Seatrade Cruise News is reporting that Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line may be adding a second ship here in South Florida to transport cruisers on quick trips to the Bahamas.
Currently, the line sails the former Carnival Celebration as the MV Grand Celebration from the Port of Palm Beach on two-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island. An older ship, it first hit the water in 1987 and isn’t considered “new” and “modern” by any means, but offers cheap, quick cruises catering to south Florida residents.
In the article published today, Seatrade speculates that the line may be acquiring the Costa Cruise Line ship neoClassica which is departing the fleet in March. This ship has some age under her dress as well, as she was launched in 1991 and last went through a refit in 2005.
Photo credit: Accurimbono used with Creative Commons license.
If rumors hold out to be true, this would be a significant boost to the Port of Palm Beach. It would make sense to rotate the berth currently used by the Grand Celebration with the neoClassica on her off-days, giving the port 100% occupancy of that berth and nearly doubling the number of passengers for the cruise line. The neoClassica carries 1300 passengers while the Grand Celebration carries 1500.
Kevin Sheehan Jr., the CEO of the cruise line and the son of Norwegian Cruise Line Founder, Kevin Sheehan Sr., declined to comment on the rumor other than to say, “we will be very thoughtful about how we grow.”
The Port of Palm Beach also declined to comment on the rumor of a second cruise ship heading to the port.