GRAND CLASSICA SET TO SAIL FROM PORT OF PALM BEACH
Reservations feature buy-one, get-one free offer, cruise line says.
RIVIERA BEACH — Grand Classica, a 1,680-passenger ship, will join its sister ship Grand Celebration at the Port of Palm Beach as it begins sailing from the port to Freeport, Bahamas, on April 13.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the only cruise line at the port in Riviera Beach, announced Tuesday that reservations for Grand Classica are open with a buy-one, get-one free booking offer.
The two ships expect to carry approximately 500,000 passengers annually. The company said that will make it the largest provider of tourism to Grand Bahama Island.
“At 52,900 gross tons, Grand Classica complements Grand Celebration nicely,” said Oneil Khosa, chief executive officer of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.
The ships will sail on alternate days, giving passengers the option of a two-night getaway any day of the week. They can also choose a Cruise & Resort Stay package and add any number of nights at a Grand Bahama Island hotel.
The 1,800-passenger Grand Celebration returned to the port in December after being chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for three months following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The ship provided housing to first responders and National Guard members who were helping to rebuild the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In August, the cruise line and the Port of Palm Beach signed a 10-year agreement for the Grand Celebration and the addition of the second ship.
The cruise line is owned by Kevin Sheehan, former CEO and president of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and his family, who purchased it in December 2016.
The port projects it will receive $54.3 million to $62.9 million from the two ships over the next 10 years. It will be the first time the port has hosted two multiday cruise ships, although there have been casino ships that operated day cruises.
The Grand Celebration, launched in January 2015, replaced the Bahamas Celebration, which ran aground in Freeport on Halloween weekend in 2014. The 1,250-passenger Bahamas Celebration was sold for scrap metal. It had sailed from the port to Freeport since 2010 and carried about 350,000 passengers in its last year of operation.
The Classica underwent a major refurbishment in 2014. In October 2017, it went into dry dock while its systems and infrastructure were improved and additional improvements were made.
The Classica features 658 staterooms and 10 passenger decks. It offers eight dining options, live entertainment in its theater and regal room, a casino, a lounge, spa, fitness center and salon, two pools and more.
The restaurants are as follows:
■ The Yellow Elder is the complimentary main dining room.
■ Admiral’s Steak & Seafood will offer five-course gourmet meals.
■ The Rock Grill will give guests a chance to cook meats on a lava rock
grill or order specialty burgers.
■ A Slice Above will serve Italian fare such as build-your-own gourmet pizzas.
■ The Grand Cafe is a specialty coffee, gelato and dessert spot.
■ The Crow’s Nest Bar and Grill will serve beer, cocktails and pub fare.
■ The Ocean View Buffet will offer a complimentary buffet serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks.
Other amenities include a conference center that seats 80, a kids club for ages 3 to 17, retail shops, an internet lounge and card room.
For more information, visit the company’s website at BahamasParadiseCruiseLine.com or call 800995-3201.