Nassau Cruise Port is planning to add a waterpark, report says

The Nassau Cruise Port reportedly plans to build a $35 million waterpark complex to provide more family-friendly amenities as the port evolves and differentiate itself in the Caribbean.

Port CEO Mike Maura told Tribune Business the downtown waterpark is part of a push to create more recreational and family-oriented attractions to evolve Nassau’s product offerings. The area will also include food and beverage options.

“Through this investment, which is a pool experience, we intend to focus on families. You take the Disney cruise ships, where the vast majority of folks are families traveling with children. We want them to have experiences that everyone can participate in and enjoy,” Maura told the publication.

Maura said it is important for the port and the nation’s tourism industry to differentiate itself from the Caribbean and global competitors.

The waterpark is planned to sit behind the amphitheater near the western side of the port’s property. The site has been cleared, but construction has not yet begun. Maura said he expects the project to take 18 months and create 350 jobs when open.

The project follows last year’s completion of a $330 million redevelopment of the port that included a new berth and refurbishments of all the cruise port’s piers.

Like many destinations, the port has seen an uptick in cruise passengers. For the first half of 2024, the cruise port’s traffic saw a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2023. That computes to about 800,000 more cruise passenger arrivals than the same period in 2019 and at least 500,000 more passengers than last year.

The project comes as Royal Caribbean International builds its first Royal Beach Club at the western end of Paradise Island in Nassau. That club will require an extra charge for entry, offering a beach day with access to pools and private cabanas.