[Nassau, Bahamas, July 24, 2024] — Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) pulled out all the stops to welcome Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas on its inaugural visit on Sunday July 21st. Over 26,000 cruise passengers who sailed into Nassau aboard six ships including Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Sunshine, Disney Fantasy, Carnival Freedom and Allure of the Seas, joined in the day’s festivities as they poured into downtown Nassau.
Live music filled the air, with two bands from Falcon Entertainment rocking the arrivals terminal and creating a celebratory mood in the Port Plaza. DJ Kenny, NCP’s resident DJ, kept the energy high in the Port Marketplace, where the NCP team hosted Bahamian trivia games with prizes selected from port vendors and Authentically Bahamian luxury brands. Passengers captured the special day with the help of the Focus 360 Photo Booth team and snapped thousands of selfies featuring branded “Utopia” pier signage and a custom step-in NCP magazine cover photo frame.
The day culminated in a Bahamian concert at the amphitheatre, sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and featuring DMac, Funky D, Nishie LS, and more, backed by Shad Collie and the VIPs.
“The arrival of Utopia of the Seas created an incredible buzz here because of the significance of this unique event to our community,” said Mike Maura, CEO of Nassau Cruise Port. “This oasis-class ship dedicated to The Bahamas means potentially 16,000 passengers are coming straight to Nassau each week, pouring into our economy. This is a call to action for entrepreneurs and business owners to get creative with their products, services, and brands to share our Bahamian culture, history, identity and experiences. This will not only allow us to sustain the increase in passengers but also increase those numbers and expand to other islands in The Bahamas.”
Passengers thoroughly enjoyed the port activations.
“Even though the weather tried to dampen the mood, it didn’t stop the show at Nassau Cruise Port,” said Shawn Gomez, Marketing & Communications Manager of Nassau Cruise Port. “We love to go the extra mile to celebrate grand achievements in the Bahamian cruise sector. It’s one of the reasons why NCP is nominated for the best Arrivals Terminal in the Caribbean. Nassau Cruise Port is not just a port, it’s an experience.”
With Utopia of the Seas now making regular calls to Nassau, the island is poised for a significant boost in tourism and economic activity. The Nassau Cruise Port’s commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for passengers ensures that the island remains a port of choice for cruise lines and travelers.
###
ABOUT NASSAU CRUISE PORT
The new Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) is much more than the premier cruise gateway to The Bahamas, welcoming 4.4 million passengers in 2023. The Authentically Bahamian, world-class port destination includes six new and expanded berths to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world, a 700-foot mega yacht berth, a new marina, and a new water excursion and ferry terminal. The recently upgraded $300 million waterfront features over sixty retail stores including new food & beverage outlets, the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, a wine bar & art gallery, and a 3,000-person amphitheater that currently features top Bahamian and international entertainment. Other notable changes include the addition of an iconic new arrivals terminal, new outposts for the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, a new Ground Transportation Area to support smooth taxi and tour operations, a hair braiders pavilion, and a signature event space overlooking the harbour. Nassau Cruise Port is “The Place to Be!”
NCP began operations in October 2019 as part of a consortium including Global Ports Holding Plc, the Bahamas Investment Fund (“BIF”) and the Yes Foundation. Learn more at www.nassaucruiseport.com
