While in Florida why not take a 2 night cruise to the Bahamas. One of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, the Bahamas offers it all...the tropics, history, culture. The Bahamas is just 100 miles off the coast of Florida and offers the perfect climate, averaging just over 75 degrees, crystal clear turquoise waters and pearly white beaches.
Celebration Cruise Line
Celebration Cruise Line began with the inaugural cruise of the Bahamas Celebration in March 2009. Celebration is the exclusive cruise line sailing out of the beautiful Port of Palm Beach and is also the only cruise line in all of south Florida that offers a 2-night Bahamas cruise along with cruise and stay options at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort. Celebration Cruise Lines provide value cruise vacations for those looking for a quick getaway to the Bahamas.
Bahamas Celebration….Ship Highlights
The Bahamas Celebration offers a variety of things to do onboard. Enjoy live music and shows, a trip to the lovely spa, work out in the gym, head to the pool for a quick dip or try you luck in the Wynmore Casino. Shore excursions for Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) are also available to book onboard.
Total Staterooms - 500
Decks - 9
Passenger Capacity - 1,311
Total crew - 360
Officers Nationality - International
Tonnage - 35,855
Ship length - 673.39’
Registry - Bahamas
Cruise & Stay at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Grand Bahama Island
For those wanting a cruise & stay vacation, guests will enjoy staying at the Our Lucaya Reef Village. The 'Reef Village' is part of the Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort complex and has something for everyone. More than seven acres of soft-sand beach, great restaurants and loads of island-inspired fun guests will enjoy this perfect island getaway to compliment their cruise escape.
Itinerary
The Bahamas Celebration sails from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island
2 night sailings depart on the following days each month
September / October 2010 – odd days
November / December – even days
January 2011 – odd days
February / March 2011 – even days
April 2011 – odd days
Bahamas Celebration 2 Night Cruise
Day
Location
Arrival
Departure
Day 1
West Palm Beach, Florida
5:30 PM
Day 2
Grand Bahama Island
8:00 AM
9:00 PM
Day 1
West Palm Beach, Florida
8:00 AM
Onboard facilities include
Dining
The four delicious dining options include a classic American restaurant, serving five-course meals from a broad menu, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style steakhouse and buffet and a casual Italian restaurant, all as part of the cruise price. For individuals looking for more upscale dining, the elegant and romantic Cove Restaurant is available at an additional cost.
Crystal Dining room
You'll be greeted at the door by the Maître d' who will escort you to your reserved table in this charming dining room setting. Enjoy a delicious five-course culinary experience with sommelier wine service, provided by our friendly wait staff. You may choose from a wide array of fresh seafood, beef, chicken or vegetarian pasta entrees…and don't hesitate to ask for seconds! Dine leisurely in this beautiful room. The Crystal Dining Room is open for dinner only and is included in your cruise fare. Upon boarding the ship, please inform the staff if this is your dining preference. Early Dining sitting 6:15 PM - Late Dining sitting 8:30 PM.
Trattoria Dining
Experience classic Italian comfort food with a contemporary flair, while enjoying breathtaking ocean views. The casual relaxed setting and delightful variety of delicious meats, flavorful pasta entrees and variety of pizza choices, will make this dining experience a crowd favorite. And when the waiter belts out "O Solo Mia" – you'll definitely want to sing along! Trattoria Di Gerry is open for dinner and throughout the evening, and is included in your cruise fare. There is a charge for some specialty desserts and beverages.
Rio’s dining
Guests desiring lots of variety with a little less formality will enjoy Rio's - combining the finest buffet with a flavorful Brazilian steakhouse touch. Our Brazilian Gaucho Carvers are serving up the tastiest and most flavorful cuts of meat around! The buffet is over thirty feet long, which doesn't include the separate dessert areas, so make sure to bring your appetite when you come here! Rio's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is included in your cruise fare.
