Are you going on a Bahamas cruise? If so, you need to read this. Having been on over 25 cruises, I’ve been on quite a few Bahamas cruises. I’m sharing my personal experience, from safety concerns to almost missing the ship in Nassau due to rush hour traffic. Here are mistakes to avoid in the Bahamas that can ruin your day or even cause you to miss your ship!
Bahamas Cruise Mistakes to Avoid
Getting Stuck in Rush Hour Traffic
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting Nassau is taking a taxi back from Atlantis during rush hour. The traffic in Nassau during the late afternoon is a nightmare!
The bridge from Paradise Island becomes a major bottleneck when you’re trying to return to the cruise port. If you push it too close to your cruise ship’s all-aboard time, you could miss your ship and be left behind.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to me. We hailed a cab to Atlantis and spent the day there, assuming that the travel time from the cruise port to Atlantis would be about the same for the return trip.
We couldn’t have been more mistaken! The cab ride back to the cruise port took twice as long because of rush hour traffic. The congestion was so intense that the cars were barely moving! I was getting really worried that we wouldn’t make it back in time. Thankfully, we just managed to make it back before the all-aboard time, but I’ve definitely learned my lesson and will always allow plenty of time to return from Atlantis to the cruise port!
Exploring on Your Own in Nassau
Don’t wander around Nassau on your own because it’s not as safe as it used to be. The US Department of State has raised the travel advisory for the Bahamas to Level 2, which means “Exercise Increased Caution.”
The reason for this is the increase in violent crimes, such as armed robberies and assaults, happening in both tourist and non-tourist areas. There are warnings to be extra careful in the “Over the Hill” area (South of Shirley Street) in Nassau because there is gang violence there. What’s alarming is that this area is just a few blocks from the cruise port!
So, be smart. Just be extra careful when you’re in Nassau. Unlike other Caribbean islands, it’s not that safe to go exploring on your own in the Bahamas.
Booking Non-Refundable Shore Excursions During Hurricane Season
One mistake that people make when they go on a Bahamas cruise is they book non-refundable shore excursions from outside tour operators during hurricane season. That’s a risky move. The reason why it’s risky is that the weather is unpredictable during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.
If a storm causes the cruise ship to change its route and skip a port, and you’ve booked a non-refundable shore excursion, you’ll lose your money. To play it safe, it’s better to book shore excursions through the cruise ship, even though they may be pricier. The cruise ship will usually provide a substitute for a missed excursion.
But do check with your cruise shore excursion staff to make sure that the shore excursions are refundable. Sometimes, shore excursions are labeled as rain or shine, but you may not want to participate in an outdoor activity in the rain. Personally, I prefer not to book shore excursions in advance during hurricane season and will usually book them last minute instead.
Buying from the First Store
When you’re on a Bahamas cruise, don’t rush into buying from the first store you see. Once you get off the cruise ship in Nassau, you’ll find many souvenir shops at the outdoor mall near the cruise port. Then, as you walk down Bay Street in downtown Nassau, you’ll see more souvenir shops selling similar merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, and knick-knacks. There’s also a straw market to explore. Take your time to compare prices before buying so you get the best price.
Not Exploring Day Passes
One common mistake that cruise passengers make when visiting the Bahamas is assuming that the only option for a day pass is the pricey Atlantis resort one. The cruise ship tends to promote this as a shore excursion, but the Atlantis Day passes can be quite expensive, exceeding $250 per adult and over $100 for kids. However, several other resorts offer day passes in Nassau at a more affordable price.
For example, the British Colonial Hotel has day passes with access to their private beach and pool for around $100 per adult. I’ve bought day passes at the British Colonial Hotel twice, and it’s great because they have free kayaks that you can use, the beach is clean, and there is a restaurant by the pool to grab lunch- it’s a nice way to spend your day in Nassau.
Margaritaville Beach Resort also offers $100 day passes that give you access to the beach, water park, and pool. Both of these resorts are a short walk from the cruise port, giving you a safe and comfortable beach experience. It beats having to be on a public beach! You can check for Nassau day passes here.
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Leaving Your Stuff Unattended at the Beach
People often forget they are at a public beach, and lots of people make the mistake of being too trusting and leaving their stuff unattended.
You should never leave your valuables unattended on the beach; they could easily get swiped. Especially things like your iPhone, wallet, and devices, you want to make sure you keep these things out of sight and not just lying around on your lounge chair.
If you are going in the water for a swim, keep everything in your beach bag with a zipper and make sure someone’s watching it. If not, then bring your iPhone with you in a waterproof case. I like this waterproof pouch because it’s big and has a strap.
Also, it’s a good idea to leave most of your valuables in your cruise cabin safe. That way, you’ll have less to worry about at the beach.
Not Bringing Small Bills
One common mistake people make when visiting the Bahamas is not carrying enough small bills in cash. Cash is essential for buying souvenirs at the straw markets and for activities like getting your hair braided.
When buying souvenirs at the straw market, it’s best to pay in cash rather than using a credit card to keep your credit card information safe. Make sure to have small bills on hand because although you’ll be paying in US dollars, you may receive change in Bahamian dollars. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a lot of Bahamian dollars!
Cruise Essentials
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Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets! Please double-check with your cruise line, as some do not allow power strips and will only allow USB charger cubes.
Packing Cubes
Use packing cubes to make cruise packing easier. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. Unpacking is easy because you just need to take the cubes out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves—so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you don’t get your cubes mixed up.
Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag
This anti-theft crossbody bag is perfect for travel. It features a slash-resistant design and RFID-blocking technology for added security. It even comes with a side pocket to hold your water bottle.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
- Bahamas Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Caribbean Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Bermuda Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- Mexico Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
Cruise Travel Insurance
It’s smart to always buy cruise travel insurance. Get a quote for CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) if you are going on a cruise during hurricane season.
Wrinkle Releaser
Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and odor-free with these travel size Downy wrinkle releaser.
Shore Excursions
Cruise shore excursions are expensive, I suggest doing a quick price comparison with Viator to see if you can get the same tour for less.
Check out these free cruise printables
22 Things to Pack in Your Cruise Private Island Beach Bag (Free Packing List)
8 Important Things to Do to Keep Your Luggage Safe on a Cruise
The 8 Worst Mistakes You Can Make on a Caribbean Cruise During Hurricane Season