Nassau Cruise Port Guide: What to Do, Straw Market Tips & Is It Worth It?

We’ll be honest, Nassau is not one of our favorite cruise ports.

That said, it can still be worth getting off the ship… if you go in with the right expectations. Check out our full Nassau cruise port guide!

First Impressions of Nassau

The cruise port itself is actually really nice.

• Clean
• Well organized
• Easy to navigate

But once you start exploring a bit more, you’ll notice:

• Shops can be expensive
• Some vendors can be a bit pushy

What We Did in Nassau

We actually debated staying on the ship altogether.

But since the weather was a little chilly that morning, we decided to get off and walk around.

We made our way through the port and headed toward the Straw Market, which was our main stop.

The Straw Market (What to Expect)

We had heard very mixed reviews about the Straw Market, and honestly, we were a little hesitant to go.

Mainly because we’re not fans of overly pushy vendors.

But once we got there, it was better than expected.

What to Know:

• Yes, some vendors will try to get your attention
• But a simple “no thank you” was enough for most

Overall, the vendors were friendly—and once we started browsing, we had a really nice experience.

Our Kids’ Experience

The kids enjoyed it, for the most part.

• They all found souvenirs they liked
• They enjoyed looking at the handmade items

By the end, they were a little over the vendor interactions, but still glad we went.

What About Excursions?

This is where Nassau gets tricky.

There are plenty of excursions available, but they can get very expensive, especially for families.

We looked at options like the Royal Beach Club and quickly realized, t would be around $350+ for our family.

Our Take:

• For families → probably not worth it
• For couples → might be worth trying once

If it were just us (no kids), we’d probably check it out—but for a family of five, it’s a tough sell.

Our Honest Take: Is Nassau Worth It?

Yes… but only for a short visit.

We’d recommend:

Tips for Visiting Nassau

Keep It Short

This isn’t an all-day port (for us, at least).

Visit the Straw Market

Worth checking out. Just go in knowing what to expect.

Don’t Stress About Vendors

A polite “no thank you” goes a long way.

Be Mindful of Excursion Costs

They add up quickly for families.

Enjoy the Ship

Sometimes the best move?

Head back early and enjoy a quieter ship.

What We’d Do Next Time

Next time, we’d keep it simple:

• Get off the ship briefly
• Walk the port and Straw Market
• Head back onboard within an hour

Final Thoughts: Nassau Cruise Port Guide

Nassau might not be our favorite port, but it still has its place in a cruise itinerary.

With the right expectations, it can be a quick and worthwhile stop.

Planning your cruise? Check out our other port guides and Symphony of the Seas tips to make the most of your trip.