The Bahamas bans the sale of alcohol on election day affecting cruise passengers
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A temporary alcohol ban will be introduced in the Caribbean next week – leaving boaters high and dry on shore.
The Bahamas will suspend the sale of alcohol as the country holds elections on Tuesday, May 12.
A government notice obtained by Fox News Digital says the ban will take place that day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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The Parliamentary Commissioner stops the sale of “alcohol” while voting is still open.
“Any person selling or exposing or selling any intoxicating liquor during such times shall be deemed to be doing so without a license under the provisions of the Business Licensing Act,” the notice warned.
Cruisers visiting the Bahamas next week may experience restricted alcohol sales due to the general election.
The limit includes 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 is in effect on its private island, CocoCay.
The Bahamian government will suspend the sale of alcohol as voting opens on the country’s election day. (Stock)
Two Royal Caribbean ships, Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, will visit CocoCay during that time.
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Alcohol will continue to be sold on ships while it is banned ashore, a Royal Caribbean official said. But guests on cruise ships visiting Bahamian ports on May 12 cannot purchase alcohol ashore.
“Royal Caribbean respects and complies with all local laws and regulations, as we do in all destinations we visit,” a company spokesperson said.
“That’s no way to handle customers who cruise four times a year.”
One angry customer went public with X, writing that she was going to the Bahamas on a special trip with her husband and felt she learned about the restrictions too late.
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“We have planned a trip with a stop in the Bahamas for our 40th anniversary,” the woman wrote. “We are traveling with 26 of our friends. Activities planned in CocoCay and Nassau.”
User X continued, “The general election banned all alcohol for the two days we’re there. And we only get two days before we leave? That’s no way to treat customers who cruise four times a year.”
Alcohol will remain available on cruise ships while the Bahamas enforces a temporary maritime ban. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group)
The woman added that she “would have chosen a different trip to celebrate with our friends” if she had known about the ban earlier.
A traveler on the Facebook group Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips & Updates 2026 recounted, “This just happened to us on April 30, and it ruined our day of visiting Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.”
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“The waiters and waitresses were standing in hiding, and it was painful all around,” added the traveler.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Royal Caribbean for further comment.
