The Caribbean’s most popular cruise port just set another record, with The Bahamas’ Nassau Cruise Port marking 4.4 million cruise passenger arrivals in 2023. 

That represented an all-time record for the cruise port, which recently completed a $250 million port transformation that included everything from a Junkanoo Museum to a new concert space. That included a one-day record on Dec. 27 with 29,316 passengers in a single day. 

Earlier estimates had projected 4.2 million arrivals last year. 

It’s part of a continued cruise boom for The Bahamas, which isn’t just the most-trafficked cruise port in the region; it’s also home to just about every private-island destination of a major cruise line, from Disney’s Castaway Cay to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Cruise lines continue to bet big on Nassau and The Bahamas; Royal Caribbean is developing another new private destination just across from the Nassau Cruise Port on Paradise Island.

That, coupled with the continued revitalization of downtown Nassau, are making Nassau Paradise Island a rather formidable one in the wider region. 

“The newly revitalized Nassau waterfront offers unique finds, fantastic entertainment, and delicious food and drinks, with even more on the horizon for 2024,” said Mike Maura, CEO of Nassau Cruise Port.