The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Celebration brought over 1,000 passengers on its maiden voyage to Grand Bahama yesterday, restoring the five-month long absence of ferry service between Freeport and Palm Beach, Florida.

The new cruise ship, which replaces Bahamas Celebration, is much bigger and better, tourism officials said.

David Johnson, of the Tourism Development Corporation of the Bahamas, was on board the vessel as it arrived in port around 8am. Betty Bethel, director at the Ministry of Tourism, was also on hand for the ship’s arrival at the Freeport Harbour.

The return of the service to Freeport is vital to the island’s tourism industry. Ferry service between Grand Bahama and the Port of Palm Beach came to a screeching halt on October 30 when the Bahamas Celebration ship ran aground as it was leaving Freeport.

The ship’s owners acquired a new, larger vessel to replace the damaged one. There were plans to start sailing on February 1, however, this date was postponed due to a failed public address system.

The Grand Celebration has a passenger capacity of 1,900. It has 750 cabins, 10 public decks, five restaurants, a casino, seven music lounges, and a performance centre that seats 850 people.

The ship is projected to bring some 280,000 passengers annually, with not less than 100,000 passengers staying in hotels.

Ms Bethel said that many people in Grand Bahama have been looking forward to this day.

“It has been long awaited,” she said. “The ship went out of service on Halloween night, so particularly, the hotels, tours, and attractions have been very eager for that service to return,” she said.

“The fortunate part is that not only have they returned, but they returned with a larger vessel under the new name – Grand Celebration – which is reflective of the experience that we will be rolling out on the island with our new upcoming ad campaign, ‘the Grand Life,’” she said.

Ms Bethel indicated that the return of a larger vessel will mean increased economic benefits to the island. She said the new vessel has an increased passenger capacity of 450, compared to the Bahamas Celebration.

“There is also increased cabin capacity, so economically that means we will have at least $200,000 in room revenue increase per sailing,” Ms Bethel said.

On December 15, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that some 300 Bahamians would be hired to work on board the vessel when it started service to the island.

The Bahamas Balearia Express has also commissioned a new larger vessel for service from Fort Lauderdale.