The Bahamas is a collection of islands in the Atlantic, and home to the famous Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. If you take a cruise from Miami, chances are good you'll end up spending some time here.

The Bahamas is a great option for travellers short on time; three- and four-night sailings are offered by multiple cruise lines for anyone looking for a quick getaway.

Another neat feature of The Bahamas are the private islands scattered throughout; many cruise lines own and operate these slices of paradise as additional stops on a Bahamas cruise.

Visitors to The Bahamas can spend a day getting in the water, taking a tour by ATV or doing a little duty-free shopping.

Interacting with the abundant marine life is a popular activity for families in The Bahamas; the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter in Nassau is one of the few dolphin experiences certified by the Humane Society for animal welfare standards. For a more offbeat animal encounter, look into a swimming-with-pigs (yes, resident pigs) excursion, mainly accessible from private islands Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line) and CocoCay (Royal Caribbean International).

Speaking of private islands, popular activites on them range from reserving a private cabana (complete with drink and food delivery services) and relaxing near (or swimming) in a lagoon to zip-lining, snorkelling, riding a personal water craft (Jets Skis) and more.

Pirates left their mark on The Bahamas, and guided tours and museums go into the history of the golden age of piracy, including notable local legends like Blackbeard and Calico Jack.

For as much as there is to do, many guests may opt to simply spend the day at a resort or on the beach.

June through November is hurricane season, which means the best time to visit the Bahamas is actually in the winter, though weather is warm year-round. Travel during hurricane season is totally possible albeit potentially rockier, but stay flexible and consider insurance in case stormy conditions arise and affect itineraries.

Nassau and Freeport are the two main cruise ports in The Bahamas. Nassau is the capital, located on New Providence Island, while Freeport is on Grand Bahama Island.

A number of cruise lines own private islands in the Bahamas, including Disney Cruise Line (Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point), MSC Cruises (Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve), Royal Caribbean International (Perfect Day at CocoCay), Holland America Line (Half Moon Cay), Princess Cruises (Princess Cays) and Norwegian Cruise Line (Great Stirrup Cay). Here, guests can rent cabanas, careen down waterslides or drink rum punch by the pitcher with nothing more than their cruise card.

Due to Florida's close proximity to The Bahamas (just 50 miles off the coast), Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral near Orlando are common departure points for a Bahamas cruise -- sometimes Jacksonville.

Baltimore, New York and Norfolk are examples of other East Coast ports that also offer the occasional Bahamas sailing.

Here are our best tips for finding a inexpensive cruise or cruise deal to Bahamas. If you book a “guaranteed cabin” (they choose for you), a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to Bahamas. Last-minute cruise specials to Bahamas appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually four weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to Bahamas in the shoulder season (before or after the peak season), or during hurricane season, can also be a great way to find a good cruise deal.