Bahamas

The name "Bahamas" comes from the Spanish baja mar, which means "shallow sea". The azure waters which lap these islands are as warm and calm as the people who live there. Throughout the over seven hundred islands which make up the Bahamas, the locals abide by island time - a term of affection which describes the laid-back and slow moving all inclusive Bahamas vacation lifestyle. It isn't that hard to fall into this mode of living. Many of the Bahamas' islands are uninhabited or are sparsely populated, so it's easy to get away from it all and relax on beautiful beaches strewn with seashells. On the other hand, for those seeking excitement, Bahamas has something to offer everyone from shopping in the busy straw market to golfing on world championship courses to diving amongst coral reefs and ship wrecks. You can parasail and windsurf all day long, then dance the night away to the rhythms of calypso, goombay, and Junkanoo music. Bahamas may be laid-back, but it's never boring.

The Bahamas is made up of seven hundred islands most of which are islets (keys or cays) and rocks. The archipelago of Bahamas extends 500 miles southeasterward from the Florida coast, and is surrounded by clear blue water. The soil is too thin for most agriculture, but on the larger islands exotic flowers grow and there are areas of pine forest as well as rocky and swampy areas; and of course miles and miles of unspoiled beaches. Most of the islands in the Bahamas have escaped tourists' notice. The larger islands offer a high standard of tourist resorts in the Bahamas and a wealth of leisure facilities. Nassau, located on New Providence Island, is the capital of Bahamas. It is noted for its bustling straw market, where local craftsmen make unique straw items right on the spot. There are also sophisticated boutiques and shops catering to the discriminating crowd on Bay Street. A magnificent view of Nassau harbor is afforded from the battlements of Fort Charlotte, and eighteenth century fort with a moat and dungeons open to visitors. Nearby, the Ardastra Gardens feature pink flamingos and tropical flowers. Another scenic vista is afforded by climbing the Queen's Staircase (located at the top of Elizabeth Avenue), which is a 102 foot climb up steps carved into the rock which leads to Fort Fincastle and then to the Water Tower. Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 and is shaped like the bow of a ship. The Water Tower is the most elevated point on New Providence Island, reaching 216 feet above the level of the sea. Visitors take an elevator to the observation deck on top for panoramic views of the island. Another must-see attraction is Cable Beach, with its many restaurants, bars, and discos located on two and a half miles of golden sand. Paradise Island is noted for its all inclusive resorts in Bahamas located on beautiful beaches, and also boasts the largest gambling casino in the Caribbean as well as a fourteen acre aquarium and beautifully landscaped gardens. So there are plenty of things to see and do if the sunbathing, boating, diving, and fishing get too boring

A Bahamas cruise vacation is a perfect way to experience the islands from the comfort of a fun, activity-filled cruise ship. A cruise vacation is a perfect means to get a good tan, feel the sand between your toes, watch hundreds of unique species of Bahamian birds, animals and plant life, tour a pirate's museum and taste exotic island dishes. Some cruises also provide adventurous water sports like snorkeling, diving and windsailing. A traveler can choose from an array of cruise vacations to Nassau, Freeport or Lucaya, according to his budget and leisure.
Some of the major cruise lines operating in the Bahamas are Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruises, Holland America Line, Imperial Majesty, NCL and Royal Caribbean International. However, one should also be aware of a few cruising tips, like making reservations for restaurants, the spa and any shore excursions you plan to take as soon as you board and find your stateroom on the ship. It is advisable to buy snacks and sodas from a supermarket before you get to the ship; these can be stored in the fridge in your stateroom. One can also take these snacks along while visiting places ashore. As far as tipping is concerned, a traveler should make it a point to give an extra tip to the staff in case the services provided in the cruise are up to their expectations; tips are a major source of income for most of the crew members.
Some of the islands that a traveler can explore during a cruise are Nassau, Freeport and Lucaya, along with Miami, Florida. While on a cruise, a traveler can also undertake shore excursions, indulge in boat trips, snorkeling or diving, golf, swim with dolphins, or explore on a submarine.
The Bahamas is a picturesque place of white sand beaches lined with palm trees, and is a perfect place to just sit back and soak up the warm sun on a cruise line.