The Bahamas is a straightforward vacation choice for a carefree, warm-weather cruise. However, so many cruise lines have caught on to the popularity of this island nation that choosing which Bahamas cruise to book might have you a bit cross-eyed.

Gone are the days of just one port call in Nassau or Freeport. Instead, cruise lines are exploring other island chains like Bimini, as well as providing cruisers with their own private island experiences.

The Bahamas makes an ideal weekend getaway, with short cruises from Florida. Or groups can opt for longer voyages from New York or even Puerto Rico. Bring the family for a beachy holiday with all the kids. Or, invite yourself to take a couple’s or solo retreat on an adults-only floating resort.

The best thing about the Bahamas is what a dynamic vacation option it is, offering cruises to suit any time constraint or budget. Plus, it’s one of the destinations that doesn’t require a passport for U.S. travelers.

So, what are you waiting for? These are 2023’s best Bahamas cruises.

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Best Bahamas Cruises for 2023

Best Budget Bahamas Cruise: Carnival Conquest

Carnival Cruise Line has long been associated with value-packed fun in the sun. The brand’s 3-day Bahamas sailings are no exception. Choose from three different Miami-based itineraries that call on either Nassau, Bimini, or the private island of Half Moon Cay.

From just $154 per person, per night (including taxes and fees) set sail on a vacation with onboard favorites like Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Burger Joint and the RedFrog Rum Bar on the pool deck. The perfect pre-dinner mixology experience is at Alchemy Bar and Punchliner Comedy Club will keep you giggling late into the night.

Carnival Conquest carries up to 2,980 passengers but there is no room for boredom with Carnival’s exclusive Seuss at Sea programming or playtime by the pool. Escape the crowds with some downtime at Serenity, your ship’s adult-only sun deck.

In port, make memories by horseback riding in the ocean on Half Moon Cay. Or snorkel with reef sharks in Bimini, also known as the Fishing Capital of the Bahamas.

Best 3-Day Bahamas Cruise: Freedom of the Seas

If you’re ready to “weekend like you mean it”, look no further than Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. As one of the best Bahamas cruises, this recently amplified ship offers 3- and 4-day getaways that are perfect for the whole family. Departing from Miami, Florida, get whisked away to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay for a long weekend of fun and sun.

At Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can enjoy your own mix of thrill and chill. From the towering Daredevil’s Peak in the Thrill Waterpark to a helium balloon ride and zipline, there’s plenty to keep adventure seekers busy. If that’s not your thing, there’s sprawling sandy beachfront and the large Oasis Lagoon pool. There’s even the Coco Beach Club with exclusive amenities or floating cabanas for the ultimate upgrade!

Back onboard, this 3,782-passenger ship features a number of signature attractions like the Perfect Storm waterslides and the Flowrider surf simulator. The vibrant Caribbean pool deck is home to the Lime & Coconut bar and the quick service venue El Loco Fresh. Now, you’ll never have to go far for some great food and drinks.

In the evenings, you can indulge at the specialty restaurant Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or catch a game at the Playmaker’s Sport Bar. If that’s not enough, take in an ice show at Studio B or participate in the adult game show The Quest.

Best 4-Day Bahamas Cruise: Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts the youngest fleet cruising to the Bahamas. The line has a great mix of itineraries and departure ports, which is why it’s chosen here as the best option for a 4-day getaway to the Bahamas this year.

The 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky joins Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Pearl with four-day voyages from Miami in 2023. Ports include three days in the Bahamas with visits to Freeport in Grand Bahama Island, the capital of Nassau, and Norwegian’s own private island Great Stirrup Cay.

Norwegian Sky, remodeled in 2022, features a different restaurant for every night of your voyage, from French and Italian to an upscale steakhouse. Start your morning with Starbucks at a branded onboard café and end it with a mojito flight from Mojito Bar.

A 4-day Bahamas cruise on Norwegian Sky with open bar, a specialty dining package, shore excursion credit, and free Wi-Fi is $791 per person, including taxes and fees.

