January 2024 - Travel advisory for Nassau

[HauntedPirate]

For anyone going on a cruise that stops at Nassau:

The Bahamas Travel Advisory

travel.state.gov

Current Travel Advisory Level is Level 2 (Exercise increased caution). It was at Level 3 last week (Reconsider Travel) but was downgraded soon after.

 

[Lilofan]

For anyone going on a cruise that stops at Nassau:

The Bahamas Travel Advisory

travel.state.gov

Current Travel Advisory Level is Level 2 (Exercise increased caution). It was at Level 3 last week (Reconsider Travel) but was downgraded soon after.

Bay Street for duty free shopping is ok but go over the hill you enter a tropical ghetto day or night.

 

[Indy_UK]

Why on earth Disney dock here. As a gay couple with our adopted son we felt so unsafe once you leave the gated area of the cruise port.

 

[jme]

Why on earth Disney dock here. As a gay couple with our adopted son we felt so unsafe once you leave the gated area of the cruise port.

Their ships are all registered in Nassau (presumably for tax reasons), and as such, have contractual obligations to dock there. Also, as part of the agreement to get Lighthouse Point DCL agreed to double the number of dockings in The Bahamas (from 2018 to 2023) which they were able to do by adding the Wish to rotation. A majority of their operations as a cruise line are tied into The Commonwealth of The Bahamas (both Castaway and Lighthouse are in the within this country).

For better or worse, we the guests, are stuck with it (unless you want to exclusively cruise out of Europe or the West Coast)

 

[DznyGrlSD]

We were in Nassau on Saturday. We walked to the John Watling's Distillery and except for the fact that the sidewalks are non-existent we felt safe enough. I wouldn't have ventured beyond that location but Nassau in general, is a dump. Next time I'll stay on board

 

[The Mom]

I've visited Nassau several times over the past 40 years, and it has been steadily declining despite the increase in cruises stopping there, and Atlantis taking over most of Paradise Island. But even 40 years ago it was dangerous to stray away from the tourist areas.

 

[John park hopper]

The warning is for crime in general says nothing about targeted individuals.

 

[The Colonel]

they cite 18 murders in Nassau in 2024, Chicago has already had 31

 

[Dead2009]

"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. 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."

I can go to a city like Detroit or Chicago for this.

 

[Lilofan]

I've visited Nassau several times over the past 40 years, and it has been steadily declining despite the increase in cruises stopping there, and Atlantis taking over most of Paradise Island. But even 40 years ago it was dangerous to stray away from the tourist areas.

To get to the gated resorts at the other end of Nassau one must go through the dangerous parts of Nassau to get there .

 

[Lilofan]

"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. 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."

I can go to a city like Detroit or Chicago for this.

Or Baltimore. St Louis Birmingham and Baltimore have a number of unsafe areas.

 

[jme]

I will say, that the updates they have made to the port look very nice and while I likely wouldn't venture outside of it, it does seem at least worth getting off the ship to explore the new port.

 

[dmw]

I will say, that the updates they have made to the port look very nice and while I likely wouldn't venture outside of it, it does seem at least worth getting off the ship to explore the new port.

Very nice! And, it looks like the secure area is just across the street from the Straw Market, so that should be good for a visit, and probably much better prices than the vendors inside the port area.