I just returned from a windy weekend aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Reflection on a quick three-night cruise to the Bahamas.
We ported out of Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning and were originally scheduled to spend our Perfect Day at CoCoCay on Saturday. Unfortunately, because of wind, the captain was unable to dock at CoCoCay, and we spent all day Saturday at sea instead. Although the ship is fabulous, with plenty of activities and a variety of excellent eating options, by the time Sunday rolled around, I was more than ready to explore Nassau, Bahamas.
After doing some research online, I found a couple of walking itineraries that seemed interesting and doable for a few hours on land. Thankfully, each had perfect instructions (down to “turn right” and “turn left”), allowing for a full day of sightseeing.
It started with a walk toward The Queen’s Staircase — a must-see when visiting Nassau. These stairs were chiseled out of pure limestone in 1793 and lead directly to Fort Fincastle, protecting Nassau Harbor. Carving such a masterpiece today would be unthinkable (especially knowing slave labor made it possible all those years ago). I could’ve taken a million photos and lingered longer in this area. The canopy was gorgeous and surprisingly peaceful. Despite being a history lover, I believe it was my first time walking this length of a staircase from more than 200 years ago (and a good reminder to book that trip to the Mayan ruins, Spanish Steps, etc.).
A quick tour of Fort Fincastle showcased cannons and an incredible view — I even found my initials chiseled in the stone (another first for me!).
After Fort Fincastle I made my way over to Graycliff Hotel. Originally built in 1740, Graycliff still boasts 18 boutique rooms and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I walked through Graycliff Chocolatier (and it was heavenly). But with some time to kill, I roamed over to Graycliff Cigar Company, watched workers hand-roll premium cigars and even enjoyed a mild Graycliff G2 as recommended by the aficionado on site.
By this time, I was looking for food and refreshment, and I found both at John Watling’s Distillery. Founded in 1789, the estate now features a short tour, tavern and tasting room. A jerk chicken quesadilla and some conch fritters served as the perfect lunch alongside the best piña colada I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting — a perfect lunch spot for those visiting. 
Finally, I made my way from the distillery down to Junkanoo Beach for a swift walk-through and some photos. The beach was super-crowded with five major cruise lines in port that day. Besides, my bathing suit was still on the boat.
Overall, I logged 4.8 miles on the day — and numerous experiences to remember! If you find yourself on a cruise stop in the area, I highly suggest you do your own research to see what might be appealing to you. You never know what you might discover while walking in Nassau!
— Carrie Cox, account executive
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