The Bahamas is set to temporarily suspend alcohol sales on Tuesday, May 12, as the country holds a general election. Multiple outlets report that the order affects not only public ports where cruise ships may stop, but also private islands that fall under Bahamian jurisdiction and are operated by major cruise lines. As a result, cruise passengers are unable to buy alcoholic drinks during scheduled island visits on election day, prompting complaints and frustration from travelers.
The reports describe the measure as a government-directed restriction tied to election operations. Cruise itineraries that include Bahamian stops the day of the vote will therefore experience changes to onboard or onshore purchasing options for alcohol at that destination. Some coverage also highlights that well-known cruise line private destinations, including Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, are affected because they operate within the same legal framework during the ban window.
While the outlets differ in tone and emphasis, they all describe the same core policy: a day-of-election halt to alcohol sales in the Bahamas on May 12 that impacts cruise-related stops and private islands.
