The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second-largest cruise ship, will exclusively sail to The Bahamas twice a week, resulting in about 800,000 passengers visiting the country’s shores a year. 

The 1,188-foot-long ship, which weighs 236,860 gross tons, was officially docked at the Nassau Cruise Port for the first time yesterday. The ship can hold over 5,000 guests, 2,290 international crew mates, 18 decks, over a dozen restaurants, five pools, a basketball court, a zipline, an ice skating rank, and other attractions.

The cruise ship will sail exclusively to Nassau and the Perfect Day at Coco Cay, located in the Berry Islands, twice a week. During yesterday’s opening ceremony, officials said cruise passengers from Port Canaveral, Florida, will be able to enjoy the cruise.

Mike Maura, Nassau Cruise Port’s CEO, said the Utopia’s arrival speaks to the value RCI sees in the Bahamas. He said that with the Utopia’s inclusion, Nassau will welcome 5.5 million cruise passengers this year alone. 

Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the cruise ship demonstrates Royal Caribbean’s over 50-year relationship with The Bahamas. He stressed the voyage would be a Bahamian cruise as the Utopia would only sail to The Bahamas.

Mr Cooper, who also serves as the minister of tourism, said he hopes the cruise ship will make Grand Bahama one of its destinations in the future. 

Philip Simon, the Royal Beach Club’s president and general manager for the cruise line’s Bahamas operations, said Mr Cooper’s hope for Grand Bahama to become a third destination is “wishful thinking.”

“The company will explore, you know, whatever works best but for now, it’s sailing to Coco Cay and Nassau,” Mr Simon said.

 Ivanna Seymour, 32, the highest-ranking Bahamian on the Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas, said she was in charge of plotting the navigation course for the ship to Nassau. She said she is grateful to be back home and to have the opportunity to visit Nassau twice a week. 

Meanwhile, Mr Simon also noted the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is on target to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. He said 90 per cent of the work is complete to remove structures and that work is underway to relocate protected species.