Destination description

The Bahamas, situated in the Atlantic Ocean and north of Cuba, consists of 29 main islands. Back in the fifteenth century, none other than Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas islands on route to his famous New World discovery. The on board comfort and cuisine has improved somewhat on the cruise ships that visit the Bahamas these days! The Bahamas is rumoured to derive its name from the Spanish baja mar, meaning 'shallow sea', and it is the warm turquoise waters and white sandy beaches that are two of the major draws in this highly popular cruise destination. The capital, Nassau is situated on New Province Island which in turn is linked by bridge to the aptly named Paradise Island. Nassau is popular cruise port which offers a mix of glitz and glamour with casinos, fine dining and boutique shopping, yet the lure of those stunning beaches is a strong alternative. A cruise to the Bahamas also provides the opportunity for some world class fishing, and offers some superb sightseeing that takes in Victorian style mansions, bussling bazaars, and pastel painted Bahamian homes. Freeport is the other main cruise port in the Bahamas, and offers duty free shopping with deals galore on watches, jewelry and cameras plus of course more sun blanched beaches.