Nassau Cruise Port Guide Info
Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital and economic, administrative, and cultural center of The Bahamas. It is one of the busiest and most popular Caribbean cruise destinations due to its proximity to the US and a great tourist offer that consists of a wide variety of attractions, historical landmarks, private island getaways, breathtaking beaches, adventure activities, and more. Nassau cruise port is situated in the northeast of the island, within walking distance from the historic town center, and the cruise terminal is officially called Prince George Wharf. It can accommodate up to eight ships, depending on the size, and the distance between the berths is short, which might result in large crowds and a slightly chaotic atmosphere. The meeting place for shore excursions is usually in front of the ship, on the pier, so make sure you show up on time and bring your ticket where you can find the tour meeting time and place details.
There is only one terminal building and it is located by the entrance to the cruise terminal area, at the Festival Place, an area packed with stands where you can find tour operators, local souvenirs, places to buy food and drinks, etc. The building offers facilities such as a tourist information desk, ATMs, restrooms, a post office, and here you can also find local vendors and car rental agencies. One of the requirements upon getting back to the ship is to have both the ship card and a photo ID with you, so keep that in mind to avoid inconveniences.
As soon as you leave the cruise terminal, you’ll spot an array of restaurants, bars, brand stores, souvenir shops, cafes, and a lot of local vendors who will try to sell your tours, day-passes to famous attractions, boat and taxi rides, car rentals, etc.
You can enjoy the shopping at the Straw Market, an open-air flea market where you’ll find straw goods and souvenirs, visit Hard Rock Café, Harley Davidson, or indulge in frozen cocktails at Senor Frog’s. Main historical landmarks are located within walking distance: Queen’s Staircase, the 18th-century limestone staircase leading to the Fort Fincastle was built by the slaves and is located within 1 km (0.6 mi) from the cruise port.
It is situated in a beautiful setting and the Fort Fincastle, the 18th-century fort later transformed into a lighthouse, offers spectacular views of the cruise port and Nassau downtown.
If you want to learn about Bahamian art, head over to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, and if you want to soak up local history, the Pirates of Nassau Museum and Pompey Museum, housed in a picturesque, old building, one next to another, are worth visiting and located within 10 minutes’ walk from the port.
If you are looking for a nice beach break, you have several options. Junkanoo Beach, a sandy public beach offering a variety of facilities, is situated about a 20-minute walking distance from the cruise terminal. It is usually busy, as it is the closest beach to the cruise terminal, but is a nice place to spend your day and offers wonderful views of the cruise ships. Cabbage Beach, another popular sandy stretch of beach, located on the small Paradise Island facing Nassau and the cruise port, is a great choice, too.
To get there, you can either walk for 1 hour or take a taxi that will get you to the beach in a 10-minute time for a reasonable price. Paradise Island is connected to the New Providence Island by the bridge and is home to the major attraction of Nassau cruise port – the famous Atlantis Resort, featuring a luxury hotel and casino complex, private beaches, an extravagant aqua park, a unique marine habitat, and much more. It is the top choice for cruise passengers, and you can visit it with a shore excursion or on your own (you’ll find many local vendors selling day passes).
Besides that, if you seek gorgeous upscale beaches, you can book cruise ship shore excursions to Pearl Island, Blue Lagoon, or Balmoral Island, private islands where you can enjoy sea animal interactions, a variety of water activities, and all-inclusive service.
Last but not least, for water activities lovers, you can go snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, and much more. Nassau cruise port offers various options, suitable for all pockets and people of all ages. Thus, it is the place where cruise passengers love to return and try different things every time.