Freeport Damaged and no ships can dock per John H

[Banks822]

I hate that Freeport has storm damage, but I also wouldn't be disappointed with missing the port. One of my least favorite ports next to Nassau.

 

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[elainmir]

Our cruise is Nov.10-14 and it's Freeport and Nassau...I'm hoping we get diverted to Key West! Not sure though if things will be up and running by then. I did not dislike Freeport...I've never really been past their little straw market but I'd like to give it a chance again in the future.

[agp_mzk]

This is so sad. I'm probably one of the few who prefer Freeport to Nassau. Last time we were in Nassau we stayed on the ship. As for Freeport, we've gone out to Paradise Cove/Deadman's Reef to snorkel and it's really good snorkeling. Hope they recover soon.

 

I'm with you. I strongly prefer Freeport to Nassau. I also went to Paradise Cove on my recent stop in Freeport, and the snorkeling was absolutely outstanding. I'm so sad to hear how badly the island was hammered by Hurricane Matthew. I hope they're able to get the infrastructure repaired enough to resume cruise stops very soon so that the tourism dollars will start flowing again.

[cruisequeen4ever]

An interesting side note, and in counter-point to the time frame given for repairs elsewhere in Grand Bahama, the Grand Bahama Shipyard, right up the harbor from the Freeport cruise terminal was open and running on the 10th, stating little damage from the storm.

 

 

That's good; I was wondering how the shipyard fared. That could have been a big issue for upcoming dry docks.

 

 

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[tidecat]

Unexso and the Dolphin Experience are back up and running per their page on the social network that shall not be named. I am supposed to be in Freeport on February 20, but if the Freeport Cruise Terminal is still a no-go, Key West has no ship's scheduled to call there that day.

 

 

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[riclop]

Key WEst anyday over Freeport.

[siestakeys04]

Those who like key west what did you do?

 

 

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Edited October 14, 2016 by siestakeys04

[T2C]

Wow. There are TONS of options in Freeport, unless of course you expect to step off the ship and have options right before you. Excellent beaches, great restaurants, hiking the national forest, good scuba/snorkeling and on and on.

 

Guess if all you want are some US chain restaurants and the same old crappy stores right at the port, then yes, Freeport would be disappointing.

 

I agree, we love Freeport. Didn't care for it until we found the Bottom Fishing excursion, now we can't wait to get there every year

[BoDidly]

Those who like key west what did you do?

 

 

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Glass bottom boat , tour of the town , key lime pie :D. Need more ? ;)

[tidecat]

Slightly OT, but is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line even operating right now? Freeport is their only port of call. The former Celebration for Carnival sails as the Grand Celebration for Bahamas Paradise.

 

 

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[BroadwayGirl]

The Pride cruise that leaves this weekend is overnighting in Nassau til 4am and not going anywhere else. Lame. ...especially after dragging this out for days.

[jimbo5544]

The Pride cruise that leaves this weekend is overnighting in Nassau til 4am and not going anywhere else. Lame. ...especially after dragging this out for days.

 

 

They were going to move another island closer but they could not get the equipment on time...... Lame...really?

 

 

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[BroadwayGirl]

Don't get me wrong. it's hurricane season. Freeport/Grand Bahama is devastated and I feel bad for those there, especially all who make their living from tourism since no one can call there.

 

What I have a problem with is the less than superb communication from Carnival and how they are spinning this. We were supposed to be in Nassau until 8pm Thursday evening. Their "replacement" for Freeport is to keep us docked from 8pm til 4am. Their letter to us touted to look for excursions on board for our extra time. What excursions are they running from 8pm til 4am on an island where they warn you of crime in the Fun Times?

 

I just wish they would call it what it is...missing a port (with daytime activities and excursions on another island) and giving us an extra sea day. I would feel much better about the situation if they had written us a letter saying "enjoy an extra sea day...your CD and entertainment staff are going to provide lots of fun on your fun ship on your extra day at sea!" Give us all a drink coupon for our sea day and call it done.

[cruznjan]

I'm on the Pride leaving this Sunday and scheduled to stop in Freeport later next week. Interested to see where they reroute us. I'd be thrilled with any of the 3 options John mentioned as we have never been to any of them before. I just don't want them to cop out and give us an overnight in Nassau! I want them to sub in a different port of call.

 

It wouldn't be a cop-out. Carnival has to juggle ships and compete with other cruise lines for berth space. They're doing the best they can. Enjoy wherever you go!

[poz222]

Saw this picture of the port Lucayan marketplace... the pink building upside down in the water is the conch fritter/cracked conch shack... sad. Still no power on the island...

 

http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/uploads/18/Port-Lucaya-Dock-Brendan-Paddick.png

Edited October 19, 2016 by poz222

[Anjanu]

Has anyone heard when the ships will start docking back in Freeport?

