Cloud X, the high-speed ferry that serviced Grand Bahama Island from West Palm Beach, Florida twice in the past, is poised to relaunch its service across the Florida Straights to Grand Bahama for a third time later this month.
Cloud X (pronounced Cloud 10) Bahamas Ferry is now accepting reservations, and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board are enthused and pleased to welcome the ferry back to the island.
“Cloud X is the perfect size ferry for this area,” said Antoine Gurrey, Party Line Cruise Company’s general manager. “It’s a bit smaller ferry, so that makes it more cost-effective to operate,”
Noting that it will be very convenient for the South Florida and Grand Bahama market, Mr. Gurrey added, “It will be very customer-friendly.”
On a committed mission to promote Grand Bahama to the world, Ministry of Tourism executives last year unveiled a major advertising campaign entitled “We’re Back.” The move enabled the island to tap into top U.S. markets.
Announcing plans for the campaign at a Tourism industry luncheon at Our Lucaya, Tourism’s Deputy Director David Johnson said the initiative was a supplemental one. The campaign was launched in mid-November.
The multi-faceted retail campaign was activated in three major markets: Atlanta, Charlotte and South Florida.
Speaking at the luncheon, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said the major campaign ‘We’re Back’ would show the world that Grand Bahama is back and its people along with its partners are going to build and work hard to restore Grand Bahama to its prominent position as the preferred destination.
“We want to make this island a place that we can look to as an example of sustainability,” Mr. Wilchcombe said. “An island where Bahamians know that they have opportunities in the tourism industry, and we will create more linkages as we move forward.”
Cloud X, a competitor with Discovery Cruise Line and other ships at the Lucayan Harbour that commute passengers to Florida, promises to have its passengers arrive at their destination in three hours time.
The sleek 367-passenger fun ferryboat, outfitted with pioneering SWATH (Small Water plane Area Twin Hull) technology, offers a swift, smooth, and luxurious experience.
The SWATH vessel has two submarine-like lower hulls that are always completely underwater to reduce the powerful forces of buffeting waves. The hull’s form permits constant speed even in rough water, thereby reducing seasickness and the number of weather-related cancellations.
SWATH has the capacity to deliver big-ship platform steadiness and ride quality in a smaller vessel. Measuring 122 feet in length, Cloud X will cruise at speeds up to 28 knots. The vessel sails under a United States flag, registry, and crew.
Cloud X departs the Port of Palm Beach Friday through Monday at 9:00 a.m. It arrives in Freeport at approximately 12:30 in the afternoon. The Cloud X departs Grand Bahama Friday through Monday at 5:30 p.m. and arrives at the Port of Palm Beach at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Bargain hotel packages are available with over a dozen exclusive destinations. Reservations are required.
GO FAST SERVICE οΎ— With a capacity for 367 passengers, Cloud X is preparing to relaunch its “Go Fast Class” service from Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport later this month.
By JEREMY FRANCIS, Freeport News Reporter
