I can't believe it. The other day, my mom randomly texts me and was all "I booked a cruise. We're going to the Bahamas in September." I freaked. Granted, I was at work, but fuck that, I freaked, complete with screaming and laughing and staring coworkers. I thought she was screwing with me. Yes, we've been talking about going on a vacation, specifically a cruise, for a while now...but I didn't think it'd actually happen. It's been a week, maybe two, since she told me, and long story short, she and Dad are not screwing with me - we're actually going on a five-day cruise to the Bahamas. I'm still freaking out. We've been on vacations before, really nice ones, to Vegas, Mackinac Island, Florida, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach...but a cruise to the freaking Bahamas is just...wow. I'm going to see so much sea life. And there is pretty much nothing I love more than dolphins and turtles and sharks. I bought myself the travel snorkeling gear I've been wanting, but never had a good enough reason to get until now. I have the time scheduled off work. And now I just have to attempt to act like a calm, rational human being until September.

So. Anyone have any tips for visiting the Bahamas? For going on a cruise? I bought myself those little bracelets that smoosh into your pressure points today, for anti-seasickness. I don't know if I'll need them, but better safe than sorry. I'm just so goddamn excited. I want to see everything and do everything and THERE COULD BE WHALE SHARKS YOU GUYS. WHALE. SHARKS. gleeful scream

I've been to the Bahamas a few times, it's a beautiful place. Atlantis waterpark is amazing. The ship moving feels a bit weird at first but you get used to it. And also they usually have drink packages, like you pay a certain amount and you get unlimited soda or juice. And I think most cruises have little waterparks on them. But that's all I remember about my cruises, I always went through Carnival.

I wish! I have heard that cruise ships are amazing, but they are so expensive. I was looking into one for me and my kids and it was crazy expensive.

;; I just went on a cruise to the Bahamas for the 2nd time this past June with Carnival. It was delightful! My mother, grandmother, and myself usually take a cruise every year so I have plenty of wisdom to share. haha

made an excellent point about the drink package. If you enjoy alcohol, they have a package that gets you 15 drinks a day. But everyone in the room you're sleeping in has to have one. They also have the one for unlimited juice/soda/water available as well. The alcohol one covers all drinks. Food is available all over the ship, virtually at all times, and you can typically get the dinner from the dining room in the main area, I believe. Captain's Dinner will require a "nicer" outfit and usually has a better/more "expensive" free meal available.

Do you know where you are going? I can definitely help recommend some activities. Freeport was pretty bland and all the excursions filled up quickly so we ended up sleeping the entire day. C': We did do snorkeling/S.N.U.B.A. while in Nassau and tbh I loved every second of it. (We even ran into a celebrity getting ready to do production for Shark Week!)

If you want to "explore" the island via excursions you have to pay anywhere from 30$ to 500$ for an activity and that's where a ton of the cruise cost comes from when you're actually traveling because you can do an excursion a day. They also leave SO early in the morning and it's just overall a hassle, but the right excursion is definitely worth it. We have paid for a local to take us around the island for like 10$ each, but with all the Americans/foreigners dying while on vacations we decided we didn't want to take that risk. But it was fun when we did it 5+ years ago.

One item I definitely recommend bringing is your own lanyard to put your ID on. It comes in handy WAY too often bc you need it to virtually buy items/get on and off the ship/get into your room/get drinks/etc. The cruise ID is a whole other way of life and digging into pockets/purses just isn't convenient all the time. They have them on the ship but they are as overpriced as can be.

That's all I can think of for now, I'm so glad you get to take this opportunity.

Im an avid cruise...I typically go on 2 -3 a year (super easy living in FL!).

I've been on a ton of Carnival / NCL ships.

A few tips: (1) If you are one of those people who get sea sick and the pressure band doesn't work...make sure you do Bonine and not dramamine. The dramamine is drowsy and you'll just want to sleep. (2) The cruise ships are BUSY (but amazing!). Depending on the size of your party, you may need to get up pretty early if you all want chairs together by the pool deck. (3) Download the App. Many ships will let you manager your onboard account once you connect to the specific ships wifi. Pro Tip - you can probably jump on the wifi once your in the boarding waiting area and use your new card folio # to access your on board account. For NCL i'm always able to book tickets for shows (Free typically) and any specialty restaurants (Extra charge typicall) before I even get on. The shows and specialty restaurants fill up pretty quick - they let you book some online but only reserve about 25% of slots. 4.) Super Important!! You can check your bag or do self carry on. If you carry your bag - it may not be there until later in the evening or worst case - the next day for one or two unlucky guests. I always bring a light book bag with sunscreen and my bathing suit so I'm able to take advantage of everything. Boarding day is Day of your cruise so maximize your time! If you do self carry on - I wouldn't do it with a large luggage. Your stuck lugging it around until they announce the rooms are ready (Unless you did Faster to The Fun I mentioned above).

I went on a tangent - but i've done the bahamas and many of NCL/Carnivals ships. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)

My next cruise is in December and I am so ready!