Carnival to Build Largest Cruise Port in the Bahamas

Image result for Bahamas cruise port

Carnival cruise ships docked in Bahamas.

Carnival Cruise Line and the Bahamian government have agreed to move forward on construction of a new cruise port facility on Grand Bahama island.

The port, which will be funded and operated by the Miami-based cruise line, is on track to be the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever constructed in The Bahamas.

Highlights of the multi-million dollar project include a one-mile stretch of beach, multiple restaurants and shops, as well as a pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival’s largest ships at the same time. The port will also boast water-based amenities and other recreational facilities.

It’s expected to eventually host as many as 1 million guests annually.

The facility still remains subject to a public discussion process, environmental studies and permitting.

“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 Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy in a statement.

“In 2017, along with Carnival’s sister lines, Carnival Corporation will bring close to 3 million guests to The Bahamas,” added Duffy. “Collectively, we represent the single largest cruise company investor in The Bahamas.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s signing ceremony in Freeport, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald said: “The Bahamas continues to be one of the most strategic and important destinations for our company.”

In his own statement, Prime Minister of the Bahamas Perry G. Christie said the port “will create a new ‘destination’ with a distinctive flavor and characteristics” in addition to providing the region with many economic and employment opportunities.

Citing Freeport newspaper reports, the Orlando Sentinel reported the port will be located approximately 25 miles east of Freeport on East Grand Bahama. It will require up to two years and roughly $200 million to complete.

Carnival’s latest venture comes after a handful of cruise lines have developed their own private destinations in the Caribbean. One of the key benefits of branded ports is the ability for cruise lines to have more control over the guest experience.

Caribbean Princess getting new amenities during renovation

Image result for caribbean princess ship
Caribbean Princess

The Caribbean Princess will emerge with new features following a two-week drydock in Freeport, Bahamas, from March 26 to April 6.

Princess Cruises is adding amenities catering to families, including 87 interconnecting staterooms, the Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center and a higher-resolution outdoor screen for Movies Under the Stars.

Camp Discovery will feature the Treehouse for kids ages 3-7 (formerly Pelicans), the Lodge for kids 8-12 (formerly Shockwaves) and the Beach House for teenagers (formerly Remix).

All staterooms will be outfitted with the Princess Luxury Bed, developed in collaboration with sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and HGTV designer Candice Olson.

Also, the Caribbean Princess will offer Club Class Mini-Suites, the new premium stateroom category featuring VIP amenities and exclusive dining.

The renovated Caribbean Princess will start its Europe season with a transatlantic sailing on April 6, continuing throughout the summer in the British Isles.

Norwegian Cruise Line hikes Gratuities

Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Cruise Line is raising gratuities on April 1, and one ship, the Norwegian Sky, will have a bigger increase than the others.

Gratuities fleetwide on standard cabins are currently $13.50 per person, per day. The amount for ships other than Norwegian Sky will be adjusted to $13.99, a 3.6% increase. Daily gratuities for standard cabins on the Sky are rising to $18.99, a 41% increase.

Gratuities for suites are $21.99 for the Sky and $16.99 for the rest of the fleet, up from $15.50 currently.

Norwegian said the new gratuity schedule for the Sky was implemented “to better address the demands of the enormously successful all-inclusive product.” The ship, which does short cruises from Miami, has had an open bar since the start of 2016. Beginning in May, the Sky’s four-day cruises will include a stop in Havana instead of the Bahamas.

Norwegian said any guest that has made a booking by March 31, 2017 will have the option of prepaying their service charges at the current rate if done prior to sail date.

The gratuity amounts are automatically added to a guest’s shipboard account. Guests can adjust the rate upward or downward, but only by contacting guest relations at Norwegian after they have returned from their cruise.