Carnival breaks ground on new Grand Bahama cruise port

Expected to open in late 2024, the new port is being developed on the south side of the island and will serve as a gateway to Grand Bahama while also offering a 'uniquely Bahamian experience with many exciting features and amenities, along with business opportunities for the residents of Grand Bahama,' Carnival said.

Dock for two Excel-class ships

The development includes a pier able to handle up to two Excel-class ships at once. Passengers will alight on a white-sand beach and can explore Grand Bahama by sea via a dedicated shore excursion dock, or by land via a ground transportation hub. An area of the port will be designated as a nature reserve, and there will be a pool feature, along with many  Bahamian-operated retail and food and beverage options.

On hand for the groundbreaking were Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Grand Bahama Port Authority Acting Chairman Sarah St. George and Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Arnold Donald along with other representatives of the company and the local community.

Jobs and new hope

'With the start of this Carnival project, Grand Bahama is now on the better side of reaching its true economic potential,' Davis said. 'This investment will provide much needed jobs but will also signal new hope for the island’s recovery.'

Noting Carnival's 50-year partnership with the Bahamas, Duffy called the new destination an opportunity to 'contribute to the local economy through job and business opportunities, meaningfully engage with local communities and further expand our experience offerings for our guests who will have a breathtaking new port of call to enjoy.'

Transformational project

Grand Bahama Port Authority's St. George predicted a 'monumental impact on our island’s economy, including a panoply of new business opportunities, a huge surge in tourist visitors, as well as increased activities for established businesses. It is transformational ...'

The cruise pier will allow Grand Bahama to welcome Carnival's larger, newer ships, such Mardi Gras, which debuted in 2021, and sister Carnival Celebration, scheduled to begin sailing from PortMiami later this year.

Carnival said additional details on the design, features and the name of the cruise port will be revealed over the coming months.