Officials from Carnival Cruise Line and the Bahamian government signed an agreement today in Freeport for the construction of a new cruise port to be operated by Carnival on Grand Bahama Island. The unnamed planned port will be the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever built in the Bahamas, and will take inspiration from the beauty of the local people and their islands.
“Carnival Cruise Line is the leader in year-round cruising to The Bahamas and this new development will not only provide a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind destination experience for our guests but it will further solidify our partnership with the people of The Bahamas,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line remarked. “Collectively, we represent the single largest cruise company investor in The Bahamas [Carnival Corporation as a whole].”
Planned features include a one-mile stretch of beach, food, beverage, and shopping outlets, a wide variety of water-based amenities and activities, and other recreational facilities. The port will also include a pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival’s largest ships simultaneously and is expected to eventually host up to 1 million guests each year.
The multimillion dollar project will provide a significant economic benefit for the island nation, including employment and economic opportunities throughout the development, construction, and ongoing operation once completed. It’s also important to note that as always, the project is subject to public discussion, environmental studies, and a number of permits.
