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.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
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