Nassau Cruise Port, just lately given a $300 million facelift, serves because the gateway to the Bahamas. Welcoming over 3.5 million passengers per 12 months, the cruise port sits within the coronary heart of Nassau, the capital metropolis. It’s additionally simply minutes away from seashores and sights, making it the best place to begin to your journey!
Nassau Cruise Port Location and Handle
Nassau Cruise Port is located alongside the north shore of Nassau, the capital metropolis of the Bahamas. Like town that offers the port its identify, Nassau Cruise Port is on the island of New Windfall, one of many 30 inhabited islands that make up the archipelago nation.
Given the island’s proximity to Florida, it’s a particularly widespread place for vacationers, together with these setting off on full Caribbean cruises. Actually, the Bahamas is definitely the fourth most visited cruise vacation spot on the earth, only a few spots behind the world’s busiest cruise port – Miami, Florida’s PortMiami.
The prime location additionally locations the port inside simple attain of downtown Nassau, which makes it simple for visiting cruise passengers to discover town’s wealthy tradition and historical past.
As we are going to cowl in larger element later, arriving on the port additionally makes it simple to go to the various pristine seashores which are so integral to the approach to life of the native inhabitants.
One other benefit of the port’s strategic location is that it’s sheltered by Paradise Island, which runs parallel to town of Nassau. This distinctive island supplies a pure barrier, defending the port and docked cruise ships from waves and winds that will in any other case blow in from the Atlantic.
The port’s actual handle is:
Nassau Cruise Port, #1 Prince George Wharf, Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau Cruise Port Piers
Nassau Cruise Port is impressively giant for such a small island. The port contains a distinctive pier design that enables it to accommodate as much as six full-sized cruise ships on the identical time, together with a number of smaller vessels. This was really a part of a serious redevelopment and rejuvenation challenge that vastly expanded the port.
Basically, the design consists of 1 giant pier extending perpendicular to town, which has three piers branching from it. You may nearly think about it like a backwards capital ‘E’, with an extra pier extending backwards from the highest of the ‘E’.
Because the three lengthy piers run parallel to the shore, all departing and embarking passengers should stroll alongside the identical pier to get to the brand new terminal constructing, the Nassau Bahamas Cruise Terminal, situated alongside the shore.
Nassau Cruise Port $300 Million Renovation
Nassau Cruise Port just lately underwent a serious rejuvenation effort. Totally reopening to the general public on Could 26, 2023, the challenge took roughly 4 years and value over $300 million.
The renovations concerned totally refurbishing and repairing all the current piers, in addition to including an extra berth for a full-size cruise ship. The repairs and refurbishment of the cruise berths additionally resulted within the port having the ability to accommodate bigger cruise ships, together with a complete of three Icon or Oasis-class cruise ships on the identical time.
The renovation challenge was funded as a part of a joint operation between the nationwide authorities of the Bahamas and World Ports Holding PLC, the world’s largest cruise port operator.
Along with increasing cruise ship services, the port renovations additionally enhanced the visiting passenger expertise by including further leisure areas and a completely modernized arrivals plaza. There may be an artwork gallery, the Junkanoo Museum, a big theatre, and loads of inexperienced house together with new food and drinks choices.
The ultimate results of the renovations has been turning the Nassau Cruise Port from a dated cruise port to one of the vital spectacular within the Caribbean. Because the renovations, it’s also able to taking in over 3.7 million cruise passengers per 12 months!
Cruise Terminal Facilities and Services
Because the main renovation challenge additionally concerned making important enhancements to the Nassau Bahamas Cruise Terminal, passengers can get pleasure from a nice and cozy expertise throughout their go to.
All the terminal and surrounding services had been additionally designed to be totally accessible, with ramps and automatic doorways guaranteeing all passengers can get pleasure from their go to.
Key facilities and companies embrace the next:
Free Wi-Fi
All the terminal constructing and on-shore leisure areas characteristic complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. This improve was accomplished in February 2024, and there are plans to increase the protection past the cruise port as a part of town of Nassau’s “Good Metropolis Pilot,” which goals to rework Nassau into the middle of innovation for all the Caribbean.
Restrooms
Guests will discover clear and well-maintained public restrooms all through the cruise terminal and the leisure areas. There are additionally restroom services which are wheelchair-friendly.
Data Cubicles
A number of data desks are scattered all through the terminal and even on the piers themselves. Right here, you will see pleasant workers that may give you steerage and reply any questions you’ll have.
