Do You Need Travel Insurance for Your Bahamas Cruise?

If you live on the East Coast of the United States, a cruise vacation has become synonymous with a trip to the Bahamas. Each year, tourism visits to the Bahamas skew higher than industry projections, with upwards of 8 million visitors in 2023 — including the nearly 80% of tourists who arrived via a Bahamas cruise from various East Coast ports, American cities, and international locations. 

The experts have weighed in, and between freshly renovated ports and fan-favorite islands, it’s set to be a busy year to plan a cruise to the Bahamas. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place to learn how to maximize your Bahamian experience. Keep reading to discover the must-visit attractions on the most visited islands of the Bahamas and the importance of Bahamas cruise travel insurance.

Understanding Bahamas Cruise Travel Insurance

Let’s start with the basics: What is Bahamas cruise insurance, and what does it cover? Cruise insurance protects your prepaid, non-refundable expenses from unexpected challenges when planning to vacation with a cruise line. For instance, if you’re traveling to the Bahamas from the U.S., cruise travel insurance can cover your medical expenses in the event of an accident or an emergency at sea.

Do you need Bahamas cruise travel insurance? All signs point to yes. Beyond the sky-high costs of emergency medical care on any cruise ship, Bahamian cruise ships are prone to extreme weather events. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, though the islands are the most at risk during August, September, and early October. Hurricane Dorian, which arrived as a Category 5 storm in September 2019, pummeled multiple Bahamian islands for more than 48 hours. 

Purchasing Bahamas cruise travel insurance separately from a cruise provider is always wise. Third-party travel insurance, such as the Go Ready Cruise Plan by Aegis, offers attractive upgrades like Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses up to 75% of total cruise costs in cash. On the other hand, most cruise lines’ CFAR credits will only cover the price of a future cruise with them. 

Other advantages of Bahamas cruise travel insurance available through the Go Ready Cruise Plan include:

• Trip Cancellation (100% of insured trip cost)
• Travel Delay ($250 per person daily; $1,000 overall limit per person)
• Trip Interruption (150% of insured trip cost)
• Missed Connection ($750 per person)
• Baggage Coverage ($1,500 per person)
• Baggage Delay ($750 per person)

Why Cruise to the Bahamas?

The Bahamas encompasses 700 islands, 2,400 cays, and unlimited reasons to take a cruise vacation. Scenic wonders are some of the Bahamas’ main attractions, offering diverse landscapes and endless natural beauty. The hundreds of islands are home to crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life that makes a cruise to the Bahamas an unparalleled experience.

Beyond the picturesque views, there’s tons to explore on a Bahamas cruise vacation. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive at countless locations. Several local celebrations — like Bahamas Carnival in early May, Junkanoo on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and the Goombay Summer Festivals — are the perfect opportunities to immerse yourself in authentic Bahamian culture. 

Exploring the Islands of the Bahamas

With hundreds of Bahamian islands on the map, you might need clarification on the perfect cruise trip for you and your travel group. Most Bahamas cruise lines departing from the U.S. will set sail from a port in South Florida and make several stops along the way. Here’s a look at some recommended activities for adventure, cultural experiences, or historical sites.

New Providence Island

New Providence is the most populous Bahamian island, with more than 70% of the nation’s total population living along its shores. New Providence is home to the national capital city of Nassau and the Nassau Bahamas cruise port, one of the most trafficked ports around the globe. No matter what your interests are, here’s a look at what you can get into in New Providence:

• Nassau Bahamas cruise port is the heart of industry and commerce for a Bahamas cruise and treats visitors to a blend of old-world colonial architecture.
• Queen’s Staircase, also called the 66 steps, is a 230-year-old landmark in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex made of solid limestone. 
• Straw Market is located on Bay Street in Nassau and offers visitors an assortment of hand-woven straw bags, hats, dolls, jewelry, and similar authentic souvenirs. 

Grand Bahama Island

Grand Bahama Island is often called a “tropical playground,” making it one of the top spots along cruise lines for young adults. Like New Providence Island, most cruise trips to the Bahamas stop through Grand Bahama, the northernmost island home to the second-largest Bahamian city, Freeport. For underwater activity lovers, Grand Bahama Island offers: 

• Lucayan National Park sprawls 40 acres and encompasses some of the largest underwater cave systems in the world, though only two are open to the public, and a permit is required for diving. 
• Gold Rock Beach is one of the most traveled areas of the Lucayan National Park due to the yards of shoreline exposed during low tide, which the locals refer to as the island’s “welcome mat.”
• Port Lucaya Marketplace is the Bahama’s most expansive dining, shopping, and entertainment facility, with over 60 specialty boutiques and restaurants spread across an open-air market.

The Exumas

The Exumas are a must-visit for any trip to the Bahamas. However, these vibrant cays are often only available through small-scale Bahamas cruise lines, not major brands like Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. Composed of 365 islands, the Exumas are best known for their sapphire-blue waters, secluded beaches, and expensive resorts. Be sure to include these stops on your travel itinerary: 

• Pig Beach is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Bahamas, as it’s a small, uninhabited island populated by a colony of feral pigs that visitors can feed. 
• Thunderball Grotto received its name from the 1963 James Bond film, “Thunderball,” which focused on the ‘kaleidoscope effect’ created by the sun’s reflection underwater. 
• Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park spans more than 112,000 acres of coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, and hiking trails frequented by colorful birds and iguanas. 

Bimini 

Just 50 short miles from Florida’s eastern coast, Bimini is every diver and fisherman’s favorite port on a Bahamas cruise. Often considered less crowded and “touristy” than larger islands like Nassau, Bimini is home to the new Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port, which opened in summer 2021. If you’re interested in game fishing or a relaxed beach stay, you’ll want to check out these attractions: 

• Radio Beach is regarded as the best beach in Bimini. It’s also the site of the first radio and telegraph station in 1920, giving the area a mix of history and tranquility.
• Dolphin House Museum, also called ‘a Poem in Stone,’ is a three-story structure made only with recycled materials and inspired by a swim with a pod of wild Bimini dolphins. 
• Resorts World is a newer addition to Bimini and is considered a private beach when Virgin Cruise Lines ships are in port but offers public beach clubs and casinos otherwise.

Purchasing a Go Ready Cruise Plan for Your Bahamas Cruise

A Bahamas cruise offers endless adventure with unparalleled scenery and unrivaled island culture. When it’s time to lift anchor on your Bahamas cruise, protect your purchase and peace of mind with cruise travel insurance. At Aegis General Insurance, our Go Ready Cruise Plan is ready to set sail when you are, complete with all the protections and optional upgrades you’d need at sea. 

To find the best cruise travel insurance for your upcoming trip to the Bahamas, compare Aegis cruise travel insurance plans today.