Nassau, Bahamas cruise port: what to do near the pier and beyond

The Nassau cruise terminal

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, on New Providence island, and its cruise port is busy: it handled more than 5.6 million cruise passengers in 2024. Every ship uses the same port, so there is no pier lottery here: you walk off into downtown.

Address

#1 Prince George Wharf, Nassau, in the center of downtown

Berths

Six. The record day, in December 2023, brought six ships and 29,316 passengers.

Operator

Nassau Cruise Port, managed by Global Ports Holding. The rebuilt terminal opened in May 2023.

Currency

Bahamian dollar, equal in value to the U.S. dollar. U.S. cash is accepted almost everywhere.

At the port

Shops, cafes and restaurants, a Junkanoo museum, an open-air amphitheater, a pharmacy, a first-aid center and free Wi-Fi.

The redevelopment extended a pier and added waterfront shops, restaurants, the Junkanoo museum and an amphitheater for events. It’s a pleasant place to spend the last hour before all-aboard, and you don’t have to queue to get back through town.

Things to do in Nassau within walking distance

Most of Nassau’s sights are within 30 minutes on foot of the ship. Walking times below are the port’s and Celebrity’s own estimates.

• Straw Market and Bay StreetA few minutesBay Street starts outside the terminal; the Straw Market is a couple of minutes away. Haggling is expected, and small bills help.
• Parliament SquareAbout 5 minutesThe seat of the Bahamas parliament. A quick photo stop on the way uphill.
• Junkanoo BeachAbout 10 to 15 minutesThe closest public beach, about half a mile west along Bay Street. Free, with beach bars and chair rentals.
• Queen's Staircase and Fort FincastleAbout 15 minutesA 66-step staircase cut into the limestone, leading up to a 1793 fort on Bennet’s Hill with harbor views.
• Arawak Cay Fish FryAbout 30 minutes, or a 10-minute taxiA row of local seafood restaurants west of downtown.
• Fort CharlotteAbout 30 minutes, or an 8-minute taxiAnother of Nassau’s old forts, further from the port than Fort Fincastle.

Junkanoo Beach is fine for a swim and a drink, but it’s a town beach. If a beach is the point of your day, spend money on one of the Paradise Island options below or a booked trip to Cable Beach or Blue Lagoon Island, which are too far to walk.

How far is Atlantis from the Nassau cruise port?

Close. Atlantis is on Paradise Island, across the harbor from downtown. A taxi takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and a ferry leaves from the ferry terminal at Nassau Cruise Port every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and noon. Bring cash for taxis, since many don’t take cards.

What you can do there depends on a ticket:

• Without a pass: you can walk around Marina Village and the Crystal Court shops and go into the casino.
• With a day pass: Aquaventure (the water park), the resort’s pools and beaches and the aquariums. A day pass is required for anyone not staying at the resort, must be bought in advance, and daily numbers are limited. Prices vary by date, and meals are extra.

Atlantis is the most expensive way to spend a Nassau port day. It’s worth it for families who will use the water park all day, and not for a couple who just want a beach.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Royal Caribbean opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island on December 23, 2025. It has two beaches, three pools, a large swim-up bar, and an all-inclusive day pass that covers food, drinks and the water ferry from the port. Anyone visiting Nassau can buy a pass on Royal Caribbean’s website, not only Royal Caribbean passengers. On a Royal Caribbean sailing it’s the closest thing to a private-island day you’ll get in Nassau.

Nassau excursions worth paying for

• Paradise Island beach dayHalf or full dayAtlantis or Royal Beach Club. The best beach day in Nassau, at a price.
• Blue Lagoon IslandHalf or full dayAn island day by boat from Nassau. Easier as a booked excursion than on your own.
• Snorkel or boat tripHalf dayThe way to see clear Bahamian water from Nassau. Book through the ship or a well-reviewed operator.
• Cable BeachTaxi, half dayA resort beach away from downtown. Take a taxi or book it as an excursion.

Safety and money basics

The U.S. State Department rates the Bahamas at Level 2, “exercise increased caution,” last renewed on July 27, 2026. The advisory says most crime happens in Nassau and Freeport, and tells visitors to stay alert in the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Street. It also warns that boating is poorly regulated and that there have been sexual assaults by jet ski operators. U.S. government staff may not rent jet skis from independent operators on New Providence or Paradise Island, and you shouldn’t either.

For a port day: stay downtown, at the main beaches or on a booked excursion, use the taxi stand at the port, agree the fare first, and keep valuables on the ship. U.S. dollars are fine everywhere, and change may come in Bahamian dollars at the same value.

Which cruises go to Nassau

Nassau is on most Bahamas itineraries, usually paired with a line’s private island. The 3- and 4-night trips leave from Florida. From further north, 7- and 8-night sailings from New York, Baltimore and Norfolk call here, and so do Carnival’s Bahamas trips from New Orleans and Mobile. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, MSC and Celebrity all call here. Our Bahamas cruise guide compares the lines and their islands, and our 3 to 5 night cruise picks rank the short trips.

Nassau cruise port FAQ

What is there to do at the Nassau cruise port?

The port itself has shops, restaurants, a Junkanoo museum and an amphitheater. Bay Street and the Straw Market start at the gate, and Junkanoo Beach, Parliament Square and the Queen’s Staircase are all within about 15 minutes on foot.

How far is Atlantis from the Nassau cruise port?

About 10 to 20 minutes by taxi, or a short ferry ride from the ferry terminal at the port. You need a day pass bought in advance to use the water park, pools and beaches.

Can you walk to a beach from the Nassau cruise port?

Yes. Junkanoo Beach is about half a mile west along Bay Street, roughly a 10- to 15-minute walk, and it’s free.

Where can I see the Nassau cruise port schedule?

Nassau Cruise Port publishes a schedule on its website that you can filter by date and cruise line. It shows how many ships share your day, which helps when you’re deciding between a walking day and a booked excursion.

Do I need a passport for a cruise to Nassau?

On a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens can usually sail with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. You’d need a passport to fly home if you had to leave the ship in the Bahamas, so bring one if you can. See our no-passport cruise guide.