A cruise port visited by Royal Caribbean cruise ships every week has a new warning out for tourists.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 warning for The Bahamas on Monday, related to a popular activity.
The updated warning is about renting jet skis around The Bahamas, because there are "serious dangers" associated with doing so.
United States Ambassador Herschel Walker spoke in a recorded video about the issues with this activity, and why the government is now getting involved, "I need to warn you about some serious dangers associated with renting jet skis and small water craft, and swimming at beaches where jet skis and small water craft are being operated in shallow water."
Travel warnings should always be considered, especially when it pertains to safety.
Since Royal Caribbean ships visit The Bahamas on a near daily basis, here's what you should be aware of before booking shore excursions there.
A new warning about jet skis and being near jet skis
The U.S. Embassy issued a new warning to Americans about the "serious and ongoing dangers" of renting jet skis in The Bahamas.
Moreover, they want to urge caution about visiting the beaches around The Bahamas because of this danger.
First and foremost, Americans should be aware of the risks of operating or going on a jet ski ride while in The Bahamas due to the lack of enforcement of safety regulations in that country.
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau has received several reports of jet ski operators sexually assaulting U.S. citizen women, including two cases in 2026.
They outline a pattern of similar incidents in 2025 and 2024.
"Some victims reported that male jet ski operators sexually assaulted them after soliciting them for jet ski rides from the small islands just east of Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Paradise Island beaches. This includes the area from Junkanoo Beach to Saunders Beach and Cabbage Beach."
Victims say they were taken to an isolated island by jet ski and then assaulted there.
The other issue are accidents on jet skis.
In August 2025, a U.S. citizen riding a jet ski was killed after being struck by an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island. In 2024, 6 U.S. citizens were hospitalized with injuries from jet ski accidents.
In his video statement, Ambassador Walker pointed out issues specifically around Nassau and Paradise Island.
He called them "preventable accidents".
He also said the U.S. government is working with The Bahamian government to address the issues, but in the meantime, additional caution is needed.
Not the first warning about jet skis in The Bahamas
There have been similar warnings about jet skis and renting small boats in The Bahamas, but this warning is a new call to be vigilant.
In May 2025, the State Department warned of violent crime, swimming risks and firearm warnings.
The swimming risks overlap the new warning, advising Americans sexual assaults and beach safety.
"Never swim alone and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms."
Royal Caribbean ships visit Nassau almost daily
There's a good chance if your Royal Caribbean cruise sails from the east coast of the United States, it's going to visit somewhere in The Bahamas.
The new warning is primarily aimed at someone that might rent a jet ski on their own, as opposed to through the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean sells jet ski rentals through licensed and insured operators that have been vetted by the cruise line.
In fact, the warning specifically mentions certain beaches where tourists will go on their own, such as Junkanoo Beach.
