Grand Celebration

MS Grand Celebration cruise ship was built in Malmo, Sweden (by Saab Kockums AB) for CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines. She was launched as "MS Celebration" (also known as Carnival Celebration, not to be confused with the 2022 newbuild). The vessel was later operated by the Spanish company Ibero Cruises (Ibero Cruceros), a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation.

History - Construction and Ownership

In December 2020, the vessel (IMO 8314134) was re-flagged from the Bahamas (MMSI 311000328, registered in Nassau, 2014-2020, under Bahamas Paradise) to St Kitts and Nevis (MMSI 341102000). Previously, she was Portugal-flagged and registered in Madeira (MMSI 255803270, 2008-2014, Carnival Corporation), Panama-flagged and registered in Panama City (2001-2008, Carnival Corporation), and Liberia-flagged and registered in Monrovia (1987-2000, Carnival Cruise Lines).

In mid-November 2020, it was unofficially announced that Grand Celebration had been sold for scrap (for an undisclosed price). She departed Freeport, Bahamas on November 15, reportedly bound for Alang Shipbreaking Yard, India (the world’s largest), with an expected arrival on January 3.

A worker at Alang confirmed the ship would be beached in early January, depending on tides. However, on November 17, her AIS still showed "FREEPORT OPL" as the next destination. On November 16, Anchor Shipbroking Inc (Greece) listed Grand Celebration for demolition in its weekly report, alongside Marella Dream. On November 22, the ship’s AIS updated to Port Louis, Mauritius, where she arrived on December 30. On January 2, 2021, the 34-year-old liner reached Alang and was beached for scrapping on January 14.

A total of 41 planned itineraries (roundtrips from homeport West Palm Beach, Florida) were cancelled. These included the "2-Night From West Palm Beach to Nassau Cruise" program scheduled between March 3 and November 14, 2021.

The 1896-passenger ship was operated by IberoCruceros until November 2014, when she was transferred to Costa Cruises. However, on November 21, 2014 (one day before her planned Costa maiden voyage), it was announced that she had been sold to an unnamed buyer. On December 23, the new owner was revealed as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Ltd.

The Holiday-class Grand Celebration had two sisterships - MS Holiday/CMV Magellan and Henna (Carnival Jubilee). Until 2008, she was named "MS Celebration" and served in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. In 2008, she was briefly operated by IberoCruceros (a Carnival Corporation brand, now defunct).

In 2008, Grand Celebration underwent drydock renovation to serve the Spanish market under Ibero. Although transferred to IberoCruceros, she remained under Carnival’s control (75% ownership).

For Bahamas Paradise, she began service in 2015 (maiden voyage February 3), replacing Bahamas Celebration (IMO 7904891, out of service since October 31, 2014, scrapped in 2015 after grounding near Freeport). Bahamas Celebration had been homeported in Freeport since 2010.

In April 2018, Grand Classica (ex-Costa neoClassica, now Margaritaville Paradise) joined Grand Celebration as the second ship in the Bahamas Paradise fleet. Her sisterships (Holiday-class) were MS Jubilee (1986-built, scrapped 2017) and MS Holiday/CMV Magellan (1985-built, scrapped 2021).

As the only cruise line operating roundtrips from Palm Beach, Bahamas Paradise offered expedited boarding (30-minute embarkation/disembarkation) and valet parking at the terminal. Passengers were also offered "cruise and hotel" packages combining 2-, 4-, or 6-night Bahamas hotel stays with Palm Beach roundtrip voyages.

Grand Celebration was chartered by the Bahamas-based "Paradise Cruise Line Operator Ltd" (formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line), which changed ownership on December 22, 2016. Among the new owners was Kevin Sheehan, former CEO of NCLH ("Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings"), who resigned in January 2015. In August 2016, he became CEO of Scientific Games Corporation, a Las Vegas-based developer of gaming and lottery technology. The other owner (50% stake) was Oneil Khosa, CEO and Managing Director of India’s Blue Ocean Cruises. Until 2014, Blue Ocean operated short-break itineraries (1-, 2-, and 4-night cruises) from Mumbai and Mormugao.

In 2017, Bahamas Paradise carried about 250,000 passengers, nearly half from South Florida. The vessel was last drydock refurbished in 2017 at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport.

Itineraries

Grand Celebration’s program was based on 2-night/3-day Bahamas cruises roundtrip from Palm Beach (Riviera Beach), Florida. Initially, she called at Freeport and later at Nassau. She was the only cruise ship ever homeported at Riviera Beach, and the largest to do so.

Between October 2015 and September 2016, a total of 482,211 passengers booked cruises on her, with July 2016 being the busiest month (54,036 passengers). The 2-night Bahamas cruises were the most popular, with fares starting from USD 130 per person.

After Hurricane Matthew (September-October 2016) damaged Freeport, the ship was temporarily diverted to the Bimini Islands, but resumed Freeport calls on January 3, 2017.

Annually, Port Palm Beach collected around USD 4 million in port and parking fees from Grand Celebration. Port commissioners signed an agreement with the ship’s new owner (Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line) on December 15, 2016. With a length of 223 m (733 ft), she was the maximum-sized vessel the port could accommodate.

Decks and Cabins

Grand Celebration staterooms (751 total) were accessed via hotel-style punch cards. Room service was complimentary, and cabins had ensuite bathrooms with provided soaps and towels. The ship had no family or connecting cabins, but included 18 wheelchair-accessible cabins, 2 of which were Suites. Only 12 cabins featured balconies, all in Suite categories, with 4 having lifeboat-obstructed views.

She had a total of 8 elevators interconnecting all passenger decks (5 out of 12).

Shipboard Dining - Food and Drinks

The vessel had 5 restaurants.

Stellar Prime on Deck 8 was the main dining room, offering early (6:15 pm) and late (8:30 pm) dinner seatings, with passengers paired at shared tables. A violinist alternated between Stellar Prime and Admiralty Club. Sommeliers were also available at both venues, though the wine list offered limited options by the glass. The restaurant featured one level with large round tables and some smaller 2-seat tables, all with white tablecloths.

Plunge Grill was a small open-air buffet by the pool (La Piscina) on Lido Deck. It served hot dogs, burgers, and fries at lunch, and became an omelet station for breakfast. A late breakfast (10-11 am) and lunch items were also served throughout the afternoon.

Ocean View Buffet was the main buffet venue with panoramic windows and contemporary furniture. It featured a centrally located buffet station without additional food counters.

Admiralty Club Restaurant was a steakhouse offering a 5-course menu.

Latitude was an a la carte counter-style café/patisserie within the Ocean View Buffet. It served specialty coffees alongside complimentary fresh-made pastries and gelato ice creams.

Shipboard Entertainment - Fun and Sport

The ship featured 7 musical venues, multiple lounges, 5 swimming pools and whirlpools, a wellness center, 3 shops, and 3 kids’ areas. Legends Theater (850-seat show lounge) spanned 2 decks, with a large stage, rotating cocktail chairs, and tables for drinks. Large porthole windows (covered by curtains) completed the space. Signature production shows changed every 8 weeks, featuring American hits, acrobats, comedians, and magicians. The lounge also hosted movie screenings.

Afternoon activities included wine tastings, steel drum band performances, and pool parties. Guests could also attend orientation sessions, ship tours, martini tastings, and casino gaming lessons before evening entertainment.