Three Carnival Corporation brands have confirmed a return to the Bahamas for the first time since Hurricane Dorian devastated parts of the island nation earlier this month.
Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are expected to make more than 250 sailings to the Bahamas until the end of the year.
Carnival Cruise Line is to make 41 calls to Nassau and the corporation’s private island destinations, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, for the remainder of September.
The brand will make an estimated 204 calls through the remainder of the year, visiting Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays with eight of its ships.
Princess Cruises has 19 sailings scheduled between October 9 and the end of the year, including visits by Crown Princess, Caribbean Princess, Regal Princess and the new Sky Princess in December.
Holland America Line is due to resume Bahamas calls from October 21 with 46 cruises to across seven of its ships by the end of 2019.
Overall, Nassau and the company’s private island destinations in the Bahamas had little impact from the hurricane.
Carnival Cruise Line is also continuing to deliver relief to the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands recovering from Hurricane Dorian.
Two ships – Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride – made stops last week in Freeport to deliver relief supplies to assist residents, including dozens of pallets of water, generators, chain saws, prepared meals and medical supplies.
The corporation also began to collect and deliver donated food and supplies through a partnership with Tropical Shipping and The Bahamas National Emergency Agency. An estimated 335 tons of food and relief supplies have been delivered to Freeport so far.
A spokesman said: “One of the all-time favourite destinations for our guests for many years are our ports of call in the Bahamas, and it is important to spread the word that much of the country had no or little impact and is open for business and eager to provide great vacation memories.
“Cruise tourism is a vital economic driver for the Bahamian people, so we are excited to let travellers know the Bahamas welcomes them with open arms.
“For those in the Bahamas who have been impacted, our hearts continue to be with them, and we will continue to do our part in providing relief aid and supporting our long-time partners and friends as they work to recover and begin the rebuilding process.”