Temporary Alcohol Ban Throws a Wrench into Bahamas...

Cruisers hoping to take pleasure in some alcoholic drinks whereas visiting locations all through the Bahamas on Could 12, 2026, are in for a impolite awakening.

Could 12 is the date of the Bahamas’ normal election, and within the Bahamas, alcohol gross sales are forbidden on election days to keep up public order and make sure the voting course of is taken significantly.

Sadly, because of this alcoholic drinks can’t be bought to cruise friends, regardless that they don’t seem to be taking part within the election. Alcohol additionally can’t be bought at private destinations which are owned and operated by the cruise strains.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line owns Nice Stirrup Cay, which is situated within the Berry Islands chain of the Bahamas.

The two,344-guest Norwegian Getaway was purported to name at NCL’s non-public island on Could 12, however Cruise Hive realized the go to has been pushed again someday to Could 13.

Whereas the cruise line didn’t verify that the alcohol ban was the explanation behind the change, cruise friends suspect the election rule is in charge.

“My guess is as a result of it’s the Election Day within the Bahamas on 5/12 and there are not any alcohol gross sales allowed. Lots of people have complained on different strains that they didn’t change the itineraries and it impacted excursions and issues bc of the no alcohol rule,” one impacted passenger said on Facebook.

No different change has been made to the 4-night Bahamas crusing, which departs from Miami, Florida, on Could 11, 2026.

Carnival Cruise Line

Like Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line is opting to revise Carnival Vista’s upcoming itinerary fairly than go to RelaxAway Half Moon Cay with out alcohol gross sales.

The 6-night Jap Caribbean crusing, which embarks in Port Canaveral on Could 10, will go to Grand Turk in the Caribbean as an alcohol-friendly alternative.

“On account of Election Day within the Bahamas, we’re dropping our cease at Half Moon Cay and it’s being changed on our itinerary with Grand Turk,” one of many as much as 3,934 friends booked on this crusing posted on social media.

Carnival’s latest non-public vacation spot, Celebration Key, can also be situated within the Bahamas and can be impacted by the ban. Particularly, the 65-hectare cruise vacation spot is situated on the south facet of Grand Bahama Island.

As of the time of this publication, Carnival Glory and Carnival Freedom are nonetheless supposed to go to the unique resort on Could 12, simply sans alcohol.

Disney Cruise Line

Whereas Disney Cruise Line has not publicly commented on the alcohol ban, essentially the most magical cruise line at sea has two cruise ships docking at its non-public locations on Could 12.

The unique Castaway Cay is its personal non-public island within the Bahamas, positioned about 160 miles east of Miami, whereas the newer Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is situated on the southern tip of Eleuthera within the Bahamas.

There are a number of bars on each non-public islands that promote alcohol to adults over 21, and like the opposite cruise strains, alcohol is a giant income.

However as a extra family-friendly model, Disney could also be much less inclined to change the prevailing itineraries. Cruise Hive will, in fact, be monitoring for updates.

Assuming nothing modifications, Disney Want might be visiting Castaway Cay as a part of a 4-night Bahamas crusing, whereas Disney Fantasy is meant to name at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level as a part of a 5-night Bahamas voyage.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Seaside Membership Paradise Island on Nassau already skilled an alcohol-free day on Tuesday, April 30, for election-related exercise. The identical factor will occur once more on Could 12.

The cruise line refunded friends for the Royal Seaside Membership expertise on April 30 within the type of a 100% onboard credit score since they allegedly failed to provide notice of the momentary alcohol ban upfront.

It might not be stunning if the identical factor have been achieved for the Could 12 go to, when Utopia of the Seas will go to as a part of a 4-night Bahamas crusing that embarks in Port Canaveral on Could 11.

Moreover, Good Day at CocoCay is situated within the Berry Islands within the Bahamas and can be equally affected. That is the place Oasis of the Seas and Marvel of the Seas might be on election day.

Nassau, Bahamas

Because the capital of the Bahamas and one of many busiest cruise ports within the area, we’d be remiss to not point out the ships that might be in Nassau on Could 12.

Along with Utopia of the Seas, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside and Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess will even be current.

However irrespective of the place within the Bahamas cruisers dock on election day, they are going to merely need to take pleasure in their time on shore sober. There might be no scarcity of alcoholic refreshments and nightcaps as soon as they make it again onboard.