Destination

Bahamas

When to sail, where you leave from, which ships go, and one call to book.

Year-round 6 home ports 13 ships

What to expect

The quickest warm-weather cruise from Florida, often 3-5 nights, heavy on private islands and easy first-timer itineraries.

Best time to sail

Year-round.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

⚠ Atlantic hurricane season runs 1 Jun-30 Nov. Sailings still operate and reroute when needed, travel insurance matters more in these months.

Where you sail from

MiamiFL

Port CanaveralFL

Fort LauderdaleFL

Palm BeachFL

TampaFL

JacksonvilleFL

These are the US and Canada home ports ships depart from for this region, drive or fly in the day before. Photos are illustrative.

Typical ports of call

Nassau

The capital, forts, beaches and Paradise Island a bridge away.

Freeport

Grand Bahama's port for beaches, markets and reef trips.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Royal Caribbean's private-island waterpark and beaches.

Ocean Cay

MSC's private Bahamian marine-reserve island.

Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian's private out-island beach day.

Half Moon Cay

Holland America and Carnival's private crescent-beach island.

Exact stops vary by ship and sailing, a specialist matches the itinerary to what you want to see.

Ships that sail here

🚢 Royal Caribbean 6

🥂 Celebrity 1

🌊 MSC Cruises 4

👑 Princess 1

🏝️ Margaritaville at Sea 1

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

2022

View ship →

Every ship above sails this region on its own published itinerary. Availability by date changes constantly, one call confirms what's open for you.

Which line fits this trip

🚢

Royal Caribbean

Big-ship resort

Big, activity-packed ships for families and first-timers. Guide →

🎉

Carnival

Fun & value

Casual, fun-first cruising at an approachable pace. Guide →

🥂

Celebrity

Premium modern

Modern, adults-leaning ships with a refined feel. Guide →

🌊

MSC Cruises

European style

European style across a modern global fleet. Guide →

👑

Princess

Relaxed premium

Relaxed premium sailing with strong itineraries. Guide →

🏝️

Margaritaville at Sea

Short getaways

Laid-back, casual short getaways. Guide →

Documents & practicalities

On most round-trips that start and end at the same US port (closed-loop), US citizens can sail on a birth certificate plus government photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended and is required for any cruise that starts or ends abroad, and for flying home if you miss the ship. Confirm requirements for your exact itinerary and nationality before you book.

See all the cruise facts that cost you money →