Nassau

Nassau

Bahamas

Swim with friendly native sharks and rays at Thunderball Grotto, where James Bond films were shot beneath crystalline waters.

💱 Currency Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
🗣 Language English
🕐 Time Zone EST (UTC-5)
☀️ Best Time to Visit Nov–Apr
🚢 Typical Duration 4-7 nights
💰 Price Range From $149 pp
Port Type Port of Call
🚤 Tender Port No

Nassau is the gateway to the Bahamas and a premier Caribbean cruise destination, offering pristine beaches, water sports, and easy access to nearby island attractions like Coco Cay and Ocean Cay.

Cruises that visit Nassau

Build Your Day in Nassau

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 5:00 PM
Usually about 9 hours ashore
🛳 Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Good atmosphere, good drinks, and lots of amazing things to do. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 22k
Nassau Straw Market So many free things to do and try for travelers on a budget! Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 9k 🕐 Closes soon · 5 PM
Queen's Staircase It is a pretty cool experience historic sights and interact with them. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 5k
Blue Lagoon Island Bahamas There is an obstacle course for adults and kids with a slide and trampoline. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Marathon Mall Prices and the quality of merchandise and services are good. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 4k 🕐 Open · Closes 8 PM
Señor Frog's | Nassau Excellent atmosphere, great service and outstanding drinks. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 3k
Nassau Cruise Port So many activities and countless souvenirs. Port authority · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Open now
Junkanoo Beach There was plenty of room good food and a lot of activities Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 2k 🕐 Open now
Tiki Bikini Hut From the cow bells welcoming you in to the cocktails, food and staff! Bar · ★ 4.1 · 2k
Paranza The ambience, food and our server Randol was amazing. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM
Pirates of Nassau An immersive but surprisingly educational pirate museum! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 2k 🕐 Closes soon · 5 PM
The New Duff food and drinks are delicious and the service is impeccable! Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 2k
Poop Deck Dress up or dress down and enjoy a beautiful meal with excellent service! Seafood · ★ 4.2 · 1k
Pirate Republic Brewing Company & Taproom Shantesha provided great service, very personable and tasty cocktails. Brewpub · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre Only $20 per person to get in and hours of fun. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu
Dolphin Encounters The program was educational, safe and fun for people of all ages. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 5 PM
Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza Convenient with many shops and friendly staff Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 1k 🕐 Open · Closes 12 AM
Town Centre Mall Nice place to shop you can find furniture and clothes food and appliances Shopping mall · ★ 3.3 · 1k 🕐 Open · Closes 9 PM
Aquaventure Aquaventure has so many things to do its hard to do it all on one day. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Café Matisse Great food, impeccable service, and the ambiance here is lovely! Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6 PM
Da Daiquiri Shack Staff friendly, drinks amazing. Bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Sandy Toes, Bahamas We brought our 2 and 6 year old sons and they also had a wonderful time! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Fort Fincastle Inexpensive to enter, but also worth the price of admission. Historical landmark · ★ 4.1 · 1k 🕐 Temporarily closed
Sapodilla Estate Really nice dinner spot, great menu, and amazing service. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6 PM
Bon Vivants Really personable service, delicious cocktails and great ambiance. Bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k
The Islands Caves A quick stop and something fun to do on a hot afternoon on the island. Historical landmark · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Crystal Court Shops Lovely shops,butnot especially great value. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 10 PM
Gourmet Seafood House The food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Prince George Wharf A lot to do and the atmosphere is great! Cruise terminal · ★ 4.2 · 0k
The Dilly Club Beautiful, unique cocktails and an unforgetable atmosphere Bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Solemar Great drinks, good service, and delicious food with exactly the right feel. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Oasis Bar and Bistro Service, food and drinks top tier, and the server Brittany EXCELLENT 👌🏽 Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Marina Village at Atlantis Abundant food and stores with live entertainment on the streets. Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 9 PM
Nassau Harbour Lighthouse Friendly staff and engaging exhibits enhance the experience. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
The London Bahamas Amazing atmosphere with welcoming bartenders and waiters. Caribbean · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Junkanoo World The staff was super friendly and we loved the interactive experiences. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Sunset Beach Club Amazing staff, amazing music, amazing ambiance! Bar · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Lukka Kairi Waterfront Bar & Grill Good food, great drinks, excellent ambience! Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k
The Dig A perfect mix of entertainment, education, and awe. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Paradise Shopping Plaza Beautiful people and quality shopping area with a lot of security Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 10 PM
Elizabeth on Bay Overpriced but colorful and fun Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Open 24 hours
Krafted At The Stubbs Specialty Krafted Sandwiches And Kocktails From food to drinks to atmosphere and service, everything was top-tier. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k
nassau bahamas I totally recommend Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 6:30 AM Thu
Flamingo Cay Flamingo Cay is a wonderful experience for all! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Open now
Seagulls Beach Bar Great cocktails, very fair prices, and a relaxed beach vibe. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Manor Bar Perfect speakeasy type vibe with fantastic drinks and great service. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Nassau Bahamas Cruise Shopping Beautiful, safe and friendly place to shop just off the cruise ships. Market · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 9 PM
East Bay Street Shopping Plaza also paintings from local artist Johnny Cash. Shopping mall · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open now

