The 1,680-passenger cruise ship Grand Classica will join her sister ship Grand Celebration at Port of Palm Beach on April 13, 2018 when she begins sailing to Freeport, Bahamas.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced the purchase of the former Costa neoClassica in December 2017. The liner last went through dry dock in October last year. According to the cruise line, reservations for Grand Classica were now open with a buy-one, get-one free booking offer.
Grand Celebration returned to the cruise port in December 2018 after being chartered by Federal Emergency Management Agency for 3 months following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The vessel provided housing to first responders & National Guard members helping to rebuild U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Port of Palm Beach projects it will receive up to US$62.9 million from the two cruise ships over the next ten years. It will be the first time Palm Beach has hosted a couple of multi-day cruise liners, although there have been casino vessels which operated day cruises.
Grand Classica has 10 passenger decks and 658 staterooms. It offers 8 dining options, a lounge, a casino, live entertainment in the theater and ship's regal room, spa, fitness & salon and 2 pools. Other amenities include a conference center seating 80, kids' club for ages 3-17, retail shops, a card room and internet lounge.
The restaurants include the following:
- Yellow Elder (complimentary main dining room).
- Ocean View Buffet (offers complimentary buffet with breakfast, lunch, dinner & late-night snacks).
- Admiral’s Steak & Seafood (offers 5-course gourmet meals).
- Rock Grill (guests can order specialty burgers and cook meats on lava rock grill).
- Crow’s Nest Bar & Grill (serves beer, cocktails, pub fare).
- A Slice Above (serves Italian fare like build-your-own gourmet pizzas).
- Grand Cafe (specialty coffee, gelato & dessert spot).
- Room service.