by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:15 AM ET, Thu December 14, 2023
Before the pandemic, Royal
Caribbean had big plans for the harbor in Freeport, Bahamas.
The company was going to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort and develop the
area with a hotel, theme park, shopping, entertainment, and even a convention
center.
As part of the overall plan, the cruise line would also
expand and improve the port and cruise terminal to the west of the Grand
Lucayan. That area would have also included shopping, restaurants, beach areas,
and opportunities for various local excursions.
While the plans eventually died in the industry downturn
around COVID-19, there are rumblings about Royal Caribbean making a move now.
Reports have surfaced that the company is discussing the
purchase of Xanadu Beach Hotel in Freeport. Speculation is that there’s
interest in developing a resort and water park. The area in question is said to
be more than 40 acres in size, and this could be tied again to a master plan of
redeveloping the whole Freeport harbor area.
While Royal Caribbean has not confirmed any of the rumors,
earlier this year, CEO Michael Bayley told a media outlet in the Bahamas
that he was "increasingly optimistic” that the Freeport port project would
finally come to fruition.
Other sources have mentioned that Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity
Cruises subsidiary might also play a part in the development plans.
“Our intent is to bring more capacity into Freeport,” said
Bayley. “The first step, which will be in conjunction with others, is investing
in improving the port."
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