A Bahamas Update: Relief On The Way; Most Areas Still Open For Business

The Bahamas are cleaning up. And relief efforts are underway, including aid from Canada and the folks at Carnival Cruise.

“Hurricane Dorian has moved out of The Islands Of The Bahamas and an all-clear from hurricane effects has been issued for the country,” Bahamas officials said in a statement issued late Wednesday. “Relief teams have been deployed to The Abacos and Grand Bahama Island.

“Islands that were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian remain open and are receiving visitors. In the Northwest Bahamas these include The Bahamas capital of Nassau and neighboring Paradise Island, as well as Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros. Islands in the Southeastern and Central Bahamas remain unaffected including The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua,” officials said.

"There are no words to convey the grief we feel for our fellow Bahamians in The Abacos and Grand Bahama," said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Minister, Dionisio D'Aguilar. "Now is the time to come together for our brothers and sisters in need, and help our country get back on its feet. Anyone who wishes to provide relief support should go to www.bahamas.com/relief for verified ways to help. We also implore travelers to continue visiting the Bahamian islands that were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian as this will help our people tremendously."

The following is a status update on airports, hotels, airlines and cruise schedules at this time. This is not a comprehensive list and visitors are strongly advised to check directly with airlines, hotels and cruise lines regarding possible impacts to travel plans.

AIRPORTS

Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau remains open. There have been flight cancellations and travelers should contact their airlines directly for any schedule changes.

Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) is closed.

Leonard Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour, Abaco is closed.

All other airports throughout The Bahamas are open and operational.

HOTELS

Hotels in Nassau and Paradise Island remain open.

Hotels in The Abacos and Grand Bahama Island are closed.

Reservation holders should contact properties directly for complete information.

FERRY, CRUISE AND PORTS

Nassau ports are open and operating on their normal schedule, although cruise line schedules may be altered.

Grand Bahama Island's Freeport Harbour is closed.

Bahamas Ferries have cancelled all sailings until further notice. Passengers seeking further information should call 242-323-2166.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Celebration remains closed and has cancelled its September 4-6 sailings.

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest leisure travel company, announced that the corporation's philanthropic arm, Carnival Foundation, and its nine global cruise line brands, together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, have pledged to donate $2 million USD in funding and in-kind support for relief efforts in The Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.

Carnival Foundation and the company's nine cruise line brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises ( Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) – are pledging a total of $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations in support of immediate relief and recovery efforts in The Bahamas. Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine are matching the corporation's commitment with a $1 million donation from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.

"We are fully committed to supporting the critical relief and recovery efforts already underway for The Bahamas, and we are working closely with officials and affected communities to identify the needs for support and assistance," said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. "Our company has always been closely tied to The Bahamas with a rich history spanning many years, so it's heart-breaking to see the impact of Hurricane Dorian, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of The Bahamas. We have long admired the unyielding spirit of the Bahamian people and have no doubt they will overcome, rebuild and recover, and we look forward to supporting their efforts."

Carnival also announced a partnership with Tropical Shipping and The Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collect and deliver NEMA-approved food and supplies donated in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties for the people of The Bahamas.

Carnival Corporation is partnering with Tropical Shipping, which will serve as an approved clearinghouse and distribution center for non-profit organizations, schools, businesses and residents of Broward County, Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County to expedite timely delivery of donated food and goods collected in the local South Florida community. The effort, funded by both companies, will work in partnership with NEMA to provide immediate assistance to the people of the Bahamas where it is most needed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke with his Bahamian counterpart and has pledged at least $500,000 CAD to help the Bahamas recover.

Breezes Resort & Spa – Bahamas is encouraging both past and future travellers to donate food, water, clothes and toiletries that will be passed on to The Abacos and Grand Bahamas. The Carribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has set up a separate Hurricane Relief Fund to assist with these donations: https://www.gofundme.com/hurricane-relief-fund-cto.

“New Providence, home to Nassau and Paradise Island, received minimal impact and will be a leading force in the Bahamas’ overall recovery, Breezes officials said. “The tourism industry is the backbone of the Bahamas, and it’s vital that travellers continue to show their support by visiting one of the premier destinations in the Caribbean."

On a related note, Sandals’ weekly “Let’s Talk” webinars have regularly allowed for Canadian agents to get the latest updates directly from the featured resort’s management teams. In light of the recent passing of Hurricane Dorian over the Bahamas, perhaps there is none timelier than the upcoming 30-minute webinar scheduled for Friday Sept. 6, 2019.

Canadian agents are invited to join Jeremy Mutton, General Manager, Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma and Surinder “Lucky” Kahlon, General Manager, Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau as they discuss the status of their resorts and the robust efforts of the Sandals Foundation to help their neighbours in the Northern Bahamas, specifically the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island – and how agents can help.

Simply by registering, agents will also receive a recorded version post-webinar that they can play back at their leisure in the event that they are unable to participate during the live session.

Friday, September 6 – Real-Time Updates from Sandals Resorts in the Bahamas

12:30pm – 1:00pm EST

featuring Jeremy Mutton, General Manager, Sandals Emerald Bay and Surinder “Lucky” Kahlon, General Manager, Sandals Royal Bahamian

Canadian agents can register by visiting:

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5252579651660135938

For more information, agents can contact their local Sandals Business Development Manager or call Inside Sales at 1-800-545-8283.