Nassau Cruise Port hit record 4.49m passengers in 2023, eyes 5.6m this year

This is a 14% increase over the prior high of 3,859,183 in 2019, and ahead of the port's 4.2m target.

5.6m in 2024?

But Nassau is ready to leave the 4.49m figure in the wake as 2024's projection is for 5.6m cruisers.

Mike Maura, Jr., CEO of Nassau Cruise Port, thanked industry stakeholders including cruise lines, passengers, travel advisors, government partners, port businesses, the entire New Providence community and his team.

The port scored a steady stream of achievements in 2023. In March, Nassau set a one-day passenger record with 28,554 passengers, a number topped on Dec. 27 with 29,316 passengers.

Bahamas surpasses 9m tourists

Cruise passengers contributed significantly to the historic more than 9m visitor arrivals The Bahamas recorded in 2023, according to a recent statement by Deputy Prime Minister/Tourism Minister Chester Cooper. Once confirmed, the 9m-plus visitor figure would be 1m above 2023 projections.

Cooper said the arrivals increase is estimated to have generated more than $6b in visitor spending.