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Carnival plans to have its ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration make stops at the new cruise port, starting in late 2024. The new (RCCL-exclusive) cruise port is expected to bring an additional 2 million cruisers to Grand Bahama island annually. In October 2023 was announced a USD 600 million expansion project aiming to make the facility the world's largest cruise ship repair yard. The project includes two new floating drydocks which will enable servicing both operational and under-construction cruisers as well as other types of marine vessels.
Covid-19 advise for cruises to Freeport (Grand Bahama)
Turquoise water, cave tunnels, and emerald green foliage make up this tropical national park located on Grand Bahama. Lucayan National Park is centrally located on the southern side of the island and spans across nearly 2,000 acres. Explore the park’s extensive sea cave system if you’re feeling adventurous. Located just 64 miles from the coast of Florida, you’ll still feel a world away thanks to the island’s stunning white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and colorful island towns. Not surprisingly, seafood is a staple of residents, and the signature dish of the Bahamas is conch salad, chilled conch marinated in lime or orange juice and mixed with tomato, onion, celery, cucumber and green peppers. Many locals believe conch is an aphrodisiac, and the mollusk is also deep fried (cracked conch), mixed in stews or soups and served as a breaded appetizer (conch fritters).
Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Grand Bahama Island
The hub of tourist activities in Freeport is centered around Port Lucaya Marina and Port Lucaya Marketplace, both located around 16 km/10 miles (a 20-minute drive) from the cruise terminal. Unless you are taking an organized shore excursion, you’ll probably want to spend your day here. The Freeport cruise terminal is a short cab or bus ride away from the beautiful and fun-filled part of the city. One of the highlights is Junkanoo Beach, just a 15-minute walk from Freeport Cruise Port. Additionally, Freeport offers a variety of activities, such as snorkeling, eco-tours, and cultural experiences that you can enjoy on your own or with a local guide. Paradise Cove Beach – Located a 25-minute drive northwest of Freeport cruise port, Paradise Cove Beach is a gateway to Deadman’s Reef where you can explore the colorful marine world of the Bahamas.
Weather in Freeport
The port will be located on the south coast of the island of Grand Bahama, some 20 miles east of Freeport. The cruise port, called "Celebration Key," will be Carnival's first private destination. The name reveal comes 15 months after the cruise line began construction on the island of Grand Bahama. Set sail for a tropical paradise with our Grand Bahama Island Cruise Port Guide.
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New Grand Bahama Port to push up Carnival's owned port numbers by 2m - Seatrade Cruise News
New Grand Bahama Port to push up Carnival's owned port numbers by 2m.
Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This bustling place is a shopping paradise and one of the highlights of Freeport. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.
Bahamas
Even though the cruise ship meals are delicious, make sure you catch a shuttle or taxi into town where you can savor the local dishes. You can also take a quick 10-minute taxi ride to the port, where on the way you can visit areas such as millionaire row, which holds the casinos and stunning 5-star resorts. It is also so large that it can dock up to four major cruise lines at once, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Celebrity, amongst many others. Located about 30 miles from Port Lucaya is the incredibly beautiful Lucayan National Park.
Transportation in the Bahamas
Soon after the arrival of Christopher Columbus and other settlers to the islands, the Lucayan people were wiped out due to disease and enslavement. The Bahamas was eventually claimed by Great Britain and stayed under its rule for 325 years until 1973 when it became its own sovereign country that is a member of the Commonwealth Nations. The drink is a mix of spiced rum, coconut rum, apricot brandy, pineapple juice, orange juice and "secret ingredient." This past March, Carnival marked 50 years of transporting guests to The Bahamas. This new venture, according to Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line is yet another example of Carnival’s enduring partnership with The Bahamas. “As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we’re already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,” says Carnival president Duffy.
Freeport Bahamas is also famous with its ship-repair yard often used by Bahamas-flagged cruise vessels for regularly scheduled repairs, maintenance and drydock refurbishment works. On May 12, 2022, was held the groundbreaking ceremony for Carnival Corporation's new cruise port destination on Grand Bahama Island. Lokono Cove will also be a the departure point for guests who take shore excursions in Grand Bahama. Garden of the Groves is an excellent place to get lost in nature during your Grand Bahamas cruise.
The park only costs five dollars to enter, and it is truly one of the best experiences you will ever have. Not only are the mangroves an incredible sight to see, but this boardwalk will also lead you to one of the most idyllic tropical beaches you have ever seen. By following one of the nature trails, you will be taken to the underwater cave system, and at over 9.7 kilometers long, it is one of the longest underwater cave systems in the entire world. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, the number of people visiting the Bahamas via a cruise and air in 2019 was over 7 million. If you have been considering a cruise to the Bahamas, you must ensure you check out Freeport on Grand Bahama Island during your stay. Grand Lucayan's two most popular features are its large infinity pool, the beach, smaller lap pool, Jacuzzi, pool bar (complimentary beverages and food / burgers, wings, seafood, salads, desserts).
This area will boast a swim-up bar and variety of cabana rentals including beachside options, as well as villas with personal slides into the lagoon. The portal will also feature several dining venues, including a full-service restaurant. With dozens of monthly calls in the Bahamas, and several of their ships registered in the island country, Carnival Cruise Line maintains a sizable presence in the idyllic archipelago.
For updated coronavirus (Covid-19) information and travel advice to Freeport and Grand Bahama visit the website of the U.S. For more Traveler's Health advice to The Bahamas see the CDC Website information page for travelers to The Bahamas. Rand Nature Center is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and those interested in exploring Grand Bahama Island’s flora and fauna. Set on nearly 100 acres (40 hectares), the nature preserve is home to hundreds of bird species and features a network of trails through the native pine forests. Make sure you check for the “authentically Bahamian” label on a product before you purchase it so that you know you are supporting local.
Other major cruise lines, including Norwegian, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America, are sailing in some capacity and have plans for a full re-entry into the cruise industry. Its ships make numerous stops in Nassau, and the cruise line operates the private islands of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. Partnering with the Bahamian government solidifies Carnival’s commitment to expansion on the island.
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