National

Visitors and Vendors Sound Off On Cruise Tax Increase

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Last year the passenger tax for cruise passengers traveling through Freeport, Bimini, and Nassau’s cruise ports was $18 per passenger.

Published

11 months ago

January 4, 2024

Marlena Leonard

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Last year the passenger tax for cruise passengers traveling through Freeport, Bimini, and Nassau’s cruise ports was $18 per passenger.

But as of January 1st, 2024, that tax has risen to $23, with an additional $7 in sustainability and tourism enhancement taxes per passenger.

Of the over 8 million visitors who came to The Bahamas’ shores between January and October of last year, officials say over 6.2 million of those were cruise ship passengers, bringing in over $111.6 million from passengers.

We asked vendors on Junkanoo Beach whether or not they feel the increase in the passenger tax will impact travelers’ decision to choose The Bahamas as their destination.

And we also heard from some of the travelers themselves, many of whom we spoke to off camera said they didn’t have an awareness of the tax at all.