Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas is planning a $35 million water park catering to families and creating another 350 full-time jobs at the port’s $330 million facility which opened last year. The water park is planned to be constructed on the western side of the port, behind the amphitheater in a finger-shaped circle, and will feature new food and drink options.
While the water park has no construction start date, Mike Maura, the cruise port’s CEO stated the approval process is moving forward, with a site having been cleared and a building permit secured. The facility is expected to be completed toward the end of 2025.
Maura told the Tribune Business new agency, “We’re looking at an additional investment; a pool water park investment that is going to provide an experience in the downtown area at Nassau Cruise Port so people have something to do that is more recreational and family-oriented. A lot of the experiences these visitors can participate in are adult-oriented. 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.”
Nassau Cruise Port is the largest port in the Bahamas with the ability to accommodate 30,000 cruise passengers a day. The port set a record of 29,316 visitors in December 2023 and hosted seven vessels simultaneously in March 2024. Every major cruise line in the Caribbean visits Nassau, including Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. The sheer volume of people makes it impossible for everyone to stay at the port. Instead, many passengers pass through the port to other destinations. Maura and other port officials are hoping with the addition of the waterpark, the facility will become an attraction for guests of all ages.