More taxes for the Bahamas.
The Bahamian government is planning to increase the departure tax for cruise passengers and implement two new tax levies to raise its annual revenues, and it could happen as early as next month.
The proposed changes to the Passenger Tax Amendment Bill 2023 seek to almost triple the country’s annual revenues from cruise ship visitors to around $145 million.
The current $18 per passenger departure tax increases to $23 for ships leaving from Nassau and Freeport, resulting in a 27% rise.
For those departing from a private island without calling at another port, the $18 increases by 38% to $25.
Also, cruisers entering or leaving the country would be charged a $5 tourism environment tax and a $2 tourism enhancement tax, generating a total charge of $30 and $32 departure fees for Nassau/Freeport and private islands, respectively.
A new bipartisan bill introduced by the U.S. Congress seeks to amend an old law, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), that currently allows proposed legal actions only for wrongful death suits relating to airline passengers who died in international waters.
The Hammer’s Law bill advocates extending provisions to include wrongful death actions against cruise ships, their operators, and owners. Holding cruise lines responsible for passengers who die onboard.
A tragic event influenced the move in 2016 where Drs. Larry and Christy Hammer were killed on a Peruvian riverboat vacation.
The Adora Magic City, Carnival Corporation’s joint venture with China, was floated out without issue on June 6, 2023, at Shanghai Shipbuilding Co.
The ship, which weighs 135,500 tons and can accommodate 5,246 passengers, is currently being outfitted and will go through sea trials next.
The ship will be handed over at the end of 2023.
Inaugural cruises on Adora Magic City are being coined “Maritime Silk Road” voyages designed to explore Asia.