The Cove
For elegant upscale dining, nothing compares to The Cove. We highly recommend The Cove for anyone celebrating a special occasion, or looking to experience a very special evening. Enjoy the upgraded menu with its signature dishes, impeccable service from our classically trained wait staff, the soothing ambience and the selection of fine wines. If you're looking for a romantic evening, the tranquility of the room will certainly set the mood. The Cove is open for dinner only with reservations required. There is an additional charge of $25 USD per person. For some sailings, the Cove will be used as an extension of the Crystal Dining Room and no additional fee.
Nite Bites - 11:30pm
A a variety of hot hors d’hovres are served in the Wynmore Casino and The View.
DJ’s Ice Cream
Enjoy a cone at DJ’s Ice cream bar! Ice cream is complimentary however, specialty desserts are an additional cost and vary in prices.
What Drinks are Included
Coffee, tea, juices.
Unlimited Soft Drink Package
$7 US per person / per day
Entertainment
Indulge your playful side and experience recreation at sea!
Bars & Lounges
Oceanbreeze Lounge (Piano & Karaoke lounge)
Pub 437 - English style pub with Piano Bar & live band
2 Tiki Poolside bars
Hot Spots
Wynmore Casino
The View (disco and show lounge)
Please note that bottles of liquor are not allowed on the ship. The legal drinking age is 21 years in the US and 18 years at sea and on Grand Bahama Island. Alcohol purchased or brought from ashore will be placed in a secured hold and will be available upon disembarkation.
Activities
The Bahamas Celebration, is both spacious and intimate at the same time, holding up to 1,500 passengers. There is so much to do on the ship and so many ways to have fun and unwind that every passenger will have his or her own unique and special cruise experience young and old.
Pools, Spas and Fitness
1 Adult Pool (Note: There is no life guard onboard. The adult pool is restricted to guests 13 years and older)
1 Kids Pool
Kid’s of the Caribbean is a 180 foot water slide (restricted to kids 12 years and younger)
Water spray park.
Fountain of Youth Spa and Beauty Salon.
2 Jacuzzi Tubs
Gym
Fitness Facilities
Mussel Beach Gym - there is state-of-the-art exercise equipment for the fitness enthusiasts who can't miss a workout, as well as the person looking to just burn off a few extra calories from all of the great food onboard. You'll appreciate the energizing atmosphere and satisfaction of a great workout that the fitness centre offers you.
Fountain of Youth Spa & Beauty Salon
The therapeutic Spa retreat has a singular goal of pampering guests. Experience various types of massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, body scrubs, facials or spa combo packages. The Beauty Salon offers hair cut and color service, manicures & pedicures, waxing and teeth whitening.
Enrichment
Library with an impress selection of books is available for guests to check out over the course of their cruise
Card Room
Internet Café ($)
Shopping & Services
Treasure Chest gift shop
Photo Gallery & Shop
Video Arcade
Beauty Salon
Medical Centre
Meeting facilities
Kids and Teens
Celebration’s family-friendly cruise ship also has everything young cruisers want in our Kid's Clubs to have fun without Mom and Dad. Kids can play with new friends in a cool age-appropriate setting, while enjoying a wide range of exciting activities designed for them. And Mom and Dad have an opportunity to spend some adult-time together enjoying the rest of the ship! Private baby sitting is not available on the ship.
Club Coconuts is specially designed with our youngest guests, ages 3-9, in mind. This fun club is open to children age's three to ten; and offers a variety of supervised activities like arts and crafts, various popular kid's games, and entertaining activities like Xbox, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and Guitar Hero.
Club Wave is the cool place for all the 10 to 13 year old kids to chill and make new friends. With a refreshing variety of activities and fun games designed just for their age group, they're sure to have lots to do and enjoy. And of course there are all their favorite electronic activities as well - including Xbox, DDR, Guitar Hero, PlayStation and Wii.
Open Water is the perfect place for teens ages 14 to 17 to hang out. Designed to be a bit more laid back and relaxed - teens can meet new friends and play the latest video games, listen to their favorite music and mingle on the club's dance floor. Computers are also available for these teens so they can keep touch with their friends back home as well.
