Last year, Royal Caribbean canceled excursions to the popular Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau following a deadly boating incident. Having resumed operations, I booked a tour to Blue Lagoon Island on a recent sailing aboard Allure of the Seas to see how things had changed and whether safety measures had been improved.
On November 14, 2023, a water taxi filled with cruise passengers en route to Blue Lagoon Island encountered rough seas. Due to the intake of water, the shuttle boat capsized and killed one guest. Thankfully, the shuttle was in shallow waters and didn't completely submerge.
As a result of the fatal incident, Royal Caribbean canceled excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, and the island closed to undergo various inspections and reviews of its fleet of vessels, excursion policies, staff training protocols, and other safety operations.
The Bahamas Port Authority approved reopening the island in January 2024. However, Royal Caribbean's suspension lasted through March 2024 while the company performed its own investigation.
Read more: Royal Caribbean cancels excursions to Blue Lagoon Island following deadly incident
Since I booked my 4-night Bahamas cruise at the last minute, the excursion to Blue Lagoon Island was pricey at $114.40 per person. However, if you purchase the tour in advance through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner, you can snag a much better deal at around $71 per person.
Our meeting time was 10:30am, so we weren't in a rush to get off the ship. Instead, my dad and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room before making our way to the assigned location.
This was my first time purchasing a beach excursion in Nassau. I usually avoid them due to their high costs. After my time at Blue Lagoon Island, I'm even more excited for Royal Caribbean to open the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. Even if the price point is similar, the all-inclusive amenities at the Royal Beach Club will make it well worth the cost compared to places like Blue Lagoon Island.
Read more: I paid $830 for a cheap last-minute cruise on Allure of the Seas
Hectic check-in
As we made our way to the Zone 1 meeting spot, we were met by hordes of other passengers waiting to check in for the excursion to Blue Lagoon Island. At first, it was hard to figure out where we were supposed to go, as there seemed to be a lot of confusion.
Two groups were meeting at the same time—one for the Deluxe Beach Break and the other for the Dolphin Encounter. Once Royal Caribbean crew members stepped in and created two distinct lines, we finally checked in with one of the Blue Lagoon Island employees and got our wristbands and meal vouchers.
Around 10:50am, we started heading towards the tender boats. Knowing what happened one year before, I was a little anxious. However, the staff members were attentive and gave clear instructions.
Safety briefing
The 30-minute ferry ride to Blue Lagoon Island departed at 11:05am.
Shortly after leaving, the crew conducted a safety briefing, informing guests where the life jackets were and demonstrating how to use them. They also asked if anyone would like to wear one during the ride.
It was smooth sailing on the way there, though my dad laughed at their song choices. He didn't think "Sweet Home Alabama" fit the vibe of a boat ride to an island in the Bahamas!
Beautiful beach but not enough umbrellas
By the time we got there, most of the chairs and umbrellas close to the arrival area were taken by earlier groups. While the beach isn't massive, fewer umbrellas are available as you trek further down the shoreline, so we had to walk a bit to find a spot with some shade—a necessity for someone who burns as easily as I do.
My dad and I initially settled on two seats that weren't directly in the sun. However, he decided that wasn't good enough and began hunting for a stray umbrella, as a few were lying on the ground. Another cruiser helped him find one and carried it back to our seats.
We were grateful for the help, and once the umbrella was set up, the shade made all the difference. Since there was just one departure time back to Nassau, we were worried that without an umbrella, we would end up baking in the sun and overheating.
The spot was comfortable enough for my dad to take a quick nap while I ventured into the chilly waters. However, we both agreed that if we were to return with a later arrival time, we'd likely spend the extra money on a clamshell, rather than waste time trying to find a shaded spot.
The setup of the beach area reminded me more of Carnival's Half Moon Cay than Perfect Day at CocoCay, where umbrellas are plentiful. Half Moon Cay, however, charges guests $35 per umbrella, so they're scarcely seen on the beach.
