Top News

A 10-hour ban at a popular holiday destination, which will impact residents, tourists, and cruise lines, is being rolled out this week. The unusual change will take place on May 12 between 8am and 6pm to align with local rules in the Bahamas, an archipelagic country in the Caribbean.

Officials have confirmed that alcohol sales across all the islands in the Bahamas will be banned during the General Election, called by Prime Minister Philip Davis.

All 41 members of the House of Assembly will be selected, and under the country's Parliamentary Elections Act, the sale of alcohol is banned during voting hours to maintain public order and ensure a distraction-free voting environment.

• DWP confirms automatic £200 for state pensioners under 80

• Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways reschedule flights as 1,700 delayed

Even cruise ships will have to abide by the rules. Royal Caribbean, which owns and operates the private island Coco Cay, has confirmed that it will also comply with local laws.

A spokesperson told PEOPLE: "Royal Caribbean is respecting and complying with all local laws and regulations, as we do with every destination we visit".

The Wonder of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas ships will be visiting the island on voting day.

The island's beach bars, Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, will still be open on May 12, and the cruise line confirmed that passengers will be able to get alcohol on board the ships.

Last year, Bahamas hit a record-breaking number of 12.5 million visitors in 2025, driven by strong cruise arrivals, which account for more than 10.6 million of the total.