By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
With Hurricane Dorian hitting the Bahamas last month, many people assume that it will be a long time before the country recovers for tourism. Not true for the majority of the Bahamas, which represents over 700 islands. The islands that were devastated, with restoration efforts underway, are Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco islands. On these islands, the many small boutique hotels and guest houses are closed. But together, these islands represent only 19 percent of the 16,000 rooms available in the Bahamas.
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is ready for business along with islands such as Bimini and CocoCay – the new private island owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises. Royal Caribbean just opened this private island paradise this year, a stop called Perfect Day at CocoCay, on many Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Some of the most popular resorts in the Bahamas, like Atlantis, Paradise Island and Baha Mar (which includes Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood properties) – were untouched by the storm. All-inclusive hotels Warwick Paradise Island and Sandals Royal Bahamian, and boutique hotels in the out islands like Cat Island and Bimini, were also unaffected. In total, there are 14 islands that are open. In fact, there is no better time to book a winter getaway to the Bahamas because there are a lot of great discounted rates at Bahamas resorts right now.
“One of the best ways that people around the world can show their support and solidarity…is to visit our other islands by air or by cruise ship,” Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said.
Many of the major cruise lines that rely on the Bahamas for their business – including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival – brought supplies and rescue efforts to the islands that were affected immediately following Hurricane Dorian.
Carnival Corporation – owner of Princess, Cunard, Holland America and Seabourn, in addition to Carnival Cruises – and the government of the Bahamas have signed an agreement to develop two major projects representing a $180 million investment in Grand Bahama and Little San Salvador. The projects are expected to play an important role in the Bahamas recovery from the impact of the hurricane. The projects planned to start by mid-2020 include a new cruise port for Carnival Cruise Line on Grand Bahama Island and the construction of a new addition on the Bahamian island of Little San Salvador, home to Holland America Line’s Half Moon Cay port.
The two developments will allow Grand Bahama and Little San Salvador to handle larger cruise ships, such as Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras, which will debut in August 2020 as the largest ship in the Carnival fleet.
Many Hurricane Dorian Bahamas relief efforts are underway for those who were affected. For information on how to help, go to bahamas.com/relief.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel.