The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Royal Caribbean yesterday hailed its all-Bahamian itinerary cruise ship as a “smashing success”.

Jay Schneider, the cruise line’s chief product and innovation officer, said Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second-largest cruise ship, which exclusively sails to The Bahamas twice a week, has provided a major boost since it launched in July.

He said the vessel, which is expected to draw 800,000 passengers to the country’s shores annually, is sailing at full occupancy with high revenue and guest satisfaction.

“Utopia has been a smashing success. Guest satisfaction is through the roof. The itinerary is beloved by everybody. It’s sailing at full occupancy. Revenue has been amazing, and so it’s really been a smashing success,” said Mr Schneider.

He added that the artist programme that will be launched at the Paradise Island Beach Club will allow Bahamians to submit request for proposals (RFPs) to have their work featured at the development.

The programme also accepted RFPs from Caribbean artists to select the artwork for Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, and is currently accepting proposals for their newest ship, Star of the Seas.

“The same Caribbean artist programme that will be kicked off here was also done on Utopia, was done on Icon of the Seas, and will happen on Star of the Seas as well. So, there’s another RFP going out right now across the whole Caribbean for our ships,” said Mr Schneider.

“Here, it’s just limited to The Bahamas, but across our ships, and we pull artists from communities around the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, for our ship art as well.”

Mr Schneider said Nassau has been “revitalised” through the improvements at the Nassau Cruise Port and other projects, including Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club, which will contribute 1 percent of its earnings to the Tourism Development Fund to improve the offerings of more tourism businesses.

“There’s been a really amazing energy that you’ve seen in The Bahamas’ revitalisation of Nassau. Whether it’s the cruise port revitalisation, the continued growth of businesses downtown, the Royal Beach Club expansion, the tourism fund, where 1 percent of the gross revenue will go to improve other experiences around Nassau. All of that has helped really revitalise the area,” said Mr Schneider.