Bahamas Cruise
 Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon
not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahama and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated
islets and cays (pronounced "keys"). Cosmopolitan Nassau, once ruled by pirates, seems a world away from the desert-like wildlife sanctuary
of Inagua. On many of the islands, tiny villages seem lifted from the Massachusetts coast and set down amongst palms and pines and iridescent
sands. These beautiful islands lie only 50 miles off the Florida coast - far closer than any destination in the Caribbean.
 Easy access to The Bahamas is one reason for its long-standing popularity as a winter
holiday destination. Only a few miles from the south Florida coast, in fact closer than Caribbean destinations, the islands can be reached
quickly either by air or by sea.
There isn't much that you can do on or in the water that you can't
do in The Bahamas--these islands offer a smorgasbord for the land-weary.
Once ashore, explore the natural beauty of these islands by plane
or by bicycle. Or enjoy a round of golf, a set of tennis, or a visit
to any of the island's shopping arcades or casinos. And of course,
if you prefer, there is always the old standby--relaxing on a beach,
with a good book, a refreshing tropical drink and a close friend.
Documented Bahamian history begins with the words, "Baja Mar,"
the name the Spanish bestowed on the islands. This term is misleading,
however; it means "shallow sea," but the islands are really mountain
plateaus that emerged from the Atlantic hundreds of thousands of
years ago. As they grew, they hosted countless generations of coral,
which today comprise the islands' limestone base.
Great Britain granted the islands self-government in 1964 and changed
their status from colony to Commonwealth in 1969. In 1973, the Commonwealth
of The Bahamas became independent within the Commonwealth of Nations,
but retained Queen Elizabeth II as constitutional head of state.
Popular Ports of Call:
The Islands of the Bahamas:
- The Abacos
- Acklins
- Crooked Island
- Andros
- Berry Islands
- Bimini Cat Island
- Eleuthera
- Exuma
- Grand Bahama
- Inagua
- Long Island Mayaguana
- Nassau
- Paradise Island
- San Salvador
Are our deepest senses around by the gentle sifting of sand between our toes? (Or by a mango daiquiri?) Is there something in the song of
a steel drum that sweetens the rhythm of our own hearts? (Or do we just want to know what it's like to come face-to-face with a parrotfish?)
We still don't know. In the Bahamas, the air and land are filled with hundreds of unique species of birds,
animals and plant life. Shipwrecks lay patiently, waiting for you to plumb their depths. European influences greet you in the homes, language
and culture of the people. And exotic native dishes, handed down through the centuries, enticing townspeople and travelers alike. Some things
have changes over the last five hundred years. But standing on the deck of your ship, approaching this place, you'll have no idea what they
are.
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