Staying in Touch
Satellite telephone service is available and easy to use from your stateroom. Simply follow the dialing instructions for 24 hours service in port and at sea. 1-800 numbers and calling cards are charged at the ship’s regular rates when dialed from the stateroom which is $8.95 USD per minute. The Bahamas Celebration also has an Internet Café onboard. Rates for internet $ .50 cents per minute; $12 per 1/2hr; $18 per hr. Wi fi service is not available. All rates are subject to change without notice.
Daily Program
The ‘Celebration Time’ is a detailed program of the next day’s activities, designed to keep guests informed about the events and entertainment offered onboard. This will be in your stateroom upon arrival and delivered to your stateroom in the evening of Day 2 as well.
Onboard Purchases
For the guest’s convenience, Celebration provides a cashless system that allows you to sign for all onboard purchases (with the exception of the casino). These purchased will be added to your stateroom account. An itemized statement will be delivered to your stateroom prior to disembarkation. Express check-out is offered at 7:30 am, however Celebration is the only cruise line to offer 4 choices for disembarkation times: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 or 10:30am.
Gift Shop
The Bahamas Celebration ‘Treasure Chest’ gift shops offers tax-free and duty-free savings off suggested U.S. retail prices on fragrances, cosmetics, jewelry, gifts, apparel, accessories and liquor. During your time at sea, browse the gift shop for a variety of gifts, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs as well as toiletries and sundries are available for purchase. There is also a photo gallery to purchase mementos of their cruise. Gift shop is closed while in Port.
Shore Excursions
Grand Bahamas Island Excursions
Bahamas Celebration cruise guests can enjoy an incredible variety of pleasurable activities, whether staying for the day or for an extended stay. Of course, it’s a tropical island so snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, parasailing, and Glass Bottom boat tours are all good options. But don’t forget about golf, nature tours, horseback riding and shopping if you want to stay dry. Your shore excursion must be booked onboard. It is suggested you book early to avoid disappointment.
Laundry / Valet Services
Laundry service is available for a fee. Guests are to check with their stateroom steward of call Housekeeping to arrange.
Information Desk / Passenger Services
The Information Desk / Passenger Services is located in the ship’s lobby. This is the place to cash traveler’s cheques, buy stamps, ask questions, settle your shipboard account and check Lost and Found.
Special Occasions
Complimentary cake is available for Birthdays and Anniversaries; personalized for the occasion. Advise at time of booking.
Religious Services
Are not available onboard.
Medical Centre
A physician or nurse are on call 24 hours a day on every cruise. A fee will be charged for Infirmary visits and in-stateroom assistance. Drammamine is available at the Information Desk. Medication is not included in the fee and will be charged separately.
Special Needs
Guests who are mobility impaired or disabled cannot travel without a “Fit for Travel” letter from their doctor. Guests who request a handicapped accessible stateroom must produce a “Fit for Travel” letter indicating their condition. Additionally, guests with special needs such as oxygen, service animal or hearing impaired must advise of their condition at time of booking. Passengers with special needs or medical conditions must make this known at time of booking. Celebration Cruise Operator Inc reserves the right to request that passengers provide them with documentation from their doctor indicating their fitness to travel. Special food requests (ie Kosher meals, Vegan, Gluten free, etc) must be made at time of booking. Additional fees may apply.
Wheelchairs
Passengers who are brining a wheelchair on their cruise must be advised that their wheelchair should be no more than 35” wide and collapsible. Electric scooters may be used on the ship. Special adaptors are required to recharge the scooter onboard. Passengers must contact the Information desk onboard for assistance. Passengers requiring a wheelchair on or off the ship may rent one once they are onboard the vessel however the cruise line does not guarantee to have wheelchairs available for passenger use.
Pregnant women
Women who will be entering their 24th week of pregnancy (or are further along) at any time during their cruise will not be permitted to board/sail.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange is not available onboard. There is an ATM which dispenses USD located near the Casino.
Sunwing offers two categories on the Bahamas Celebration. Category 5 – Interior Stateroom and Category 4 – Outside Stateroom. Suites are available upon request.
In-Stateroom Amenities
All staterooms are fully air conditioned, have a plasma TV, table, chair, restroom. Each room is equipped with a 220 volt current (not 110 volts!) Hair dryers are available upon request. An electrical converter will be required to charge cell phones and other like tasks. Safety deposit boxes available for free at the Information Desk.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult if boarding the Bahamas Celebration. There must be an adult over the age of 18 in the cabin with guests under 18 years of age.
Note: there is an age (50 yrs) and weight (200 lbs) limit, as well as restriction for any person having a medical condition for berthing in an upper bunk. Passengers exceeding the age limitation or those with medical conditions will be required to sign a release prior to confirming a reservation. Those over 200 lbs will not be permitted in an upper berth and should it be necessary to change their stateroom, they will be charged the applicable fees. Rollaway cribs available on request only and are limited in supply.
Category 4 – Outside Stateroom
Category 5 – Interior Stateroom
Located on deck (s) 8,7,6,5 these staterooms have 1 Queen/2 Upper berths, desk, chair, plasma TV, bathroom with shower. (Approximetly 140 square feet with a large window)
Located on deck(s) 8,7,6,5 these staterooms have 2 Twin/2 Upper berths, desk, chair, plasma TV, bathroom with shower .
(Approximetly 140 square feet and all Interiors have two lower beds (not convertible to a queen). The interior cabins have all of the amenities of the ocean view cabins except for the window.
*Staterooms may vary in size and configuration Stateroom images and features are samples only. Actual furniture, fixtures, colors, configurations, and window/porthole views may vary. Singles, Triples and Quads are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.
Policies
Alcohol and Casino Age Restrictions
Please note that bottles of liquor are not allowed on the ship. The legal drinking age is 21 years in the US and 18 at sea and on Grand Bahama Island. Alcohol purchased or brought from ashore will be placed in a secured hold and will be available upon disembarkation. Picture ID may be requested.
Smoking
All staterooms and dining rooms are designated as non-smoking. Guests may smoke in designated smoking areas in lounges and open decks. Pipes and cigars are restricted only to the open decks.
Gratuities
Gratuties to shipboard staff are not included in the cruise fare paid to Sunwing and will be charged to the guests onboard account. The amount is $12 USD per person/per day and is subject to change without notice.
Attire
Casual sportswear, including shorts, bathing suits, lightweight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day both at sea and ashore in hotter climates. Due to unpredictable weather, Guests should bring a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Also Guests must ensure they bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. In addition to this, guests will also want low-heeled, rubber soled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear. Bathing suits are not permitted in the dining room or public lounge areas.
For evenings onboard the dress code is ‘Smart Casual’.
Smart Casual
Passenger attire should be in keeping with what would be worn to a nice restaurant at home - collared shirt, blouse, slacks, dress, etc. Inappropriate dinner wear such as pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes), is not permitted in the dining rooms. Shoes must be worn.
Cruise & Stay Program – Grand Bahama Island
Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort...
For those wanting a cruise & stay vacation, guests will enjoy staying at the Our Lucaya Reef Village. The ' Reef Village' is part of the Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort complex and has something for everyone. More than seven acres of soft-sand beach, great restaurants and loads of island-inspired fun guests will enjoy this perfect island getaway to compliment their cruise escape. Our Lucaya Reef Village was named Parents magazine’s #1 Beach Resort for Families for 2008.
The Our Lucaya Reef Village Resort is a seven-acre beachfront property. Hotel amenities include outdoor pool, waterslide, access to beach, tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, volleyball court, spa, fitness center, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, putting greens, business and conference center, concierge services, complimentary parking, luggage hold, safe deposit boxes, a sundry shop, tour desk, babysitting, and laundry and dry cleaning valet. Children have access to the playground and a children's pool.
Location
15 – 20 minute drive from the pier to the hotel. Sunwing will include transfers in Grand Bahama for the Cruise & Stay packages.
Facilities
478 rooms
Pool
Hot tub
Two championship golf courses
Tennis Courts
Casino at Our Lucaya
A 25,000-square-foot Senses Spa & Fitness Center
A family friendly sand playground
A 35-foot-diameter wading pool for kids
Poolside games, crafts and athletic competitions are offered daily
Camp Lucaya ($) offers kid friendly, supervised activities for children age 3 – 12 years old.
