Page 25 - Sphere No.23 (Dec 2008)

SPHERE 25
get passengers mostly Americans. A favourite
stopover is the Bahamas, where Freeport
Harbour, part of the Hutchison Port Hold-
ings Group (HPH), is well placed to ben-
efit from the increased traffic and is able to
dock even the largest of vessels such as the
QM2 and the new Freedom class.
“As our port is strategically located, we think
we can benefit significantly from the many vessels
that will continue to enter the region,” says Sherry Rodgers,
PA/Corporate Affairs Manager for Freeport Harbour Com-
pany. “We are also on ships’ itineraries which are making four-
day sailings out of Florida, and vessels that call from the north
of the US eastern seaboard from ports such as New York and
Baltimore, sailing for at least seven days.”
The three-berth Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility has plenty
to occupy passengers, including a 26,000 sq ft complex that in-
cludes retail, dining and entertainment options,
as well as the Bahamian Straw Market. Pas-
sengers can shop for local arts and crafts
and dine on ethnic cuisine in the immedi-
ate vicinity, or go further afield by renting
a scooter or car.
Every month sees an average of 12 cruise
ships docking, usually for a stay of around
eight hours. In addition, Freeport Harbour has 30
calls by ferries every month, taking the annual total of passen-
gers to 588,000.
“Grand Bahama Island is strategically located close to Florida
and therefore vessels which homeport in one of the many cities
Many of the new
vessels are bound for
Caribbean waters, their
target passengers mostly
Americans
Something for everyone: From hunting for bargains to
local culture, there’s plenty to keep cruise passengers
entertained in the Bahamas, Mexico and Panama.
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