Miami touts the most weekend sailing options, each on offer year-round. Norwegian Cruise Line runs three-night itineraries to the Bahamas aboard the 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky. The ship embarks at 5 p. m. on Fridays, docks in Nassau on Saturdays, and then visits the line's private isle Great Stirrup Cay on Sundays, before returning to Miami at 7 a. m. on Monday mornings. (Enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay include a soon-to-debut lagoon enclave, featuring 22 private villas and a Mandara Spa.) The Norwegian Sky —with its 11 bars, two swimming pools, and ten dining venues—is the sole Norwegian ship to offer all-inclusive beverage pricing, a concept that debuted in early 2016, which extends to complimentary and unlimited beer, wine, and premium spirits.
Look to Carnival. meanwhile, for weekend Bahamas sailings that embark from Miami aboard the 2,758-passenger Carnival Victory, featuring "Fun Ship" amenities like a 214-foot-long waterslide, Seuss at Sea kids' programming, more than a dozen bars, a comedy club, and more. The cruises pull out of port at 4 p. m. on Fridays, with an overnight stay in Nassau (arriving 10 a. m. Saturday, leaving 7 a. m. on Sunday), before returning to Miami at 8 a. m. on Monday morning.
Royal Caribbean also runs three-night cruises to the Bahamas from Miami, aboard the 2,252-guest Enchantment of the Seas. look for the line's signature active ship diversions like a rock-climbing wall, bungee trampolines, and a trio of pools. Embarking Fridays at 4 p. m. and returning back to port by 7 a. m. Monday morning, the ship calls on the line's private isle, CocoCay, for a full day on Saturday, and on Nassau for another full day's visit on Sunday.