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IQCruising is just providing the information and you should be aware that you are solely responsible for booking excursions online with these third-party services. As the name suggest, this portal will be the first one that passengers encounter upon arrival at Celebration Key. The Welcome Portal will feature information outlining what’s on offer at the port, as well as live music and a giant sandcastle.
Freeport – Bahamas
Outside of Florida, Carnival Dream and Carnival Legend will sail to Celebration Key from Galveston; while Carnival Liberty will sail from New Orleans. Carnival Pride, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Spirit complete the list of ships offering itineraries to Celebration Key, sailing from Baltimore, Norfolk and Mobile, respectively. Carnival Elation will have sailings to the destination port from Jacksonville, while Carnival Paradise will also visit Celebration Key from Tampa. Cruisers traveling without children are also set to have their slice of Celebration Key - the Adult-Friendly Portal. This area will boast a swim-up bar and variety of cabana rentals including beachside options, as well as villas with personal slides into the lagoon. The portal will also feature several dining venues, including a full-service restaurant.
Learn More Fun Things to Do in Freeport, Bahamas
Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net. The Lokono Cove announcement was made during this week’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach, which is bringing together the worldwide cruise industry for a week of talks and meetings. Carnival’s Celebration Key will be featuring a retail destination called Lokono Cove, named by Grand Bahamian Deidre Ramhming, who sent in the winning name in an island-wide contest. Freeport is known for its duty-free shopping opportunities, The Port Lucaya Marketplace being the most frequented. Be sure to know your duty-free shopping laws before you begin your spending spree. There are a number of ATMs including an RBC and CIBC ATM in the Port Lucaya Marketplace.
Carnival Cruise Line sets its sights on new Bahamas port of call - The Columbian
Carnival Cruise Line sets its sights on new Bahamas port of call.
Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 12:57:44 GMT [source]
Shore Excursions
This waterpark is perfectly situated on the coast, which allows for ocean activities such as banana boat rides, jet-skiing, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Garden of the Groves is rated the number one attraction in Freeport and is about a thirty minute drive from the cruise port. There are self-guided walking tours available online for free, allowing you to discover the city at your own pace. Renting a car or a scooter might be the best way for those wanting to be independent and travel to more off-track attractions. You can rent a car online with Avis, or walk to the kiosk of Island Jeep and Car Rental in the cruise terminal on arrival day. Celebrity Eco tours also has a shop in the cruise terminal where you can rent a car or a scooter.
Shore excursions and tours
The port is on the southwest coast of Grand Bahama Island, 80 miles (129 km) east of the Florida coast, directly across Boyton Beach. Celebration Key is the first port destination that's been exclusively designed for Carnival Cruise Line. The port will be located on the south coast of the island of Grand Bahama, some 20 miles east of Freeport. The cruise port, called "Celebration Key," will be Carnival's first private destination. The name reveal comes 15 months after the cruise line began construction on the island of Grand Bahama.
When it opens in 2025, the port's cruise pier will be able to simultaneously accommodate up to two of the cruise line's Excel-class ships -- which are currently the largest and newest ships in the fleet. The Excel-class currently consists of sister ships Carnival Celebration, Carnival Mardi Gras, and Carnival Jubilee, plus another, as-yet-unnamed ship just announced by Carnival. Other popular beaches and beach resorts are Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort, Paradise Cove Beach Resort and Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach. Besides the well-developed cruise terminal area, there’s not much to see and do around the port itself. Freeport is primarily an industrial area and there is no actual “downtown”. A typical beach excursion costs about $40 to $50 per person including transportation.
Explore the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Grand Bahama Island through a range of exciting activities. Immerse yourself in Bahamian culture by visiting historical sites like the Garden of the Groves, where you can stroll through lush gardens and learn about local traditions. The reputable Xanadu Beach Hotel also provides transport services directly from the terminal for only $23, making it easy for you to transition from ship to shore. Planned on Grand Bahama Island’s horizon is the Carnival “Grand Port” project—an exciting addition expected east of the current Freeport cruise dock area.
Shops and shopping in Freeport
Freeport is one of the most popular cruise getaways because there are so many things to do in Freeport that you cannot do anywhere else. No matter your interests, there is something for everyone in Freeport, including white sandy beaches, cultural experiences, and delicious food. Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility, situated on the waterways of Freeport Harbour, has undergone a $10.9 million redevelopment program in order to upgrade the cruise passenger terminal.
Developments by Holistica were also planned for Costa Maya (Mexico), Roatan Island (Honduras) and Kumamoto (Kyushu Island, Japan). The new "Carnival Grand Bahama" cruise port (planned for opening in 2024-Q4) is being developed on the island's southern coast (121+ hectares / 300+ acres of land at Sharp Rock). In late-December 2021, RCG announced that the sale agreement for the resort is canceled but plans to participate in a new bidding process. The Bahamian government is still planning to sell the property but its development is to be independent of the cruise port.
This public beach is three miles from the International Bazaar, offering water sports, straw goods, food and beverages. The Freeport cruise port has modest offerings for cruise visitors, so they are more likely to get transportation and go elsewhere to enjoy the island. Its ships make numerous stops in Nassau, and the cruise line operates the private islands of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. Partnering with the Bahamian government solidifies Carnival’s commitment to expansion on the island.
Rand Nature Center is located around 12 km/7.5 miles (a 15-minute drive) northeast of Freeport Harbour. Port Lucaya lies on Grand Bahama Island’s southern coast, a 20-minute drive southeast of Freeport Harbour. Port Lucaya Marketplace is a large, 9.5-acre open-air shopping facility that consists of dozens of colorful little buildings and tents housing clothing, jewelry, liquor, souvenirs, and other types of shops.
Rand Nature Center is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and those interested in exploring Grand Bahama Island’s flora and fauna. Set on nearly 100 acres (40 hectares), the nature preserve is home to hundreds of bird species and features a network of trails through the native pine forests. Visit a straw market and shop for authentic Bahamian products including arts and crafts, before tasting local specialties in one of the numerous eateries and bars in the area. Rainfall begins to climb in May to four inches and eventually reaches the highest point of more than eight inches in August and September. Cruise visitors to Freeport will find plenty of warm weather throughout the year.
This new venture, according to Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line is yet another example of Carnival’s enduring partnership with The Bahamas. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. The drink is a mix of spiced rum, coconut rum, apricot brandy, pineapple juice, orange juice and "secret ingredient." Make sure you check for the “authentically Bahamian” label on a product before you purchase it so that you know you are supporting local. If swimming isn’t your strong suit, that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the incredible sea life of the Bahamas. They first opened with their first beer, “SANDS,” and now they offer multiple flavors, including a Grapefruit Radler, High Rock, Sands Light, Strong Back, Bush Crack, and Triple B.
Grand Lucayan's two most popular features are its large infinity pool, the beach, smaller lap pool, Jacuzzi, pool bar (complimentary beverages and food / burgers, wings, seafood, salads, desserts). FHC is one of the world's largest artificial harbours, and also the Caribbean's deepest harbour waterway. Port's entrance channel and turning basin (swinging basin) were dredged to allow vessel draft of 16 m (52 ft). This past March, Carnival marked 50 years of transporting guests to The Bahamas.
With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.
A variety of shops and restaurants are in the immediate area but transportation will be required to travel into the city or to one of the many beaches. Ships dock on a medium-sized mixed (ferry and cruise port) with quays for up to 3 cruise ships to moor. The Freeport cruise terminal is on Lucaya Harbor and many times confused with the Port Lucaya Marketplace and with the Port Lucaya Marina (both in downtown Freeport).
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