The Florida-based company Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which normally operates 2-night voyages from West Palm Beach FL to Freeport (Grand Bahama Island Bahamas), suspended operations in March 2020 when the CDC issued its No Sail Order due to the pandemic.
According to Kevin Sheehan (the company's President), they had been the first cruise line to achieve 'green status' from the CDC early in the No Sail period.
"This meant that we produced a comprehensive document that implemented all the health and safety protocols and more required by the CDC for a passenger cruise line."
Initially, the speculation was that the order would be lifted within a few weeks, so Bahamas Paradise announced they would resume sailings in May, but as time passed they had to change the date to mid-June and then to July, and then they stopped, Sheehan added.
The company now plans to resume passenger shipping on June 2, 2021.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line also intends to relaunch its website this week with schedules, rates, and promotional offers for cruises on Grand Classica ship.
The vessel's capacity will be phased in when operations resume.
Sheehan said they had to sell their second vessel, Grand Celebration, in 2020, but Grand Classica also would be offering a Cruise & Stay program that includes Nassau Bahamas for 2, 4, or 6 nights.
The cruise line is working with several hotels and resorts in Nassau and on Grand Bahama Island.