Purchasing and Eating
The cruise port contains a market to the facet of the terminal constructing referred to as the Port Market. Right here, guests can store for handmade native souvenirs and trinkets. The development of this outside purchasing space was a part of the trouble to assist the cruise port replicate the distinctive tradition and historical past of the Bahamas.
You may as well go to a number of worldwide clothes and jewellery shops, together with Vida Cayo and Haus of Meeting, which carry seashore clothes and accessories.
There’s additionally a small grocery retailer and pharmacy, which is absolutely helpful should you want any provides to take with you once you board. The Gallery & Wine Bar is one other spotlight of the port. View exhibitions from native and worldwide artists, then get pleasure from a scrumptious glass of wine within the bar space.
If you happen to’re in search of one thing to eat, a number of eating places simply exterior the terminal characteristic genuine Bahamian dishes. You’ll additionally discover Isola Gelato, the Bearded Clam Sports activities Bar, and Linda’s Place, which serves small plates of native delicacies and primary lunch favorites.
Cruise Strains that Go to Nassau Cruise Port
As one of many busiest cruise ports on the earth, it’s no shock that Nassau Cruise Port is an everyday cease for a number of the most well-known cruise strains on the earth. Only a few of the most important cruise strains that go to the port embrace the next:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean Worldwide
- Disney Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Virgin Voyages
- Princess Cruises
Touring to the Port from Close by Airports
Since Nassau is simply about 180 miles from the coast of Florida, many cruise passengers will fly to the island to board cruise ships that record the Nassau Cruise Port as their preliminary departure level.
Lynden Pindling Worldwide Airport (LPIA)
If you’re one of many many taking one among these cruises, there’s a good probability that you’ll fly into Lynden Pindling Worldwide Airport (LPIA), as this main airport features as the principle gateway for air vacationers to Nassau and its cruise port.
LPIA is the most important airport within the Bahamas, simply 9 miles west of Nassau Cruise Port. It serves 1000’s of cruise passengers day-after-day. With the airport servicing quite a few worldwide flights and home flights from different islands within the Bahamas, it’s the place most vacationers will arrive.
Instructions and Distance to the Port
The commonest and handy technique to journey between the airport and the cruise port is to take a taxi or cruise line-provided shuttle bus. Whereas visitors may be a difficulty, most taxi and shuttle rides take about 20 to half-hour.
Metered charges are set by regulation for taxis, that means you can not get ripped off should you take a registered cab. Luckily, there’s a obligatory flat charge of $21 to get to the port from the airport, so that you don’t should haggle.
In case you have determined to hire a automobile from one of many rental workplaces on the airport and plan on driving to the cruise port your self, you may take the next instructions:
- Exit the airport and head east on John F. Kennedy Drive
- Proceed on John F. Kennedy Drive for 9.6 miles till you attain a roundabout, then take the second exit onto Tonique Williams-Darling Freeway
- On the subsequent roundabout, take the third exit onto West Bay Avenue
- Proceed for 1.1 miles till you see indicators for Nassau Cruise Port and park at Prince George Wharf
Remember the fact that United Kingdom driving guidelines apply within the Bahamas, so you will want to drive on the left facet of the street.
Whereas the port has drop-off factors and short-term parking, you will want to park simply exterior the port should you want in a single day or long-term parking. The Bahamas Monetary Centre on close by Parliament Avenue is simply 0.3 miles away from the port and so they have in a single day parking for a charge of $10 per day.
Different Airports
If you’re not flying into Nassau and have determined to ebook a flight at one of many 20 different worldwide airports scattered all through the islands of the Bahamas, like Grand Bahama Freeport Airport or Leonard M. Thompson Worldwide Airport, you’ll most probably have to ebook a brief flight out of your arrival airport to Lynden Pindling Worldwide Airport. Fortunately, these inter-island flights run all through the day and are usually very inexpensive.
Tips on how to Get to Nassau Cruise Port
One of many many the explanation why Nassau is such a well-liked trip vacation spot is how simple it’s to go to all of the sights the island has to supply. Listed below are the most well-liked methods to get round:
Taxis
As talked about, the best technique to get to the cruise port from the airport is to take a taxi. They’re available at LPIA and town of Nassau as a complete. Since taxi fares and flat charges are regulated, passengers can get pleasure from truthful pricing and simplified transactions.
