RCCL Destination Bahamas

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean will officially introduce the Odyssey of The Seas, its newest luxury liner to the Port of Nassau.

Jerome Sawyer got a glimpse into what’s expected for this destination.

When Royal Caribbean’s Cruise business stopped in March 2020, ports of call all over The Bahamas shut down as well.

Eighteen months later, with 18 of their 26 ships sailing again, Bahamian ports of call can now hang their “Open for Business” signs as well.

But it all comes with a price.

A weekend familiarization on the new Odyssey of the Seas allowed Our News to see the stringent safety requirements that allow guests to move around in what they describe as an onboard bubble.

The cruise line has a tried and tested COVID prevention program.

Even the day excursions to Coco Cay in the Berry Islands keep all guests and employees in a contained environment.

But cruising safely is just one part of the comeback.

A $300 million marketing campaign is targeted at restoring the six million passengers who cruise with them annually – now at only 500,000.

And even with new opportunities at competing ports in the Americas and Asia. The Bahamas continues to be an attractive destination for future growth.

It’s a model they hope to bring to more Family Islands and cays but there are some hurdles.

As global tourism restarts the cruise industry will be aggressively going after this potential business.

Given the reliance and history, the potential for cruise business coming here has left many partners like Royal Caribbean pretty optimistic about the future.