The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Carnival Cruise Lines is aiming to make up to 50 retail and marketplace spots available to local tenants at its Grand Bahama port that will ultimately cater to as many as 17,000 persons daily.

The cruise line, in its ‘request for information’ for retailers interested in securing space at the port, said its plans currently provide for three so-called ‘anchor’ stores; 15 ‘standard’ stores; and some 32 market kiosks.

The ‘anchor’ stores, which will be between 1,400 square feet and 1,800 square feet in size, covering around a total 4,500 square feet, will focus on duty-free type retailing and goods, jewellery and general gifts and souvenirs. The ‘standard’ stores, which will be between 450-600 square feet, and cover a total area of 8,100 square feet, will sell a variety of items.

Carnival’s information request said these will range from general souvenirs and apparel, including branded items, t-shirts, and local jewellery, to crew retail and beach essentials such as sunblock, sunglasses and hats. The market kiosks, which will be sized between 70 to 180 square feet, and cover a total 5,300 square feet, are to have “uniquely Bahamian” offerings including “handmade, handcrafted artisan type products”.

“Carnival is constructing a dedicated cruise ship destination designed to accommodate two cruise ships per day, with a daily onshore capacity of up to 13,000 guests and 4,000 crew members,” the cruise line said. “The destination is expected to open in summer 2025. In order to provide a quality retail experience, Carnival will negotiate and execute lease agreements with many qualified operators. Agreements may take the form of standard, long- term retail leases.”

While Carnival’s port will receive cruise vessels between the hours of 8am and 5pm seven days per week, it added that night operations may eventually be considered. “Approximately one million guests are expected to visit the destination in its first year of operation, with potentially up to two million guests in the second year forward,” Carnival added.

“Retail footprint at the destination is not foreseen to be dense, and will be differentiated by being mostly Bahamian-focused and inspired.... Total retail footprint is anticipated to be approximately 18,000 square feett, split into different categories.”

Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, yesterday said Carnival is conducting “community engagement exercises” on the island and showcasing the retail opportunities that will be available when the port is completed in summer 2025.

“We’re really excited about what’s happening with that. It’s going to provide so many entrepreneurial opportunities for the people of the community as well as new job opportunities,” she added. The Grand Port will be located at Sharp Rock.

While Royal Caribbean also has a port project for Grand Bahama, it has been “dealing directly” with the Freeport Harbour Company. “We’re really focused on the Carnival cruise port development at this time and I’m sure that Royal Caribbean will update as soon as they have additional information on that,” Mrs Moxey said.

Discussions with the Grand Bahama Port Authority are ongoing, she added, and there is a strong desire to see “all hands on deck” to move the island in the right direction. Tar balls of oil that recently washed up on Grand Bahama’s shoreline have been sent to the US for testing to determine exactly where originated from.

As for Grand Bahama International Airport’s (GBIA) redevelopment, Mrs Moxey said the winning consortium’s operating partner, Manchester Airport Group, will be in Freeport this summer to assess the facility and “plans are continuing to progress in that direction.”

She added: “There’s a lot happening on the island. We are excited about everything that’s happening. We know that Grand Bahama, we’ve said we wanted it to be the events and entertainment destination in The Bahamas. We’ve been busy having many events on the island.”