The best Bahamas cruises take you away from the daily grind, transporting you to theme park-like private islands and beach-lined paradises. Cruise choices include new and jazzed-up ships sailing an array of short and weeklong Bahamas itineraries. Cruising to the Bahamas is so easy you may even be able to go without a passport.
Family-friendly lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, offer cruises focused on the Bahamas all year. So do newcomers Virgin Voyages, with its adults-only sailings, and Margaritaville at Sea, offering short two-night hops and longer cruise-and-stay packages. The winter and early spring seasons bring a handful of itineraries on premium lines like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.
The only cruise lines that don’t regularly offer Bahamas cruises are the luxury lines. But don’t worry, luxe lovers: Many of the ships we included on our list of the best Bahamas cruises offer suites that come with concierge services, private enclaves or special spa privileges. If a luxury cruise to the Bahamas is your goal, look at the top suite options on a mainstream or premium line.
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Here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries, whether you’re looking for a quick and cheap getaway or a week at the beach.
2-night cruises on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise from Palm Beach, Florida
Though cruising is relatively new to the Margaritaville travel and hospitality franchise, cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is essentially a rebranding of the old Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. Its refurbished ship, Paradise, originally debuted in the 1990s for Costa Cruises.
One Jimmy Buffett-themed makeover later, the ship is a perfect fit for the laid-back vibe of the Bahamas. Grab a drink or a bite to eat from the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, try your luck at the Par-A-Dice Casino and enjoy plenty of entertainment, including the musical production “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show.” There’s a kids club, a teen club, a spa and two pools stocked with beach balls and inflatable parrots.
The two-night cruise itinerary includes one day in Freeport, where you can shop, hit the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. The ship offers shore excursions, or you can explore independently. Margaritaville at Sea also offers cruise-and-stay itineraries of either four or six nights (including the two nights on board the ship). These packages let you choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where you’ll stay two or four nights on land, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise carries around 1,300 passengers in an assortment of inside and ocean-view cabins, all around 176 square feet, which is larger than the average for those categories on most mainstream ships. Ten suites with balconies and 524 square feet of space are also available.
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Who should go? Obviously, Parrotheads are gonna want to try this ship, with all its Jimmy Buffett-inspired themes and decor, but it’s also a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising. Pricing makes this a great cruise to enjoy an escape without spending a fortune. We found weekday sailings that begin at $75 per person based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
Related: Best Bahamas cruise tips for first-timers and repeat visitors alike
3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas from Miami
This itinerary may be the best overall short Bahamas cruise. Both the three- and four-night cruises have stops at Nassau and Royal Caribbean‘s massive private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Those two stops combined give cruisers the opportunity to enjoy water sports, spend some time at the beach and experience a bit of Bahamian culture.
Freedom of the Seas has plenty of onboard fun to occupy travelers of all ages on sea days. It’s loaded with top-deck slides and water features, specialty restaurant choices and more entertainment options than you can take in on a short cruise. Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming.
Plus, logistics for cruising out of Miami are simple enough for even first-time cruisers. From flight choices to pre- or post-cruise hotels, it’s a city that caters to tourists, especially the cruising ones.
Who should go? From first-timers to veteran cruisers, anyone looking for a short but fun-filled hop to the Bahamas should give Freedom of the Seas a look. Families looking for a quick escape will find entertainment and activities for everyone from toddlers to teens. The ship is also ideal for family reunions, bachelorette parties and birthday cruises. Couples will love the adults-only Solarium with its extra-large hot tubs looking out over the sea.
Related: Bahamas cruise packing list: What to pack for the islands
3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
When Royal Caribbean’s giant Utopia of the Seas debuts in July 2024, it will offer a bevy of short sailings, including three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral. The 236,860-ton, 5,669-passenger vessel will be the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offer more exciting amenities than any other cruise ship sailing short itineraries in North America.
Why? The newest, biggest ships in the world typically sail longer cruises. Offering short cruises on its humongous Oasis Class ships is new for Royal Caribbean; sister ship Allure of the Seas will test out the concept before Utopia launches.
Families with kids will definitely go bananas over the choices on board the new ship. The top deck alone will feature three separate pool areas, a surfing simulator, a kiddie splash zone, a basketball court, two rock walls, a miniature golf course and even a zip line.
The ship will also have an extensive selection of restaurants, bars, lounges and shops. Additionally, there will be an indoor skating rink, a spa and a showroom with Broadway-style shows.
Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural voyage is set for July 22 and will be a four-night cruise to Nassau and the line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The second sailing will be a three-night cruise to the Bahamas that departs July 26.
Who should go? Short sailings on this new ship will appeal to all sorts of cruisers. Historically, new ships are reserved for longer itineraries, so this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a snack-size sampling of a brand-new ship without spending the money on a longer sailing.
Families craving a quick getaway where the entire brood is satisfied will not be disappointed. In addition to seemingly endless kid-friendly amenities and top-notch children’s programming, Utopia of the Seas will feature a casino and adults-only spaces.
Related: Port alert: These 2 cruise lines are building new private destinations in the Bahamas
3- or 4-night cruises on Disney Wish from Port Canaveral
Disney waited a decade to build its next new ship, but Disney dreamers had their wish granted in 2022. Even better, Disney Wish cruises to the Bahamas. Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando’s Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The four-night itinerary adds a sea day to enjoy the ship.
