Category Archives: Bahamas

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Similar to the IAAF World Relays where the Bahamas got to put on a display for the fans in winning the mixed gender relay two weeks ago at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Team Bahamas will get another chance to delight the local crowd at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.

Although they got eliminated with a 1-2 win-loss record during the Group matches, Team Bahamas was awarded a chance to play in a friendly match against a FIFA Beach Soccer All-Stars team from the various countries.

The match is scheduled for 6pm Saturday in the newly constructed beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park just after the two semi-final matches, minus defending champions Portugal, are played at 3pm and 4:30pm.

While the Bahamas welcomed the news, it was not quite the same for Portugal after they got dethroned by Brazil 4-3 in their quarter-final match yesterday as the tournament resumed following a day off on Wednesday.

Any chance to touch the sand in our stadium in front of the home crowd and also playing against other beach soccer players at a high level is a joy, said Mark Daniels. We have another crack at it, another chance to bring one home for the Bahamas.

Daniels likened their match to when the gladiators took to the stadium in the past for their showdown in the stadium and they heard the roar of the crowd.

Its similar to that, he said. It takes a lot to prepare to play these types of matches, the physical level and the mental level and then to go on the sand and you have to be just as prepared.

But to hear the cheer from your home crowd, it literally shakes you. Theres no better feeling than that. It gets addictive, so I want to encourage our Bahamian fans to come on out and cheer us on.

Team Bahamas, according to Daniels, has gotten better with each game after losing 3-2 in their opener to Switzerland on day one last Thursday, April 27 and 10-1 to Senegal on Saturday, April 29 before knocking off Ecuador 4-1 on Monday, May 1.

We like our wombs, we got a win in our last match, so we feel very confident so on Saturday, look for us to try and do it again, said Daniels, who is nursing a fractured big right toe, while another player has a dislocated shoulder from the nature of the game.

We just have to toughen it up and play through the pain.

Another team member Jean Francois said its a great opportunity for them to play so that they can bring out the fans, not only to match them play, but the high level of competition in the semifinal.

Having the fans behind us has helped us out a lot, having them behind us cheering for us, he insisted. I think its going to be a great opportunity and we hope they wont miss it.

Despite getting eliminated from the tournament, Francois said this is an opportunity for the team to show their appreciation to the fans for supporting them in the three games they played.

Everybody is good. Everybody is ready, he insisted. We have training tomorrow at 6:30 at Arawak Cay and then we will take it from there so that we can put on a great show, he projected.

As the tournament start to wind down with the teams on a break today before the final four play the semifinal on Saturday and the final is played on Sunday, Jeff Beckles, chairman of the Local Organizing Committee said they are pleased with what has transpired so far.

Its been a great learning experience having a different sport on the world stage, he said. I think the LOC has learned a lot and we are looking to doing some things with CONCACAF and FIFA.

I think this last two weeks has caused us to be better positioned with CONCACAF as the regional site for qualifiers and other tournaments like the Kalik Cup and the Heineken Cup.

Next year, the qualifying stages begin for the 2019 World Cup Beach Soccer and Beckles said the Bahamas is in a fantastic position to be the host of the qualifier for CONCACAF again.

If I had one wish, I would have love to have seen more fans from the Bahamas, said Beckles, who indicated that he hope they will show up in large numbers on Saturday when Team Bahamas play an All-Star team.

When we do a world event, we are not only graded or evaluated on how well the event goes, but on how well the host city the global event. So if the Bahamas truly wants to be a global host, then the community plays a huge part by supporting the event.

For a new stadium, Beckles said they have gotten some fantastic reviews from the visiting players, fans and FIFA and CONCACAF executives and he commended the LOC, the Bahamas Football Association and their partners, BTC, Coca-Cola, Kalik, Bahamas Waste, who stepped up to the plate.

I think weve done a great thing in the face of everything that is going on, said Beckles, who has been busy as a bee, moving from one event to the next. In the face of all of that, pour team has been able to remain focus.

And Nick Dean, whose company Integrated Building Services developed the structure and said hes been just as impressed by everyone on the magnificent view of the new stadium.

Its been a labor of love for us and so Im really pleased to the development of the stadium, he said. We were here when it was just dirt and concrete, but its now something that is fantastic.

Just looking at the lights, the seats and the stadium itself, its a far cry from what it was when we got started.

Dean said its a world-class facility that has attracted people from al around the world and as a local business, they hope that the beach soccer fever can be spread throughout the islands as a result of hosting the event.

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Team Bahamas Ready For Beach Soccer All-Stars - Bahamas Tribune

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. The Penn State mens basketball program will get an early jump on the 2017-18 season when it takes a foreign trip to the Bahamas for three games Aug. 4-11.

Game dates, opponents and sites are still being finalized; however, while in the Bahamas, the Nittany Lions will stay at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

This trip is exactly what we need at this point, said Patrick Chambers, Penn State head coach. It will give us the opportunity to work on our chemistry and culture with many new faces. We can reinforce good habits and get a good look at what we need to work on heading into the season. Hopefully we will be ahead of the curve a little bit.

The team will get 10 practices to prepare for the foreign tour with all players expected to make the trip. NCAA basketball teams are allowed to take an international tour to play exhibition games once every four years. The Nittany Lions last traveled abroad to Belgium, France and England in 2013.