Remember the fact that taxis are allowed to cost further surcharges for extra passengers and outsized baggage, however these charges are often simply an additional couple of {dollars}. The drivers additionally want to speak this with you earlier than you depart.
Sadly, Uber and Lyft don’t but function within the Bahamas.
Personal Shuttle Service
Quite a few shuttle companies function all through Nassau. From shuttle buses to personal limo transfers, it’s simple to pre-book transportation between the airport and cruise port, in addition to different areas of the island.
Airport Switch Bahamas provides a variety of companies and automobiles. From group-friendly van and mini-bus rides to extra luxurious stretch limousines, you may prearrange journey to satisfy your wants and price range.
Simon’s Transports provides extra budget-friendly shared airport shuttles when you have a big group and wish to keep away from ready for a taxi.
You may as well verify along with your cruise line forward of time to see if they supply a complimentary shuttle service. Some bigger ships will accomplish that for itineraries that start on the Nassau Cruise Port.
Public Transportation
The town’s public buses, identified regionally as “jitneys,” have routes all through Nassau, together with a cease a brief distance exterior of the cruise port.
One-way grownup fares are $3, so they provide a budget-friendly mode of transportation between the port and varied factors all through town, however you need to keep in mind that they’re far much less handy and dependable than taxis.
Strolling
If you’re staying in a close-by lodge or wish to discover Nassau with out paying for a taxi or shuttle, it’s simple to stroll to downtown Nassau from the cruise port. Strolling is clearly free and provides guests a good way to discover town and take within the environment.
Is Nassau Protected to Go to?
Whereas there are areas of the Bahamas that may be just a little bit harmful to outsiders, notably Freeport on Grand Bahama, the island of New Windfall, the place Nassau is situated, is taken into account comparatively protected for visiting vacationers.
With that mentioned, each the US Division of State and the Authorities of Canada advise guests to train a excessive diploma of warning when visiting any area inside the Bahamas. Actually, your complete nation has a Stage 2 Journey Advisory, in response to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Whereas the principle vacationer areas of Nassau are typically protected for vacationers, you need to nonetheless observe precautions. The next are some ideas really useful by the US Authorities, in addition to a number of different governments, like these of Canada and the UK:
Be Vigilant About Spiked Drinks
You shouldn’t go away meals or drinks unattended and be cautious of accepting snacks, drinks, and even cigarettes from these you don’t know.
Be Cautious About Fraud
Bank card and ATM fraud are sadly comparatively widespread in Nassau. Keep away from conditions the place others deal with your bank card, solely use ATMs in well-lit areas, and verify your statements for unauthorized transactions. We suggest utilizing money with smaller distributors and eating places.
If you’re planning on having fun with an tour expertise, ebook by your cruise line slightly than doing so within the metropolis. This eliminates your probabilities of being scammed, and it’s safer to go along with an tour supplier that has been vetted by your cruise line.
Solely Enter Registered Taxis
Keep away from any unmarked taxis, and don’t take taxis with strangers if they provide to separate a fare.
Keep away from Harmful Neighborhoods
In Nassau, you need to keep away from the “Over the Hill” space of town, south of Shirley Avenue. This harmful space is the place gang violence is widespread. It is best to all the time keep away from touring alone in any a part of town, particularly at evening. If you happen to spend the evening within the metropolis, follow the most important resorts and resorts, as they’ve on-site safety. Small, short-term rental properties are much less protected, even when they’re in seemingly good neighborhoods.
Seashores Close to Nassau Cruise Port
Like a lot of the islands that make up the Bahamas, Nassau is house to some actually gorgeous seashores. Many of those are simply accessible from the cruise port, together with the next:
Junkanoo Seaside
Junkanoo Seaside is simply 0.6 miles west of the Nassau Bahamas Cruise Terminal, so you may simply stroll alongside the waterfront to get there. The very fact it’s simply over a 10-minute stroll from the cruise port makes it one of the vital widespread choices for visiting cruise passengers.
Not solely is it close by, however the seashore has a energetic environment, picturesque mushy white sand, and turquoise waters which are so carefully related to the Bahamas.
If you happen to develop uninterested in enjoyable on the sand, the seashore is only a few minutes stroll to a variety of seashore bars, eating places, native distributors, and even the famed Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Bahamas.
Cabbage Seaside
Cabbage Seaside is throughout the water on the north facet of Paradise Island. It additionally occurs to be one of the vital well-known seashores within the Bahamas. Though the seashore is technically about 2 miles from the port, getting there’s difficult. Most individuals take a taxi throughout the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, extending the journey to about 3 miles.
