As We reported last week, Celebration Cruise Lines has switched it's route exclusively to Grand Bahama- Read the following article from The Nassau Guarding on the reaction from the Nassau community...
Nassau's celebration over
By Scott Armstrong ~ Guardian Business Editor ~ scott@nasguard.com:
It has brought tens of thousands of passengers to Nassau, and taken thousands from New Providence on U.S. shopping trips, but that will soon be a thing of the past for Celebration Cruise Lines as it announces it is switching to Grand Bahama.
From March 15 the 500-cabin ship, which can carry up to 1,300 people, will end its partnership with Nassau and Fort Lauderdale and begin its new route of Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama, having also done a tie-up with the Our Lucaya resort.
The news will come as a blow to the downtown economy, particular the bars, restaurants and the merchants in the temporary Straw Market, but the announcement has been welcomed in Grand Bahama where it will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for its struggling tourism industry.
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."
However the news was less welcomed in Nassau. Gracelle Richmond of Senor Frogs, a hotspot for cruise line passengers, said: "I think this is very sad for the economy of Nassau. It is one less cruise ship bringing customers in. It is a shame for the traders here."
The 680-foot Bahamas Celebration will however be welcomed with open arms in Palm Beach, where officials are over the moon to have secured the services of the 27-year-old, twice-renovated ship that features four restaurants, a two-story night club, and a casino, swimming pool and tiki bar, company officials said.
"Today is a happy day," said Port of Palm Beach Executive Director Manny Almira. Almira said the cruise line is expected to earn the port about $1.5 million per year, money that will help soften the severe blow dealt to shipping revenues by the economic downturn.
Celebration Cruise Lines 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.
Celebration Cruise Lines purchased the Bahamas Celebration in September 2008 and began sailing from Port Everglades to Nassau last March.
Earlier this month The Nassau Guardian reported how the cruise line had a bumper holiday season, and better than expected numbers for January, with cabins 100 per cent full over the Christmas & New Year period, with all of December running at 90 per cent.
The company, which hit the headlines for its policy of allowing passengers to bring 10 items of luggage for free, also said its number for January were hitting 90 percent occupancy, rather than the expected 75 percent.
