The revitalized Nassau Cruise Port has opened up to cruise ships after three years of work. The revitalized port now houses a Junkanoo museum, event and entertainment areas, a 3,500-seat amphitheater, a living coral display, local shops, and new food and beverage facilities. It also has a sixth berth.
“The new Nassau Cruise Port offers a whole new experience for cruise visitors,” said I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “Not only will Bahamian culture shine through all aspects of the port but the completion of the project marks a great milestone in ushering a new era for tourism in downtown Nassau, as well as a beautiful welcome for the millions of cruisers who disembark here each year.”
With support from Junkanoo experts Arlene Nash Ferguson and Percy “Vola” Francis, the Nassau Cruise Port Junkanoo Museum is an immersive experience, sharing the story of the destination’s national cultural festival. Authentically Bahamian products are on display across 40 retail spaces at the port, including local businesses such as Bahama Hand Prints, Bamboo Shack and much more.
“We anticipate our traffic numbers for 2023 to exceed pre-pandemic levels with about 4.2 million visitors,” says Mike Maura, Port Director for Nassau. “Our growth trajectory is quite promising. In 2019, which was the busiest year for us to date, we had 3.85 million visitors. For 2024, we already have 4.5 million confirmations.”
The Bahamas’ economy depends heavily on the cruise industry, which was demonstrated earlier this year when the Nassau Cruise Port welcomed 28,554 cruise tourists in a single day, breaking the previous record for passenger arrivals.
