Thinking about a quick cruise getaway to The Bahamas? I recently went on a weekend trip aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas to Nassau, Bahamas, with some co-workers, and was genuinely surprised by how much adventure could be packed into just three nights.
With that in mind, one of the hardest decisions was figuring out the best things to do in Nassau, and ultimately, what to do in port day.
Do you stay onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities, or venture out to explore your destinations?
During my weekend cruise from Port Canaveral, I faced the classic cruiser’s dilemma: swimming with pigs in Nassau, waterparks at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, or underwater adventures like scuba diving.
Which, if I’m being honest, if it were down to only those options, you know it wasn’t a real dilemma for me. (iykyk 😁)
I ultimately decided on a historical walking tour in Nassau and scuba diving in Coco Cay—decisions that made my short vacation both exciting and out of the ordinary.
But now, let’s dive into this weekend adventure on one of the world’s largest cruise ships. Or as they refer to it…the World’s Biggest Weekend.
My Honest Take: Is Utopia of the Seas Worth the Hype?
Before going more in-depth about this adventure and shore excursions, I have to share my honest thoughts about the ship itself.
Yes, it’s very much true. Utopia of the Seas is MASSIVE!
For starters, it has 23 bars and lounges, 5 pools, and over 20 dining options and experiences. It also has an ongoing party atmosphere, which may not be suitable for everyone.
At times, it felt overwhelming due to its sheer size and the abundance of activities crammed into just a weekend.
I didn’t end up using the main pools because they were always mega crowded (as expected), and it took a while of walking around just to find a place to sit and lounge around the pool deck.
I also didn’t enjoy the food as much as I thought I thought I would.
Personally, I think the buffet was lacking options and ended up being the ordinary cruise fare.
I faced the same luck with the main dining room, but the Mediterranean-inspired buffet dinner at Solarium Bistro and Sorrento’s Pizza at 1 am were right on point!
But my absolute favorite part of Utopia of the Seas was Central Park. It’s an open-air area in the middle of the ship surrounded by real plants and lush greenery. Needless to say, it was my refreshing escape from the crowds.
During the day, natural light filtered through the lush gardens, creating a peaceful and casual atmosphere. At night, it transformed with twinkling lights strung between the trees.
The gentle sounds of birds made me forget I was even on a ship.
Will I go back on this ship? Probably not.
Mostly because I don’t seek all the in-your-face party atmosphere or a massive ship such as this one. I enjoy a more laid-back vibe and definitely prefer mid-size ships where you don’t need a map to navigate to dinner.
Shore Excursion in Nassau: Historical Walking Tour
Our first port was Nassau, where I opted for a historical walking tour of Nassau instead of the popular pig swimming excursion at Pig Beach.
This small group tour (just 10 people, including me) provided an intimate look at authentic Bahamian culture and history during our limited port day in the Bahamas.
Our knowledgeable local tour guide led us through downtown Nassau’s colorful streets, sharing insights about the island’s colonial past and pirate history.
Highlights included the 66 limestone steps of Queen’s Staircase (hand-carved by slaves in the late 1700s), panoramic Nassau harbor views from Fort Fincastle, and sampling fresh tamarind picked straight from a tree along our route.
Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I was just a teenager the last time I had a tamarind. Time flies!
Moving on. We toured the Parliament Square in downtown Nassau, which is adorned by many pink Colonial-influenced buildings.
After the guided Nassau history tour, my guide escorted me to the World Famous Nassau Straw Market, where local artisans sell handcrafted goods, and according to him, it’s the best place in town to shop for souvenirs.
As we walked, he enthusiastically talked about conch fritters (one of their traditional Bahamian dishes), and he recommended a local spot just a 15-minute walk from the pier.
Unfortunately, time constraints meant I couldn’t try those famous fritters (something for next time!), as our ship’s schedule didn’t align with my growing list of discoveries.
While many cruisers head straight to Atlantis or the popular beaches in Nassau, I have zero regrets about choosing this more authentic introduction to Bahamian culture and history.
For first-time visitors looking for a more authentic travel experience, I recommend stepping away from the typical Nassau tourist attractions and taking a local tour to discover the real Nassau.
Scuba Diving and Relaxation at Perfect Day at Coco Cay
The highlight of my trip was definitely the scuba diving at Perfect Day at Coco Cay. This private island paradise, exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests, is incredibly beautiful underwater.
While others were headed to Thrill Waterpark or lounged at Oasis Lagoon, their massive freshwater pool, I was gearing up for something even more exciting.
The dive was absolutely amazing! At least in my opinion. I do need to mention it’s a shore dive, which means you enter through the beach rather than jumping off a boat.
After about a 2-3 minute swim from the shore, we reached the spot where we waited for the jet ski to pick us up and drop us at the dive site.
Once underwater, the visibility was better than I expected, and the temperature of the water was comfortable throughout the 45-minute dive, with relatively shallow depth (about 40 feet at the deepest point).
The highlight was spotting 2 manta rays gracefully gliding through the water, a great variety of tropical fish, with vibrant yellows, blues, and purples.
The most striking were the Longspine Squirrelfish, which are so unique, in addition to reefs, an anchor, and even airplane propellers.
After my dive, I wanted to relax by the beach but found large crowds at beaches like Chill Island and South Beach.
So…I decided to walk for about 17 minutes to reach the most secluded beach in Coco Cay, which is called Cove Beach.
To get there, I had to walk past South Beach and then continue along a nature trail that led to this hidden gem of relaxation.
With just a few hammocks hanging from the trees and minimal facilities, this was the perfect place to be completely away from the crowds.
If you want some peace and quiet, this is definitely the best beach in Coco Cay for relaxation. I claimed one of the hammocks and took a well-deserved afternoon nap, because, why not?!
This spot felt like I had discovered my own private slice of The Bahamas. For anyone visiting Coco Cay who values tranquility over amenities, the extra walk to Cove Beach is absolutely worth it!
As I disembarked in Port Canaveral after this three-night journey, I couldn’t believe how much I’d experienced in such a short time.
From historical tours in downtown Nassau to Coco Cay scuba diving to discovering secluded beaches, this weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas packed in some great times!
If you’re considering your own adventure on this massive ship, keep reading for more about the Utopia of the Seas experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utopia of the Seas
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re better equipped to decide how to make the most of your port day in Nassau and if this mega-ship fits your cruise style.
While the ship itself may not have been my perfect match with its party atmosphere, I still had an incredible time on the ship, and the experiences I found in Nassau and Coco Cay were truly inspiring.
Until next time…go out and explore!
Have questions about Utopia of the Seas? Drop them in the comments!
Hey, adventurer! 👋 I’m Yanitza, a hidden-gem hunter and adventure seeker who’s been helping travelers discover authentic experiences off the beaten path for over 8 years. When I’m not crafting detailed travel guides or exploring historic towns, you’ll find me underwater – I’m a PADI-certified scuba diver with a passion for ocean conservation and marine life. A firm believer that the best stories happen when you venture beyond tourist hotspots, I balance my wanderlust with guilty-pleasure binges of The Vampire Diaries and dreaming up future adventures in Mallorca, Spain. Through my guides and travel tips, I hope to inspire others to explore deeper, travel slower, and discover the magic of unexpected places.