Bahamas bans alcohol sales on election day affecting cruise passengers
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A temporary alcohol ban will be implemented at a Caribbean destination next week, leaving cruise ship passengers high and dry on shore.
The Bahamas will suspend alcohol sales due to the elections to be held in the country on Tuesday, May 12.
A government notice obtained by Fox News Digital says the ban will be in place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day
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The polls will remain open during this period, while the Parliamentary Commissioner has suspended the sale of “intoxicating liquor”.
“Any person who sells, displays or offers for sale intoxicating liquor during these hours will be deemed to have done so despite not being licensed under the provisions of the Business License Act,” the notice warns.
Cruise passengers visiting the Bahamas next week may experience limited alcohol sales due to national elections.
The restriction covers all Bahamian islands, including private islands operated by cruise companies.
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Cruise giant Royal Caribbean confirmed to People magazine that the ban applies to its private island, CocoCay.
The Bahamian government will stop alcohol sales while polls are open on election day in the country. (iStock)
During this time, two Royal Caribbean ships, Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, will visit CocoCay.
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A Royal Caribbean official said alcohol sales will continue on ships while the ban continues on shore. However, guests of cruise ships visiting Bahamian ports on May 12 cannot purchase alcohol on land.
“Royal Caribbean, as with every destination we visit, respects and complies with all local laws and regulations,” a company spokesperson said.
“That’s no way to treat customers who cruise four times a year.”
One angry customer expressed her anger at
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“For our 40th anniversary, we planned a trip with a stop in the Bahamas,” the woman wrote. “We are going with 26 of our friends. We are planning activities in CocoCay and Nassau.”
User
Alcohol will continue to be available on cruise ships while the Bahamas imposes a temporary ban on land. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group)
The woman added that if she had known about the ban earlier, “she would have chosen a different route to celebrate with our friends.”
“This happened to us on April 30th and really ruined the life of our day visit to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island,” described one traveler in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips & Updates 2026 group on Facebook.
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“The bartenders and waiters were also standing around looking miserable and it was hurting everywhere,” the traveler added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Royal Caribbean for further comment.
