A Popular Caribbean Island Introduced a Temporary Alcohol Ban and Tourists Are Furious

If you were planning a cruise stop in the Bahamas this week, you might have been in for an unexpected surprise. The Bahamian government enforced a temporary ban on alcohol sales tied to the country’s national elections, leaving many visitors completely caught off guard.

The restriction was in effect on May 12, covering the hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. while polling stations were open across the archipelago. Under the official government notice, anyone found selling, displaying, or offering alcoholic beverages during those hours was considered to be operating without a valid license under the country’s Business License Act.

What made this especially frustrating for tourists was how late the news came. Many cruise passengers only found out about the ban just days before their departure, giving them little to no time to adjust their travel plans. Social media quickly filled up with complaints from people who felt blindsided by the whole situation.

Royal Caribbean confirmed to People magazine that the ban extended even to their private island destination CocoCay, where two of their ships, Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, were scheduled to dock that day. In a letter sent to guests, the cruise line explained that the Bahamian Ministry of National Security had issued a public notice prohibiting alcohol distribution throughout the islands during the election, and that the company had looked into whether any exceptions could be made but found none were available.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson made the company’s position clear, stating that they respect and comply with all local laws and regulations in every destination they visit. It was a by-the-book response, but that did little to cool down angry passengers who had been planning their trips for months.

One traveler shared their frustration online after planning a 40th anniversary trip to the Bahamas with a group of 26 friends, expressing disbelief that they only found out two days before leaving and calling it no way to treat loyal customers who cruise multiple times a year. Another guest recounted a similar experience from a visit to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island at the end of April, saying the atmosphere was deflating and even the bartenders and servers were visibly disappointed.

There is a small silver lining for those who were affected. The ban only applied to alcohol sales on land, meaning passengers could still purchase and enjoy drinks aboard their ships throughout the day. It is a cold comfort for anyone who had specifically planned to spend the day at a beach club, but at least the party did not have to stop entirely.

It is also worth noting that the Bahamas is not alone in having this kind of policy. Similar election-day alcohol restrictions exist in parts of India and in Chile, so the practice is far from unusual on a global scale. That context may not have made it any less annoying for vacationers who found out too late to make other arrangements.

If you have ever had a travel plan disrupted by a local law or restriction you did not know about, share your experience in the comments.