Nassau Cruise Port Sets 2025 Record With 6.1 Million Passengers

Nassau Cruise Port set a new annual high in 2025, handling an estimated 6.1 million cruise passengers across nearly 1,600 ship calls. The milestone marked the third consecutive year Nassau posted a new record for cruise passenger volume, underscoring the port’s central role in The Bahamas’ tourism surge.

The Bahamas hits 12.5 million visitors as cruise arrivals dominate

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation said the country welcomed a record 12.5 million total visitor arrivals in 2025, an 11.4% increase from 2024. The ministry said the total exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 70%.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation I. Chester Cooper called the results “a defining achievement for The Bahamas,” and said tourism continues to support “jobs, investment and opportunity for Bahamians across our islands.”

Cruise travel remained the main driver of volume. Cruise tourism accounted for 86.5% of total arrivals, with sea arrivals exceeding 10.6 million visitors in 2025. The ministry said sea arrivals were up 14% year over year and were nearly double 2019 levels.

Air arrivals also remained significant, with more than 1.8 million stopover visitors recorded during 2025. About two-thirds of stopover visitors stayed in Nassau and Paradise Island, while close to 30% traveled to the Out Islands.

Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism, tied the performance to destination branding, saying, “Welcoming 12.5 million visitors speaks to the strength of Brand Bahamas and the clarity of our market positioning.”

Port investments expand Nassau’s capacity and passenger experience

Nassau’s growth has coincided with major infrastructure work, including a $300 million revitalization project that launched in its upgraded form in May 2023. A key element of the redevelopment was the addition and expansion of six berths designed to accommodate the largest cruise ships currently in service.

With the expanded berthing and related infrastructure, the port has pointed to Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class vessels as examples of ships that can carry up to roughly 7,600 guests on a single visit.

Mike Maura, Jr., CEO and Director of Nassau Cruise Port, linked the 2025 performance to partnerships and operational upgrades, saying, “Welcoming more than six million cruise passengers in a single year reflects the confidence of our cruise partners, the strength of the destination, and the impact of ongoing investments to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency at the port.”

Visitor-facing changes highlighted in the port area and downtown include free Wi-Fi access and upgraded shopping and dining options, alongside the berth expansion intended to support high-capacity calls.

Nassau’s passenger growth over four years

Passenger totals show how quickly Nassau’s cruise traffic has climbed since 2022, alongside increasing ship calls:

• 2022: About 3.2 million passengers.
• 2023: About 4.4 million passengers.
• 2024: About 5.6 million passengers, supported by 1,445 ship calls.
• 2025: About 6.1 million passengers, supported by nearly 1,600 ship calls.

Nassau’s 2025 total represented an approximate 9.5% increase from 2024, while ship calls rose to nearly 1,600 from 1,445 a year earlier.

Two single-day passenger records set during the 2025 season

Beyond the year-end totals, Nassau reset its single-day passenger record twice in 2025. On March 11, 2025, the port hosted six ships and welcomed 30,538 passengers, setting a new daily high at the time.

Less than a month later, Nassau exceeded that figure. On April 8, 2025, 31,011 cruise passengers arrived in a single day, with five ships in port: Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, and Disney Dream.

Record gains across multiple islands and private-destination demand

While Nassau remained the largest cruise gateway, other destinations across The Bahamas also posted notable gains in 2025. Grand Bahama surpassed one million total arrivals for the first time in more than 22 years, reaching approximately 1.1 million visitors through December.

Abaco welcomed just under 520,000 visitors, its highest total on record, supported by record sea arrivals. Bimini and the Berry Islands also continued to build their roles in cruise itineraries as traffic expanded.

Tourism officials also pointed to cruise-line partnerships and private-destination offerings as part of the broader growth picture. Private cruise experiences such as Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay have been among the dedicated stops that draw cruise visitors to islands including the Berry Islands, Bimini, and Eleuthera.

With Nassau coming off another record year and the country reporting 12.5 million total visitors, attention now turns to whether 2026 can sustain the pace set by expanded berth capacity, high-volume call days, and continued cruise line deployment to The Bahamas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cruise passengers did Nassau Cruise Port welcome in 2025?

Nassau Cruise Port handled an estimated 6.1 million cruise passengers in 2025 across nearly 1,600 ship calls, about a 9.5% increase from 2024.

What were Nassau Cruise Port’s single-day passenger records in 2025?

Nassau set a daily record with 30,538 passengers on March 11, 2025, then exceeded it on April 8, 2025, with 31,011 passengers arriving in a single day.

How large was The Bahamas’ total tourism volume in 2025, and how much was cruise-driven?

The Bahamas recorded 12.5 million total visitor arrivals in 2025, according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. Cruise tourism accounted for 86.5% of the total, with sea arrivals exceeding 10.6 million visitors.

What improvements have been made to enhance visitor experiences?

Upgrades highlighted in Nassau include a $300 million port revitalization project that launched in its upgraded form in May 2023 and expanded the port to six berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships. Visitor-facing improvements cited include free Wi-Fi access and upgraded shopping and dining options in Nassau’s downtown area.