CCL-Carnival Cruise Line recently commemorated The Bahamas' 50th anniversary of independence with a Junkanoo celebration aboard Carnival Mardi Gras ship docked in Nassau.
Junkanoo, a vital aspect of the nation's culture and a key element of its tourism industry is the national cultural festival of The Bahamas, featuring vibrant parades of Bahamians adorned in colorful costumes performing dance routines. The event included an informative overview of Junkanoo's history and captivating live performances by a local Bahamian Junkanoo troupe and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.
Around 150 Bahamian VIP guests (government, community, and business leaders) joined CCL's officials for the celebration and luncheon.
Christine Duffy (CCL's President) expressed their longstanding partnership with The Bahamas, dating back to the early days of cruising, and their pride in celebrating the country's 50 years of independence, resilience, strength, and progress. She emphasized their commitment to the future of this partnership, aiming to bring millions more visitors to experience the beauty and culture The Bahamas has to offer.
Prominent figures at the event included John H. W. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Leslia Miller-Brice, Chair of The Bahamas Independence Secretariat; and Latia Duncombe, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
This celebration took place as works progress at Celebration Key, an exclusive cruise port destination on Grand Bahama, specifically designed for CCL guests. Celebration Key will provide guests with a distinctly Bahamian experience, featuring a one-mile stretch of white-sand beach and Bahamian-operated retail, food, and beverage offerings.
CCL plans to unveil further details about Celebration Key later this month, including the announcement of itineraries on at least ten ships departing from various homeports, with the first voyages scheduled to visit Celebration Key in July 2025.