Tourist Taxes That Could Secretly Inflate Your Next Cruise Bill

2. The Bahamas – VAT & Head Tax (~$18–$20/person)

The Bahamas isn’t just sun, sand, and surf—it’s also quietly taxing your cruise stop. Expect a head tax of around $18 to $20 per person for each Bahamian port your ship visits, including popular stops like Nassau or private islands like CocoCay. In addition, the country levies a 10% VAT on goods and services purchased while your ship is docked. That drink you grabbed onboard in port waters? Taxed. That souvenir from a straw market? Also taxed. It all adds up, especially on multi-island itineraries where each docking brings a fresh round of fees.