TWO-NIGHT CRUISES ABOARD BAHAMAS PARADISE JUST GRAND
I’ve been following a small cruise line operating out of West Palm Beach, Fla., for some time now. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (bahamasparadisecruise.com) specializes in quick and affordable two-night trips between Florida and Freeport, Bahamas. The line has grown steadily and quickly, and a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to check out the line for myself for the first time.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, launched in 2015, has managed to conjure up the success (and loyal following) of the old Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, but with a more robust product. Imperial Majesty operated two-night cruises from Port Everglades to the Bahamas aboard a classic old ocean liner called Regal Empress, which was beloved by guests, but had its fate sealed by modern maritime regulations and was sold for scrap in 2009. Bahama Paradise started out with Grand Celebration, which began life as Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration in 1987. Then, just this spring, it acquired even newer tonnage, snapping up Costa Cruises’ pretty Costa neoClassica and renaming it Grand Classica.
With its new two-ship fleet, Bahamas Paradise offers two-night cruises to Freeport operating each and every day out of Palm Beach. These can be taken as a cruise-only option, or a cruise-and-stay package that adds a few nights on land in the Bahamas. I boarded Grand Classica in Palm Beach just in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and embarked to a ship sailing entirely full. But unlike modern megaliners, this 1991-built beauty felt spacious and uncrowded, with a maximum capacity of 1,680. You won’t find a lot of balcony cabins aboard; most folks stay in oceanview and interior rooms.
Bahamas Paradise is all about value. My sailing cost less than a couple nights in a Holiday Inn, but it delivered a ton of value. Drinks on board are reasonably priced (coupon and beverage packages are available), and shore excursions offered in Freeport were varied and equally easy on the wallet. I chose to spend the day at the Grand Lucayan Resort, with its pools and sandy beach just steps away.
Bahamas Paradise even provides a shuttle service on this excursion, allowing you to choose when you want to head back to the ship.
While on board, Grand Classica’s crew were unfailingly friendly and upbeat. That’s impressive considering they welcome 1,000 or so new guests every other day. My Oceanview cabin was spotless and comfortable, with plenty of attractive wood accents and a large circular picture window that let in the Bahamian sunshine.
I was particularly taken with the high-quality of on-board entertainment. Evening production shows were elaborate and well done, and the live music offerings rivalled cruises costing thousands of dollars above what a quick trip on Grand Classica runs. Food on board is decent, but experienced cruisers will want to make reservations for one of the ship’s specialty dining venues, which offer higher quality fare than the main dining room or the buffet. Bahamas Paradise isn’t fancy, but it is immensely enjoyable — and extremely affordable.
Happy cruising. Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com