A lot of cruise ships make stops in the Bahamas with Nassau and Freeport being two of the most popular stops. Some passengers opt to take excursions in those ports, and while that's not a guarantee of safety, it's certainly safer than going off on your own.
In both cases, many passengers opt to either stay on the ship or simply walk around the enclosed port areas where the only locals you will encounter are vendors, security staff, and customs officers. If you never actually enter the city, then you don't really have to worry about more than whether that cigar you're buying is actually Cuban or whether the handmade crafts were really mass-produced in China.
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In both Nassau and Freeport, which is also sometimes referred to as "Grand Bahama," there are areas to explore beyond the cruise ports. Those include markets, restaurants, shops, and beaches, which can be very enticing for passengers.
In Nassau, for example, you can get off the ship and be at Junkanoo Beach in about a mile. It's an easy walk where you will pass many shops and places to eat along with pretty aggressive vendors. Freeport has similar areas, although you will need to take a cab or some other form of transportation to get there.
Both Nassau and Freeport are popular cruise destinations that are both under a travel advisory from the US Department of State. That has been the case since Jan. 26, 2024, but anyone visiting needs to be aware of exactly what the warning says in order to be safe if they decide to get off the ship in either destination.
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The Bahamas is under a Level 2 safety warning
The US State Dept. has four levels of travel warning:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do not travel
Many places you would not think of as dangerous are under Level 1 warnings. That warning basically means, "Don't be stupid, and remember that you're not in Kansas."
A Level 2 warning is a little more serious and should be paid attention to, but it's not the US government telling you not to travel. In the case of The Bahamas, which is under a Level 2 travel advisory, you really have to read the warning.
"Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime," serves as essentially the headline for the Level 2 travel advisory which then gets much more specific.
"The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence," the State Department shared.
What's not said is that if you stay downtown near the port, where there is a very visible police presence, and you make smart decisions, you will likely not be in any danger.
US State Dept. shares added Bahamas warning
When the State Dept. last modified its warning for The Bahamas, it added a section on watercraft and other water-related activities.
"Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities. Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred," the State Dept. shared.
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The Level 2 travel advisory also shared some fairly basic information about general water safety.
"Never swim alone, regardless of your age or level of swimming skills. Keep within your fitness and swimming capabilities. Be mindful of sharks when swimming and engaging in water activities, as there have been recent fatal and non-fatal incidents involving sharks. Be aware of weather and water conditions and heed local warnings," it added.
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