The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE MS Oriana made an unscheduled visit to Freeport with over 1,700 passengers yesterday as part of a 35-night Caribbean and Central American cruise.

A welcome reception and plaque exchange was held on board the ship at Freeport Harbour, with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Freeport Harbour, Departments of Customs and Immigration and Freeport Ship Services.

Captain Alan Hawkins said that 1,750 passengers and a crew of 750 are on board on the ship, which departed from its first stop in Bermuda.

He said they are pleased to be in Freeport enjoying the good weather.

“The weather is fantastic and the winds are light which is good,” he said.

“We are on a 35-night Caribbean and Central American cruise and we come across the UK and stopped in Hamilton, Bermuda, which was our first stop and the second stop is Freeport. So this is the start of our Caribbean adventure,” Capt Hawkins said.

The ship will visit 12 ports before returning to Hamilton. After leaving Freeport, it will sail to Cozumel, Puerto Limon, Roatan, the Panama Canal, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, St Marteen and back across to South Hamilton.

Capt Hawkins said the ship will return to Freeport in March.

Charles Rolle, operations manager at Freeport Harbour, said representatives from the group are delighted to have additional cruise calls at the harbour.

“It augurs well not just for Grand Bahama, but the vendors, tenants, and all the merchants and wider community benefit. We are always welcoming and we remain open to these unscheduled calls,” he said.

Mr Rolle expects Freeport Harbour to be busy for the first few months of the year.

“Cruise arrivals at the port for the first few months are going to be robust and positive and we expect to have some increase, and we hope they pan out,” he said.

Nuvolari Chotoosingh, manager of niche markets and maritime at the Ministry of Tourism, said that unscheduled visits mean additional business for the island.

“Anytime we get an unscheduled call it is great for us – it’s extra business for the island. All the stores, bars, restaurants have an opportunity to make funds they would not have made. So we thank Freeport Harbour for accommodating the Oriana,” he said.

When asked about current tourism numbers for Grand Bahama, Mr Chotoosingh said that it was too early as figures would be available at the end of the month.

“It is very early in the year so we do not have quite a handle on those as yet. But as you can see we have not only government representatives here such as (representatives from Departments of) Customs, Immigration, Ministry of Tourism, but also private sector partners such as Freeport Ship Services, and Freeport Harbour, and we are pulling together to make this a wonderful experience for the Oriana,” he said.