Fresh on the heels of the Grand Reopening of the Nassau Cruise Port, news has come out that the proposed increase. The Passenger Tax Amendment Bill 2023 would increase the current tax of $18 to $23 for every cruise passenger departing the territory via Nassau or Freeport.

Additionally, the bill would introduce a $5 per-person tourism environmental levy for every cruise ship passenger arriving or leaving The Bahamas, as well as a $2 per-person tourism enhancement levy for every passenger arriving at or leaving The Bahamas. The tourism enhancement levy is scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2024, while the other increases would start this July.

The Bahamas tourism minister has linked the enhancement levy to new Tourism Development Corporation legislation intended to help create new products to support the cruise industry. The proposed fee increases come as cruise companies invest heavily in Bahamas cruise projects, including the revitalized Nassau Cruise Port, Carnival Cruise Line’s new Grand Bahama destination, Disney Cruise Line’s new Lighthouse Point projects, and Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay.