A cruise to the Bahamas is a tempting vacation treat—so close by, and yet so sunny, warm, and different from the mainland United States. The allure of white sand as soft as powdered sugar and the appeal of pale-blue waters is undeniable. Once there, you can snorkel, dive, and admire the fish-filled reefs that are common in this region. Lucky for U.S. residents, these semi-tropical destinations are fairly easy to reach from Miami, Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), and even New York City, all popular embarkation points for Bahamas cruises. However, if you leave from Manhattan’s West Side cruise ship terminal, you might end up adding several days of boat time onto your adventure.