Thursday, February 18, 2010

Home National Sports Business Lifestyles Religion Arts & Culture Pulse Spice Editorial letters Opinion Foodie Sportscope Real Talks Weekend Report PDF's Classifieds Contact About Us Archive Weather

Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report
Grand Bahama celebrates 4,000 extra tourists a week By Scott Armstrong ~ The Nassau Guardian ~ scott@nasguard.com: Nassau's loss will prove to be Grand Bahama's gain as bosses at Celebration Cruise Line predict they'll soon be bringing up to 4,000 passengers a week to the island. And management say that the new route from Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama will let it expand into transporting cargo between the island and Florida. The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday the mixed reaction to the news that the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship was pulling out of Nassau from March 15,ending a partnership which had brought tens of thousands of extra tourists into the Downtown economy, and providing a popular route for New Providence residents to carry out shopping forays in the US. After making the announcement the cruise line was quick to point out the decision was in no way reflective of any negative experience had in Nassau and Paradise Island. "Our management team is very grateful for all the support shown to us by the people of Nassau, both as passengers and business partners." said Charles Kinnear, president of the cruise line. "Feedback from our passengers has always been very positive about the Nassau and Paradise Island experience." "Our ship is designed to carry both passengers and cargo," said Kinnear. "Not only will we be providing Grand Bahama Island with 3,500 to 4,000 passengers a week, but also a steady means of transporting goods between Florida and the Island." "We applaud Celebration Cruise Lines for their initiative in opening a new port to GBI for the popular short cruise as well as cruise-and-stay-over options which represent unique opportunities for GBI due to its proximity to South Florida," said Vernice Walkine, Director-General of Tourism. She added that she was confident there would be a boost to stopover visitors to Grand Bahama Island. Celebration Cruise Line began operation in March of 2009 and has been sailing exclusively to the Bahamas three times a week and it plans to set sail every other day on an overnight cruise to Grand Bahama . A typical two-day cruise would sail overnight, allow passengers to debark for the day on the island, then return the following night. However four- and six-night vacation packages would also be offered that would include two or four-night stays at the island's Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort. On Friday, Peter Turnquest, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are very excited by this, anything which boosts the lift to Grand Bahama, either by air or sea, is a positive development. "I know many businesses here will look forward to welcoming Celebration and we will work with them in any way possible to make their stay as profitable as possible. "There will be a few glasses lifted to toast this news tonight in Grand Bahama." Monday February 08, 2010