Carnival Corp. and the Bahamas government signed development
agreements that pave the way for a Carnival-run port destination on Grand
Bahama and the expansion of the company's private island Half Moon Cay.
Among other things, the agreements provide for the
construction of a pier at Half Moon Cay, which until now has been a tender
port.
Carnival said the Grand Bahama project will represent an
investment of over $100 million, and the development on Little San Salvador,
where Half Moon Cay is situated, will be an estimated $80 million investment
over time.
Once environmental and other permitting processes are
completed, construction for both projects is projected to start by mid-2020.
Carnival and the Bahamas said the projects are expected to play
an important role in the country's recovery from Hurricane Dorian. They said
construction parameters will be designed to meet or exceed guidelines for "being
able to mostly withstand the impact of a Category 5 hurricane." Carnival's
plans for both projects were laid well before Dorian.
The Grand Bahama project is intended primarily for Carnival
Cruise Line and will be its first dedicated private destination in the Bahamas.
Some Carnival Cruise Line ship call at Half Moon Cay, which
is primarily used by Holland America Line.
Carnival Corp. said the current development on the western
side of Little San Salvador covers less than 3% of the 2,400-acre island. The
new addition will be on the northern part of the island and include a pier able
to accommodate larger ships. The beaches of Half Moon Cay will continue to be a
main attraction, Carnival said.