The Port of Nassau (Bahamas) set a new record for cruise ship passenger arrivals, reflecting its position as the Caribbean's leading destination and its strategic importance to the short-cruise market.
This milestone comes just 20 months after the inauguration of the port's new cruise terminal, designed to meet the evolving demands of the modern cruise industry.
Historically significant as a cruise destination since the 1960s, Nassau benefits from its proximity to South Florida’s cruise homeports. The Bahamian city has seen increased popularity as many major cruise companies deploy larger vessels on short itineraries.
Nassau Cruise Port, developed in partnership with Global Port Holdings Plc/GPH, features 6 berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest ships, including Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and the Oasis-class liners. This enhanced capacity has been instrumental in driving passenger growth.
On December 27th, 2023, the port handled 29,316 passengers, surpassing its previous single-day record of 28,554 set in March 2023. The upward trend continued into 2024, with Nassau hosting 7 cruise ships on a single day during the busy spring season.
In 2024, Nassau welcomed 1,445 cruise ship calls, bringing 5.6+ million passengers, along with additional crew members. For comparison, PortMiami, the largest cruise homeport, reported 8.2 million passenger movements (including arrivals and departures, with many passengers counted twice), while Port Canaveral recorded 7.6 million. Nassau’s figures underscore its position as a key port of call rather than a homeport.
The port has steadily rebuilt its business since the pandemic-induced industry pause in 2020. It previously set a record of 3.86 million passengers in 2019. By 2022, passenger numbers had rebounded to 3.22 million, and in 2023, Nassau exceeded 3.9 million passengers by November, targeting 4.2 million for the full year.
The new cruise terminal, opened in May 2023, has been central to this growth. It features facilities for 70 vendors, including tour operators, food outlets, and local crafts, along with improved passenger flow and infrastructure to accommodate large numbers of tour buses. Port officials have announced plans for further operational enhancements in 2025, aiming to support continued growth and maintain Nassau’s status as a premier Caribbean cruise destination.