Bahamas: The Closest Getaway To The U.S.

The Bahamas is the start destination that many cruisers experience on their first cruise. Some three or four-day cruises leave from Port Canaveral, Miami, or Ft. Lauderdale, which sail the short distance to Freeport or Nassau in the Bahamas. The islands are named after the Spanish baja mar, which means shallows. Cruise ships usually visit only two ports, which are either Freeport or Nassau.

The Bahamas are about 50 miles from the United States. Over 700 islands in the Bahamian archipelago stretch to over 100,000 square miles of sea from the eastern coast of Florida to the northern coast of Cuba and Haiti. Less than 50 are inhabited out of the hundreds of islands in the group.

Nassau is a cross of British heritage and colonialism along with modern resorts and picturesque beaches, and is located on the island of New Providence. About twenty one miles long and seven miles wide, the city is compact and can be explored on foot in a matter of hours. Cruise ships dock at piers on the north side of the island which is just about 10-minute walk from the center of the city. Prince George Wharf is the modern pier and is one block from famous Bay Street, which is the main shopping street of Nassau.

At Nassau, visitors can do a lot of activities ranging from shore excursion which is usually sponsored by the cruise ship, explore the city, the island, or the beach. Sting Ray City is a small island near Nassau where tourists can take time to snorkel with a group of sting rays, pet them, and even feed them with some squid. Boat trips, snorkeling or diving, golf, swimming with dolphins, can also be done at your pace…just about any activity for anyone.

For anyone who’d like to explore the city on foot, it is best to drop by at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism near Rawson Square upon exit at the cruise ship pier where ample information on what to see and do in Nassau will be given such as maps, directions, and other vital information.