Are you going on a cruise and stopping in Nassau? I’ve been to Nassau many times, and I know it gets a bad reputation. Some people say it’s not worth getting off the ship — and yes, that can be true if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Below, I’m going to show you how to have an amazing day in Nassau — without booking an expensive cruise shore excursion.
I’ll show you where to go, what to do, what to watch out for, and how to stay safe.
If you’ve read my other articles, you know I don’t like wasting money. These are practical tips based on what I personally do every time my cruise stops in Nassau — things I wish someone had told me before my first visit.
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Don’t Assume Nassau is a Safe Port
Before I go over what to do in Nassau, we need to talk about safety — because a lot of cruise passengers assume Nassau is automatically safe just because it’s a cruise port.
That’s not always true. The Bahamas currently has a Level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, which means travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime.
One important thing to understand is how close dangerous areas are to the main tourist zone.
The State Department warns travelers to stay alert in the “Over the Hill” area, just south of Shirley Street. Shirley Street is only one to two blocks from Bay Street, the main shopping street near the cruise port.
If you plan to explore on your own, it helps to look at a map ahead of time so you know where not to go.
Also, be extra aware at public beaches. The State Department has reported sexual assaults at downtown Nassau beaches, so stay alert and avoid using public restrooms alone.
Now that we’ve covered safety, let’s get into what to do in Nassau and how to make the most of your time in port.
Public Beaches
If you’re spending the day at the beach, you can either go to a public beach or go to a private resort beach. Public beaches are free.
Most public beaches in Nassau require a taxi. I personally prefer Junkanoo beach because it’s only a 15 minute walk from Nassau’s cruise port. You don’t need to waste money and time on taxis.
Just head west on Bay Street.
At Junkanoo Beach, you’ll find beach chair rentals along with food and drinks. This is a good option if you’re on a budget.
Day Pass to a Private Beach
Now, with that said — and honestly, as I get older — I’m not the biggest fan of public beaches anymore, especially in Nassau. If you’re like me and prefer something easier and more luxurious, I highly recommend getting a day pass to a private resort beach.
You don’t need to go all the way to Atlantis for this. There are two resorts within walking distance of the cruise port: British Colonial Hotel and Margaritaville. Both are located near Junkanoo Beach, so again, no taxi required.
Day passes at these resorts are much more affordable than Atlantis. For example, the British Colonial Hotel day pass is $87 for adults and $35 for kids. You can also rent cabanas or upgrade to day passes that include food and drinks.
These resorts provide towels and lounge chairs. It’s easier, more comfortable, and feels a lot more luxurious compared to public beaches.
Don’t Underestimate the Traffic
Traffic in Nassau can be much heavier than you expect, especially during rush hour. This is one of the biggest reasons I stick to beaches that are within walking distance of the cruise port — because I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.
On one visit, we took a taxi to Atlantis, assuming the ride back to the cruise terminal would be quick. It wasn’t.
We got stuck in rush-hour traffic, and the bridge back into downtown Nassau was completely bumper-to-bumper. At one point, I honestly thought we were going to miss the ship.
We made it back just in time, but it was extremely stressful.
So if you plan on taking a taxi to a public beach or resort, always build in extra time for traffic and getting a ride back. Or better yet, stick to beaches within walking distance of the cruise port — it saves money and avoids unnecessary stress.
Shopping on Bay Street
If you’re not a beach person, Nassau has plenty of shopping to keep you busy. Bay Street is the main shopping area and it’s just a block from the cruise terminal.
Here you’ll find duty-free shops selling luxury goods and jewelry, along with a lot of souvenir stores selling $10 T-shirts.
Shopping at the Cruise Terminal
If you haven’t been to Nassau in a few years, you’ll notice the cruise port has been renovated. Now there are shops, restaurants, and even a Junkanoo museum right at the terminal.
If you don’t want to venture out to Bay Street, the cruise terminal is a clean and safe alternative for shopping and grabbing a bite.
Straw Market
For a more authentic Bahamas experience, head to the Straw Market.
