Nassau: when your ship stops here

Climb the Queen's Staircase to an old fort, then the beach and the Straw Market, all a walk from the ship.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, on the island of New Providence. Cruise ships tie up at Prince George Wharf, the city's cruise port, in the middle of downtown Nassau.

Sources: Wikipedia: Nassau, Bahamas; Nassau Cruise Port: Transportation

Top 3 things to do

1. 1. Climb the Queen's Staircase to Fort Fincastle

   Slaves cut this staircase out of solid limestone in 1793 and 1794, and it was later named for Queen Victoria. Its 65 steps climb about 31 m (102 feet) to Fort Fincastle, a fort built in 1793 in the shape of a paddle steamer.

   Tip: It is about a 13 minute walk from the port. Take the steps at your own pace and rest on the way up.

   Sources: Wikipedia: Queen's Staircase (Nassau); Nassau Cruise Port: The Queen's Staircase; Nassau Cruise Port: Fort Fincastle

2. 2. Junkanoo Beach

   The closest beach to the port, on the Western Esplanade, with views across Nassau Harbour.

   Tip: It is about a 13 minute walk from the port, so it fits even a short stop.

   Source: Nassau Cruise Port: Junkanoo Beach

3. 3. The Straw Market and the pirate museum

   The Straw Market sells straw bags, hats and dolls; straw work is one of the oldest trades in the Bahamas. The Pirates of Nassau Museum tells the story of the pirates of the Bahamas in the Golden Age of Piracy.

   Tip: Both are close: the market is steps from the port, the museum about an 8 minute walk.

   Sources: Nassau Cruise Port: The World Famous Straw Market; Nassau Cruise Port: Pirates of Nassau Museum

What to skip

• Renting a jet ski

  In June 2026 the U.S. Embassy in Nassau warned Americans to avoid renting jet skis in the Bahamas, after serious injuries and assaults against U.S. citizens.

  Source: U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas, 15 June 2026: Avoid renting jet skis in The Bahamas

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Nassau

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Nassau, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

• Back-to-back cruises from Fort Lauderdale 517 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Miami 352 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Port Canaveral 336 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Cape Liberty 61 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Galveston 17 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Baltimore 13 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Tampa 10 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Barcelona 4 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from New Orleans 2 back-to-backs with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Rome 1 back-to-back with a stop in Nassau
• Back-to-back cruises from Southampton 1 back-to-back with a stop in Nassau

Sources

• Wikipedia: Nassau, Bahamas
• Nassau Cruise Port: Transportation
• Wikipedia: Queen's Staircase (Nassau)
• Nassau Cruise Port: The Queen's Staircase
• Nassau Cruise Port: Fort Fincastle
• Nassau Cruise Port: Junkanoo Beach
• Nassau Cruise Port: The World Famous Straw Market
• Nassau Cruise Port: Pirates of Nassau Museum
• U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas, 15 June 2026: Avoid renting jet skis in The Bahamas
• Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?