Nassau Cruise Port Welcomes Three Inaugural Ship Calls in December
Nassau is sharpening its pitch beyond day-trip crowds, landing both mega ships and ultra-luxury brands as cruise lines spread capacity and spend across the Caribbean.
Nassau Cruise Port logged a trio of inaugural ship calls in December 2025, welcoming MSC Cruises’ MSC Grandiosa, Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Allura, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur on their first-ever visits to the Bahamian capital.
The visits, which took place between December 7 and December 10, were marked with traditional first-call ceremonies, as port officials linked the back-to-back arrivals to their outlook for 2026 and already scheduled return visits from the same vessels.
First-call ceremonies mark new ship visits to Nassau
For each of the three December arrivals, ship officers and Nassau Cruise Port team members took part in first-call recognition events, exchanging commemorative plaques and gifts either onboard or at the terminal. Nassau Cruise Port described the ceremonies as a maritime tradition that commemorates a ship’s first visit and recognizes the relationship between the vessel and the destination.
Port officials said the sequence of maiden calls underscores momentum heading into 2026, pointing to continued demand across both contemporary cruising and the luxury segment.
MSC Grandiosa begins a run of regularly scheduled calls
MSC Grandiosa made its inaugural visit to Nassau on December 7, 2025, during the ship’s first season sailing from Port Canaveral. The plaque-exchange ceremony included MSC Grandiosa Captain Danilo Cha and Nassau Cruise Port Operations Coordinator Autria Bethel.
MSC Cruises’ flagship is set to provide the most frequent cadence among the three ships, with 22 visits scheduled to Nassau through December 2026. The ship’s Nassau calls are part of seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Oceania Allura arrives as the line’s newest ship enters the market
Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Oceania Allura, arrived in Nassau for its first call days after MSC Grandiosa’s visit. Captain Pavle Silic took part in a ceremonial plaque exchange with Nassau Cruise Port Port Coordinator Tucker Maura.
Oceania Allura is a 1,200-guest ship and the line’s new flagship, featuring multiple dining venues, including a new crêperie concept introduced as part of the ship’s design. At a christening event in Miami, Oceania Cruises Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague said, “Oceania Allura is our most innovative and luxurious ship to date.”
In addition to its positioning in the upper-premium segment, the ship is described as emphasizing culinary and leisure-driven luxury, including 11 dining venues, a hands-on Culinary Center, and Culinary Discovery Tours. On Nassau’s forward schedule, Oceania Allura is due back for one additional call in early April 2026.
Seven Seas Grandeur adds an ultra-luxury brand to the month’s milestones
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur completed the series of inaugural visits with its first Nassau call on December 10, 2025. Captain Luciano Montesanto hosted Nassau Cruise Port representatives onboard for a ceremony recognizing the ship’s first arrival.
Nassau Cruise Port said attending team members included Marketing and Communications Coordinator Ashley Darville, Tucker Maura, and Assistant Events Manager Iesha Rolle. The ship is scheduled to return to Nassau twice in 2026, with calls planned for March and December.
What the 2026 calendar already shows
With the first-call ceremonies completed in December 2025, Nassau Cruise Port’s schedule for the same ships extends across 2026 with a mix of high-frequency visits and select-date luxury calls.
- MSC Grandiosa: 22 visits to Nassau scheduled through December 2026 as the ship continues seven-night itineraries to the Caribbean and The Bahamas.
- Oceania Allura: one additional Nassau call planned for early April 2026.
- Seven Seas Grandeur: two Nassau calls scheduled in 2026, in March and December.
Port officials said the three inaugural calls support Nassau Cruise Port’s push to attract both mainstream and premium-class vessels year-round. The next notable dates on the forward schedule include Seven Seas Grandeur’s March return and Oceania Allura’s early April call, while MSC Grandiosa continues its run of scheduled arrivals through the end of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a cruise ship “inaugural call”?
An inaugural call is a ship’s first-ever visit to a port. Ports and ship officers often mark it with a plaque or gift exchange to commemorate the milestone.
How many times is MSC Grandiosa scheduled to visit Nassau through 2026?
MSC Grandiosa is slated to make 22 visits to Nassau through December 2026 as part of its seven-night cruise schedule to the Caribbean and The Bahamas.
When will Seven Seas Grandeur return to Nassau?
Seven Seas Grandeur is scheduled to return twice in 2026, with one call planned for March and another in December.
What sets Oceania Allura apart in premium cruising?
Oceania Allura is a 1,200-guest ship positioned in Oceania Cruises’ upper-premium segment, with a culinary focus that includes multiple dining venues and a new crêperie concept. Oceania also highlights features such as 11 dining venues, a hands-on Culinary Center, and Culinary Discovery Tours, and Oceania Cruises Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague has called it “our most innovative and luxurious ship to date.”