It’s walking distance from the cruise terminal — just head west on Bay Street on your way to Junkanoo Beach. Here you’ll find local vendors selling handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Cruise Port Agent
One thing I didn’t know when I was new to cruising was that all ports have port agents, and having their contact info is really important.
The port agent is the local person to call if you have a medical emergency, run into travel issues, or—worst case—get left behind by the ship.
You can usually find the port agent info on the Bahamas port shopping map your cruise line gives you. I recommend keeping the map with you and also taking a photo on your phone. That way, even if you lose the paper copy, you still have the information you need.
Hair Braiding
If you want to get your hair braided, you don’t need to go far. Hair braiders are right at the cruise terminal shopping area, so you can get it done without worrying about transportation or safety.
Taxis
Getting a taxi from the cruise terminal is easy. Just go to the taxi kiosk at the port — they even list the prices upfront, so you don’t have to worry about getting overcharged.
Check the Calendar
Before your cruise, take a few minutes to check the local calendar for Nassau. You might be arriving during a holiday, festival, or parade.
For example, on one of our Christmas cruises, we arrived in Nassau on the same day as the famous Junkanoo Festival. We caught the tail end of the parade in downtown Nassau, which was amazing — but it also meant heavier traffic and some road closures.
Checking the calendar ahead of time helps you plan your day better, avoid traffic, and still enjoy any special events happening in port.
Non-Refundable Tours
The weather in Nassau can be unpredictable. I’ve had perfect sunny beach days, and I’ve had stops where it was pouring rain. If you’re cruising during hurricane season which is from June through November, there’s also a chance your port stop could be canceled.
That’s why I never recommend booking non-refundable tours with independent operators. While they’re sometimes cheaper, you risk losing your money if the weather changes.
A safer option is to book shore excursions through your cruise line. That way, if your itinerary changes due to weather, your cruise line will adjust or refund your shore excursion.
Free Gift Coupons
On your cruise, you’ll get coupons for free gifts at stores in Nassau. For example, chains like Diamonds International give out charm bracelets.
You’ll usually find these coupons on your port shopping map. Bring them with you and stop by the store — my daughter loves collecting charms from different ports!
Just remember: these free gifts are often used to encourage you to spend money. Go get your free gift, but don’t feel pressured to buy anything. It’s a fun activity for families with kids.
Not Bringing Your Passport
One of the biggest mistakes cruise passengers make in Nassau is leaving their passport on the ship.
Always bring your passport — and make sure the kids have theirs too. If you miss the ship, having your passport allows you to fly to the next port and catch up. Without it, getting back on board can become complicated and stressful.
Don’t Skip Travel Insurance
Not having travel insurance is a big risk. Many people assume their U.S. health insurance or Medicare will cover them abroad — but in most cases, it doesn’t.
If you get sick or injured on an international cruise, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical bills. For example, my mother-in-law became seriously ill on a cruise and had to be rushed to a hospital. Thankfully, her travel insurance covered everything — without it, she would have faced a massive bill.
Travel insurance is especially important during hurricane season, when weather is unpredictable, and rough seas can disrupt your plans.
For cruises during the hurricane season, I personally choose a travel insurance policy with a “Cancel For Any Reason” clause. It gives me the flexibility to cancel if conditions make me uncomfortable.
Check the description below for a link to travel insurance with this coverage.
Don’t Buy from the First Store
When you arrive in Nassau, it’s tempting to buy the first souvenir you see — but don’t!
There are lots of shops selling similar items, and prices can vary widely. Take a few minutes to walk around and compare. Often, the best deals are in stores just a little off the main tourist path. A little extra browsing can save you money.
Bring Cash
Another common mistake is not bringing cash. You’ll need it for souvenirs, snacks, and small purchases. Many street vendors and local restaurants don’t take credit cards, and even when they do, using cash helps avoid potential fraud.
Most vendors accept U.S. dollars, but don’t be surprised if your change comes back in Bahamian dollars. To make things easier, bring small bills and coins, so you’re not stuck with money you can’t use.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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