Cruisers hoping to enjoy some alcoholic beverages while visiting destinations throughout the Bahamas on March 12, 2026, are in for a rude awakening.
March 12 is the date of the Bahamas’ general election, and in the Bahamas, alcohol sales are forbidden on election days to maintain public order and ensure the voting process is taken seriously.
Unfortunately, this means that alcoholic beverages cannot be sold to cruise guests, even though they are not participating in the election. Alcohol also cannot be sold at private destinations that are owned and operated by the cruise lines.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line owns Great Stirrup Cay, which is located in the Berry Islands chain of the Bahamas.
The 2,344-guest Norwegian Getaway was supposed to call at NCL’s private island on May 12, but Cruise Hive learned the visit has been pushed back one day to May 13.
While the cruise line did not confirm that the alcohol ban was the reason behind the change, cruise guests suspect the election rule is to blame.
“My guess is because it’s the Election Day in the Bahamas on 5/12 and there are no alcohol sales allowed. A lot of people have complained on other lines that they didn’t change the itineraries and it impacted excursions and things bc of the no alcohol rule,” one impacted passenger said on Facebook.
No other change has been made to the 4-night Bahamas sailing, which departs from Miami, Florida, on May 11, 2026.
Carnival Cruise Line
Like Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line is opting to revise Carnival Vista’s upcoming itinerary rather than visit RelaxAway Half Moon Cay without alcohol sales.
The 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing, which embarks in Port Canaveral on May 10, will visit Grand Turk in the Caribbean as an alcohol-friendly replacement.
“Due to Election Day in the Bahamas, we are losing our stop at Half Moon Cay and it is being replaced on our itinerary with Grand Turk,” one of the up to 3,934 guests booked on this sailing posted on social media.
Carnival’s newest private destination, Celebration Key, is also located in the Bahamas and would be impacted by the ban. Specifically, the 65-hectare cruise destination is located on the south side of Grand Bahama Island.
As of the time of this publication, Carnival Glory and Carnival Freedom are still supposed to visit the exclusive resort on May 12, just sans alcohol.
Disney Cruise Line
While Disney Cruise Line has not publicly commented on the alcohol ban, the most magical cruise line at sea has two cruise ships docking at its private destinations on May 12.
The original Castaway Cay is its own private island in the Bahamas, positioned about 160 miles east of Miami, while the newer Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is located on the southern tip of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
There are multiple bars on both private islands that sell alcohol to adults over 21, and like the other cruise lines, alcohol is a big source of revenue.
But as a more family-friendly brand, Disney may be less inclined to alter the existing itineraries. Cruise Hive will, of course, be monitoring for updates.
Assuming nothing changes, Disney Wish will be visiting Castaway Cay as part of a 4-night Bahamas sailing, while Disney Fantasy is supposed to call at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point as part of a 5-night Bahamas voyage.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island on Nassau already experienced an alcohol-free day on Tuesday, April 30, for election-related activity. The same thing will happen again on May 12.
The cruise line refunded guests for the Royal Beach Club experience on April 30 in the form of a 100% onboard credit since they allegedly failed to provide notice of the temporary alcohol ban in advance.
It would not be surprising if the same thing were done for the May 12 visit, when Utopia of the Seas will visit as part of a 4-night Bahamas sailing that embarks in Port Canaveral on May 11.
Additionally, Perfect Day at CocoCay is located in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas and would be similarly affected. This is where Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas will be on election day.
Nassau, Bahamas
As the capital of the Bahamas and one of the busiest cruise ports in the region, we would be remiss to not mention the ships that will be in Nassau on May 12.
In addition to Utopia of the Seas, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside and Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess will also be present.
But no matter where in the Bahamas cruisers dock on election day, they will simply have to enjoy their time on shore sober. There will be no shortage of alcoholic refreshments and nightcaps once they make it back onboard.