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Nassau is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Nassau

About Nassau

Nassau stands as one of the Caribbean's most vibrant cruise hubs, welcoming twelve major cruise lines with over 3,000 sailings annually. Whether you're embarking on a new adventure or enjoying Nassau as a port of call, you'll find exceptional variety here. Most cruises departing from Nassau are four-night voyages, with itineraries typically combining nearby Caribbean islands like Coco Cay and Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve, alongside Florida ports such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The port's popularity peaks during winter months and spring break, making it a year-round destination for cruise travelers seeking tropical getaways.

Stepping ashore in Nassau, you'll discover the colorful colonial charm of downtown with its bustling straw market and waterfront dining, along with pristine beaches perfect for relaxation between ship activities. The port's convenient location means you can maximize your time exploring the Bahamas or simply unwind before your next sea day, making Nassau an ideal choice for both first-time and seasoned cruisers.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Explore Colonial History at Fort Fincastle

Climb to this 18th-century hilltop fortress overlooking Nassau Harbor for panoramic views and fascinating military history. The fort's water tower and underground chambers reveal the Bahamas' strategic colonial past, while the surrounding Queen's Staircase—carved from limestone by enslaved workers—stands as a powerful historical monument worth experiencing firsthand.

2

Savor Fresh Conch Salad at Arawak Cay

Head to Nassau's vibrant Fish Fry district where local vendors serve authentic Bahamian conch salad prepared fresh daily with lime, onions, and peppers. This bustling waterfront neighborhood captures the authentic flavors and laid-back island culture that define Nassau's culinary scene, offering an unforgettable taste of the Caribbean.

3

Relax at Cable Beach's Pristine Sands

Just minutes from the cruise port, Cable Beach stretches for miles with powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The beach offers beach bars, water sports, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can experience Nassau's natural tropical beauty without venturing far from your ship.

4

Shop the Straw Market's Local Crafts

Wander through Nassau's iconic Straw Market near the port, brimming with handwoven baskets, colorful sarongs, and authentic Bahamian souvenirs crafted by local artisans. This bustling marketplace captures the island's creative spirit and offers unique gifts while supporting traditional craftsmanship and the local community.

5

Discover Atlantis Resort's Aquatic Wonders

Visit the legendary Atlantis Paradise Island resort to explore its stunning marine habitats, including the Aquaventure water park and incredible aquariums filled with tropical fish and marine life. Day passes allow cruise passengers to experience this world-class destination's beaches, pools, and underwater attractions without staying overnight.

Cruise Lines at Nassau

Cruises Departing From Nassau

Cruises Visiting Nassau

Ship Schedule at Nassau

Nassau Location

Other Cruise Ports in Bahamas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nassau best known for?

Nassau is known for its sheltered harbor, Fort Charlotte, Bay Street shopping, and cruise-ship access.

When is the best time to visit Nassau?

Winter to spring offers pleasant weather and events; avoid peak hurricane season.

How can I explore Nassau's historic sites?

Guided tours to Fort Charlotte, the Queen's Staircase, and colonial-era buildings are popular.

What are must-try Bahamian foods?

Conch fritters, cracked conch, and fresh seafood dishes.