RCI Chief Optimistic about GB Projects

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley is expressing optimism about RCI’s investments in The Bahamas, amid strong demand for cruises. That includes getting the Grand Lucayan up and running in the very near future.

Jasmin Brown reports.

Bayley made the comments on the sidelines of a ceremony to honor disability advocate Erin Brown, who has been named grandmother of Odyssey of the Seas.

The Minnis administration purchased the Grand Lucayan Resort from Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa in August 2018 for $65 million and made plans to sell the property to Royal Caribbean and ITM for its redevelopment, but the deal has yet to be finalized more than a year after the heads of agreement was signed.

The government had originally pegged early 2021 for the redevelopment to begin but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and changed the terms of the agreement.

In September, former Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’aguilar said he was disappointed that the Minnis administration was not able to conclude the sale of the resort before it was booted out of office.

He said the sale continues to be delayed by the protracted wait for Royal Caribbean and ITM to close a separate deal with Freeport Harbor Company.