Norwegian Gem - Bahamas from Miami

Where this cruise calls, day by day

4 ports and 1 sea day over 4 Nights.

1. Day 1

   Miami, FL

   United StatesDepart

   PortMiami is the busiest cruise port on earth and behaves like it: a lettered row of terminals strung along Dodge Island - A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, C for MSC, D through F for the Carnival brands, V for Virgin. Traffic funnels in over the Port Boulevard causeway or through the tunnel under Government Cut, and on a Saturday with six ships turning around, both back up.

   • Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district in South Beach, 20 minutes across the causeway
   • Wynwood Walls and the warehouse murals around it
   • Calle Ocho in Little Havana - a cortadito and the domino tables at Maximo Gomez Park
   • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a 1916 bayfront villa in Coconut Grove

   Getting ashore

   Terminals A-G and V sit on Dodge Island, reached by the Port Boulevard causeway or the PortMiami Tunnel; Miami International is about 8 miles west, usually 20-30 minutes but longer on a heavy turnaround morning.

   Best months

   Nov-Apr (Aug-Oct is peak hurricane season and August ashore is punishing)

2. Day 2

   Great Stirrup Cay

   BahamasPort

   Norwegian's Berry Islands beach is the oldest of the private-island calls - the line has used it since 1977. It was a tender operation for decades, which made short calls miserable, until a two-ship pier opened at the end of 2025 and ships began tying up. Bertram's Cove is the main swimming beach. The buffet lunch is included; cabanas, the Silver Cove villas, watersports rentals and the spa are not.

   • Bertram's Cove, the main beach
   • The included beach barbecue buffet
   • Snorkel gear, kayaks and floats for rent (extra cost)
   • Private cabanas and the Silver Cove lagoon villas (extra cost)

   Getting ashore

   Ships dock at the pier that opened in December 2025 - older trip reports describing a tender ride no longer apply.

   Best months

   Nov-Apr for calm seas and reliable calls; summer is hotter with afternoon storms

3. Day 3

   Nassau

   BahamasPort

   Nassau's berth is at the foot of Bay Street, so you are downtown five minutes after the gangway - a convenience that also means up to six ships emptying into the same few blocks. The terminal was rebuilt in 2023 and works well. What lies beyond is a mix of colonial government buildings, duty-free jewellers, and hair-braiding and taxi touts who do not take a first no.

   • Atlantis Aquaventure day pass on Paradise Island
   • The Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle
   • Junkanoo Beach, about ten minutes on foot
   • Blue Lagoon Island by boat

   Getting ashore

   Ships dock at Prince George Wharf and you walk straight into downtown; Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island is a 15-minute taxi or a short water-taxi hop.

   Best months

   Dec-Apr for dry, cooler weather; Aug-Oct is peak hurricane season

4. Day 4 · At sea

5. Day 5

   Miami, FL

   United StatesArrive

   PortMiami is the busiest cruise port on earth and behaves like it: a lettered row of terminals strung along Dodge Island - A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, C for MSC, D through F for the Carnival brands, V for Virgin. Traffic funnels in over the Port Boulevard causeway or through the tunnel under Government Cut, and on a Saturday with six ships turning around, both back up.

   • Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district in South Beach, 20 minutes across the causeway
   • Wynwood Walls and the warehouse murals around it
   • Calle Ocho in Little Havana - a cortadito and the domino tables at Maximo Gomez Park
   • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a 1916 bayfront villa in Coconut Grove

   Getting ashore

   Terminals A-G and V sit on Dodge Island, reached by the Port Boulevard causeway or the PortMiami Tunnel; Miami International is about 8 miles west, usually 20-30 minutes but longer on a heavy turnaround morning.

   Best months

   Nov-Apr (Aug-Oct is peak hurricane season and August ashore is punishing)