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.
The Bahamas, March 30, 2026 – The voice of a proud mother captured the spirit of a nation Monday night, as Bendra Rolle shared heartfelt reflections on the overwhelming Bahamian support for her son, VJ Edgecombe, during the Philadelphia 76ers matchup against the Miami Heat in Miami.
“The patriotic support and scenery at my son, VJ Edgecombe’s NBA game… was overwhelming,” Rolle said in a statement issued following the game. “The arena in Miami was lit. Bimini and the Bahamas showed up and showed out.”
Her words come amid what has already been widely described as a remarkable showing of national pride, with Bahamians traveling in large
numbers to South Florida to witness the young guard’s continued rise. For Rolle, however, the moment extended far beyond basketball.
“Beyond VJ’s basketball talents, I’m so moved by his magnetic personality and personal journey to inspire and excite an entire nation—our beloved Bahamas,” she said. “I thank God for VJ’s humility and for his hunger for greatness. He never forgets how far God has brought us.”
While the Sixers did not secure the win on the night, Edgecombe delivered a solid individual performance, finishing with 13 points and five assists. He made an early impact on the game, showing confidence and poise before foul trouble disrupted his rhythm, but still managed to leave his mark in meaningful minutes.
The game itself evolved into a cultural showcase, with Bahamian flags waving throughout the arena and chants ringing out in support of Edgecombe. Much of that presence was bolstered by a coordinated travel push from Bahamasair, which helped facilitate fan travel and added to the electric atmosphere in Miami.
Rolle said the emotional weight of the moment was deeply felt by her family, as they witnessed firsthand the unity and pride of the Bahamian people.
“Thanks and love for the tears and overwhelming joy on Monday, Bahamas,” she expressed. “The Bahamian flags were love, loud, and proud. On my own behalf, VJ, and the entire family, I am ever grateful for the indescribable experience.”
Her closing words underscored what many have described as the true victory of the night—not the final score, but the powerful display of national pride and support surrounding one of The Bahamas’ rising stars.
PHOTO BY SIXERS NATION
Bahamian pride is already on full display in South Florida, with fans arriving in strong numbers ahead of tonight’s highly anticipated NBA matchup featuring VJ Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Helping to power that movement was Bahamasair, which rolled out a strategic promotion to facilitate travel, turning the game into a full-scale national showing.
And the celebration started early.
A “Bahamas Invades Florida” pre-party over the weekend set the tone, with Bahamian fans, DJs and supporters converging in Fort
Lauderdale to build momentum ahead of the game. The event, marketed as a major cultural gathering, has spilled into Miami, where a strong Bahamian presence is expected inside the arena tonight.
This is no ordinary road game.
The Sixers enter the matchup healthy and are favoured to win, adding to the anticipation surrounding what many expect to be a standout performance by the Biminite guard.
Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been electric in his rookie season — delivering high-scoring performances and quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
But beyond the stats, it’s the moment that matters.
With South Florida just a short flight away, Bahamians have seized the opportunity to show up in force — flags, energy and all — transforming the game into something far bigger than basketball.
A national turnout.
A rising star.
And a night where the Bahamas is expected to be felt — from tip-off to final buzzer.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
The Bahamas, March 18, 2026 – Twenty days into the latest Middle East escalation, the United Nations is warning the conflict is spreading beyond its original battlefield, as the death toll rises and governments around the world issue urgent travel advisories — including The Bahamas.
In a March 17 statement, the UN Secretary-General’s office said the war must stop and called for all Security Council resolutions to be respected, noting with concern that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.
The current round of fighting began February 28 with strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iranian-linked forces, followed by missile and drone attacks across Iraq, Lebanon and parts of the Gulf.
International monitors report more than 1,300 people killed in Iran alone, with additional casualties reported in Lebanon, Israel and Gulf states. U.S. officials confirm at least 13 American service members have died since the escalation began, while reports indicate additional senior Iranian military leaders were killed in recent strikes.
Despite the growing violence, several NATO countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have not joined offensive operations, instead calling for diplomacy to prevent the conflict from widening.
The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a travel advisory, warning Bahamian nationals to avoid travel to Israel, Palestine, Iran and Lebanon and to reconsider travel across much of the Gulf region due to the risk of sudden escalation, flight disruptions and security threats.
Officials say Bahamians already in the region should remain vigilant and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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