You may as well go for a water taxi or one of many ferries that function out of Port Nassau, however this could make for a extra difficult journey than simply taking a cab.
When you arrive, you’ll uncover one of the vital pristine stretches of seashore wherever within the Caribbean. There are additionally loads of water actions to get pleasure from, like jet snowboarding, parasailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
Saunders Seaside
Saunders is one other seashore that often requires a cab trip, however it’s a good different to the busier choices if you would like a extra relaxed environment.
Positioned roughly 3.7 miles west of the cruise port, you’ll get pleasure from a comparatively peaceable seashore with a family-friendly playground and loads of picnic areas.
Love Seaside
In case you have extra time in Nassau, you may take a drive out to Love Seaside, which is 11.8 miles west of the port alongside John F Kennedy Drive.
Recognized to be a picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of town, it has a very tranquil setting that gives the right technique to calm down earlier than boarding a crowded cruise ship. If you happen to’re fortunate, you would possibly even be capable of spot dolphins splashing within the waters or sea lions basking within the solar.
Eating Choices Close to Nassau Cruise Port
Because the capital metropolis of an island nation identified for its scrumptious delicacies, it’s no shock that Nassau is house to a variety of thrilling eating choices. Because the metropolis additionally has a booming tourism trade, there are a number of eating choices close to the cruise port that can attraction to all tastes and budgets.
Listed below are only a few of our high strategies:
Go to Arawak Cay
Also referred to as the “Fish Fry,” this small island is simply over a mile west of the port. It’s an enormous favourite amongst locals and vacationers alike. Right here, you’ll discover quite a few seafood stalls and eating places specializing in serving freshly caught seafood fried and seasoned Bahamian-style. Strive the conch salad, as most institutions have this fan favourite on their menus!
Twin Brothers is an efficient possibility should you’re in search of a extra formal sit-down meal, whereas Sumptin’ Good 242 is nice for cocktails and takeaway dishes.
Señor Frog’s
No journey to the Caribbean is full with out stopping in a Señor Frog’s. Fortunately, there’s one inside strolling distance from the cruise port close to Junkanoo Seaside. This energetic restaurant and bar has an iconic environment, tropical cocktails, and Mexican dishes that it’s a must to expertise for your self!
With a mixture of native markets, high-end designer boutiques, duty-free retailers, and worldwide chain shops, Nassau is a purchasing fanatic’s dream vacation spot. If you wish to do some purchasing throughout your go to, try the next:
Straw Market
Positioned lower than a mile from the port, the Straw Market is an excellent market the place you could find a variety of handmade souvenirs, like jewellery, wooden carvings, and scorching sauces.
Be sure you deliver money, as most distributors received’t settle for playing cards. With the Bahamian Greenback on par with the US Greenback, you may simply deliver US foreign money, ideally in small denominations.
Bay Avenue
For extra upscale purchasing, go to Bay Avenue, one of many most important purchasing areas within the metropolis. Positioned lower than a mile from the terminal, the road runs parallel with the waterfront.
Right here, you’ll discover duty-free purchasing and high-end luxurious retailers. You’ll additionally discover a couple of eating places the place you may pattern some genuine native delicacies.
Pageant Place
Proper inside the cruise port itself, Pageant Place provides handy looking for these with restricted time on the island. Store all the pieces from native souvenirs to bathing fits and last-minute presents.
When Is the Greatest Time to Go to Nassau?
Though Nassau is a year-round vacation spot, because of its tropical local weather, most individuals want to go to between December and February. Temperatures hover round a nice 75°F, whereas rainfall is comparatively restricted.
Keep away from going in the course of the summer time months if you wish to keep away from the wet season, in addition to the elevated threat of tropical storms and hurricanes.
Learn Additionally: Grand Turk Cruise Port – Pier, Services and What’s Close by
You’ll additionally discover that humidity is restricted in the course of the winter and early spring, which makes exploring town and the island’s seashores way more nice than in the course of the summer time and fall.
Peak season runs from November to April. With many cruise strains shifting their itineraries from Europe to the Caribbean, Nassau has change into a highly regarded vacation spot.
There are additionally some enjoyable annual festivals throughout these months, together with Junkanoo Pageant, which is held on December twenty sixth. The competition is marked by parades, stay music, and costumes, offering guests with an important alternative to expertise Bahamian tradition first-hand.
