Bahamas welcomes cruise

THE Bahamas has changed its stance on cruise ship passengers, with local officials hoping cruising will return to Nassau upon the resumption of the industry.

Last year representatives from the Bahamas were bemoaning the lack of money spent by cruise passengers visiting the country.

However, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian (CW 09 Sep) and the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar said he intends to “encourage” cruise lines to return to Nassau once they are able to, as that is where tourists would make the most economic impact for the country.

“Obviously, when they start cruising again, they will not want to come to the population centres, they will want to go to their private islands, because they can control the environment,” he said.

D’Aguilar added the relatively short distance between Florida and the Bahamas would work in the country’s favour.

“At the onset, [the cruise lines] will want to check their protocols and see how they work.

“We’re wonderfully positioned for the rebound of the cruise industry, because we’re so close and they can do short cruises.”

“The shorter you make the cruise, the less the risk...you can do a three-day cruise involving Nassau and your private island.”

D’Aguilar and many others have in the past expressed fears private islands such as Great Stirrup Cay and Perfect Day CocoCay siphon money from Nassau or Freeport, but the Minister of Tourism says the Government of the Bahamas will now not allow that to happen.

Pictured: Warwick Paradise Island.