Business & Convention Centre
Wheelchair Accessible
Dining / Entertainment
Whether you’re out for a bite or seeking something savory, we have dining options to please your palate. This resort is NOT all inclusive. Rates for meals vary by restaurant.
The Prop Club
Serves picture-perfect pizzas and sandwiches in a casual, Bahamas atmosphere. Watch the game and enjoy happy hour specials.
Sugar Mill Pool Bar and Grill
Offers a lighter menu and refreshing treats with a beach theme, right on the sand.
Barracudas
An à la carte breakfast buffet, featuring tasty American cuisine in a 50s-style atmosphere.
On Higher Ground
A perky pick-me-up. A cold cocktail. This bar/coffee café has it all.
Irie's
Fragrant spices of the West Indies delightfully assault the senses at Irie’s, the epitome of elegant dining with a local flair. You’ll be dining on traditional Caribbean flavors with Bahamian-inspired, festival-style grouper and flavorful lobster dishes, one of which is soaked in rum.
Accommodation
There are 478 rooms at the property. Non-smoking rooms and rooms equipped for the physically challenged are available upon request. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, alarm clock radio, coffeemaker, dataport, desk, hairdryer, in-room safe, iron, ironing board, mini-refrigerator, telephone, and television.
Island View Rooms
Air conditioned Island view rooms with 1 king or 2 double beds
A Bit About ……Grand Bahama Island
At the Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Reort, you’re right in the middle of it all. Explore nearby caves and caverns. Visit Sanctuary Bay and get up close with local friends at Dolphin Encounters. Or get in touch with nature on an ecotour at Garden of the Groves and the Rand Nature Centre. Go horseback riding along the breathtaking Grand Bahama Island coast. Sail away on a chartered sailboat tour. Catch some live action on a deep-sea fishing excursion. Or meander through the local straw market and pick up a local treasure. The adventure is all up to you.
People
Almost everybody enjoys good food, laughter, and love. Grand Bahamians are no different. If you’re planning to be on the island, and you’re wondering if the locals are friendly, relax: they are probably among the most easygoing people on Earth.
Many of the 50,000 people were not born on Grand Bahama Island. They hail from all over The Islands of The Bahamas. Locals in Freeport/Lucaya can give you a good understanding of the nuances of Bahamians in general. Our warm, friendly locals are best known for their entrepreneurship and a devotion to the great outdoors.
Knowing a bit of history also helps when it comes to understanding the culture of our locals. In 1834, when Great Britain banned slavery throughout its empire, former slaves in The Islands of The Bahamas were allowed to stake claims on open land such as many of Grand Bahama Island’s older settlements, like Pinder's Point.
History
The island rambles on for 96 miles, rimmed with cities, villages, and cays that offer lasting evidence of the many different cultures in this region that have called Grand Bahama Island home.
Early in its history, Grand Bahama Island was virtually uninhabited for almost 300 years. However, with the development of Freeport/Lucaya in the 1950s on the island, and because its location just 55 miles from the east coast of Florida , it is now one of the most visited of all the Bahamian islands in the region.
One of the best ways to learn about the culture and people of Grand Bahamians is through the People-to-People Program, which brings together visitors and residents who enjoy similar activities, have similar professions, hobbies, etc. to create special memories of our destination that will last a lifetime
Skulls, bones and artifacts have been found in the caves at Grand Bahamas famous Lucayan National Park, and a significant new archeological site recently discovered near Deadman's Reef has uncovered hearths, animal bones, pottery pieces, and shell beads in western Grand Bahama Island.
Thanks to the trade winds that blow throughout our islands, we are blessed with warm weather year-round. The coolest time is from September through May, when the local temperature averages 70-75 degrees. And during the rest of the year the temperature ranges from 80-90 degrees. At night, it generally drops by 5 to 7 degrees.
The U.S. dollar is accepted in the Bahamas. It’s on par with the Bahamian dollar. The parity between Bahamian dollars and U.S. dollars means that any business will accept either U.S. or Bahamian currency and many of the local businesses that serve tourists have extra U.S. dollars on hand.
