Discovery has announced that there will be no departures from Freeport for six days οΎ– from Saturday, September 23 through Thursday, September 28.
However, beginning September 29, Discovery will offer a new “Coach” category which will provide transportation and cruise amenities in the price of the ticket, without meals.
The cruise line explains that the “Standard” category will include the usual three lavish buffet meals on the round-trip cruise and, the “Plus” category includes the seven-course gourmet dinner on the cruise from Grand Bahama to Ft. Lauderdale and the two rich buffet meals on the return of the cruise to Grand Bahama.
The “Standard” and “Plus,” which have always existed, now have new labels.
All rates are per person, based on a round-trip cruise. Prices are higher on weekends and holidays.
Discovery is also announcing new passport requirements for United States citizens as of January 2, 3007.
Those travelling by air and sea to or from the Caribbean must have a U.S. passport.
Back in January, Global United Limited confirmed it had signed a letter of intent with Discovery Owner Rafael A. Ordonez to acquire the cruiseline’s assets and recently revealed that that process is about to be finalized.
The deal was expected to be finalized in June and Global CEO and President Jackson L. Ritchie revealed that Discovery will continue to operate its normally scheduled route.
The December 2005 signing marked the first time a Bahamian would own both a cruise line and a casino.
Discovery Cruise Line has provided daily service between Ft. Lauderdale and Freeport for the past 19 years and has brought over four million visitors.
Global United Limited is the largest ships’ agency of its kind in The Bahamas and the Caribbean and has offices in Freeport, Nassau and Miami.
After working in the Grand Bahama shipping industry for eight years, Ritchie formed Tanja Enterprises Co. Ltd. and expanded its business holdings by buying United Shipping Co. Ltd. of Freeport in 2004 and Global Customs Brokers and World Bound Couriers Limited and SeAir Aviation Limited of Nassau one year later.
The three companies were merged to form Global United Limited.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
