Navigator of the Seas Inaugural Voyage to Grand Bahama Island

The Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas made its inaugural voyage to Grand Bahama Island, Sunday, February 18th, when representatives from the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (MOTA), the Freeport Harbour Company, and the Navigator of the Seas conducted a traditional plaque exchange. 

With approximately 3,400 guests on board the vessel, Nuvolari Chotoosingh, Manager, Niche Markets, said, "The Ministry of Tourism is always delighted to have a ship that's not called on Grand Bahama Island before. In this case, it's a special charter group where the group designed their own itinerary, so it's good for Grand Bahama." 

As part of a shorter cruise experience, the group travelled from the port of Miami to Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, and Coco Cay where they had the opportunity to experience the available offerings on all the islands. 

Captain Trond Holm, Navigator of the Seas, noted that even with a majority of the ship occupied, only seventy persons participated in the tours that were offered to the visitors once they arrived in Grand Bahama Island. 

He said, "There's a lot of potential and what you manage to create and offer to our guests to get them out and support the local economy, is all up to you." 

Orlando Forbes, Director, Freeport Harbour Company, said that there have been ongoing conversations to encourage the Royal Caribbean ships to call continuously on Grand Bahama Island. 

However, he also added that "We know we have some work to do in terms of improving the shore excursions and giving visitors more to do in terms of improving the visitor experience and that work is ongoing." 

"These brands have said what their expectations are, and we are working with them and the way we approach it is to develop a win-win relationship with them and I think hand in hand, with their support, we'll raise the status of the port and make it a viable marquee market for them." 

The Navigator of the Seas is scheduled to return to Grand Bahama Island for a thirty-two-day dry dock period after which, the ship will begin three and four-day cruises to The Bahamas from May 2019.