Nassau is the sensible first cruise. The sail from Florida is short, the port is built for volume, and a family who is not sure whether they even like being at sea can find out over a long weekend rather than a fortnight. That lowers the stakes on a decision most ministry families only get to make once.
It is busy, and pretending otherwise helps nobody. On a three-ship day the downtown is dense. The families who enjoy it most book one thing — a beach day, a water park pass — and treat the rest of the day as unstructured rather than trying to see the island.
Highlights
- Atlantis Paradise Island’s water park, day passes available
- Blue Lagoon Island’s beach and dolphin encounters
- Historic downtown Nassau and the straw market
- A very short sail from Florida, ideal for a first cruise
Best time to go: December–April for the driest, most comfortable weather.