[poz222]

The government is hoping to get the power restored and some infrastructure repairs done by the 2nd week in November... the issue is the whole west end (where Lucaya marketplace is, the beaches around Taino and all the docks were damaged so there is such limited tourist infrastructure... it got a real clobbering! Most of the major resorts are closed too...

[Micahs Grandad]

Has anyone heard when the ships will start docking back in Freeport?

 

At the very least depends upon when they get electricity restored, apparently week away.

[Anjanu]

At the very least depends upon when they get electricity restored' date=' apparently week away.[/quote']

 

Just got an email. Our itinerary on the Elation next week changed to an overnight in Nassau. I'm okay with that. I'll be on a cruise and not at work!

[rob6465]

They were going to move another island closer but they could not get the equipment on time...... Lame...really?

 

 

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Exactly...people lost their homes and lives and we worried about hitting a port...smh

[rob6465]

Don't get me wrong. it's hurricane season. Freeport/Grand Bahama is devastated and I feel bad for those there, especially all who make their living from tourism since no one can call there.

 

What I have a problem with is the less than superb communication from Carnival and how they are spinning this. We were supposed to be in Nassau until 8pm Thursday evening. Their "replacement" for Freeport is to keep us docked from 8pm til 4am. Their letter to us touted to look for excursions on board for our extra time. What excursions are they running from 8pm til 4am on an island where they warn you of crime in the Fun Times?

 

I just wish they would call it what it is...missing a port (with daytime activities and excursions on another island) and giving us an extra sea day. I would feel much better about the situation if they had written us a letter saying "enjoy an extra sea day...your CD and entertainment staff are going to provide lots of fun on your fun ship on your extra day at sea!" Give us all a drink coupon for our sea day and call it done.

 

You are so right. When i cruised one year and 2 ports got cancelled, we got credit and 1 hour free drinks. Best cruise so far

[cruznjan]

Don't get me wrong. it's hurricane season. Freeport/Grand Bahama is devastated and I feel bad for those there, especially all who make their living from tourism since no one can call there.

 

What I have a problem with is the less than superb communication from Carnival and how they are spinning this. We were supposed to be in Nassau until 8pm Thursday evening. Their "replacement" for Freeport is to keep us docked from 8pm til 4am. Their letter to us touted to look for excursions on board for our extra time. What excursions are they running from 8pm til 4am on an island where they warn you of crime in the Fun Times?

 

I just wish they would call it what it is...missing a port (with daytime activities and excursions on another island) and giving us an extra sea day. I would feel much better about the situation if they had written us a letter saying "enjoy an extra sea day...your CD and entertainment staff are going to provide lots of fun on your fun ship on your extra day at sea!" Give us all a drink coupon for our sea day and call it done.

 

I'm not sure how it will work for us. We're supposed to go to Freeport the day before Nassau. Maybe we would get a substitute port.

[Pellaz]

Slightly OT, but is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line even operating right now? Freeport is their only port of call. The former Celebration for Carnival sails as the Grand Celebration for Bahamas Paradise.

 

Oh wow, that's right. That'd make it really tough for them.

 

 

Similar situation for Bimini Superfast, which travels twice daily (I think) from Miami to Bimini and back as a gambling cruise. (It's a large converted ferry and technically the fastest cruise ship in the Western Hemisphere.)

Matthew's eye passed close to Bimini, as it did with Freeport/GBI, and Bimini took damage as well.

[tidecat]

 

Similar situation for Bimini Superfast, which travels twice daily (I think) from Miami to Bimini and back as a gambling cruise. (It's a large converted ferry and technically the fastest cruise ship in the Western Hemisphere.)

 

 

 

MS Bimini Superfast was sold earlier this year and is now MS Cruise Olbia for Grimaldi Lines. The ship now runs between Civitavecchia and Olbia.

 

 

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[2cool4school]

This is so sad. I'm probably one of the few who prefer Freeport to Nassau. Last time we were in Nassau we stayed on the ship. As for Freeport, we've gone out to Paradise Cove/Deadman's Reef to snorkel and it's really good snorkeling. Hope they recover soon.

Same here, much prefer Freeport. Had a great time at Deadman's Reef snorkeling.

I admit I'm not a seasoned traveler (one Carnival Cruise last July and the 3-day to Freeport on Bahama Celebration several years ago that got us excited about cruising in the first place) but we had a blast in Freeport. Or, rather, wherever the bus took us to from the port. Little marina village with shopping and restaurants and we went on a glass-bottom boat tour that was tons of fun.

 

Seagulls following our boat:

 

and sharks jumping up out of the water

 

it was very exciting for us on our first cruise. Yeah, Freeport may not have all the stuff the other big ports do but I'm not willing to write it off as a dud. Freeport will always have a place in my heart for being the place that made me realize I love cruising.

 

 

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