Hurricane
Dorian brought heartbreaking destruction to the Bahamas in late August and many
travelers have wondered how they can help support recovery efforts. Tourism is
a huge driver of the Bahamian economy and officials there say one of the best
things you can do to help is to travel there. And, what better way to go than
on a cruise ship?
Grand
Bahama Island and its neighboring islands to the north experienced the worst of
the record-breaking hurricane, but the vast majority of the Bahamas had no
meaningful damage. For example, the port of Nassau on New Providence Island and
its neighbor Paradise Island reopened quickly after the storm.
Now,
all of the Bahamian cruise ports affected by the storm – including Freeport on
Grand Bahama Island – have reopened and are eager to welcome you. Major cruise
lines have resumed their regular schedule of Bahamas cruises, too. Because
almost half the Bahamian workforce is employed by the tourism sector, your
cruise vacation will help shore up the economy of the islands.
Several
private islands owned by cruise lines are located in the Bahamas and they are also
back in operation, including Disney’s Castaway Cay, Holland America’s Half
Moon Cay and Princess Cruise Line’s Princess Cays. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect
Day at CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay – needed some
structural repairs but were able to reopen in September.
Nearly all of the popular, premium and luxury cruise lines sail
to the Bahamas from a variety of East Coast homeports. You can sail from
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Charleston, Baltimore, New York City or
Cape Liberty in New Jersey. And, you can choose from a wonderful variety of
cruise lengths and itineraries. Enjoy a quick, two-day getaway from Miami to
Nassau and back; take four or five days for a leisurely sail to more than one
island; or take a longer voyage that may also visit the U.S. or British Virgin Islands,
Puerto Rico, or other Eastern Caribbean islands.
It’s
good to know that many cruise lines contributed millions of dollars to
humanitarian aid after Hurricane Dorian. Some used their ships to deliver food,
water, generators, cleaning materials and other relief supplies. Now, the ships
are back to serving their main purpose: providing memorable cruises to the
beautiful Bahamas. To choose one, talk with Anita, your professional travel
advisor.
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