Read more: Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay vs Carnival's Half Moon Cay
Having finally gotten situated around noon, it was time for lunch before we knew it
Lunch worked differently than at the cruise line private islands I've visited. To help control crowds, the ships were assigned different dining times. Allure of the Seas, along with Carnival Dream and MSC Meraviglia, were scheduled to eat from 12:00pm-1:30pm, while some ships, like Carnival Conquest, dined as early as 10:00am.
As we were waiting in line, an employee collected our meal ticket, which was included in the excursion's cost. The cafeteria-style options at the Shifting Tides Restaurant featured a selection of cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, Bahamian peas and rice, and corn on the cob. There was also a toppings and condiments station, along with garden salad and green beans.
The restaurant also had à la carte options for those who booked a tour that didn't include lunch—think chips & queso ($12.60), crispy chicken wraps ($19.80), fish & chips ($21.60), and Caesar salads ($14.40). However, since our $230+ excursion included lunch, we opted for the cafeteria-style offerings.
The cheeseburger was surprisingly tasty. It's exactly what you'd expect at a beachside grill. The BBQ chicken was another solid option. The chicken was juicy and coated with a tangy yet sweet barbeque sauce. That said, I wasn't a fan of the overly cooked corn on the cob—it was too mushy for my liking.
When we checked in for the excursion, we were given a drink ticket that we were excited to redeem for a tropical beverage during lunch. Unfortunately, we learned it was only valid for watered-down iced tea, fruit punch, or lemonade in the dining pavilion.
Other non-alcoholic drinks, including water, were an extra cost. For example, a bottle of Dasani water was priced at $5.50, while sodas were $3.60 each.
Other activities
My dad and I finished lunch around 12:45pm. With about two more hours on the island, we returned to our shaded oasis for a little bit before deciding to explore the other amenities.
The turquoise water was so inviting that I couldn't resist dipping my toes in for a while. However, the sand was rough and gritty, so I'd recommend bringing a good pair of flip-flops or water shoes! Also, don't forget a towel from your cruise ship and plenty of sunscreen.
Once we were finished with the beach, we wandered into the souvenir stores and tried a local hot sauce. Then, we ventured to the animal exhibits, watching people swim with dolphins and interact with sea lions.
If spending all day lounging in a beach chair isn't your thing, you can pay for a water activity upon arrival, including a snorkeling kit ($20), kayak and paddle board ($20 for 30 minutes), or the floating aqua park ($20 for all day access).
Want to do it all? Consider the Junkanoo Pass, which includes all the water sports activities for $30 or $45 depending on which excursion you booked. Adults can also upgrade to the adults-only beach for $65 per person.
Other activities at Blue Lagoon Island include hair braiding, henna art, and a beach volleyball court. There's also complimentary Wi-Fi.
The speed was what you'd expect with hundreds of people on a small island. It would randomly cut out at times, such as when I was trying to check in for my flight home.
It served its purpose; however, I wouldn't necessarily rely on it for anything. The further down the shoreline you go, the more spotty it gets. It was nice to have included Wi-Fi while ashore, though.
Return shuttle
Allure of the Seas' return taxi was scheduled to begin boarding at 3:00pm with plans to depart the island at 3:15pm. However, we noticed guests lining up around 2:40pm. The staff let us begin boarding early, and we were on our way back to the cruise ship piers at 3:00pm on the dot.
Thankfully, the ride back was smooth and uneventful. Like on the way to Blue Lagoon Island, the crew conducted another safety briefing to ensure guests knew where the lifejackets were located and where to disembark in the event of an emergency.
While the calm turquoise waters were beautiful, I wouldn't spend over $100 on another excursion to Blue Lagoon Island
Despite the reassuring safety measures, the high cost of the excursion was hard to justify. In the end, I felt a little ripped off; however, that's partly because I booked the tour at the last minute without any discounts—$70 feels much more reasonable for what the Deluxe Beach Break offers!
In the end, I wish my dad and I had considered an all-inclusive beach day. The Warwick Paradise Island, for example, offers inclusive day passes for $125 each. Similarly, Breezes Resort has a pass for just $100 per person.
While guests are responsible for their own transportation, the price includes access to all food and drinks, which feels like a much better value for the money.
