Cruising is Back in Palm Beach

Posted by Amanda Hicks

Updated on December 15th, 2017

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Published in Boating

The Grand Celebration, the only passenger cruise ship based at the Port of Palm Beach, is back from its 3-month hurricane relief mission to the Virgin Islands. Cruising begins again on December 23rd to the Grand Bahama Island. 

Since September, the ship had been chartered by FEMA and was providing housing to first responders and National Guard members who were rebuilding the islands after the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The chief officer of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which operates the 1,900-passenger Grand Celebration, said they were happy to help and are excited to return and offer cruises to guests. They will also be adding another ship to the Port of Palm Beach in April called the Grand Classica. The Grand Classica will carry up to 1,700 guests, have 685 staterooms, restaurants and bars, a theater, 2 pools, 4 hot tubs, a gym, outdoor jogging track, and a spa. The Grand Celebration is also getting some enhancements like a new adult-only sundeck with a bar and hot tub, a completely renovated casino, and a coffee and juice bar.

Two ships sailing to Grand Bahama Island makes Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line the largest provider of tourism to the island. The Port of Palm Beach expects to receive $50-$60 million from the two ships over the next 10 years.