US Updates Advisory for the Bahamas, Should Cruise...

Journey advisories can function guides for cautious vacationers, serving to be certain that everybody is aware of what steps are greatest to remain protected when visiting totally different international locations.

Now, the US Division of State has up to date its travel advisory for The Bahamas, the preferred island cruise port within the Caribbean.

Whereas the advisory stays at Degree 2: Train Elevated Warning, extra details about the varieties of security hazards impacting the nation has been added and clarified.

Beforehand, the discover mentioned crime and water issues of safety. Now, additional particulars about jet skis and boating, seaside security, and touring with weapons and ammunition have been added.

For instance, it famous that “boating shouldn’t be nicely regulated. Accidents and deaths have occurred.”

On March 22, 2025, a Holland America Line visitor was involved in a jet ski accident on Half Moon Cay and handed away. In December 2024, a Royal Caribbean visitor was injured whereas on a jet ski tour whereas visiting Good Day at CocoCay.

Each non-public islands are a part of The Bahamas, which incorporates greater than 3,000 islands, cays, and smaller islets.

Many different non-public islands, together with MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Nice Stirrup Cay, are additionally in The Bahamas. This advisory, subsequently, shouldn’t be restricted to 1 cruise line, however needs to be of curiosity to all cruise vacationers.

The seaside security dialogue of the advisory additionally notes that visitors ought to concentrate on their swimming talents and general health, notably if they’re new to snorkeling – a preferred tour from all cruise strains.

“Swimmers and snorkelers have died after overestimating their bodily health or well being,” the advisory states.

Climate and water circumstances also can affect swimming security. Moreover, it’s potential that different crimes can happen each on and close to public seashores, together with in Nassau, the nation’s capital.

The weapons and ammunition part of the advisory is equally stern about the truth that all guests are topic to native legal guidelines.

“Firearms and ammunition are unlawful – together with small portions introduced by mistake in carry-on luggage or baggage. Police strictly implement these legal guidelines,” the advisory reads. “Vacationers with firearms or ammunition can face arrest, jail time, and fines.”

A number of circumstances towards cruise visitors carrying weapons or ammunition in numerous Caribbean nations have come to mild in latest months. In Grand Turk, a Royal Caribbean visitor who mistakenly left two bullets – undoubtedly a “small amount” – in a backpack was arrested and jailed for three weeks.

Visiting The Bahamas on a Cruise

It needs to be famous that each city ports and personal islands in The Bahamas could have elevated security and crime dangers, however at the moment, no cruise strains are adjusting itineraries to keep away from any a part of the island nation.

The advisory does word that Nassau and Freeport are the locations almost definitely to have elevated crimes, together with armed robberies, sexual assaults, and extra. Each are very lively cruise ports.

In April 2025, almost 150 ship calls are deliberate for Nassau, which simply skilled a record-breaking each day go to with greater than 30,500 guests in a single day on March 11. Nassau Cruise Port is anticipating as many as 6.5 million passengers to go to in 2025, a 15% improve over 2024 customer numbers.

A further 20 ship calls are deliberate for Freeport in April. Bimini is one other common Bahamas port, with greater than 30 calls this month.

Learn Additionally: Where Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?

Probably the most harmful area of Nassau is the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Avenue. On this space, gang exercise is especially prevalent.

Shirley Avenue is only one block south of Bay Avenue, the vacationer district of Nassau, the place many advisable outlets, in addition to the well-known Straw Market, are situated. The Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle are likewise situated south of Shirley Avenue.

Cruise visitors who go to locations in The Bahamas ought to take all applicable precautions for their very own security, comparable to staying with a gaggle or an organized shore tour reasonably than exploring on their very own.

Remaining alert to close by environment and leaving valuables onboard the ship are different wise steps to make sure a protected and satisfying go to to any port in The Bahamas.