My First Cruise to the Bahamas: What to Pack & What to Expect – A 4-Night Adventure!

This was my very first trip to the Bahamas—and even better, it was by cruise! Our journey started in North Carolina, and we drove down to Orlando, Florida, to board the ship. Excitement? Through the roof! But let me be honest—when it came to packing, especially as a girl, I had no idea what to wear each day. Swimsuits? Dresses? Nightwear? It’s always confusing!

🌍Day 1 – Port of Entry & Cruise🛳️ Kickoff

Once you check in, you’ll notice that rooms and luggage take a little while to be ready—so plan your outfit accordingly!

What to wear:

1. A comfortable cover-up or dress/skirt that’s easy to remove.
2. Underneath, wear your swimsuit or swim dress—you’ll want to head straight to the water deck.
3. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfy 🩴 !

What to do:

1. Head to the upper deck to enjoy the pools, water slides, and hot tubs.
2. Explore the ship—it’s massive!
3. Enjoy unlimited food, drinks, and good vibes.
4. Take it slow and soak in that you’re officially on vacation!

Day 2 – Exploring Nassau, Bahamas🇧🇸

We landed in the Bahamas! The port was in Nassau, and let me tell you—it’s a bit of a walk from the cruise dock to where you catch a taxi or get to the beach. So wear comfy shoes or sandals!

Since this was our first trip, we wanted to truly explore the local culture and city life, not just the beach. We booked a private car tour for around $200, and it was so worth it.

What we did:

1. Our local guide drove us around Nassau, giving us a rich tour of the city’s history—from schools and hospitals to their passport office and community life.
2. We visited local shops that sold wine, chocolates, candies, and more. I even picked up a sweet Bahamian wine to bring back home (yes, it’s cruise-approved to carry with you!).
3. We stopped near the sea, where we spent some time playing in the sand and water, soaking in that turquoise beauty.

It was truly a great mix of sightseeing and relaxing by the ocean. You also have the option to stay longer in Nassau by booking a hotel, but since we were on a cruise, it was a day trip for us—and a memorable one at that!

What to wear:

1. Your swimsuit/swim dress underneath.
2. A light-colored dress or cover-up to keep it easy and breezy for both sightseeing and beach time.
3. Bring a 🧢 👒 , sunscreen, 🕶️ , and maybe a small bag 👝 for essentials and souvenirs.

Back on the 🛳️ :

After returning, we freshened up, grabbed dinner, and relaxed with the ship’s entertainment and activities. If you’re still feeling energetic, the pools and jacuzzis are waiting for you

🌍Day 3 – Sea Day: 🚢 -Only Vibes

Day 3 was all about relaxing on the cruise and making the most of everything it had to offer. No island stops, no rushing—just pure vacation mode at sea!

This is the kind of day where you can wake up late (if the kids let you!), grab a hearty breakfast, and plan absolutely nothing—because everything is right there on the ship.

Things to do on a sea day:

1. Chill by the pool deck, sip on fruity drinks, 🍷 and let the kids splash around.
2. Explore onboard activities like live shows, game rooms, or bingo.
3. Book a spa session if you feel like pampering yourself.
4. Browse the duty-free shops or just go for a walk along the top deck with ocean views all around.
5. Eat, snack, nap, repeat!

What to wear

1. Definitely another swimsuit day—you can wear a cute cover-up, romper, or breezy dress over it.
2. 🩴 or slides are your best friends.
3. Don’t forget your sunblock and maybe a little tote for your towel, book, or water bottle.

This was probably one of my favorite days because there was no rush. Just peace, ocean breeze, and everything at your fingertips.

Day 4 – Perfect Day at CocoCay

Our final stop was a dreamy little private island called Perfect Day at CocoCay—and yes, it truly lived up to its name!

This island is owned by the cruise line, so everything feels safe, fun, and family-friendly. Whether you want to go wild with adventures or just chill by the beach, CocoCay has it all.

What we did:

1. It was a beachwear kind of day—I wore my swim dress with shorts and comfy water shoes, perfect for both lounging and playing.
2. If your tickets include it, go for the water slides or zipline—they’re super popular!
3. We chose to enjoy the crystal-clear sea, floating, swimming, and playing in the shallow water with the kids.
4. The seaside food stalls had plenty of free food and snacks, so no need to head back to the ship for lunch.

What to wear:

1. Swimwear + shorts or a skirt + light cover-up.
2. Definitely pack water shoes—they’re a must for this 🏝️ .
3. Sunscreen, a hat, and maybe a waterproof phone pouch.

Back on the 🚢 :

After a perfect 🏖️ day, we returned to the ship to wash off the sand, change into comfy clothes, and spend our final evening exploring parts of the ship we hadn’t seen yet.

Dinner, photos, maybe one last ice cream cone—and just like that, our cruise adventure was coming to a beautiful end.

Day 5 – Checkout & Heading Home

Our cruise had officially come to an end—but the memories? Definitely forever!

We packed our suitcases the night before, which I highly recommend so the morning doesn’t feel rushed. On the final day, the ship offers a complimentary breakfast, so we made sure to enjoy one last peaceful meal overlooking the ocean.

After breakfast, we carried our luggage off the ship (some people choose to have it delivered, but we preferred keeping it with us), and headed out to the parking lot where we’d left our car in Orlando.

From there, it was a road trip back to North Carolina—tired but happy, full of sunshine, beachy vibes, and so many beautiful memories.

🐚🌎Final Thoughts – Tips for First-Time Cruisers

If this is your first cruise, like it was for us, here are a few things I wish I knew before boarding:

Download the cruise app as soon as you get on board. It has your daily schedule, activities, showtimes, and dining info all in one place. Super handy!

Pay attention to dress codes—some dinners might be casual, others a bit more formal. Pack a mix of swimwear, cover-ups, dresses, and comfy outfits.

Carry your cruise pass everywhere—you’ll need it to get in and out of the ship, for purchases, and even for checking into activities.

Always have sunscreen, water shoes, and sunglasses handy. The sun is strong and the fun is non-stop!

Most importantly—don’t over-plan. Leave room to relax and go with the flow. Some of the best moments happen when you just explore and enjoy the experience.