NYCruiseInfo Blog

Bahamas Loosen United States Citizens Restrictions - somewhat Just days after Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced US travelers would be blocked from the Bahamas during a coronavirus spike, the government changed course. Americans are allowed, but they'll have to undergo a 14-quarantine in a government facility and pass a COVID-19 test at the end of their isolation, both at their own expense. This lightening of the rules, really does not benefit cruise visitors which are still restricted and eliminates anyone visiting the island for under 14 days.  ---------------------------------------   OUR OTHER SITES => NYCruiseInfo.com Website - Cruise Schedule, Ship Reviews, Ports of Call & More. => Nick's Cruise Corner Blog - News On Cruise Ships Sailing World Wide. => Follow Us on Instagram - NYCruiseInfo At Instagram => Subscribe to Our Monthly New York Cruises Newsletter ,

Beautiful Beaches of the Bahamas Closed to United States Citizens to Contain Coronavirus The Bahamas has temporarily banned all United States Citizens from vacationing at the island nation. The ban, depending on how long it is enforced, could impact cruises from New York and New Jersey. These cruises frequently called at Nassau, Freeport and private islands in the Bahamas  on 7 day winter cruises. Here is the details of the current ban. "Our current situation demands decisive action if we are to avoid being overrun and being defeated by this virus," Minnis said in his address, noting that the Bahamas has confirmed 15 new cases for a total of 153 cases. 49 of the cases had been identified since the Bahamas reopened its borders on July 1.  Sea vessels carrying commercial passengers will also not be permitted to enter. However, private international flights, charters and yachts from all countries will be allowed.  National airline Bahamasair will en...

Marella Cruises Marella Discovery to Call in New York as Port of Call on Cruises from Cape Canaveral UK based Marella Cruises' has announced a series of 7-day cruises from Cape Canaveral, Florida sailing to Charleston, South Carolina, with an overnight stay in New York , a day visit to Freeport in the Bahamas and back to Cape Canaveral Florida (where the cruise ends). The itinerary is sure the attract her British Clientele offering a taste of the Big Apple and Americana. Marella Cruises will utilize the Marella Discovery which previously operated as Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (a Royal Caribbean Vision Class ship), the Thompson Discovery and now the Marella Discovery. Cruises will sail to New York on select dates in May, June and July 2021. RETURN TO NYCRUISEINFO.com   ---------------------------------------   Sister Sites => NYCruiseInfo.com Website - Cruise Schedule, Ship Reviews, Ports of Call & More. => Nick's Cruise Corner B...

Grand Lucaya Resort Today Will Be Transformed into a Resort and Shore Excursion for Cruises Calling at Freeport in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean's new joint venture, Holistica Destinations, announced on 3/2/2020 a $300 million investment in Freeport, Grand Bahama that will redevelop the Freeport cruise ship terminal to bring a new world-class destination with a one-of-a-kind hotel, convention center, water adventure park and more. The new project will span two locations including the enhancement and expansion of the port terminal, to be called Harbour Village, and the Lucaya Property, which will be situated at the current Grand Lucayan resort. The first phase of the Lucaya Property will be a world-class beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roa...

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas is expected to sail from New York in 2021 visiting New England, Canada on 4 & 5 Day Cruises; Bermuda 5 Day Cruises and the Caribbean (repositioning cruises - 6 Days). The Freedom of the Seas will become the latest ship to go through the Royal Amplified program. The massive refit is  scheduled to happen between January 12, 2020 to March 7, 2020 at he Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport in the Bahamas. Besides adding the attractions that debuted on the Quantum- and Oasis-class vessels, the original Freedom-class ship will now feature twisting water-slides, redesigned public areas, new restaurants and new bars. The pool deck will be redone with the Caribbean as inspiration. The area will feature Royal Caribbean’s new poolside signature bar, the Lime & Coconut. Another additions include cabanas, daybeds, hammocks and more shaded areas. The 2006-built ship will see the addition of the Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, the Playmaker...

Royal Caribbean in Negotiations to Purchase the  Grand Lucaya Resort in Freeport in the Bahamas Here is a news story that I had missed. It appears that Royal Caribbean is expanding its presence in the Bahamas and has made an offer to purchase the Grand  Lucaya Resort in Freeport. It appear that the negotiations began before Hurricane Dorian hit Freeport hard and the resort remains closed today due to storm damage. As of this time, It is uncertain where negotiation sit today. Royal Caribbean hinted that they intended to covert the resort into an experience very close to the "Perfect Day at Coco Cay". It is unclear if the amenities of the renovated resort will be available to hotel guests only - or be offered to cruise passengers and sold as part of a shore excursion. Here are some additional details on the negotiations from March 27, 2019. Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd. today signed a Letter of Intent with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) and the ITM Group to beg...

Holland America's Private Island to Get a Facelift as part of  Carnival's Bahamas' Port Expansion Effort. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest leisure travel company, and two of its cruise line brands today signed an agreement with the government of The Bahamas to build two major port developments. Under the agreement, Carnival Corporation will develop a new cruise port destination primarily for Carnival Cruise Line on Grand Bahama, and construction of a new addition, including a pier, on the Bahamian island of Little San Salvador, home to Holland America Line’s award-winning Half Moon Cay port. The Grand Bahama project will represent an investment of over $100 million, and the development on Little San Salvador will be an estimated $80 million investment over time. The agreement was signed today at the Prime Minister’s Office in Grand Bahama at a ceremony that included Dr. The Most Honorable Hubert A. Minnis, p...

