Andy and I ended the year by going on a quick and easy getaway with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. After wrapping up my busy season for work, it was the perfect opportunity to relax for a couple of days and catch my breath.
Our 2-night complimentary cruise was aboard the lovely Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Grand Classica.
2-Night Cruise from Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island
What Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line offers guests is truly unique. With two ships in the fleet, Grand Celebration and Grand Classica, Bahamas Paradise cruises set sail every day of the week from Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island.
This short, affordable cruise is a great opportunity for first time cruisers to get their sea legs, and ideal for busy people who don’t have a lot of vacation time available. Sometimes you just need to get away for a couple of days, and this is a terrific way to do it. Planning a Florida vacation? A 2-night cruise with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line can easily be worked in with your theme park visit or beach visit. So many possibilities for fun!
Easy Check-In
We had such a good experience on this cruise, beginning with our departure. This was my first time cruising from the Port of Palm Beach and I can say with confidence that it won’t be my last. Parking at some cruise ports can be a nightmare and very expensive. Bahamas Paradise offers valet parking for $19 per night. The very friendly valet staff got to us right away, and the rest of our check-in process was a breeze. The lines moved quickly, and it really set the tone for what was to be a terrific cruise.
Our Stateroom
We stayed in a Grand Terrace Suites, one of 10 on the ship. These suites are limited, so if you want one I recommend booking early. Otherwise, there are plenty of ocean view and interior staterooms that are also quite nice. I have to say that as far as cruise ship suites go, I was very impressed by the size of this one. Also, I really like that there is division between the bedroom and living space, allowing for privacy.
I shot a short video of our Grand Terrace Suite, with our first impressions:
The Grand Classica
Grand Classica was built in 1991 and has recently undergone refurbishment. We were very impressed by the condition of the ship, as a whole. Everything was clean and in good condition. Grand Classica has 10 decks that are publicly accessible by passengers and crew. There are 658 total staterooms, with 430 of those having an ocean view. The passenger capacity is 1,680 guests across 4 room categories. While I’ve been on much larger ships than Grand Classica, this ship didn’t feel small to me or crowded in the least.
There are a lot of comfy places on this ship to kick back and relax or gather with friends and shipmates.
You can even sit and play a tune outside of Legends Theater.
Something’s missing from this picture… Can you tell what it is?
Onboard Experience
There are more than enough activities to keep you busy for two days. You can book a massage at the spa, lounge by one of the two pools or jacuzzis or participate in a poolside game. There is live entertainment available and a variety of lounges, bars, and dance clubs where you can dance the night away.
Try your hand in the casino if you dare. I have to say that I absolutely LOVE that the casino on Grand Classica is smoke free. I usually shy away from casinos because of the smoke, so this was a real treat.
I didn’t have my daughter with me on this cruise, but Bahamas Paradise does offer complimentary kids programs. We will be taking advantage of those in the very near future.
Food & Drink
In my opinion, the food on cruise ships including the buffet, is generally high quality. Bahamas Paradise was no exception. There is plenty of variety. We ate very well on our cruise. Very. Very. Well.
I can’t think of anything I tried, that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. There are also some specialty dining options available for an additional charge, such as Admiral’s Steak & Seafood and The Rock Grill – both of which we enjoyed very much. Andy and I had the pleasure of dining with Grand Classica’s Captain at The Rock Grill on our second night. He was a gracious host who went out of his way to make all of the guests feel special.
Did I mention that the desserts were divine?
Oh-so decadent and delicious!
Alcohol is not included with meals, but drink tickets can be purchased in advance or at any time once on board. In my opinion, the drink ticket package is quite reasonably priced.
Excursions on Grand Bahama Island
We had a variety of excursions to choose from on Grand Bahama Island, everything from swimming with dolphins to parasailing and kayak adventures. You can even swim with the pigs! This particular cruise was all about relaxation for us, so we did an all-inclusive beach excursion at Viva Wyndham Resort and it was definitely the right choice for us.
The resort, pool and beach were lovely. Our bar tender made a killer Bahama Mama and the buffet lunch was pretty good.
I “might” have had a few too many Bahama Mamas and needed to take a cab back to the ship early, to take a nap.
Cruise & Stay Option
Want more than a day on Grand Bahama Island? You can cruise and stay and make your getaway two vacations in one! Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is the only cruise line that lets you combine a luxurious beach resort stay with your cruise. Sail to Grand Bahama Island, and once you arrive you stay there in one of four beach resorts for an additional 2 or 4 nights. When you’re ready to return, hop on board and sail back to the Port of Palm Beach.
Final Thoughts
I can’t think of a better way we could have spent the end of 2018. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line provided just the right amount of fun, relaxation and romantic getaway we were looking for. I’ve been raving about the experience to friends and family since we got home, and honesty can’t say enough good things about this cruise line. We’re planning on booking a family cruise with my daughter and my parents, and are leaning towards a Cruise & Stay getaway for next time. I’ll be sure to share my thoughts with you after the next cruise!
I’ve been checking the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line website regularly for deals since we got home, and have seen some terrific specials being offered. If you’ve been thinking about booking a cruise, I encourage you to check them out!
You might also enjoy reading about Tips for Attending Fire Stone Grand Prix of St. Pete with Kids, 2 Days in Lucerne, Switzerland or That Time I Stayed in a Haunted Charleston Hotel.
Bahamian customs are easier and quicker then the US,
This is a nice cruise. I know people who use their own boat to go from Palm/West Palm to the Bahamas, but that water can be rough, although in a power boat you can speed over not too bad. A cruise would be doing it in style, and a nice short getaway!
That makes such a great short get-away. Too bad it’s so far from Colorado.