an ocean trip taken for pleasure

A Guide to Taking Your Dream Bahamas Cruise!

A Guide to Taking Your Dream Bahamas Cruise!
By John Metcalfe
The Bahamas is arguably the most popular
destination for U.S. travelers, and is especially
popular with first-time cruisers from the U.S. Only
75kms from mainland USA, the outer islands that make
up the group can be reached within a matter of hours.
This makes the Bahamas an excellent choice of
location for a short Bahamas break of two,
three or four nights away from home.

Some 700 islands make up the archipelago of the
Bahamas, of which only around 50 are inhabited.
Cruise lines generally focus on just two Bahaman
ports - Nassau and Freeport.

Nassau is Bahamas' capital, and is located on the
island of New Providence. It is a beautiful compact
city that is easy to explore inside a day's shore
excursion. The city's charm is in its architecture -
and of course its people. Late 18th century and early
19th century colonial buildings stand as reminders of
Bahamas' British past. Parliament Square in downtown
Nassau offers a unique perspective on the city's
architecture, watched over, as always, by a grandiose
marble statue of Queen Victoria.

But Nassau is not just about history. It has a vibrant
modern side too. Quality shops, fine restaurants and
golden beaches, up onto which the inviting warm
transparent waters of the Caribbean

lap, are all
there to be sampled. Activities such as snorkeling,
diving and passenger submarine rides make for an
exciting time in this tropical paradise. The nightlife
in Nassau is buzzing too, with casinos and nightclubs
offering the best of Bahamian life.

A Bahamas to Freeport on the island of Grand
Bahama offers tropical paradise that is very close to
home. Easily accessible on a two-night Bahamas cruise,
Freeport is a city that welcomes cruisers and tourists
with open arms. Duty-free shopping is one of the
biggest draws of Freeport, and the city itself
features a 10-acre international bazaar - a real
shopping paradise in the tropics!

The nightlife in Freeport is world-renowned. Casinos,
nightclubs and live entertainment in Freeport are
amongst the best in the Caribbean, and make for a
great night out when you're on a Bahamas cruise.

For travelers looking for a Bahamas of a longer
duration than four nights, some lines offer
special extended cruises, several of which incorporate
a port call at a private island owned by the
company.

Bahamas cruises generally depart from ports in Florida.
Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami port are the
big three which offer cruises to the Bahamas. So, if
you're looking to take a short romantic break, or just
fancy a change of scenery for the weekend, why not get
yourself down to Florida and book a Bahamas cruise.
Bahamas cruises are reasonably priced, and I guarantee
you that the experience will be one that lives long in
the memory...
John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit www.azcruises.com now to book your very own dream cruise