BySherry Laskin News

Florida Cruise Ship Plans to Resume Bahamas Cruises in July

If a two-day cruise getaway sounds good right about now, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line might soon have the solution. The Palm Beach-based, two ship cruise line will resume its Bahamas cruises on July 25, 2020.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Grand Classica on Bahamas cruise

Two-Night Bahamas Cruises aboard Grand Celebration

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced that the 1,900-passenger Grand Celebration will begin short Bahamas cruises starting on July 25, 2020. The cruise line’s second ship,  Grand Classica that could accommodate up to 1,680 passengers, will begin cruises on October 2, 2020.

The only cruise line with a two-night sailing, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is setting up safety protocols to help ensure the health of both passengers and crew.

Under “normal” circumstances the cruise line offers their Cruise & Stay program for those who would like to stay longer in the Bahamas. So if you wanted to spend up to four nights in Freeport, you would stay at one of the cruise line’s partner resorts.

For the health and safety of all involved, the Cruise & Stay program has, for now, been discontinued. If all goes as planned, the resorts will once again be open for business to cruise line guests beginning on October 3, 2020. 

Expect a few changes once the cruise line begins service

“As things begin to return to normal after months of quarantine, we can all use a quick getaway. When we return, our onboard experience may look a little different to our guests,” said Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “The wellness of our passengers and crew members remains our top priority, and as such, passengers can expect enhanced sanitization procedures from embarkation to disembarkation so that they can enjoy a relaxing, safe, stress-free getaway. We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard soon!”

READ MORE ABOUT:  Bahamas Paradise Grand Classica

Some changes cruise passengers will see from embarkation to disembarkation

To begin, the cruise line will close off two passenger stateroom decks to reduce passenger load. They’ll also have fewer occupied staterooms to reduce passenger capacity to 60 percent and give everyone more space.

Embarkation and disembarkation:

  • Social distancing from valet parking to terminal check-in
  • All terminal employees will be monitored and required to wear masks and stay behind safety plexiglass
  • Passenger luggage will be disinfected prior to onboard delivery
  • Mandatory touch-free temperature checks and pre-boarding health declarations for all guests
  • Extensive sanitization and disinfection processes at key points 
  • Online check-in and designated arrival times at cruise terminal to minimize crowds at the terminal

Staterooms:

  • All staterooms will be sanitized with hospital-grade disinfectants
  • Hallways will be sanitized twice a day 
  • Disinfection of stateroom bathrooms with heavy-duty alkaline cleaner
  • Sheets and linens will be cleaned and disinfected at sterilizing temperatures

Public areas:

  • All public areas will undergo a two-step sanitization process with hospital-grade disinfectant. Elevator will be sanitized every two hours and public areas will be cleaned up to ten times per day. 
  • Hourly sanitization for high touch-points like handrails, table-tops, and door handles
  • Floors will be disinfected with a heavy-duty neutral PH floor cleaning solution
  • Self-service hand sanitizer stations throughout the ships

How restaurants will adapt to new safety standards

  • All restaurants and bar areas will be cleaned and sanitized three times a day
  • For now, self-service buffet stations are gone. Crew will wear face masks, hats, aprons and gloves to serve all food and drinks
  • Tables and seating areas will be set up to comply with the six-feet-apart guidelines

Onboard Entertainment:

  • Theatres will be sanitized before and after every show
  • Kids’ Club facilities cleaned twice per day
  • Spa and gym areas will be sanitized before and after each use
  • Casino tables will have fewer players and slot machines spaced further apart. 

What Bahamas Paradise crew will do to help everyone stay safe

  • There will be temperature checks twice a day
  • All front-of-house crew members must wear face masks
  • Housekeeping as well as food and beverage crew must wear disposable gloves and masks in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines
  • Wash hands with antibacterial hand soap for at least 20 seconds
  • Even crew members will be required to practice social distancing and each crew member will have their own stateroom 

Medical center:

  • Isolation wards will be set up in the medical center should there be concerns about viral exposure.
  • Contaminated items and medical waste will be properly sealed and disposed of following CDC guidelines
  • Used face masks and protective equipment will be disposed of at designated central collection points
  • Medical equipment and waste bins will be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and washed twice daily with hospital-grade disinfectants

Fresh air ventilation:

  • A fresh air ventilation system will be used in all staterooms and common areas
  • All air filters and cooling coils will be thoroughly maintained

All these steps that Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will implement are probably very similar to what we will see when other cruise lines finally kick back into gear. The idea of less people on board sounds pretty good to me. And short Bahamas cruises are a great segue back into cruising. 

The new cruise experience will be so different from the past. But now there’s some hope and positive news that we’ll soon be back on the water to enjoy gorgeous sunsets and endless horizons again.

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