disney decided to build a new ship. The new Disney Wish is going to sail to the Bahamas. The Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, are both visited by these short cruises. A sea day is added to the itinerary.
The Disney worlds will be immersed in technology on the ship. The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is being turned into a virtual spyglass to allow passengers to play a fantasy adventure with Disney and Pixar characters. The AquaMouse waterslide combines a splashy tube ride in a two-seater raft with a story told through screens at the beginning of the ride. Diners are able to participate in an interactive experience through videos and special effects.
The staterooms and suites of Wish are designed to make cruising with children simpler. Disney fans of all ages will find their spot on the ship. Disney caters to grownups and kids with its Star Wars themed Hyperspace Lounge and Quiet Cove sun deck.
Who should leave? This is the best cruise for Disney fans, but it's also the best cruise for Star Wars and other comic book fans.
The best shore excursions for cruises.
A product that is designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship was created by Virgin voyages. The itinerary for this cruise is not very novel. Key West and a beach club on the island of Bimini are some of the ports of call.
As Virgin calls its passengers, the ship itself set the scene for 2,700 sailors. There are unique staterooms, such as balcony hammocks, and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, such as drag shows.
Who should leave? This is the best cruise for non-cruisers who are either young at heart or just young and want to party. This isn't a Bahamas cruise if you're offended by loud music, partying or sexual innuendo.
Between November and April, Celebrity Cruises offers a series of four- and sometimes five- night sailings from South Florida ports aboard Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Summit. It is possible to be the only ship in port at either of the fun ports of Nassau or Bimini.
Summit is one of the smallest ships in the line and has a capacity of just over 2000 passengers. The big-ship, mass-market lines that cruise there year-round offer a quieter choice for a Bahamas cruise. Think of a resort instead of a park. There is no slide or water play features on the ship. The ship is geared towards couples with the average age onboard over 50.
Who should leave? Lovers of a less frenetic style of cruising are the best people to leave Celebrity's ships to. They are perfect for girls getaways with a spa and lots of places to sit and visit both indoors and out on the pool deck. A suite in The Retreat, which includes an exclusive sun deck, lounge and restaurant, is available only to suite guests and can be used as a stepping stone to a more luxurious cruise experience.
It's the best time to go on a cruise ship.
I like to sail five-nights. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port. The slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers.
There are two different cruises on Carnival Freedom. There are stops in Nassau and the Princess Cays private island. The other route has stops in Bimini and Turks and Caicos. It's possible to book back-to-back sailings on Carnival if you want to go on an extended cruise.
Almost everyone at an affordable price can be found at Carnival Freedom, which has over 3000 cruisers. The food at Carnival is good and there are many free food options to choose from. There is a comedy club on the ship and a top-deck water feature.
Who should leave? The best cruise for budget-conscious travelers is this one. It is possible to get to the islands on the cheap. The five-night sailings on Freedom are almost the same price as the four- night sailings.
There aren't all Bahamas cruises from Florida. There is a fun itinerary from Galveston that includes stops at Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Key West. Any cruise that calls at Key West feels like a bonus.
There are a lot of things to do on this ship to fill three days at sea. You can't go wrong with Guy's Burger Joint and Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse. There are spa staterooms in every category that have unlimited access to the thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool.
Some of the cabins at Carnival Dream don't fit the usual description. The Interior with Picture Window is priced as if it has no view at all and is more similar to an obstruction than a cabin. Some of the rooms in the interior category have porthole windows. There is a single parent cruising with a child.
Who should leave? If you're looking for a weeklong cruise that doesn't break the bank but still has plenty of onboard fun, this is the one for you.
Whether it's beach time or party time, the best Bahamas cruises have something for everyone. Even though short sailings are still the most popular option, there are other options. The key is to find a cruise that will fit your budget and lifestyle.
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