Big changes are continuing in Nassau – the capital city of The Bahamas – with the city’s
cruise port area undergoing a transformation that started while the cruise industry was
paused in 2020 due to COVID.
We first saw the changes in August and December of 2021 and we more recently saw the progress
being made when we revisited Nassau aboard the Carnival Sunshine in October 2022.
In this video, we’ll provide an update on the progress of the continuing port area construction.
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The most obvious change we saw in 2021 was the demolition of the Nassau cruise port terminal
building and the start of a foundation for a new terminal building.
During our most recent visit, the new terminal was taking shape with several concrete walls
and other structures in place.
With the terminal building construction pushing ever closer to the street outside, the hair
braiders were moved back inside the port area.
However, the taxis were still located in the same area.
Another big change was the expansion of the port’s berthing capacity with a new dock
at the north end of the port.
The dock was already in use by the end of 2021, even though construction
was still in progress.
During our most recent visit, the new dock was much closer to completion, with walkway
canopies in place and significantly fewer signs of construction.
New walkway canopies that were quite a bit wider than the old canopies were added to
all of the docks and the added shade made the walk to and from our ship much more pleasant.
The new land for the marketplace and plaza, which was created from the sand that was dredged
to create the new dock, was no longer the home of a large hill of sand during our most
recent visit.
Instead, the land had been leveled and what appeared to be the new home for the port marketplace
was under construction.
We counted at least 50 stalls that already had some portion of a structure in place.
The framing for a handful of other buildings was also being constructed just west of the
marketplace construction.
At the west end of the area, the marina was taking shape with concrete boat slips added
and other structures under construction.
Between the new dock at the north end of the port and the new cruise port terminal building,
the pier expansion construction had progressed enough to include a large canopy.
The worker we spoke with confirmed our previous suspicions that the area will be used for
shore excursions and boat tour operators when completed.
During our most recent visit, the ferry boat to Paradise Island was operating from near
Señor Frogs since they could no longer operate from their original locations due to the ongoing
construction.
In contrast to all of the changes taking place, one thing has not changed since the transformation
project began: the outdoor vendors were still set up in Rawson Square, just a minute or
so from the exit of the port area.
If you’re interested in what the future holds for the cruise port area and Bay Street,
the Nassau Cruise Port website features a video with 3D renderings of the vision.
We’ve linked to the cruise port’s website, which also has a ship schedule,
in the description below.