The cruise terminal
and piers in Nassau Port
Review (2023)

The harbor of Nassau is quite impressive and sailing in an interesting spectacle. Located on the north shore of the island of New Providence, right by the capital, its piers extend north and ships will be docked very close to Paradise Island.

The Piers and The Terminal

There are three long piers parallel to the shore with docking spots for up to 8 cruise ships (depending on the size). As shown on the map below, even the farthest docking spot is very close to downtown Nassau. However, if the cruise ship passenger has any sort of walking difficulties, the port provides shuttles that will take you to the Terminal Building - aka Festival Place.

 

The distance between the docking spots at the piers and the terminal varies between 50 and 300 meters. Besides the shuttle buses, you will not find any other services at the any of the piers. You will see a number of phone booths along the way but all of these have been out of service for some time - at least since September 2015. However, you will find most services and amenities at the Terminal or just outside.
Be Aware: the cruise ship passenger is required to have both the ship card and one photo ID to re-enter the pier.

The Cruise Ship Terminal

Officially named 'Prince George Wharf', the cruise ship terminal in Nassau is really known as Festival Place and has been under constant renovation works for some time.

Many services can be found just outside the building although some are still inside the terminal. In or just outside the Festival Place the cruise ship passenger will find a tourist information desk with good maps and guides, and very courteous staff willing to provide all the necessary information about taxis, ferry boats or walking tours.

The cruise traveler will also find a desk where scooters and cars can be rented and sightseeing tours can be booked. On the left-hand corner, there is a post office and pay phones.

Most of the gift shops are in the building under renovation. Cruise travelers have been waiting for these endless renovation works to be finished and, hopefully, souvenir stores and also a food court will return to where these once were. In the meantime, you will find most of these just outside the terminal. As you approach the terminal from the piers, and also as you walk outside the building, be prepared to be overwhelmed with offers of taxi rides and tour guides leaping at you from locals standing next to the entrance/exit doors.

The good news is that once outside the gated area of the terminal no one else will be pestering you any longer. Still inside the gated area, right in front of the terminal building cruise passengers will find the parking area for taxis. There are two exit gates from here - one on the right-hand side (West) and another one of the left side (East).

Walking to Downtown Nassau

Downtown Nassau is just outside the gated area of the Terminal and regardless of the exit gate the cruise ship passenger will come into a busy street - Woodes Rodgers Walk - which many a first time cruise may think is the main street of Nassau. However, the main street is, in fact, parallel to this nice and attractive 'walk' along the harbor where you will find the Ferry Boats to Paradise Island, a few shops, bars, restaurants, and grills.

The eastern gate (on the left) is the Editor's favorite. This gate has fewer people, the area outside is quieter and leads straight into Rawson Square (and Parliament Square), with Via Café on a corner to enjoy a proper Italian espresso or cappuccino. The main street - Bay Street - will be the first you will come across on your right, no more than 50 yards from the Terminal gate. Be Aware: the continuation of Bay Street to the left (East) of Parliament Square has a couple of shops (Gucci and Bacardi) but not much more - don't be mislead in thinking that this is the heart of Nassau when, in fact, most attractions will be found on the West side of Nassau.