By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Corporation is undertaking a major investment in The Bahamas, with plans for two major new cruise developments in the country that could mean $180 million in new investment.

The company has signed an agreement with the government of The Bahamas to build two significant new projects: one, a new cruise port for Carnival Cruise Line on Grand Bahama; the other, a new development on Little San Salvador in the southern Bahamas.

The Grand Bahama project would represent an investment of more than $100 million, while the Little San Salvador project, which would also include a new pier, would amount to more than $90 million over time.

Little San Salvador is already home to Holland America Line’s Half Moon Cay port.

“We are very pleased to announce that Carnival Corporation’s projects in the Bahamas are full speed ahead,” said Prime Minister Minnis. “These developments and the significant investment in world-class tourism and hospitality operations are such a boon for our initiatives for national prosperity and economic stability.”

Carnival said that work would begin on both projects by mid-2020, once environmental and other permitting processes were completed.

Carnival said the plans included construction parameters designed to meet or exceed guidelines for withstanding category 5 hurricanes.

“This is an exciting day for all of us involved with these two extraordinary development projects,” said Israel. “We have been working with the prime minister and his staff for some time with a shared vision for our design plans, and we want to extend our sincere gratitude for their collaboration and partnership,” said Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation. “Our collective goal is to maintain the reputation of The Bahamas as one of our most popular and welcoming destinations for years to come, and it is very rewarding to see our joint vision finalized with today’s agreement.” 

Israel said the move could help provide much-needed jobs and economic development in Grand Bahama, which is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Dorian.

“We are very pleased to announce that Carnival Corporation’s projects in the Bahamas are full speed ahead,” said Prime Minister Minnis. “These developments and the significant investment in world-class tourism and hospitality operations are such a boon for our initiatives for national prosperity and economic stability.”

Both of the new developments will be able to receive the cruise industry’s largest ships, including Carnival’s highly-anticipated Mardi Gras ship, slated to open in August 2020.

A rendering of the new Mardi Gras ship.

Six of Carnival’s nine cruise brands currently call to The Bahamas.

The new Grand Bahama port will be developed on the south side of Grand Bahama, the company said.

It will feature what the company called “uniquely Bahamian destination with a spectacular beachfront and exciting features, along with job opportunities and positive economic impact for the local community.”

The new developments add to what has become easily the most active cruise sector in the wider Caribbean region.

Indeed, just last month, Global Ports Holding formalized its plans to build a new $250 million cruise port in the heart of downtown Nassau.

For more, visit Carnival Cruise Line.