The Tribune

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar were among special guests at the dedication ceremony of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam cruise ship on Saturday.

Holland America Line is a division of Carnival Cruise Corporation & plc., the world’s largest leisure travel company. Their ships call in ports around the world, including Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays, Eleuthera and Half Moon Cay.

During the event, Prime Minister Minnis and Minister D’Aguilar spoke with Carnival Cruise Corporation & plc. executives, including Chairman Micky Arison, President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald and Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford.

Minister D’Aguilar also met with Mr. Donald following the dedication ceremony to discuss a variety of matters.

On Monday Carnival will unveil plans for Freeport’s newest cruise port.

During Saturday’s pier-side ceremony in Florida, Oprah Winfrey christened the nearly 100,000-ton cruise ship and was named godmother of the Nieuw Statendam.

Part of the ship’s inaugural season featured an Oprah and O, The Oprah Magazine ‘Girls Getaway’ cruise, which included a stop at Half Moon Cay on Thursday,.

“We are pleased for the opportunity to witness such a special ceremony and get an up close look at one of Carnival’s newest ships,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“The Bahamas has a strong partnership with the Carnival Corporation and we look forward to building on that relationship with new projects that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities for Bahamians.”

The Prime Minister and his delegation returned to The Bahamas on Sunday.