My parents came to visit me in Florida for about two weeks, so I definitely wanted to do something that was stress free and required minimal planning. Cruises, as I have experienced in the past, fit this criteria perfectly!
This is my second experience with Carnival and my parent’s first cruising experience. I was pretty excited I was able to share in this moment with them.
I booked a 5 day cruise with Carnival Liberty sailing from Port Canaveral –> Nassau, Bahamas –> Freeport, Bahamas –> Port Canaveral.
Here are some the highlights from my Carnival Liberty Cruise to the Bahamas!
Vacation Eats
We spent plenty of time onboard with one full sea day, so there was ample time to indulge on food and feel the full extent of the meaning of all you can eat. I could not get enough of the burritos from the BlueIguana Cantina.
My mother and I chose to have a formal dinner every night. The dinner menu had different options every night and did not disappoint. I would recommend having dinner on the nights after docking for port of call options.
My dad was obsessed with the burgers from Guy’s Burger Joint and he could not resist the desserts from the Lido Marketplace. There was also the Carnival Deli and Mongolian Wok.
On Board Shopping and Raffles
If anyone loves jewelry and the word “sales,” or “free raffles,” it is my mom! If you love entering raffles for a chance to win prizes, then you are on the right cruise. Honestly, it was just fun to enter the raffles and hang out with my mom. We did not win anything, but the prospect was pretty exciting in itself.
Nassau, Bahamas
We spent the first half the day in Nassau on an Adventure Jeep, Beach, and Local Lunch tour. If you do not normally drive on the left side of the road, here is your chance! I was initially planning on sharing driving time with my dad, but then decided against it after seeing the number of roundabouts in the Bahamas. There are little to no traffic lights here.
Our first stop was at “The Islands Caves,” where the original inhabitants (i.e. Lucayans) of the Bahamas once lived. Before we left, we made sure to take a picture with the seashell adorned chair.
Second stop was Cable Beach. I have never seen water so clear and blue in my entire life. Seriously, I thought the beaches in Florida were gorgeous, but THIS was perfect.
After frolicking around the beach, we made our last stop for lunch at the Bahama Grill for authentic Bahamian food. Bahamian food is an eclectic blend of South American and Caribbean styles. We were delighted by our meal of BBQ chicken + ribs, macaroni and cheese, and peas ‘n rice.
Of course, there were plenty of sights to see during the drive as well.
Plenty of shopping in Nassau and definitely cheaper alternatives than the excursions. There was a 15-minute boat/ferry to shuttle you from port at Nassau to Paradise Island ($8/round trip). It runs every 30 minutes from 9 AM – 6 PM.
Freeport, Bahamas
Started the day off with a bit of drizzle, but it cleared up by the time we got to our first destination of the Rand Nature Center. Because were on a Carnival Cruise expedition (i.e. See & Sea: National Park & Shark Junction), we were given a small preview of the Rand Nature Center where we were introduced to different plants and animals of the Bahamas. An individual tour would have allowed us to explore the 100 acres and 2,000 foot trail through the forest.
Off to the sea portion of our expedition, we boarded onto a boat with Lucaya Watersports for a glass bottom boat tour to check out blacktip sharks.
Our last stop was the Bahamas Adventures Beach Club for a little shopping, dining, or enjoying the ocean breeze.
Before heading back to the boat, we indulged on coconut juice straight from the coconut. The coconuts of the Bahamas are sweet tasting! After enjoying the coconut juice, we filled it up with a cocktail and then had it chopped up for the copra.
Tip: The cruise terminal docked in Port Lucaya when we arrived which is about 10 minutes from Freeport, Bahamas. If you do not book an excursion, you will need to take a taxi for adventure, or hang out in the small shopping area located at the port.
It has been three years since my last vacation with my parents and this was pretty joyous.
If you are looking for an affordable, easy going vacation, then I recommend Carnival Cruises. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.