Carnival Cruises to Develop a Private Island Like Port in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island In a deal that was inked before Hurricane Dorian, Carnival Cruises came to an Agreement to develop a private-island like experience for cruise passengers. This port, because of its proximity to New York, will definitely be added to New York Itineraries when completed. Available details are below. Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed a deal to build a $100 million cruise port in Grand Bahama, according to Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. Minnis made the announcement on Friday at a youth convention, saying, “I am pleased to announce that after many months of negotiations, we have delivered … a massive project for the people of Grand Bahama …. the Carnival port development is going full steam ahead.” He said the government would provide more details of the deal in upcoming days. A spokesman for Carnival confirmed to the Compass that an agreement has been reached. Earlier new...

Grand Bahama Shipyard Re-Opens for Business (Photo Prior to Hurricane Dorian) Grand Bahamas Shipyard is the major shipyard capable of refits and major renovations for the cruise line industry. Its proximity to Florida and short trip from the northeast and Gulf of Mexico, makes it strategically located and  helps to reduce the time required for a refit. Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) reports that it has officially resumed operations, welcoming back its first commercial vessel, the 57,062-ton Agathonissos . Owned by Greece-based Eletson, it returned to the shipyard yesterday to complete repair work that began before Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas. The shipyard, located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, says it remains on track for the next planned cruise ship visit, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Ecstasy, scheduled to arrive on October 5. Grand Bahama Shipyard says damage it incurred in the storm was limited primarily to some erosion, with no effect on berths. The shipyar...

Hurricane Dorian Leaves Destruction In Its Path - Cruise Lines Offer Some Relief After greatly damaging Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco Islands, Hurricane Dorian is making its way slowly up the east coast of the United States. Based on the reported damage to Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco Islands, it may be years before life return to normal. With the significant damage and loss of life,  the island has a long path to rebuild. Many cruise lines have donated relief money including Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. There was also a sizeable donation from the Arison family (founders of Carnival Cruises empire). The Bahamas is an important port of call for cruise lines, only being 90 miles from Miami and a frequent call on 3 and 4 day cruises from Florida. Many cruise lines have their private islands in the Bahamas and those islands are being evaluated for damage after Dorian's wrath. Royal Caribbean has posted the following t...

Carnival Cruises To Develop New Cruise Destination on Grand Bahama Island/Freeport. Expected to be a cruise port visited as part of Carnival Cruises itinerary from New York and Baltimore, Carnival Cruises has entered into an agreement with the Government of the Bahama to develop a cruise port on Grand Bahama Island. The port will be similar to a private island experience and offer a wide array of attractions. Here is a statement issued by the Finance Minister of the Bahamas concerning the announcement (Source Bahamas.com). Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. We have gathered here today for the signing of an historic Agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines for the establishment of a cruise port and destination in Eastern Grand Bahama. In order to achieve this, it took painstaking and lengthy negotiations between my Government and the principals of the Freeport Harbour Company to negotiate a Waiver of Exclusivity Agreement of their Exclusivity Rights on all ports in Gran...

  Pink Sand Beached of Bermuda Attract Cruise Passengers As Cuba is Off Limits.  Since the United States Government has banned travel to Cuba, many cruise unes are scrambling to find substitute cruise ports to replace the island nation. Since Cuba was a port frequented mostly on 4 and 5 day cruises. Cruise lines are looking for available ports in destintation close to Florida for these shorter cruises. Carnival Cruises is looking to substitute Cuba with ports like, Freeport, Bahamas; Turks and Caicos and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas (Holland Americas Private Island).  With this said, Carnival has also juggling visits to the these ports from other locations to free up slots for other ships. A prime example is that the Carnival Pride, sailing from Baltimore, was supposed to call at Freeport in the Bahamas; Turks and Caicos and Half Moon Cay, but those cruises have been replaced with cruises to Bermuda. Those freed up slots will be consumed as replacements f...

Home Lines Italia - 54 Years Ago - To become the Imperial Bahamas Hotel in Freeport, the Bahamas On April 28, 1964, An aging luxury liner started her third career at a Hoboken pier yesterday—This new role... a floating Hotel in the Bahamas. The liner is the 36‐year‐old Italia. Wth the stroke of a pen at a Hoboken pier, her name was changed to Imperial Ba­hama and title transferred from Home Lines to Canaveral International Corporation. For the 16,777‐ton passenger liner, which retained her Pan­amanian registry, it meant the end of two career—as a trans‐Atlantic passenger ship and cruise ship to the Bahamas, both out of the Port of New York, and as a World War II troop and war bride transport under United States registry. Before heading out of port later this week, the 609‐foot vessel will spend a few days at the Brooklyn yard of the Todd Shipyards Corporation for sur­vey of her hull and a “haircut and shave”—shipyard slang for hull cleaning and painting. ...