A Transformational Project For Nassau
Mike Maura Jr., GPH Regional Director, Americas and CEO of Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. describes all the excitement to come with the completion of the $300 million revitalization and expansion of Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) in The Bahamas.
Tell us about the Nassau Cruise Port project.
Revitalization of Nassau Cruise Port is almost complete. Set to open in late May 2023, our project aims to showcase the sights, sounds, flavour, and culture of The Bahamas. From the moment a guest steps onto our newly refurbished piers, they will be stepping into a new Nassau, and a reimagined destination. The 11 acre redevelopment of the Nassau waterfront includes an immersive Junkanoo experience at the Junkanoo Museum, authentic Bahamian retail, food and beverage offerings, an Amphitheatre, art gallery and much more.. The project considers a keen focus on all things "Authentically Bahamian”, and guests will be encouraged to immerse themselves in Bahamian culture. Entertainment will be a key factor at Nassau Cruise Port, with the Amphitheatre having the ability to showcase everything from concerts and musical performances to cultural shows, poetry competitions and simulcast sports events on large digital screens.
Why is it important for the Nassau Cruise Port experience to be “Authentically Bahamian?”
Nassau has been a port for over 500 years, enjoyed by pirates and traders of all nationalities. In 2019, in support of the desire to elevate the guest experience in and around downtown Nassau, The Bahamas government partnered with GPH to not only redevelop the city’s historic waterfront but to position authentic Bahamian goods, services, works of art, music, entertainment, apparel, and more at the doorstep of the cruise port. Part of reimagining of Nassau as a destination involves discovering what makes Nassau special. We want our guests to take home not only beautiful, handcrafted, unique mementos, but one of a kind garments, locally produced jewelry, handbags, chocolates, and even sample culinary works of art produced by young Bahamians enrolled in the University of The Bahamas Culinary Program - all creating wonderful memories during their visit with us.
In 2021, Nassau Cruise Port Ltd., in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, formed the Authentically Bahamian Advisory Committee and brought together stakeholders and creative authorities to assist in the curation of authentic Bahamian product offerings. In all facets of our business, we are looking to offer a truly Bahamian experience for the 4 million guests projected to visit Nassau by sea. The authentic Bahamian offering serves to promote an important aspect of the Bahamian culture while differentiating the port destination from the many others that source their souvenirs from abroad and generally sell the same foreign produced items. The Nassau waterfront redevelopment is a component of the Bahamas government’s destination development plan. The government’s initiative will see improvements and expansion in the city experience and heritage site offerings, all supporting the Bahamas experience.
What makes The Bahamas special as a cruise destination?
The Bahamas is only 50 miles southeast off the coast of Florida, and world-famous Nassau is served by three of the largest and busiest turnaround cruise ports in the world - Port Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral, within easy cruising distance. Nassau is the busiest single transit port in the world, and cruising in Nassau has been around for decades. There are 700 islands and cays which make up the archipelago of The Bahamas, and each destination is unique and breathtakingly beautiful. Nassau was formally designated the capital city over 300 years ago and was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2014. The Bahamas is famous for its sun, sand and sea – vibrant turquoise waters that are crystal clear to a depth of 200ft. Given its close proximity to the United States, for guests arriving by air and sea, its a short trip from home and is a popular destination for family vacations and repeat visits.
When will Nassau Cruise Port officially open?
Our cruise guests have been watching the steady development of our new Nassau waterfront since 2021. We are pleased to advise that the highly anticipated Grand Opening is set for the weekend of May 26, 2023. We are planning to showcase a taste of the Best of The Bahamas, through Bahamian entertainment, retail offerings, bites, and beverages. We will have a concert at our new Amphitheater and will feature local and international acts in a two-day celebration to usher in a reimagined destination in the heart of downtown Nassau.
What is an initiative your team is especially proud of?
In 2021 we launched our sustainability brand, It’s In Our Hands, which is symbolized by a green turtle surfacing from time to time in Nassau harbour. Nassau Cruise Port has a 25ft boat, Pier Pressure, which patrols the harbour each day removing garbage from our marine environment. The Nassau Cruise Port project also aims to generate 1MW of solar power through solar panels harnessing the power of the beautiful Bahamian sunshine. The team at NCP is also looking into a comprehensive recycling program to keep our port clean, and to minimize our ecological footprint. Our goal in the years ahead is to produce 100% of our power from sun and sea.
NASSAU CRUISE PORT GOES THE EXTRA MILE IN SUPPORT OF LEGACY TENANTS
Over the last three years, and more recently the last 12 months, Nassau Cruise Port has been engaging its legacy Marketplace Tenants (former Festival Place tenants) to support them and enable them to thrive in the new cruise port.
Training sessions have been held monthly on everything from budgeting and bookkeeping to merchandising and customer service. Like all tenants at Nassau Cruise Port, the focus and mandate are on authenticity, and offering truly Bahamian wares.
Supported by the Authentically Bahamian Advisory Committee, this group of tenants has been encouraged to engage in the craft cottage industry and to carry only unique, Bahamian-made products within their boutiques. Recently, prototypes of the Marketplace Boutiques were unveiled, and a training session was held on the principles and best practices of merchandising. Nassau Cruise Port is bolstering these entrepreneurs in new and innovative ways to improve the offerings within the port for the millions of guests annually who will visit the new Nassau.