Nassau Cruise Port Sets New Record with Surge in Passengers and Mega Ships

The port of Nassau in the Bahamas has seen a significant increase in the number of passengers passing through its cruise port, setting a new all-time record. This growth comes just 20 months after the introduction of a new cruise terminal, positioning Nassau to benefit from the surge in the short-duration cruise market. With its proximity to the South Florida homeports of the cruise industry, Nassau has been a popular port of call since the 1960s. The port has grown in popularity with new developments and the deployment of larger ships in the short cruise market from Florida.

The new Nassau Cruise Port, developed in partnership with Global Port Holdings, has six berths capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships in the world. This includes ships like the Icon of the Seas and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class vessels. The ability to dock mega cruise ships has contributed to the growth in the port’s visitors, with new records set for daily visitors. In December 2023, the port handled 29,316 passengers, surpassing its previous single-day record set in March 2023.

In 2024, Nassau reported receiving 1,445 cruise ship calls, bringing in over 5.6 million cruise passengers along with additional crew members. The port’s steady growth since the restart of the cruise industry in 2020 has been evident, with records set for passenger numbers in recent years. The new cruise terminal, opened in May 2023, has played a significant role in accommodating the increasing numbers. With space for 70 vendors and improved flow for tour buses, the terminal has been designed to enhance the overall visitor experience. Port officials are planning further upgrades to operations in 2025.

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