Bahamas News
Celebration Key has ‘soft opening’ ahead of official opening ceremonies July 19
By Andrew Coakley
Bahamas Information Services
EAST GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — With just one week to go before the official ribbon cutting and arrival of its first set of passengers to the island, Carnival’s Celebration Key hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, along with other cabinet ministers, officials and residents, to its new cruise port destination on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
It was a “soft opening” and a second test run for the hundreds of Bahamians working at the Port. Other Government Ministers taking part
in Saturday’s event were the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg; Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles LaRoda; Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, the Hon. Lisa Rahming.
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper called it “an awesome experience” to see a place that was once bush become Carnival’s biggest cruise port.
“It’s a beauty to behold,” said Mr. Cooper, after taking a tour of the entire property and relaxing in one of its well-situated, tropically designed cabanas. “It’s been a long time and they’ve come a long way, but it’s opened, and it’s good to come out here and see so many Bahamians employed and excited.
“This is exciting for the island of Grand Bahama. I can’t wait for the first ship to arrive next week. But today is really about celebrating Celebration Key.”
With over 500 Bahamians already employed at the new cruise port and close to 80 percent of stores within the port owned by Bahamians, the economic impact of Celebration Key is expected to be immediately positive and explosive over an extended period of time.
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper noted that the first Carnival ship, expected to call on the port on July 19th, will bring with it over 7,000
guests. A week following, two ships calling on the port will double the number of guests expected to flood the shores of Celebration Key.
“When they complete their second pier, I understand that this cruise port will accommodate 18,000 people at one time,” said Minister Cooper. “That’s truly empowering for Grand Bahama. “This excites me when I can see one of the investments that we raved about come out of the ground, develop and now officially being opened.
“We build foreign direct investments really for the benefit of Bahamians and I hope that this will be a positive benefit to empowerment of Bahamians, the creation of new businesses and the return of Grand Bahamians back home.”
Asked what was his take away after having spent much of the day at the cruise port, touring all of the sites, enjoying a fine dining experience and relaxing in one of the cabanas, Deputy Prime Minister Cooper said one of the things that impressed him most was the fact that Carnival went out of their way to ensure that there was an authentic Bahamian feel to the new port.
“I believe that the guests who come here will truly go back having had a Bahamian experience,” added Minister Cooper. “But I believe that
the real story will be on the outside of these gates. This is a great entry way and I believe that guests will feel that they have arrived in Paradise once they step foot on this new cruise port. But truly when they go out to places like McClean’s Town, go into the mom-and-pop shops and even meet locals out there, will only enhance their experience.”
Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey, who has long sent out a clarion call for Grand Bahamians to “return home” and take advantage of all the new investment and job opportunities like Celebration Key coming on stream, on Saturday not only basked in some of the sun, but she basked in the excitement of seeing so many Grand Bahamians employed at the world-class destination cruise port.
To see a project, which she has bragged and boasted about for a while to locals and foreign investors come to life in such a big way, Minister Moxey considered her day at Celebration Key “refreshing”. The launch of various programs through her Ministry, like the Innovate 242, Empower Grand Bahama Grant Program, Home Sweet Home initiative and even programs through the Tourism Development Corporation have prepared many Bahamians to become store and business owners at Celebration Key.
“This is what I meant when I told Grand Bahamians that they could take advantage of some of the opportunities these kinds of investments here in Grand Bahama have to offer,” Minister Moxey told the media on Saturday, following her tour of the new cruise port.
“Today is an exciting day for the people of Grand Bahama. I see that many have answered the call to return home. Touring around here
today, I saw many people who I grew up with and who I haven’t seen for a while because they had left the island working here at the cruise port. That’s exciting.”
And there is an overflow effect taking place with the opening of Celebration Key. Minister Moxey pointed out that the opening of the new cruise port has opened up other job opportunities for other companies and businesses throughout the island, as some employees have left other companies to be a part of Celebration Key.
“This has created job opportunities for other people,” explained Minister Moxey. “There has been a cry by many local businesses for the lack of people on the island to fill jobs. So, that’s why I’ve been calling for Grand Bahamians to return home and even for other Bahamians to consider coming to Grand Bahama for employment opportunities. While it sounds like a problem, the truth is, these are exciting times, and we look forward to what’s to come in the future.”
(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Header – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Chester Cooper is welcomed to the new Celebration Key Cruise Port on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
1st insert – Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, Myles LaRoda relaxes during a tour of Carnival’s Celebration Key in East Grand Bahama on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
2nd insert – Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis and Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal Lisa Rahming pose for a photo in front of Pearl Cove Beach Club, during their visit at Celebration Key Cruise Port in East Grand Bahama, on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
3rd insert – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mario Bowleg and State Minister Lisa Rahming prepare to dine in one of the many restaurants at Carnival’s Celebration Key on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
4th insert – Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey was excited to be a part of government ministers and delegates who got the opportunity to spend a day at Celebration Key on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in East Grand Bahama. The new port is expected to officially be opened on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