Best Bahamas Cruise for Families: Disney Wish

It’s tough to beat the House of Mouse when it comes to family-friendly vacations. Therefore, our pick for the best Bahamas cruise for families in 2023 is aboard Disney’s newest ship, Disney Wish.

A variety of three- and four-day cruises from Cape Canaveral make these short sailings the perfect addition to time at a Walt Disney World resort. Call on the Bahamian ports of Nassau as well as Disney’s magical private island Castaway Cay. Soft-sand beaches with a gentle cove is perfect for littles to splash and play, inviting the entire family to have the best port day ever.

The first-in-class Disney Wish debuted in 2022. It’s the cruise line’s largest vessel, accommodating up to 5,555 guests.

Exclusive spaces and activities read like a child’s wish list, with themed dining experiences ranging from “Frozen” to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Award-winning kids’ clubs are just a drop in the bucket compared to activities for the whole crew, like the immersive Disney Uncharted Adventure or stage production of “The Little Mermaid.”

Adults are not forgotten on a Bahamas cruise aboard Disney Wish. Fine dining restaurant Palo Steakhouse is an upscale adults-only specialty venue. The Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge will impress with cocktails that are out of this galaxy.

In addition to everything onboard and in port, Disney loves to lean into holidays. DCL features special themed sailings to the Bahamas during Halloween and the December holidays. Prices start from $2,081 including taxes and fees for two adults in a cabin.

Best Bahamas Cruise for Adults: Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady

Richard Branson’s cruise line disrupted the industry just prior to 2020. A lot can be said about Virgin Voyages, from its unconventional pricing structure to its adults-only clientele. But if you’re looking for a kid-free escape to the Bahamas, all you need to know is that Scarlet Lady has some great offerings in 2023.

Sailing round trip from Magic City Miami, Virgin’s four-night “Fire and Sunset Soirees” calls on the brand’s private beach club in Bimini, in addition to Key West. Guests 18 and up spend about 11 hours docked in Bimini. This means there’s plenty of time to let loose during a DJ-led pool party or by a beach bonfire.

From Wi-Fi and gratuities to every alternative dining venue (and there are more than 20), fares are inclusive of nearly everything but alcohol onboard the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady. Sailings are priced per cabin like a hotel room (not per person). These four-day Bahamas cruises start from $1,380 per cabin for a sea view room, excluding taxes and fees.

Far from stuffy, this adult-focused cruise line keeps things fresh with racy evening entertainment, a drag show, and a tattoo parlor at sea. The experience begins even before you set foot on the ship, at Virgin’s flashy new Terminal V in the Port of Miami.

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Best Bahamas Cruise for Couples: Celebrity Summit

Celebrity Summit graced the scene back in 2001. But this enduring and contemporary vessel is one of the only cruise ships recently rated as a top resort by Forbes Travel Guide. Due to constant upkeep — the ship was fully refit in 2019 — Summit has maintained a modern feel, from its all-suite Retreat to a stellar spa and fitness program.

In 2023, you can sail Celebrity Summit to the Bahamas on a series of four-day voyages round trip from Miami. Calls include Nassau, as well as the trendy island chain of Bimini in the Bahamas or Key West, depending on the itinerary.

An adults-only Solarium allows relaxation poolside, while Deal or No Deal keeps the adrenaline pumping in the theater with a chance to win cash or a free cruise. By night, inventive production shows and dining experiences like the interactive Le Petit Chef dazzle guests.

At 2,218 passengers, Summit is comfortably mid-sized. Celebrity’s ships are not as overwhelming as megaships featuring top-deck theme parks, but not so small that couples will grow listless.

Best Bahamas Cruise from New York: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas

The seven-night “Perfect Day” Bahamas cruise onboard Royal Caribbean sails from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey — just about 11 miles from New York City. A view of the Statue of Liberty is just one epic aspect of this Bahamas cruise. As one of the biggest cruise ships around, Oasis of the Seas accommodates up to 5,606 passengers.

