One of the highlights of any Caribbean cruise is escaping to a beautiful island paradise where you can soak up the sun, swim in crystal-clear blue waters, and visit… Nassau, The Bahamas. Well, of course, that last part about Nassau is sarcasm—because, let’s be honest, it’s hard to find anyone who truly enjoys a port day there. And don’t even get me started on Freeport!
Both of these destinations in The Bahamas receive some of the lowest guest satisfaction scores across all cruise lines, yet Nassau remains one of the most visited ports. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that the Port of Nassau underwent a dramatic revitalization—though, let’s be real, it’s just lipstick on a pig. Sure, it looks better, and it’s a lot cleaner and more organized, but at the end of the day, it’s still Nassau.
Cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean know Nassau isn’t exactly a fan favorite, which is why they’re investing heavily in creating alternative destinations of their own—not too far away—so guests can still visit Atlantis on Paradise Island if they want to.
Directly across from the port, just a stone’s throw from where the ships dock, Royal Caribbean is building the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island, offering resort-style amenities exclusively for their guests. Once completed, this will be a huge perk for Royal Caribbean cruisers, as they’ll no longer have to book an excursion just to enjoy a decent beach—or, worse, stay on the ship rather than venture into Nassau.
Royal Caribbean Announces Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Bahamas
Carnival Cruise Line is following suit with its new private destination, Celebration Key. Located a bit farther from the Port of Nassau, this upcoming oasis is designed for both adults and kids, featuring a beautiful beach, multiple food and beverage options, and exclusive adults-only areas for relaxation.
With these two destinations opening in the not-too-distant future, one has to wonder how much revenue Nassau will lose as tourists opt to spend their time—and money—at Royal Beach Club and Celebration Key instead of the so-called “World Famous Straw Market” and the countless trinket shops lining the port area.
Nassau may be getting the short end of the stick, but let’s be real—they’ve had years to create a more welcoming environment for cruise passengers and failed to do so. Now, they have no one to blame but themselves when tourists choose to stay within the confines of these new private destinations rather than wandering the streets of downtown Nassau.
A Day in Nassau, The Bahamas
Carnival Venezia docked shortly before 10 a.m., and guests were cleared to go ashore around 10:15. We were joined in port by the very old Carnival Elation, the fairly new Mardi Gras, and the getting-up-there Norwegian Gem.
Since it was Nassau—or, as our Disney Cruise Line blogger Jason calls it, “a stationary day at sea”—a good number of guests opted to stay onboard. I ventured off around 1 p.m. for a stroll through the port area, which is lined with small shops selling trinkets, a handful of spots to grab a bite or a drink, and, of course, “the most famous place to get totally wasted,” Señor Frog’s.
Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle
If you’re looking to venture a little further into town—while keeping in mind that Nassau isn’t the kind of place you want to wander alone due to its high crime rate—you can take a 15-minute walk to Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle.
Perched atop Nassau’s highest point, Fort Fincastle has stood watch over the island since 1793. Built by Lord Dunmore, the fort was designed in the shape of a ship’s bow—fitting, as it overlooks Nassau Harbor. Originally constructed to defend the island from pirates and other scallywags, the fort never actually saw battle.
Today, you can step inside Fort Fincastle, wander through its stone walls, peer through the old cannons, and take in some pretty impressive views of the sea and the ships docked in port. While the fort is relatively small—especially when compared to El Morro in San Juan—it still makes for a great photo stop while exploring Nassau.
Just below the fort sits one of Nassau’s most iconic landmarks—the Queen’s Staircase. Carved from limestone in the 1830s, the staircase originally had 66 steps, though only 64 remain today. It was designed as an emergency escape route from Fort Fincastle, allowing soldiers to quickly descend from the fort to the city below.
In the late 1800s, the staircase was named in honor of Queen Victoria, who reigned for over 60 years and is credited with helping end slavery in the British Empire. Today, it’s surrounded by lush trees and greenery, providing a cool, shaded escape—especially on Nassau’s sweltering days. The gentle mist from the nearby waterfall adds a refreshing touch, making it a pleasant spot to explore even in the heat and humidity.
Visiting Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase offers a different side of Nassau beyond the beaches and tourist shops. The climb up the staircase can be a bit tricky—after all, there are 64 steep and narrow steps—but once you reach the top, the fort is just a short walk away.
