Nassau Cruise Port enters 2026 with strong momentum
Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) is preparing to enter 2026 with extremely positive momentum, further strengthening its strategic role within the Caribbean cruise landscape.
In December 2025, the Bahamian port celebrated three major inaugural calls, welcoming MSC Grandiosa, Oceania Allura, and Seven Seas Grandeur for the first time. This significant achievement highlights Nassau’s growing appeal to cruise lines across multiple segments, with a particular focus on the premium and ultra-luxury markets.
MSC Grandiosa docked at Nassau Cruise Port on Sunday December 7 2025
Captain Danilo Cha of MSC Grandiosa exchanges plaques with Autria Bethel, Operations Coordinator, Nassau Cruise Port.
The first inaugural call took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, when Nassau Cruise Port welcomed MSC Grandiosa, the flagship of MSC Cruises and a Meraviglia Plus–class vessel. With a capacity of more than 4,800 guests at double occupancy, the arrival of MSC Grandiosa marked a key milestone in the long-standing collaboration between NCP and MSC Cruises.
This debut strengthened a partnership built over time and confirmed a shared commitment to delivering world-class cruise and destination experiences in The Bahamas. The call by a ship of this size also underscored the port’s operational efficiency and infrastructural capabilities, which today enable it to handle some of the largest and most modern cruise ships in the world.
The following day, Monday, December 8, 2025, Nassau welcomed Oceania Allura, the newest addition to the Oceania Cruises fleet. Purpose-built to offer immersive, high-end travel, Allura is designed for guests focused on comfort, service quality, and a premium cruise experience. Its inaugural call highlighted Nassau’s steady growth within the premium and luxury segments, helping to attract high-value visitors and further consolidating the port’s positioning as an increasingly relevant destination for cruise lines offering upscale products.
Oceania Allura s Captain Pavle Silic exchanges plaques with Tucker Maura, Operations Coordinator, Nassau Cruise Port.
The series of inaugural calls concluded on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, with the arrival of Seven Seas Grandeur, the newest ultra-luxury ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The vessel’s first visit to Nassau further strengthened the port’s role as a benchmark destination for the world’s leading luxury cruise brands.
Commenting on these results was Mike Maura Jr., CEO and Director of Nassau Cruise Port, who emphasized the strategic importance of hosting three premium and luxury inaugural calls in the same month. According to Maura, welcoming three debuts from premium and luxury cruise lines within the same period represents a strong signal of renewed and growing interest from the luxury sector in Nassau. These calls reflect the confidence cruise lines place in the destination and in the strategic investments made to elevate the guest experience. Maura also highlighted how the increase in the number of calls has a direct impact on the local economy, generating greater opportunities for downtown Nassau, for local entrepreneurs, and for Bahamian citizens whose livelihoods depend on tourism. Looking ahead to 2026, the stated objective is to further strengthen partnerships with cruise lines and continue creating value for the community.
These three inaugural calls conclude a particularly positive year for Nassau Cruise Port, confirming its importance within Caribbean cruise itineraries. In recent years, the port has benefited from a major redevelopment plan that has transformed NCP into a modern and highly functional port destination.
Today, the new Nassau Cruise Port is much more than a simple gateway to The Bahamas. The project, which involved a total investment of 350 million dollars, led to the creation of six new and expanded berths capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships in the world, a dedicated 700-foot mega-yacht pier, a new marina, and a modern terminal for excursions and ferries.
The renovated waterfront also features more than sixty retail stores, new food and beverage outlets, the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, a wine bar and art gallery, and a 3,000-seat amphitheater showcasing Bahamian and international entertainment. Completing the offering are a new iconic arrivals terminal, dedicated security areas, an efficient ground transportation zone, and new facilities dedicated to services and entertainment.
NASSAU team
Seven Seas Grandeur docked at Nassau Cruise Port on Wednesday Dcember 10 2025
The inaugural calls of MSC Grandiosa, Oceania Allura, and Seven Seas Grandeur represent a significant milestone in the growth trajectory of Nassau Cruise Port. These events not only confirm the confidence of leading international cruise lines, but also strengthen Nassau’s positioning as a key port in the Caribbean, capable of meeting the needs of multiple market segments, with an increasing focus on the luxury sector.
Looking ahead to 2026, Nassau Cruise Port presents itself as an increasingly solid, modern, and competitive destination, ready to continue generating economic and employment benefits for the local community and to further consolidate its role as one of the region’s leading cruise hubs.
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