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Grand Celebration gets upgrades, to be joined by Grand Classica in April

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The former Costa neoClassica will join Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line as Grand Classica in April
Grand Celebration will return to service Dec. 23 with several enhancements, and Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's new ship will be named Grand Classica.

Grand Celebration—which had been chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to house first responders to the hurricanes in the US Virgin Islands—is adding an adults-only area, a revitalized casino and specialty coffee and juice bar.

The ship will resume its regular two-night Bahamas service from the Port of Palm Beach in time for holiday festivities including an appearance by Santa and a New Year's Eve party. Special holiday menus will be provided, too.

The company's new 52,900gt ship—formerly Costa neoClassica—will be named Grand Classica and also will sail two-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island.

With this second ship, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will become the only Line to offer daily departures to the Bahamas from the Port of Palm Beach. The company signed a three-year agreement with the Bahamas to sail both of its ships to Grand Bahama Island for two-night cruises and offer its Cruise & Resort Stay packages.

'We are pleased to have been able to assist those in need in the Caribbean. Now we are ready to return to offering memorable cruises to our guests,' said Oneil Khosa, CEO, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.

Grand Celebration's enhancements include an upgraded casino. The Par-A-Dice Casino has doubled in size, offering more slot machines, video poker and enhanced table games. Nearly 70 of the most popular slot games have been added, bringing the total number of slots to 125, in addition to several new video poker machines.

The table games area, which includes roulette, blackjack, craps, three card poker and the Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, has been divided into two spaces and now also includes raised maximum betting limits, the ability to make additional wages while playing blackjack and electronic roulette machines for those who prefer to play without a crowd watching.

The forward sun deck at the top of the ship was transformed into The Oasis, a complimentary adults-only area for ages 18 and over. The expansive area includes a bar, a large hot tub, new sun loungers and several outdoor daybeds.

At the new Grand Café on Deck 9, baristas will prepare specialty coffees and offer gelato and pastries. Menu items feature a variety of hot and iced specialty coffees, teas and other beverages, including smoothies and freshly squeezed juices.

Morning fare includes chocolate croissants, Viennese pastries, muffins and quiche. Throughout the day, the Grand Café will offer sweet treats like homemade gelato, sorbet, cakes, tarts, cupcakes and chocolate truffles.