Did you know you can explore Nassau, Bahamas on your cruise without an excursion? While there are a number of things to do like chilling at the beaches, exploring Nassau’s historical sites, renting a jet-ski or visiting the Atlantis Resort, you can have a great day just walking around the port area on your own, without an excursion.

Both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean almost always include a day at Nassau on their 3 and 4 night itineraries from Florida.

See more about cruising from Florida here ▸

Liberty of the Seas in Nassau, Bahamas — Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (center) and Freedom of the Seas (right) are twins - both part of the Freedom Class.

It’s perfectly ok to get off the ship for a couple of hours, walk around the port, then go back to the ship for lunch and enjoy the pool with lower crowds.

Fun fact! Nassau was Royal Caribbean’s very first port over 50 years ago.

As soon as you leave the pier (and make your way through a few offers for a taxi ride) you’ll be in Nassau’s touristy shopping district. But that’s ok, you’re a tourist!

There are a number of t-shirt and souvenir shops, jewelry stores, bars and restaurants, an outdoor flea market and even places to get your hair braided - all within a short walk from your cruise ship.

A busy day in Nassau, Bahamas. The Disney Dream is pictured center and Anthem of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ship is on the far left.

Straw Market - Nassau

A 5 minute walk from the pier on Bay Street, you’ll find Nassau’s world-famous Straw Market.

Now, I don’t know how “world famous” it is but it’s home to local, handmade Bahamian crafts, souvenirs, and items such as hand-woven straw hats, bags, mats, dolls, conch shell jewelry, and wood carvings.

It’s also a great place to try your negotiating skills - it’s even expected. Most of the vendors inside will accept US currency and or credit cards.

Map to straw market nassau bahamas — The Straw Market is a 5 minute walk from the cruise port, right on Bay Street.

Shopping on Bay Street - Things to do in Nassau

Bay Street is a block over from the cruise port and lined with touristy shops. I like it because it’s not too far from the ship. Remember that it is a foreign country and a poor one at that. So, it’s best to stay in the well-traveled, touristy areas.

bay street nassau, bahamas — Bay Street on Nassau

Stores on one side of the street tend to be focused on inexpensive t-shirts and souvenirs while the opposite side tends to have more jewelry.

The stores have the same type of merchandise, for the most part, but there’s enough variety to make each one interesting.

Prices vary widely from place to place too so don’t from the first store you visit. Shop around a little.

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral - Things to do in Nassau

This Anglican church is over 100 years old and remarkably beautiful. It’s actually quite small even though it’s called a cathedral but Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry have visited here over the years.

This isn’t a tourist destination necessarily and that’s exactly why I like it. In the midst of the t-shirt district, you come across a local church, beautifully maintained.

You are free to go inside, sit down, and just reflect for a moment or two.

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral Map - Things to do in Nassau — The church is about a 10 minute walk from the cruise port and just a few blocks up from the Straw Market and Bay Street shops.

Pirates of Nassau Museum - Things to do in Nassau

I found Pirates of Nassau by accident just walking around randomly with my son and although I was hesitant to walk in - he begged me to go inside.

I pictured some disappointing tourist trap inside but it’s an excellent museum - one might say a real treasure here in Nassau!

This museum is one of my most recommended activities in Nassau while exploring on your own.

Pirates were a very real part of the Bahamas including the notorious pirates you probably heard about like Black Beard.

And while they were a rough bunch, they were absolutely adored by people all over the world (except the British Navy).

inside the pirates-of-nassau museum — Pirates of Nassau - Nassau, Bahamas

At this museum you’ll experience pirate life in a realistic setting, one that rivals Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World.

Admission is $13.50 for adults, kids ages 4-17 pay $6.75. It takes about 30 minutes to see the entire museum and it’s self-guided.

You can walk to the museum in under 10 minutes along the shops on Bay Street. It’s also right across the street from the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral.

So, is it worth getting off the ship in Nassau? Yes! I think it’s worth getting off the ship even if you prefer to skip the excursions (aka port adventures). Exploring on your own is a great way to spend the morning. But also take advantage of lower crowds onboard the ship.

Your day in Nassau is also a great time to enjoy the water slides or other activities onboard with fewer people.

If you prefer to book an excursion at Nassau, I personally only recommend Paradise Island (Atlantis Resort). I also recommend booking this with your cruise line as they often include transportation. It’s always best to book port adventures directly with your cruise line because they vet the tour companies and they are also responsible for you.

I’m often asked, do I need a passport for a cruise to the Bahamas?

No. Although I recommend a passport just in case, you do not need to show any form of government ID in the Bahamas. A birth certificate is sufficient when you reenter the United States.

But, if you have an emergency and need to fly home from Nassau, you will need a passport to board a plane. Passports can be obtained in about 8-10 weeks, so if you have time, it’s worth getting.