Destination will feature a beach, recreational and dining facilities, and a pier that can host to ships
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Cruise Line is to build and operate a new multimillion-dollar cruise port facility on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas.
The as-yet-unnamed planned port will be the largest purpose-built cruise facility that has ever been constructed in The Bahamas. Features will include a one-mile stretch of beach, water-based amenities and recreational facilities, as well as food, beverage and shopping outlets. The port will also feature a pier capable of simultaneously accommodating two of Carnival’s largest cruise ships. It is expected to eventually host up to one million guests annually.
“Carnival Cruise Line is the leader in year-round cruising to The Bahamas and this new development will not only provide a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind destination experience for our guests but it will further solidify our partnership with the people of The Bahamas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “In 2017, along with Carnival’s sister lines, Carnival Corporation will bring close to three million guests to The Bahamas via calls to Nassau, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, the latter two of which were developed and are operated by Carnival Corporation brands Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Collectively, we represent the single largest cruise company investor in The Bahamas.”
Officials from Carnival and the Bahamian government signed the agreement during a ceremony in Freeport, Grand Bahama on 3 May.
“When Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival and the modern day cruise industry, embarked on his first cruise, it was to The Bahamas,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “From that day until now, The Bahamas continues to be one of the most strategic and important destinations for our company, Signing this agreement today is especially meaningful to me, as we strive to further contribute to the prosperity of the people of The Bahamas through providing experiences that continue to exceed our guests’ expectations.”
Carnival’s multimillion-dollar project is expected to provide new employment opportunities and significant economic benefits for The Bahamas.
“The Government of The Bahamas has had a long and close association with Carnival which has been of great economic benefit to both parties,” said Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry Christie. “This new cruise port initiative in East Grand Bahama will deliver a cruise port in the traditional sense, but more than that, its shore project will create a new ‘destination’ with a distinctive flavour and characteristics that offer the broadest Bahamian entrepreneurial and employment opportunities, representing another phase in the development of Grand Bahama as a viable tourist centre.”
The project is subject to a detailed public discussion process and environmental studies.