On my way back to the ship, I wandered around town for a bit, taking a 10-second peek inside the Straw Market before quickly deciding, “Absolutely not,” and making a swift exit—stage left—back to the streets and straight to the port.
Remember when I mentioned Señor Frog’s? Well, on my way back to the ship, I came across a scene that pretty much confirmed its reputation. A man sat on a bench, vomiting onto his own flip-flops, while his wife (girlfriend?) and kids looked on—looking less than amused. One can only assume he had been a very enthusiastic patron.
Blue Iguana on Carnival Venezia
Back on board, I made a quick stop at Blue Iguana for a few tacos—just in time before lunch service ended. Blue Iguana serves both breakfast and lunch, but on Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze—the Fun Italian Style ships—the menu has a few unique twists. (If you haven’t read the Day 1 report about these two one-of-a-kind vessels and how they became part of the Carnival fleet, check it out!)
For breakfast, Blue Iguana whips up hearty breakfast burritos, while lunch features burritos, tacos, and a few Italian-inspired sandwiches, like a classic meatball sub. Load up those tacos with fresh toppings and a generous splash of hot sauce from the condiments bar, and you’ve got yourself a pretty darn good meal!
Evening onboard Carnival Venezia
All-aboard time was set for 4:30 p.m., and we departed shortly after 5 p.m., right on schedule—no pier runners, no last-minute pages blaring over the ship’s PA for those who think the ship will wait for them.
It was a beautiful evening to sit out on my balcony, watching as we glided out of the harbor and into the open sea.
After getting ready for dinner, I made a quick stop at the casino—hoping for a little redemption after a rough first night. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen.
While I did manage to stretch $100 into over an hour of play—thanks to a few small wins keeping me afloat—when all was said and done, I walked away empty-handed. On the bright side, I didn’t put any more of my own money back into the one-armed bandits.
I guess that counts as a win?
Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
Main Dining Room Dinner
For dinner, I met up with my traveling companions in the main dining room. We all had Anytime Dining, so we booked a table for five through the Carnival Hub app around 8 p.m. Within minutes, we got the alert that our table was ready.
Our waiter introduced himself and took our drink orders—two of us opted for soft drinks, while the other three went for something stronger. My drink of choice? A Hendrick’s and tonic.
The drink orders were placed around 8:10 p.m., but when the server finally returned at 8:30 p.m., mine was missing. When I asked about it, I was casually told, “The bar doesn’t have Hendrick’s.” So I asked for a different gin, and that one didn’t show up until 8:40 p.m. Realizing how painfully slow the service was, we immediately ordered another round.
That second round? Never arrived.
After waiting far too long, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I left the dining room, went up one deck to the Heroes Bar, and grabbed two cocktails to bring back. Despite all that effort, our second round of drinks never made it to the table at any point during our meal.
Speaking of Meals… For my appetizer, I ordered the entrée salad of the evening. When it arrived, it was… a crab cake.
I didn’t complain. I just ate it.
For the main course, I went with the Beef Wellington, based on our server’s recommendation. But the moment it arrived, it was clear this wasn’t tenderloin—it was a completely different cut. My piece was full of fat, more like something you’d expect from a prime rib than a Beef Wellington.
I didn’t complain. I just didn’t eat it.
For dessert, I went with the Bitter ’n Blanc—a bread pudding. Not bad.
I may be a tad bit picky when it comes to dinner, and sure, I was the only one at our table complaining about the food—but when it came to the drink service, we all had the same frustration.
It’s safe to say I won’t be returning to the main dining room for the rest of the cruise. And for those who’ve followed along, you already know that the MDR on any Carnival ship is usually a place I avoid. Simply put, the food quality is below average, and the service is always rushed and problematic.
With cruise lines adding more and more specialty restaurants that come with an upcharge, it’s obvious they want guests to spend extra for a better dining experience. And to drive that revenue, they cut back on quality and service in the free dining venues, like the main dining room and Lido buffet.
Sad, but true. The people making these decisions aren’t focused on guest satisfaction—they’re focused on spreadsheets and revenue projections.
Wrapping Up the Night
After dinner, I walked around the ship, grabbed a nightcap, and headed back to my stateroom to call it a night.
We’re currently sailing toward our next port of call, Montego Bay, Jamaica, where we’re scheduled to arrive on Wednesday—the fourth day of the cruise. That means tomorrow is a sea day!
As always, thanks for following along!
Carnival Fun Times for Day 2:
