Bahamas News
The Bahamas increases port taxes for cruisers.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, August 14, 2023 – The Government of The Bahamas announced that port taxes will be raised for cruisers visiting the archipelago.
In one instance, the taxes will increase from US$18 to US$23 per person, that is for stops at Nassau, Freeport and Bimini.
In another instance, for cruise ships that dock at a private island, without stopping at another Bahamian port, taxes
Additionally, the Government further pointed out that it will levy an environmental tax of US$5 per person and US$2 per person tourism enhancement tax on cruise passengers.
The raises will be effective come January 01, 2024.
Given this new development, cruise lines are making efforts to inform guests who have already booked, of the changes, letting them know they may be required to pay more for their cruise, as guests with some cruise lines will be charged new fees even if they already paid for their cruise in full.
In fact, Royal Caribbean says that if guests have paid in full, the increased and new fees will be charged to their shipboard accounts.
On the other hand, Carnival informed that it has not, at this point, applied the new fees to prior bookings. However, they have been implemented for all new bookings.