Disney Wish is designed to immerse cruisers in the various Disney worlds through technology. An onboard augmented reality game turns the Disney Cruise Line Navigator smartphone app into a virtual spyglass that lets cruisers participate in a fantasy adventure with Disney and Pixar characters. The AquaMouse waterslide combines a splashy tube ride in a two-seater raft with a preadventure tale told through screens at the beginning of the ride. Diners at the Worlds of Marvel restaurant take part in an interactive Avengers-themed experience through videos and special effects.
Wish carries 4,000 passengers in cabins and suites designed to simplify cruising with kids. But never fear, adult Disney fans: You’ll also find your spot on board. From the “Star Wars”-themed Hyperspace Lounge to the Quiet Cove adults-only sun deck, Disney manages to cater to grownups as well as kids.
Who should go? This is obviously the best Bahamas cruise for lovers of all things Disney, including “Star Wars” and Marvel fans.
Related: Everything we know about Disney Treasure, coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2024
3- or 4-night cruises on Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale
Celebrity Cruises currently sails three- and four-night voyages round-trip from Fort Lauderdale year-round.
The 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection offers a consistent rotation of three-night weekend cruises (departing each Friday and returning each Monday morning) and four-night weekday sailings (departing each Monday and returning each Friday morning).
Itineraries include stops at Key West in Florida and Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Celebrity appeals mostly to the 40-plus set sans small children. It’s light on the kid-centric attractions (such as waterslides, go-karts and laser tag) that other big-ship lines include. The line offers instead lots of quiet and relaxing pool and lounge areas. (If you do have kids in tow, you can take advantage of the extensive children’s program, Camp at Sea. It provides supervised activities daily for children ages 3 to 12 in dedicated spaces.)
Celebrity Reflection is the line’s last and largest Solstice Class cruise ship. The Solstice Class ships feature some of the most stylish outdoor pool decks at sea, with indoor, adults-only pool areas that, notably, are topped with glass panels embedded with solar panels that contribute to the ship’s power grid. You’ll also find large spas, casinos, showrooms and a nice selection of restaurants on board.
This ship also has one of the most spectacular suites in the cruising world — the 1,646-square-foot Reflection Suite. It was the first two-bedroom suite on a Celebrity Cruises vessel.
Who should go? This is an ideal cruise for older travelers who are new to cruising and want to sample one or frequent cruisers who might prefer a shorter time at sea. Although Celebrity doesn’t draw many families with young children, the shorter Bahamas itineraries are also perfect for multigenerational family groups seeking an affordable cruise that appeals to all ages.
Related: Best shore excursions for Bahamas cruises
4-night cruises on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady from Miami
Virgin Voyages aimed to be a disrupter in the cruise market from the beginning — creating a product designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. Yet the itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Valiant Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini.
It’s the ship itself that sets this cruise apart from the pack. You’ll find unique cabins (with balcony hammocks), brash red livery and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, such as tattoo parlors, drag shows and ’80s-themed fitness classes, to keep its 2,700 sailors (as Virgin calls its passengers) entertained.
Who should go? This is the best Bahamas cruise for the noncruiser who is either young at heart or young and eager to party aboard this glitzy ship. If you’re easily offended by loud music, round-the-clock partying or sexual innuendo, this is not your Bahamas cruise.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Virgin Voyages ship
3-night cruises on Norwegian Sky from Miami
Norwegian Cruise Line offers three-night sailings from Miami aboard Norwegian Sky. Ports of call include Key West and Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island.
Port diversions consist of touring the Hemingway House and the Key West Lighthouse, shopping in Freeport’s Lucaya district on Grand Bahama and exploring the white sand beaches and pristine waters on Great Stirrup Cay.
The 1,944-passenger vessel is part of the line’s Sun Class of ships. Though the ship launched in 1999, it received a substantial refurbishment in 2022 that included a cabin remodel, new and expanded dining and a design overhaul.
Norwegian Sky might not have the extensive top-deck attractions of newer ships, like Norwegian Prima, or as many restaurants and bars. However, passengers will find plenty to occupy their time on board with scheduled activities, a casino, a spa and pool areas.
Who should go? Families, couples and friend groups will appreciate the unstructured nature of a Norwegian cruise. The line’s “freestyle cruising” mantra — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — is perfectly suited for short sailings. With a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times, passengers have lots of flexibility for their limited time at sea.
Related: The best time to cruise to the Bahamas
5-night cruises on Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, Florida
I am a huge lover of five-night sailings. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port without adding any extra vacation days. Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers who can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises.
Carnival Cruise Line offers five-night sailings from Jacksonville aboard the 2,100-passenger Carnival Elation. Depending on which itinerary you choose, you can chill out on the beaches of Bimini, shop Nassau’s iconic straw market or explore one of Carnival’s private islands.
Built in the 1990s, this Fantasy Class vessel is among the line’s oldest and smallest ships. However, it received an extensive glow-up completed in 2023 that included upgrading the ship’s spa. The upscale Cloud 9 Spa now offers enhanced spa amenities, such as new steam and sauna rooms. The refurbishment also brought new accessibility features like wheelchair-specific sections added to pool bar counters and a pool lift for the Lido pool.
Who should go? These cruises are the best Bahamas sailings for those who prefer the intimacy of an older ship and don’t care about the flashy amenities and onboard attractions of newer vessels. They’re also ideal for travelers based north of Florida who are looking for a less bustling drive-to departure port.
Bottom line
The best Bahamas cruises offer something cruisers can’t quite get enough of — whether it’s beach time or party time. While short sailings are still the most popular Bahamas itineraries, you can find options for almost every cruising style. The key is identifying the cruise that fits your style, preferred activities and vacation budget.
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