With a fresh new year ahead of us, it’s never too early to start planning your travels. Even if you can’t pencil in a long vacation, you can make the most of your long weekends with a quick escape to someplace warm.
Top of our list is The Bahamas.
With plenty of sailings from a variety of US ports, Bahamas cruises are the ideal weekend escape. You can pack quite a lot in to a 3-day cruise, and it’s one of the most convenient ways to travel without hassle.
Here are our top 3 reasons to love a 3-day Bahamas cruise.
You Can Pack Light
We love packing for weekend escapes, even the 3-day variety. It’s so much easier to travel light and carry on for cruises (avoiding even the possibility of a luggage delay), and once we’re on a cruise ship, it’s, ahem, smooth sailing!
Cruises give you the chance to get out and about and try different places and activities without having to lug your bags around as you would if traveling by other modes of transport.
So we love a 3-Day Bahamas cruise that lets us pack light — it’s mostly swimsuits and beach cover-ups, after all. (See an example of what to pack here.)
Since we’re cruising, we only need to unpack once, with no washing required since it’s such a short jaunt.
Plus, with our nighttime clothes hanging up in our stateroom closet, they’re not going to look wrinkled like they would when they stay in your luggage as you drive or fly around, as well.
Which brings us to…
Never-Bored Nights on Board
With our best threads in tip-top shape, we’ll be ready to party once night falls. And, naturally, cruise ships have loads of options, whether you’re traveling with your best friends, your family, or just your special someone.
Think date nights at fancy restaurants, family-filled evenings at stage shows with post-curtain desserts, or karaoke and nightclub fun with your crew, perhaps followed by a late-night pizza run (and room service breakfast the next day? Yes, please).
It’s so convenient (and safe) to have so many options for fun after dark all in the one place.
And with a 3-day sailing, you have more than one chance to make it the perfect night at sea. On our 3-Day Bahamas cruise, we spent most nights wherever we could find a DJ. How about you?
The Best Beaches in the World
Sure, we could take a weekend trip to a beach resort, but choosing a Bahamas cruise is a ticket to the best beaches in the world. Seriously, the color of the ocean in ports like Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay is unlike any other shade of blue we’ve seen.
Spending the day on one of these stretches of sand, or even hopping between a few different beaches, is worth the price of our cruise alone. And we get to experience it without the hassle of flying and paying a ton for a hotel. We call that a win-win.
FAQs
If you only have a long weekend to spare, a 3 day cruise could be your perfect match. If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway.
How much does it cost for a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas? ›
There are incredible deals for shorter three-night cruises that can appear online for less than $100, but a longer cruise in the most luxe cabin can reach into five digits during certain times of year. The average cost of a cruise to the Bahamas can be less than $1,000 for a short cruise.
Do you need a passport for a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas? ›
U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a U.S. passport card.
What is the best month to go on a cruise to the Bahamas? ›
From mid-December through February, temperatures are pleasant, and rainfall remains relatively low. Even though temperatures and rainfall increase slightly in March and April, those months are also good times to visit The Bahamas.
Are 3 day cruises good? ›
Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now.
How much money do you need for a 3 day cruise? ›
Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.
Do you need a passport for a weekend cruise to the Bahamas? ›
If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.
Is food free on cruise? ›
Food and beverages
As part of the cruise price, there is always complimentary food of many types and flavors. Drinks included are tap water, some juices and iced tea on most lines; everything else typically costs extra.
How many nights is a 3 day cruise? ›
A three-day cruise could be thought of as spending two nights onboard a ship, counting embarkation day as day one, a sea day or port day as day two and disembarkation day as day three.
What can you not bring into the Bahamas? ›
Prohibited imports include:
- Any food articles intended for but unfit for human consumption.
- Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, or any other indecent or obscene article.
To be clear, you will not need much cash at all while onboard. Nearly every transaction on a cruise ship is done with your room keycard, which works just like a credit card. In fact, most cruise lines are cashless and won't take any for regular purchases.
Is it safe to go on a cruise to the Bahamas right now? ›
The Bahamas - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Updated with additional water safety information. Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. Country Summary: The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands.
How much money should you take on a Bahamas cruise? ›
As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.
Is it cold on a cruise to Bahamas? ›
The islands' trade winds ensure warm temperatures year-round (even for swimming). Cruisers can expect highs in the mid-80s that never dip below the mid-60s in winter. January is the beginning of the dry season with very little rain in Nassau.
Is it cold at night on Bahamas cruise? ›
March starts a slight warm up, and the months of April to November bring high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s with nighttime temperatures in the low to mid 70s. You have options for your Bahamas cruise. For a quick and easy getaway, plan a 2-5 day cruise.
How many days is the average cruise? ›
Cruise lengths can run anywhere from a two-night cruise to 250-plus-day world cruises. If you don't have a lot of time, look for two- to four-night weekend itineraries. The average cruise sailings range from five to 14 nights.
Is 3 nights enough for a Disney cruise? ›
A 3-night itinerary on the Disney Wish will allow your family to experience each of the new restaurants and offers plenty of time to discover the activities onboard - at least enough to make you want to come back and do it all again, this time as a Silver Castaway Club member!
Can you do a 4 day cruise? ›
Sail away for a short two, three, or four day vacation on a cruise. It's affordable, won't cut into your workload and planning a short cruise makes you the hero of your family. You'll also come back feeling on top of the world, like you've been away for far longer.
What is considered a short cruise? ›
Typically, between one and four nights could be considered short. But some travellers – even some cruise lines – consider a short cruise to be anything less than a week in duration. Short cruises have grown in popularity in recent years, too.
