The 6 Best Cruise Ships in the Bahamas: A Comparison
Cruise ships in the Bahamas come in a wide range, with enough variety to please almost anyone. These nearby islands are an easily accessible respite from the real world. Cruise ships offer sailings to the Bahamas’ two major ports (Nassau and Freeport) as well as to Bimini.
The major cruise lines also operate private island destinations in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity call on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Carnival and Holland America call on Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. MSC calls on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
The destinations may be similar, but each cruise ship to the Bahamas has its own personality and variety of amenities. To help you find the ship or ships that suit you and your travel party, we’ve done the comparisons. Here are the six best cruise ships in the Bahamas to help you determine your perfect fit.
1. Best Cruise Ship For Bahamas (and Onboard) Fun: Carnival Freedom
Roomy cabins, a variety of complimentary dining venues and bars, and a water park make Carnival Freedom one of the best values when it comes to Bahamas cruises. With so much to do (and eat and drink) onboard, you might even find it hard to get off the ship in port.
Fully refurbished with Carnival’s Fun Ship 2.0, the ship focuses on fun top to bottom, making it the hands-down choice for Bahamas cruisers looking for plenty to do onboard. Couples, singles and families will all find the ship to their liking, and with fares that don’t break the vacation budget.
Freedom cruises in the Bahamas depart from Port Canaveral on four- or five-night itineraries, stopping at Nassau, Princess Cays, Grand Turk and Bimini for a nice variety of ports. Similar ships to consider in the Bahamas include Carnival Liberty, also sailing from Port Canaveral, Carnival Sunrise, sailing from Miami and Carnival Dream, sailing longer itineraries from Galveston that include Bahamas stops.
2. Disney Wish Makes Your Family Bahamas Cruise Ship Dreams Come True
Wish you were on a cruise ship bound for the Bahamas? The company behind the "Most Magical Place on Earth" also offers an equally wondrous experience on some of the best family cruises to the Bahamas. Sailing from Port Canaveral, Disney Wish stops in Nassau and at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
On Wish, passengers can enjoy meet-and-greets with their favorite Disney characters, production shows using elaborate costumes and props, and dinner at fun, themed restaurants. Cap off the night with a fireworks show and top-deck dance party, in the middle of the ocean.
A similar Disney cruise ship Bahamas experience is to be had on Disney Dream, sailing four-, five- and occasionally three-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
3. Cruise MSC Seascape to the Bahamas For More Choices
Cruise the Bahamas your way on MSC Seascape, by choosing the inclusive level of your fare, or even by selecting a stateroom in the exclusive ship-within-a-ship MSC Yacht Club. MSC designs its ships to please even the choosiest cruisers, no matter the age.
Seascape is one of the few ships sailing from Miami that offers week-long cruises that include two stops in the Bahamas. Your itinerary will include the Ocean Cay private island experience, Nassau, and two stops outside the Bahamas: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Seascape also offers two-week cruises that include the Bahamas.
Other MSC ships to consider among the best cruise ships to the Bahamas include Seashore, offering more traditional short Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, and Magnifica, sailing from Miami to Nassau and Key West.
4. Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas Defines Bahamas Cruising
The best cruise lines to the Bahamas load their ships with water attractions, food experiences and enough entertainment to make your short hop to the islands a trip to remember. Liberty of the Seas does all of that on a ship that is big enough to impress, without being overwhelming.
Liberty sails from Fort Lauderdale, alternating three- and four-night cruises that include stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, so you get the complete Bahamas experience. Couples, singles and families all appreciate the thrills of the ship’s top-deck attractions with amazing drink and dining venues tucked in all throughout the ship.
Similar Royal Caribbean ships for Bahamas cruises include Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas from Miami, and Utopia of the Seas set to cruise the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
5. Best Bahamas Cruise Ship For Non-Cruise Lovers: Valiant Lady
Not everyone lives and breathes cruising. But what if you could vacation on a cruise ship in the Bahamas that throws out all the preconceived notions about cruising? Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady does just that. It’s the best Bahamas cruise ship for people who think they won’t like a cruise. The line’s previous leading lady of the Bahamas cruise scene -- Scarlet Lady -- is passing the torch to Valiant Lady.
The sister ships are brilliant in both color and design, with quirky venues, no true buffet and attractions that are far from mainstream cruising. Whether you want a tattoo while cruising to the Bahamas or are just looking for a more adult cruise experience, no-children-allowed Virgin Voyages may be the best option for you. Ships sail to the Bahamas from Miami, with stops in Bimini, Key West and even Cozumel.
6. Best Cruise to the Bahamas on an Upscale Ship: Celebrity Reflection
Not a fan of the whole "rock climbing walls and water parks" onboard scene? Consider a Bahamas cruise on Celebrity Reflection, which takes a more relaxed approach to island time with its peaceful sun decks, chic atmosphere and emphasis on fine dining. The clientele is a touch older overall than on some other cruise lines, but there’s still plenty for families to enjoy, making it perfect for multi-gen groups.
The premium cruise line boasts some of the best restaurants at sea, while innovative entertainment keeps the party going till late. The popular Martini Bar is a show all in itself; order a martini flight, and you'll see what we mean. Reflection cruises the Bahamas from Miami on three- and four-night runs to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Bahamas cruise alternatives on Celebrity are easier than ever to snag. Look for spring break cruises on Summit that include Nassau, CocoCay and Bimini, and week-long cruises on Celebrity’s sleek Edge-class ship -- Beyond -- with routes that include stops at CocoCay.
Bonus Bahamas Cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention NCL. Throughout most of the year you can hop on a Bahamas cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Look for routes that stop at the line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, along with Key West and Cozumel. Bahamas cruises depart from Miami or Port Canaveral onboard Norwegian Jade, Joy, Sky, Sun and Pearl.
Related: The 6 Best Reasons to Get off the Ship in Cozumel