How to Get the Most Out of Your 3- Or 4-Day Bahamas Cruise

Treat yourself to a long weekend by cruising to the Bahamas. (Photo: Buena Vista Images/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

A short cruise to the Bahamas is a fun and cost-effective way to escape from the workday drudge for three or four days. It’s also the perfect vacation extender. What better way to wrap up four nights at Disney World than on a three-night cruise?

The key to getting the most out of your short time onboard is advance planning. Here’s our list of things you need to know and what to do in the ports typically visited on Bahamian cruises.

You can sail to the island nation of the Bahamas on most of the popular cruise lines. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL are among the lines offering three- and four-night cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla. Carnival also offers a handful of Bahamas sailings from Charleston, S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., and Disney sails exclusively from Port Canaveral or Miami.

From gambling to snorkeling, there’s tons to do in Nassau. (Photo: Hisham Ibrahim/Getty Images)

Nassau is the capital city, located on New Providence Island, and it’s loaded with options for fun. Here’s what to do while you’re there.

Watersports

Think scuba, snorkeling, sailing tours, glass-bottom boats, and offshore fishing. Port times are usually long enough in Nassau to allow you to schedule your own tours. Try Stuart Cove’s in Nassau for underwater adventures and K&C Watersports for surface fun.

Casino

If you feel lucky, try Atlantis while docked in Nassau. Even though a day pass is required for its beaches and pools, the casino is open to cruise passengers. Take the ferry to Paradise Island. It’s a short walk to Atlantis from there.

Shopping

Purchase goods from local artisans. (Photo: Glowimages/Getty Images)

You will find the typical chain stores that are in most ports, but there is a sprinkling of local crafts for sale as well. The straw market is a great first stop. And don’t forget that imported goods like linens, cameras, and jewelry arrive in the Bahamas without taxes, effectively lowering your cost.

Beaches

If you are a sand-aholic, you can get your fix at a variety of spots on the island. Most beaches are accessed via resorts, so plan to get a day pass. A free beach close to the cruise terminal in Nassau is Junkanoo Beach. A recent cruise passenger had this to say on TripAdvisor: “Water was clean, it’s a bit smaller and sand was rocky but it was great to spend the day.”

Related: From Bora Bora to the Bahamas, How to Afford the Most Expensive Islands in the World

You’ll feel free from stress in Freeport. (Photo: Jorge Pindorama/Flickr)

Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is a bit less developed than Nassau, but there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. There are shops at the terminal, but getting to town requires a taxi or bus.

Watersports

Tours are necessary for snorkeling and diving. This is a busy seaport, so ship traffic keeps the water stirred up near port. Tour operators can take you to the best spots to see the reef. Try UNEXSO for diving and the top-rated Pat & Diane Tours for snorkeling.

Casino

The Treasure Bay Casino at the Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort is open to cruise passengers. The quickest way there and back is a taxi from the port.

Shopping

Overall, there is less shopping here than in Nassau, but the town has a large straw market for souvenirs and local crafts.

Beaches

The best choice here is to get hotel day passes. Try the Grand Lucayan by taxi or shuttle.

The Flying Dutchman on Castaway Cay (Photo: Scott Abelman/Flickr)

Private islands Castaway Cay, CocoCay, and Great Stirrup Cay are destinations owned and operated by the cruise lines themselves. According to the experts at Cruise Critic, the primary advantage is an “uncomplicated beach day.” You can come and go, there’s no charge for beach chairs, and there’s usually plenty of sand and water to spread out, even when more than one ship is in port. Be prepared to pay extra for things like water slides, ziplines, and private cabanas.

Related: Provincetown vs. Key West: Which City Has the Best Small-Town Charm?

Summertime, and the living is easy. (Photo: Old Town Manor Key West/Facebook)

Key West is the bonus on many Bahamas cruises. Take a deep, relaxing breath and repeat after me: “I’m sailing to Key West.” Can you feel your blood pressure falling? Your stress fading away? Key West has more to do than you can cover in the short duration of a cruise stop, so plan accordingly. Much of the fun is within walking distance from the port, with plenty of taxis and small rentals for everything else. Here are the highlights:

Watersports

Swim with the fishes while snorkeling in Key West. (Photo: UNEXSO - Grand Bahama/Facebook)

Choose your method of getting wet here and make it happen. The ships have options ranging from scuba diving and snorkeling to riding water scooters. At the pier, you will find booths offering speedboat rides, more snorkeling options, and parasailing. You can always venture out on your own by renting a boat.

Museums

The list includes the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, filled with recovered pirate booty, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum for the literary crowd, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House for history buffs. The Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters is another option for soaking up a bit of the island’s historical ambiance.

Food and drink

Fritas! (Photo: Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe/Facebook)

Try food cart tacos at Garbo’s Grill, authentic Cuban burgers at Frita’s, or luscious desserts at Better Than Sex. If your idea of soaking your cares away involves adult beverages rather than salt water, Key West is your place. Duval Street is a short stagger from the pier. A safe option is a prearranged pub crawl that will deposit you safely back at the dock.

Shopping

There’s plenty of Florida kitsch for sale in shops surrounding the pier. If you are looking for Key lime juice (and who isn’t?), it’s a bit of a hike to get the good stuff at Kermit’s, but worth every step.

Beaches

Key West is not as beachy as you would expect; most beaches are a bit rocky. The closest one to the cruise pier is the manmade Simonton Street Beach. Rent bikes or scooters to get to the island’s largest beach, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Most ships are required to depart Key West before sundown so they don’t interfere with the famed sunset celebrations at Mallory Square. If you are lucky enough to be on one of the last ships to sail away, you may be able to enjoy some of the carnival atmosphere as entertainers and vendors begin setting up in the square. Hang around as long as you can, or board your ship and watch from the rail.

Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Watch Yahoo Travel’s original series “A Broad Abroad.”