This round-trip itinerary is convenient and offers an ideal balance of time in port (two days in the Bahamas with one day in Orlando) as well as two sea days to explore the action-packed ship. A call in Nassau is paired with a thrilling day spent at Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

During your week onboard, solve an escape room, splash through an age-appropriate water park, or eat your weight in barbecue. Oasis-class ships offer various neighborhoods to explore, from the alfresco Boardwalk complete with carousel to the indoor Central Park alive with real plants.

Availability in May through October 2023 is perfectly timed for summer breaks and graduations. Prices start from just over $100 per person, per night. Plus, kids sail free with two adults booked in a cabin.  

Best Quick Getaway to the Bahamas: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

If you like pina coladas and short getaways, head to Palm Beach, Florida for a breezy, two-day Bahamas cruise. The Jimmy Buffet-inspired Margaritaville at Sea experience — formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line — specializes in short stints to Grand Bahama Island.

If you’re looking for a longer stay, book a four- or six-night package that bundles this two-night cruise with a few nights at a resort on Grand Bahama. All-inclusive options feature the Viva Wyndham or Grand Lucayan properties. Four nights starts at just $399 per person, including transfers and free drinks.

Well suited to couples, friend groups, and even families, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise features 659 cabins. There’s also a casino, a kids club, and of course a production show well suited for the ultimate Parrotheads. Have dinner at the steakhouse followed by drinks at Euphoria Lounge or keep it casual with pizza.

By nature of its length, a Margaritaville cruise is a fantastic budget-friendly option. Additionally, military veterans, first responders, law enforcement officers, and even educators are all eligible to sail for free.

It’s easy to book a Bahamas cruise with Margaritaville at Sea, as departures are every other day. The cruise line sails year-round from the Port of Palm Beach. Look for last-minute deals as well as waived single supplements for solo travelers.

Best Extended Bahamas Cruise: MSC Meraviglia

If just a few days in one of the world’s most popular cruising destinations isn’t enough, consider pairing the Bahamas with 10-plus nights aboard MSC Cruises. Sailings span 10, 11, and 14 nights. They provide a leisurely cruise vacation that calls on Nassau as well as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s pristine private island.

The 5,714-passenger MSC Meraviglia is an impressive ship featuring a 315-foot central promenade with shopping and dining. Not to mention, there’s avant-garde entertainment in various venues like the Carousel Lounge. State-of-the-art kids’ clubs plus activities like an aquapark, F1 simulator, sportplex and bowling alley, mean your family will never be bored.

Whether you’re craving sushi or fine Italian cuisine, Meraviglia offers a range of dining experiences for any taste. Numerous bars include pub fare to Champagne. In addition, a chocolate shop or creperie and gelateria are on standby to satisfy any sweet tooth.

MSC’s lengthy New York-based Bahamas itineraries are paired with calls to the many islands of the Caribbean, as well as voyages to Bermuda and Florida. MSC is a fantastic budget-friendly cruise line. Extended sailings to the Bahamas start from less than $65 per person, per night, including taxes and fees.

Every call to Ocean Cay in the Bahamas is a late night visit ending in a spectacular Junkanoo parade and laser lights display.

Best Luxury Bahamas Cruise: Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection takes the hallmarks of the luxury hotel brand and brings them to sea. The 298-passenger flagship, Evrima, offers guests all-suite accommodations. In addition, there’s a sumptuous spa and premium dining options to accompany them on their Bahamas voyage.

Set sail from San Juan for a unique, seven-night cruise combining the British Virgin Islands with the Bahamas. After calls in the idyllic ports of Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke, you will spend three full days soaking up the rays of the Bahamas.

Pair a visit to Nassau with calls to the less-visited islands of Long Island and San Salvador. Distinctive features of these hidden Bahamian ports include secluded beaches, world-class dive sites, and deep caves.

Other weeklong cruises featuring these ports also include departures from Fort Lauderdale with Key West and Great Exuma. Sail dates for Ritz-Carlton’s 2023 Bahamas voyages are in December and begin from $5,500 per person, including taxes and fees.

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Comments

Do you agree with our picks for Best Bahamas cruises for 2023? Do you have any other cruise ships to add to this list? What are some of your favorite things to do when cruising to the Bahamas?