Make Memories Together On A Fun-Filled Bahamas Cruise

Bahamas cruise vacations are popular for stress-free family reunions and multigenerational celebrations. Use these ideas and insights to help plan your trip.

Families are seeking exciting, budget-friendly options for multigenerational reunions and vacations. Highly inclusive Bahamas cruises can fit the bill perfectly. These Bahamas cruise vacations can be more affordable than family trips to land-based tropical resorts. In addition, Bahamas cruises offer extensive activities and amenities for all ages and interests, both aboard ships and ashore.

The Bahamas are located close to Florida, making their sunny shores easy to reach by cruise ship. The idyllic Bahamas archipelago comprises more than 700 islands, of which about 30 are inhabited.

Bahamas cruises can include a variety of ports, including Nassau, Freeport, Bimini, and the cruise lines’ fantastic private islands. These Bahamas destinations are filled with engaging attractions, stunning scenery, and excellent shopping and dining options.

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Why Families Will Enjoy A Bahamas Cruise

There are plenty of reasons why Bahamas cruises are some of the most popular itineraries for vacationers sailing from the United States. The Bahamas’ beautiful beaches, warm weather and turquoise waters are alluring year-round, and there are excursions and activities everyone can enjoy. The Bahamian islands’ proximity to the East Coast also makes the destination ideal for inexpensive short cruise getaways or a more extended beach break. Most Bahamas cruises depart from Florida homeports, while some longer voyages sail from drive-to ports located farther north.

The Bahamas are also home to cruise line private islands, some of which are brand new or have been recently enhanced. These spectacular destinations are loaded with attractions and amenities for all ages and interests. Cruise lines continue to invest heavily in these private ports of call, and guests often name them as their top destinations worldwide.

Choose The Best Bahamas Cruise For Your Family Group

Bahamas voyages are offered on a wide selection of amenity-rich cruise ships. Families can choose from a variety of Bahamas cruise itineraries, ranging from highly affordable quick getaways to a full week of sun and fun. Major family-friendly cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, offer Bahamas sailings throughout the year. Margaritaville at Sea also features year-round Bahamas cruise-and-stay packages for those wishing to spend more island time at a tropical Bahamas resort.

When organizing a multigenerational family cruise, it’s important to discuss preferences and plan your trip together. Voyages to the Bahamas are available in an array of cruising styles and price points, and there are numerous ways to save money on your cruise as well. Ships feature a variety of activities and amenities for families to enjoy, so reviewing the available options is key. A top-notch cruise travel agent can help.

If you’re thinking about reuniting on a fun-filled Bahamas cruise, here are some great itineraries to consider for your family trip.

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Carnival Cruise Line – Carnival Sunshine

Bright days are here for families seeking a longer Bahamas cruise from a convenient drive-to port north of Florida. Carnival Cruise Line is bringing the 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunshine to Norfolk, Virginia, for year-round six-night cruises to the Bahamas. These sailings feature ports such as Nassau, Freeport and Bimini, as well as exciting private cruise line Bahamas destinations including Princess Cays, brand new Celebration Key and Relax Away, Half Moon Cay.

Family groups will find plenty to enjoy on the Carnival Sunshine. The ship’s onboard attractions include a thrilling top-deck Carnival WaterWorks waterpark, SportSquare’s ropes course and games, a massive Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, and kids and teens clubs for children aged 2-17. Groups can take their pick from a wide variety of accommodations and dining venues on this Carnival Fun Ship.

Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Silhouette

Accommodating nearly 3,000 guests, the Celebrity Silhouette provides an upscale cruise experience for family groups seeking superb dining and service. The ship sails a variety of three- and four-night Bahamas voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sister ship Celebrity Reflection takes over Celebrity Cruises’ year-round Bahamas cruise schedule during select months of the year.

