Ask any avid cruiser and they typically have a set opinion about Nassau as a cruise port of call. It seems that cruisers either get off the ship and do something every time…or they always stay on the ship. I certainly understand the draw of a less crowded fun day on the ship. But, my travel-loving soul is always eager to head out, explore and find something new. The worrier in me needs a plan for that exploration. 😉
Recently the state department issued a travel warning for the Bahamas and specifically for the New Providence area (Nassau) reporting an uptick in crime. This, of course, adds fuel to the fire for those who love to skip the port day in Nassau.
I take travel warnings seriously but I also try and take them with a grain of salt. Any city can suffer from crime. So, no matter where you are it’s important to do your homework and be aware of your surroundings. I would never travel into an area alone, flashing anything of high value or go wandering after dark.
What to Do in Nassau?
On a recent sailing our first cruise port of call was in, you guessed it, Nassau. We were traveling with extended family who had never sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas before. So, for Nassau, I wanted to plan something new and interesting, but something that wouldn’t take up the entire day. I knew our group would want a bit more time onboard exploring the beautiful Allure of the Seas as we were embarking on a pretty port-intensive itinerary.
So, I planned a little walk through town to The Queen’s Staircase.
Walkable from the cruise terminal, The Queen’s Staircase is “free” to tour and seemed like a great option for our group. I use “free” in quotes because of course there will be tipping opportunities.
This Nassau historical landmark is located off of East Street and behind the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Tip: If you are planning to explore, download google maps for offline use ahead of time. It will still work while in airplane mode and you can navigate your way like a pro. I also confirm distance and approximate travel time in advance, too, so that I manage expectations. I do this for every island and pin a few places we may want to go so that they are saved in the offline map.
Exploring The Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase, also known as the 66 steps, is a major landmark in Nassau, Bahamas. The stairs were constructed as a direct passageway to Fort Fincastle which sits on top of Bennett’s Hill, the highest point in Nassau. This direct passageway was needed in case of an attack.
The stairs were carved out of solid limestone rock by approximately 600 slaves in 1793 and 1794. In the 19th century, the steps were later named in honor of Queen Victoria, in honor of her declaration ending slavery in 1837.
You can learn more about the history of The Queen’s Staircase here.
Since the staircase still serves as a passageway to Fort Fincastle you can check two historic landmarks off your list at once. And, you can grab a pic of your cruise ship from the top. Although, the hilltop view is much more dramatic in Dominica and Grenada.
Tip: Take about $10-$15 in 1’s for this short adventure. This will allow you to go up into Fort Fincastle if you’d like and to give a few dollars to the local people that will tell you the history of Fincastle and The Queen’s Staircase. In our experience, it was basically the same speech at both places but we just smiled and gave a few dollars to the second person as well.
The Queen’s Staircase – Educational Exploration
I wouldn’t call myself a history buff but I enjoy learning. I especially enjoy learning about communities of people and their history. Whenever we travel with our teenage daughter, I seek out activities that I think will help her broaden her view of the world and learn from the past.
The fact that these stairs were carved by slaves is just another reminder of how humans have treated each other in the past and how we still today need to do better.
On the positive side, isn’t it amazing to see what humans can build together? I mean, carving limestone stairs with hand tools! I can barely change the battery in my chirping smoke detector. Seriously, and don’t get me started on reattaching it to the ceiling compartment!
Additional Nassau Tips for the Beer Drinker, WiFi Junkies and Beach Bums.
If you’ve worked up a thirst during your exploration, there are many spots back near the port that can quench your thirst. A popular and touristy option is Senor Frogs if you are looking for a lively crowd. Senor Frogs is known for sending patrons pier running to catch their ship after enjoying too many cocktails. But, they do have a great view of the port.
Our current favorite is the Pirate Republic Brewery which we discovered during a previous cruise port day in Nassau. It’s a small but nice place and isn’t overly loud or crowded. My husband Brian gives their beer flight his stamp of approval. They also have good wifi which they offer to their customers, have clean restrooms and air conditioning.
If you just want to grab a few minutes of free wifi to download your latest messages or send a quick snap chat there’s a Starbucks right down the street from the cruise terminal!
Of course, there are also beautiful beaches you can visit such as Cable, Paradise or Jaw’s Beach. If it fits your budget, you can enjoy the aquatic park at Atlantis or check out Blue Lagoon.
You can also walk through town to a free local beach called Junkanoo Beach Or…you can relax on the pool deck of your favorite cruise ship. The choice, as always, is yours! Another reason why I love cruising.
So tell me, what do YOU do in Nassau?
Do you head off the ship and explore or do you take a “ship day” and take advantage of all the fun things to do on your floating resort? Leave a comment below.
