Cruise Port Growth? Businesses Weigh Celebration Key’s Effect On GB

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GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Three months after the grand opening of Carnival’s Celebration Key, the economic ripple across Grand Bahama looks very different depending on where you stand.

For some, the $500 million investment has already paid off. At Bethel’s Books and Stationers, Assistant Manager Cathy Mills says partnering with a corporation as large as Carnival has been a promising boost, helping the business expand its reach and visibility across the island.

But for others, like Barry Smith, President of Paradise Cove Beach Resort, the influx of cruise passengers hasn’t yet translated into the kind of traffic they expected. He admits the impact has been slower than hoped, but still believes that collective collaboration among local businesses could create a stronger, unified island experience for visitors.

Meanwhile, over at Kelly’s Freeport, which has been a community staple for six decades, General Manager John Doherty says the story is very different. Since partnering with Carnival, the store has seen a noticeable bump in sales, and he believes this could mark the beginning of Grand Bahama’s long-awaited economic rebound.