Celebrity Cruises’ short Bahamas cruises appeal to reuniting families and multigenerational groups. While Celebrity’s cruise ships offer family-friendly programs, relaxing outdoor pool areas and a Solarium Pool for ages 16 and older, action-packed attractions like waterparks, ropes courses and go-karts aren’t part of the mix. The Celebrity Silhouette features a wide array of activities and entertainment for all ages, and Celebrity’s Camp at Sea and X-Club provide activities for children aged 3-17. Select “Toddler Time” sessions are also offered for younger tots.

Disney Cruise Line – Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line offers three- and four-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral on one of its newest ships, the Disney Wish. This floating luxury resort is filled with enchanting storytelling, immersive dining experiences, cutting-edge technology and Disney-inspired attractions perfect for family bonding. Ports of call include Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney Cruise Line’s popular private Bahamas retreats – Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

The 4,000-passenger Disney Wish features exceptional programs and venues for adults and children of all ages. Families can take exciting rides on the ship’s AquaMouse water coaster, dine at “Frozen” and Marvel-themed restaurants, enjoy Disney entertainment and character interactions, and make out-of-this-world memories in “Star Wars”-themed areas. Family groups can make their Bahamas cruise even more magical by adding a seamless land package at nearby Walt Disney World.

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Margaritaville at Sea – Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, Margaritaville at Sea offers a range of highly affordable two-, three- and four-night Bahamas cruises on the 1,680-guest Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. The ship’s relaxed Jimmy Buffett-themed vibe fits perfectly with its tropical island destination. Bahamas ports of call on these wallet-friendly voyages include Nassau and Freeport, and some itineraries also visit Key West.

Families can enjoy multiple pools and dining venues on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, and the ship also features plenty of entertainment and clubs for kids and teens. Seamless multi-night Cruise & Stay land packages are available with Margaritaville at Sea’s partner resorts on Grand Bahama Island. When visiting Nassau, families can continue their Margaritaville vacation ashore with the cruise line’s exciting Sail & Splash Pass experience at the spectacular Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau.

MSC Cruises – MSC Seashore

MSC Cruises offers three- and four-night Bahamas cruises from Florida homeports, including voyages from Port Canaveral on the MSC Seashore. The ship is designed for the North American market and features a lively New York City theme, 11 restaurants and over three acres of outdoor space. Ports of call include Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas.

Accommodating over 5,600 passengers, the MSC Seashore is well-suited for families. Guests can choose from a wide variety of staterooms and suites, including specially designed connecting room configurations for families and accommodations in MSC Yacht Club, a private enclave loaded with perks. Families will appreciate the ship’s six pools and five age-specific kids clubs designed for babies through teens. Kids Sail Free deals are offered on select cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Gem

Families seeking a laidback vibe and plenty of onboard activities will enjoy sailing from Miami to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Gem. Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its casual Freestyle Cruising approach and its wide variety of dining venues and entertainment. Family groups can bond on the Norwegian Gem’s three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas, visiting Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island.

The Norwegian Gem is a more intimate-sized vessel, carrying just under 2,400 passengers. Accommodations are available to fit a broad array of budgets, from cozy inside staterooms to lavish suites in The Haven, an exclusive ship-within-a-ship private access area. Families will enjoy the ship’s pools, shows, and Splash Academy and Entourage children’s and teens programs for kids ages six months to 17 years of age.

Royal Caribbean International – Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis-class ship, the Utopia of the Seas, sails three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas. This is the first time Royal Caribbean has allocated one of its newest ships to short Bahamas itineraries, allowing families to sample the latest offerings onboard these fun-filled voyages. Ports of call in the Bahamas include Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

The Utopia of the Seas is one of the world’s biggest cruise ships, and the vessel is loaded with exciting attractions, venues and entertainment. The ship caters to family members of all ages with its wide variety of restaurants, bars, Broadway-style shows and amenities. Her pools and waterslides, surf simulator, Aqua Dunes mini golf course and exceptional kids and teens clubs are sure to please younger guests. The ship features plenty of adult-focused areas and adventures as well.

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By Nancy Schretter, Contributing Editor

Header Photo Credit: Margaritaville at Sea