We’re On Track To Bring 3.5 Million Visitors To Nassau

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Royal Caribbean Group’s chief product innovation officer, Jay Schneider, says the company is aiming to increase passenger arrivals by 2027.

His comments came during this week’s media tour of the cruise line’s Beach Club construction site on Paradise Island.

The project is expected to be completed by December, and Schneider says the demand is increasing.

Jay Schneider – Chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean Group
“In 2017, we brought about 1 million people a year. We committed to growing, doubling the size of that population by the time we opened, to roughly 2, 2 1/2 million guests. We’re on track right now for about 3 1/2 million people coming into Nassau, and so we’ve far exceeded the passenger commitment.”

Royal Caribbean has been a longstanding partner in The Bahamas’ cruise industry. Schneider says he believes this new development will have a positive impact on the orange economy.

Jay Schneider – Chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean Group
“You can see here today you’ve got a thing for our ships in port today, and so if you go back and look at it then, yeah, 40% of our guests we have access to the Royal Beach Club, 60% we get to go visit the amenities around in and around Nassau and Providence. That number is probably much lower, given the gross medicine up at 3.5 million guests and still only a maximum capacity of 1 million. You’re here; we just remain committed to growing that number of tourists coming into Nassau.”

In 2024, the company debuted the Utopia of the Seas, the second largest cruise ship in the world.

Jay Schneider – Chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean Group
“Utopia has been a smashing success. Guest satisfaction is through the roof, the itineraries are beloved by everybody, sailing at full occupancy, revenue has been amazing, and so it’s really been a smashing success.”

There’s often been criticism that cruise ship passengers don’t have much to do when they come ashore, but Schneider sees it differently.

Jay Schneider – Chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean Group
“There’s been a really amazing energy that you’ve seen in The Bahamas, revitalization of Nassau, whether it’s the cruise port revitalization or the continued growth of businesses downtown, Royal Beach Club President expansion is this. Philip mentioned the tourism fund, where one percent of the gross revenue will go to improve other experiences around Nassau and New Providence. All of that has helped really revitalize the area.”