Many cruise ships stop in the Bahamas, with Nassau and Freeport being two of the most popular stops. Some passengers choose to take excursions at these ports, and while that is no guarantee of safety, it is certainly safer than doing it on your own.
In both cases, many passengers choose to stay on the ship or simply walk through the closed port areas where the only locals you will encounter are vendors, security personnel, and customs officials. If you never enter the city, then you won't have to worry about anything other than whether the cigar you're buying is really Cuban or whether the handmade crafts were actually mass produced in China.
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In both Nassau and Freeport, also sometimes referred to as “Grand Bahama,” there are areas to explore beyond the cruise ports. These include markets, restaurants, shops and beaches, which can be very attractive to passengers.
In Nassau, for example, you can get off the boat and reach Junkanoo Beach in about a mile. It is an easy walk where you will pass many shops and places to eat along with quite aggressive vendors. Freeport has similar areas, although you will need to take a taxi or some other means of transportation to get there.
Both Nassau and Freeport are popular cruise destinations and both are under a travel advisory from the US State Department. That has been the case since January 26, 2024, but anyone visiting should know exactly what it says the warning to be safe if you decide to get off the boat at any destination.
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Image source: Margaritaville at sea
The Bahamas is under level 2 safety warning
The US State Department has four levels of travel warning:
- Level 1: Take normal precautions
- Level 2: Use increased caution
- Level 3: Reconsider the trip
- Level 4: Do not travel
Many places that you wouldn't consider dangerous are under Level 1 warnings. That warning basically means, “Don't be stupid and remember you're not in Kansas.”
A Level 2 warning is a little more serious and should be heeded, but it's not like the US government is telling you not to travel. In the case of The Bahamas, which is under a Level 2 travel warning, you really have to read the warning.
“Exercise caution in the Bahamas due to crime,” essentially serves as the headline for the Level 2 travel warning, which then becomes much more specific.
“The majority of crime occurs on the islands of New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport). In Nassau, practice increased surveillance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street), where gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate affecting mainly the local population. Violent crimes, such as robberies, armed robberies and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas where private security companies. they do not have a presence,” shared the State Department.
What isn't said is that if you stay downtown near the port, where there is a very visible police presence, and make smart decisions, you probably won't be in any danger.
US State Department Actions Add Warning on Bahamas
The last time the State Department amended its advisory for The Bahamas, it added a section on boating and other water-related activities.
“Activities involving commercial recreational boats, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Boats may be poorly maintained and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always check and pay attention to marine alerts and local weather conditions before engaging in water activities, operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and deaths have occurred,” the State Department shared.
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The Level 2 travel advisory also shared fairly basic information about general water safety.
“Never swim alone, regardless of your age or level of swimming skills. Stay within your fitness and swimming abilities. Be careful of sharks when swimming and doing water activities, as there have recently been fatal and non-fatal incidents that involving sharks. be aware of weather and water conditions and pay attention to local warnings,” he added.
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