Royal Caribbean has made its return to The Bahamas, with the home-porting of Adventure of the Seas in Nassau. 

The ship arrived this week to the port of Nassau, following a year-long shutdown of the cruise industry amid the global pandemic. 

“It has been a long and challenging period for our country and for the entire world including the global tourism industry and the cruising sector,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. “Cruising is an essential economic driver for our small country.”

The ship will homeport in Nassau and sail all-Bahamas itineraries, with stops in Grand Bahama and at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private-island destination in the Berry Islands chain of The Bahamas. 

The Royal Caribbean arrangement offers the “best of both worlds,” said Minnis, as it is expected to add on a hotel stay of one to two nights for cruise guests.

A highlight of Royal Caribbean’s discussions with Bahamas tourism officials and key industry stakeholders has been the proposition of making Nassau a homeport and potential gateway to the Caribbean, he said.

“This proposition has the potential to make a significant economic impact on our nation, though there is still much to be done to realize this potential,” said the Prime Minister.

Royal Caribbean is also planning a beach break destination on Paradise Island called Royal Beach Club, a a $50 million investment that will generate an extra $26 million per year in visitor spending, according to Minnis. 

“With the vaccine distribution in active progress in The Bahamas and abroad, major hotel re-openings, and the return of cruising in The Bahamas, there is steadfast optimism that our country will once again achieve record-breaking tourism levels,” said Minnis.

— CJ