“OUR BEST PRAYER”: CPSA pres. says PCR test would be ideal at borders, but no longer a simple fix

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Consultant Physician Staff Association (CPSA) President Sabriquet Pinder-Butler said yesterday that while the association would consider RT-PCR COVID-19 testing at the borders an “ideal” solution amid another wave of infections, there is no simple fix at this stage with the public wanting additional freedoms, and the need to balance health and the […]

SMOOTH CRUISING: Tourism minister signals cruise tourism numbers near pre-pandemic levels

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper advised on Thursday that tourism from cruising has increased to pre-pandemic levels. Cooper made the comment on the sidelines of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th anniversary celebration in Pompey Square, noting that the country has been seeing up to six cruise ships in the […]

DELICATE BALANCE: AG office assigns attorney to Crystal Cruises Crisis to manage interaction and protect Bahamian reputation

Maritime attorney from AG’s office to manage situation NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is trying to strike a delicate balance in its dealings with the seizure of two Crystal Cruises ships in Bahamian waters last week, said Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis yesterday. The attorney general’s office will provide legal guidance to the country’s maritime agencies […]

NEW HORIZONS: Bahamian para-athlete tapped to become godmother of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship

Cancer survivor Erin Brown to be named the first Bahamian godmother of a Royal Caribbean International vessel MIAMI, FLORIDA — A Bahamian woman who lost her leg to cancer and went on to defy odds and inspire thousands will be named godmother of Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas.  Erin Brown, a 41-year-old mother […]

Carnival Pride makes line’s first call to Freeport since resuming service

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — As part of Carnival Cruise Line’s highly anticipated return to guest operations, Carnival Pride arrived in Freeport, Bahamas, yesterday. It was the first time a Carnival ship has returned with guests since March 2020. Carnival Pride’s seven-day Bahamas cruise departed from Baltimore on September 12, with additional stops in Nassau and […]

MORE SAILINGS AHEAD: Crystal Cruises to add more Bahamas voyages in fall and through winter

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas will add three new Crystal Cruises voyages starting this fall and into the peak winter season, with the cruise line announcing a new series of sailings aboard the Crystal Symphony. The first addition is a seven-night, Bound for Paradise voyage, which commences November 26 from New York City to Nassau, calling […]

“WE HAVE TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS”: Govt hopes to mitigate virus spread with new cruise regulations, says minister

“If you want to come to The Bahamas (by cruise), you have to be vaccinated” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is hoping to mitigate any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus from cruise passengers with its latest regulations calling for all passengers 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, according to Tourism and Aviation Minister […]

NO HARM DONE: Positive COVID cases on cruise ships unlikely to be “detrimental” to industry rebound, says port chief

“Our reality is that there will be people that test positive” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nassau Cruise Port Chief Executive Officer Mike Maura Jr said yesterday that occasional reports of COVID-19 cases onboard cruise ships would likely not be detrimental to the industry’s rebound. Speaking to Eyewitness News, Maura noted that with the industry having been […]