Is Nassau Worth It? Should You Stay On The Ship?

When your cruise ship pulls into Nassau Cruise Port, the first question you’ll need to answer is whether or not to get off. A lot of people ask if Nassau is worth it?

This beautiful island offers plenty of things to do, but it can also be overwhelming for first-time visitors. If you’re not sure whether or not Nassau is worth it, read on for our tips on what to do (and what to avoid!) in the Bahamas’ capital city.

Is Nassau Worth it? Should you get off the ship in Nassau?

I think you absolutely should get off the ship anytime you arrive at a port of call.

Obviously, some ports you will like more than others, but you should at least give it a try. If you stay on the ship, you will miss learning about other cultures, seeing how other people live, and broadening your horizons and understanding of others.

The only time I would recommend staying on board is if you have been there many times before and want to take advantage of ship amenities. Even then, I’d still hop off the ship in Nassau to grab some Conch Fritters from Twin Brothers!

Why do people stay on the ship in Nassau?

There are a few reasons why people might choose to stay on the ship when it docks in Nassau.

Some people may choose to stay on board because they feel there is nothing to do in Nassau. This is not true – the island offers plenty of activities, from exploring the city to swimming with dolphins.

Others may choose to stay on the ship because they feel that the locals and vendors are aggressive. This is definitely true – many Bahamians are used to dealing with cruise ship passengers, and they may try to sell you something or invite you into their shop.

However, it’s important to remember that they’re just trying to make a living, and it’s usually easy to walk away if you’re not interested.

One way to combat this aggressiveness is to have a plan before you get off the ship. If you already know what you want to do appear confident and have a direction, you’ll be less likely to be hassled.

If you feel like someone is being overly aggressive, firmly say no thank you and keep walking.

Another common reason cruisers stay on the ship in Nassau is because Nassau is a very common port on cruise itineraries.

Frequent cruisers may stay on board and enjoy the cruise ship amenities like the Rainforest Room on DCL, the Flowrider on RCL, or even just relax on Carnivals’ Serenity Deck with fewer people on board.

Finally, some people choose to stay on the ship because they feel that Nassau is dirty and “run down”. While it’s true that the city doesn’t have the same level of luxury as other Caribbean destinations, it’s still worth exploring!

The beaches are beautiful, and there are plenty of interesting shops and restaurants to check out.

What is there to do in Nassau?

There are a lot of things to do in Nassau, so it really depends on what you’re interested in. If you want to explore the city, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to check out.

If you’re looking for some beach time, there are some great spots to relax on the sand.

And if you’re looking for some adventure, there are plenty of activities to choose from like jet skiing or snorkeling.

As I mentioned before, the best way to be safe in Nassau is to have a plan. Here are the best things you can do in Nassau when you stop there on your cruise.

1 Hire a Taxi

We hired a driver to give us a tour of the island. We told him the places we wanted to see and then had him drop us off at Twin Brothers for lunch.

We walked back to the cruise port after lunch, stopping at some of the beaches and attractions along the way.

This gave us a chance to see the island, learn some history, and still have time to do our own thing and check out some of the best bars in Nassau.

✅ Click here to book a local tour of Nassau

2. Visit the Straw Market

This is where you can purchase souvenirs and spend time with locals. Bring small bills with you. This is where you most likely will be met with aggressive sales techniques and vendors hollering at you to entice you to get to their stall. If this bothers you, skip the straw market and shop somewhere else.

3. Visit Fort Montagu

If you want to see an old fort, go to Fort Montagu. It’s the oldest fort on the whole island. It’s at the east end of Nassau Harbor by the water. The British built it in 1725 to protect their island from Spanish invaders.

In 1776, some Marines tried to get a gunpowder supply from the fort, but they didn’t succeed. They did, however, take control of the fort and made the Bahamian militia retreat.

5. Head to Potters Cay

This is where you will get the freshest and most authentic Bahamian food. Be sure and try conch in fritters or in a salad. Potters Cay has 40 different stalls where you can get fried fish.

✅ Book an ATV Tour of Nassau

6. Arawak Cay

This is another hot spot for local eats and sometimes even local performers.

7. Go to the Pirates of Nassau Museum

This interactive museum focuses on the pirate history of the Bahamas and is great for kids and adults. The cost is $13.50 for adults and $6.50 for kids.

8. Take a glass-bottom boat tour

This allows you to see the beautiful underwater world without having to get in the water.

9. John Watling’s Distillery

Take a free tour here to see how the small batch of rum is made. You can walk the grounds and enjoy rum from the tavern. Be sure you know the legal drinking age in the Bahamas!

✅ Click to book a Rum and Reggae Tour in Nassau

11. Enjoy some of the best Bahamian Resorts by booking a resort for a day pass

You can get passes to Atlantis, Margaritaville, Riu Palace, and more. You can learn more in this post ” Best Nassau Resort for a day Passes“.

✅ Click here to book a Resort for a Day Pass

12. Walk the Queens Staircase

The Queen’s Staircase, which contains 66 steps in total, was hand-crafted by around 600 slaves. These men and women used pick axes and other handheld tools to cut through solid limestone; the entire staircase took over 16 years to complete.

This 65-step staircase was named in honor of Queen Victoria, who signed a declaration abolishing slavery upon her ascension to the throne in 1837.

13. Hit the Beach

You’re in the Bahamas, after all! There are some wonderful beach options, both free and paid. You can read all about the Best Nassau Beaches here.

15. Check out the Parliament Building

Its PINK! Seeing a government building painted in a beautiful pastel just tickled me pink. 🤣

Is Nassau Safe for Cruisers?

According to the US Department of State, the Bahamas are “Yellow, level 2”, which means Exercise Increased Caution.

Nassau, being the most populated area, also has the highest crime rate. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are unsafe just by getting off the ship in Nassau.

The recommendation by the Department of State is to “The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the “Over the Hill” area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population.

You should read: Margaritaville Nassau Review

Violent crimes, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence”.  

There are a few things that you can do to help keep you safe while in Nassau.

First, always be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone or venturing off the beaten path into deserted areas.

Secondly, try not to flash cash or expensive jewelry around, and be aware of how much alcohol you drink.

Finally, if you’re unsure about an area or feel unsafe, ask locals or security personnel for advice.

What to avoid in Nassau

Watercraft-related recreational activities, such as water tours, are not strictly regulated. Watercraft may be in poor working order and some operators may not have safety certificates.

So, what exactly does this mean for tourists?

Well, it means that you should be very careful if you choose to participate in any water-based activities while in Nassau. This includes things like jet skis, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling.

Make sure that you are aware of the risks involved and that you are only doing these activities within your abilities.

Some beaches have riptides. Learn to watch for signs of riptides, and learn what beach flags and their warnings mean.

Always swim with a buddy, no matter your age or swimming level, and heed all weather and water warnings.

Staying safe in Nassau requires the same amount of common sense and vigilance as staying safe in any major city.

You should also stick to the tourist areas and avoid dark, deserted, or residential areas.

Avoid going anywhere alone, and if you are being robbed, avoid fighting back.

So, what does all of this mean for tourists visiting Nassau? It’s important to remember that just because Nassau has a high crime rate doesn’t mean that you’re automatically unsafe just by getting off the ship.

There are things that you can do to help keep yourself safe while in Nassau, such as avoiding deserted areas and being aware of your surroundings. Use common sense and be vigilant, and you’ll have a great time exploring everything that Nassau has to offer!

Is Nassau Worth It?

So, is Nassau worth it? I think so. I think every place has something unique and special to offer. Just go in with the right expectations and a sense of adventure and everything will be good. Remember, at least you aren’t at work!