How Grand Bahama Is Becoming the Caribbean’s Newest Cruise Powerhouse 

It’s only about 70 miles as the crow flies between Florida and the west end of Grand Bahama. While the island is closer than almost anywhere to the US, it’s been something of an afterthought in the travel industry in recent years. 

But that is starting to change, with a huge wave of new investment on the island, centered in one particular corner of the tourism industry: cruising. 

Grand Bahama is set to enter a new era as a cruise destination, with several huge projects already underway and a new energy shifting the island into what local officials hope could be a regional cruise powerhouse. 

That includes the $600 million Celebration Key project by Carnival, which is making its debut this year and is expected to welcome some 4 million guests annually by 2028. 

There’s also an $80 million cruise development at Freeport Harbour, one that will see the creation of a huge new port and water park thanks to Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. 

That’s along with a $665 million transformation of the Grand Bahama shipyard that will add two new floating docks and position Grand Bahama as the largest cruise ship repair facility in the world, The Bahamas’ Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey, said in a breakfast briefing in Miami Beach. 

“These developments are intentional and purposeful,” Moxey said. “Cruise tourism. “Grand Bahama is posted through its many developments coming on stream to significantly contribute to increasing [The Bahamas’] arrival numbers.”

That will only bolster the country’s broader cruise success, which is anchored in the Nassau Cruise Port (which continues to set records) and The Bahamas’ growing collection of private destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay (by Royal Caribbean) and Princess Cays, among others (part of Carnival as well).

For its part, Carnival is planning a July 19 debut for Celebration Key, which will include everything from adults-only ares to a water park to a beach club and a man-made lagoon.