Penn State returns all five starters and more than 80 percent of its scoring for next season, including top-three scorers Tony Carr (13.2 ppg), Lamar Stevens (12.7) and Shep Garner (12.0). Defensive standouts Mike Watkins and Josh Reaves round out the starting lineup from a year ago and will anchor the Nittany Lions in the upcoming campaign.

The Bahamas trip will be the first action in a Penn State uniform for junior transfer Satchel Pierce, who will suit up for the Nittany Lions this year, and incoming freshmen Trent Buttrick, John Harrar and Jamari Wheeler.

Fans wishing to attend the games in the Bahamas can arrange travel packages by contacting Lea Miller at lea.miller@leamillerassociates.com or 404-668-7468.

Last Updated May 05, 2017

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Men's basketball to play three exhibition games in the Bahamas - Penn State News

Miami Herald

Carnival Cruise Line is building the Bahamas' biggest cruise port in Freeport Miami Herald Carnival Cruise Line signed a multimillion-dollar deal Tuesday to build a new cruise port in Freeport in the Bahamas. The still-unnamed port will be the largest purpose-built cruise facility in the Bahamas, the Doral-based cruise line said Tuesday ... Carnival to build new home for its cruise ships in the BahamasOrlando Sentinel Historic Deal Signed for East Grand Bahama Cruise Port Developmentthebahamasweekly.com Carnival Cruise Line Announces New Bahamas PortTravel Market Report South Florida Business Journal -Seatrade Cruise News -Cruise Critic all 41 news articles »

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Carnival Cruise Line is building the Bahamas' biggest cruise port in Freeport - Miami Herald

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The ball is in the Bahamas court to meet its automatic tax information exchange commitments, a senior industry executive yesterday saying there is no alarm about this nation having to alter its approach.

Tanya McCartney, the Bahamas Financial Services Boards (BFSB) chief executive, told Tribune Business that the private sector acknowledged the Government may have to consider a policy change on how this nation implements the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

She was speaking after Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) representatives last week warned that the Bahamas must take quick action to avoid being blacklisted.

Monica Bhatia, who leads OECDs Global Forum secretariat, said the Bahamas was perceived as the last tax haven standing and an outlier because it was the sole financial centre of any significance to persist with the bilateral approach to CRS implementation.

Emphasising that the Bahamian financial services industrys priority was to avoid any blacklisting, Ms McCartney said this objective meant there was an acceptance the CRS implementation policy may need to change given the increasing pressure from the OECD, European Union (EU) and their members.

There is acknowledgement that the Government will have to consider whether we meet the requirements of the OECD, and also whether there needs to be a change in policy, the BFSB chief executive told Tribune Business.

I do not believe the laying on the table, so to speak, that we need to consider the Multilateral Convention on Tax Matters, caused any alarm. No overwhelming alarm or concern was expressed by industry to the possibility of us having to take a new course.

As revealed by Tribune Business, the Bahamas is now isolated, and under growing pressure, to bow to international demands that it automatically exchange tax information on a multilateral basis, with the EU and its members refusing to accept this nations preferred approach.

The Bahamas previously agreed to implement the CRS, the OECD global standard for automatic tax information exchange, via a bilateral approach that involved negotiating agreements on an individual country-by country basis.

However, the OECD and its developed country members have been steadily increasing the pressure on the Bahamas to switch to the multilateral approach, requiring this country to negotiate tax deals with all-comers at once.

The Bahamas has been left exposed by the decisions of Hong Kong, Panama and the United Arab Emirates to switch from the bilateral to multilateral approach, which has left this nation as the last international financial centre (IFC) of significance that is sticking to the former.

Tribune Business sources present at last weeks seminar with the OECD said the body had cleverly modified its arguments, and objections, regarding the Bahamas choice of the bilateral implementation route.

Given that it had previously approved the bilateral route as an option, the OECD knows it is open to charges of hypocrisy and goal-post moving if it simply demands the Bahamas goes multilateral.

Instead, its officials last week argued that the Bahamas had left it too late to use the bilateral approach to meet its automatic tax information exchange commitments by the September 2018 deadline.

The OECDs presentation to the Bahamian financial services sector was described as dripping with sarcasm by one observer, who said it employed the theme: Why are you always the last guys to comply?

Its representatives employed the analogy of a high-rise building to describe the Bahamas situation, saying that all other countries were taking the elevator to the top via the multilateral approach, and this country was the only one using the stairs.

Several financial industry sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business that given the EUs stance and the pressing compliance deadline, combined with this nations bilateral isolation, the Bahamas was unlikely to be able to hold out.

Hope Strachan, minister of financial services, appeared to subtly acknowledge this last week when she spoke to Tribune Business, her words effectively laying the ground for a policy shift by whoever is elected as the next government.

Tribune Business also understands that the Bahamian financial services industry, and its various working groups, have already been asked for feedback on the potential impact of switching to the multilateral CRS implementation approach.

My take away from it was this, Ms McCartney told Tribune Business. The ball is in the Bahamas court to demonstrate it can effectively implement the CRS.

We have to consider objectively the extent to which we can stand up to scrutiny. If policymakers determine, despite our best efforts, that we are not where we need to be, a policy position will have to be taken.

The question is: Can we close sufficient agreements in the timeframe we have? Legitimate assessments have to be done by policymakers, and we have to do enough in the best interests of the sector to avoid blacklisting and ensure we live up to our commitments. There is continued agitation for us to consider signing the Multilateral Convention.

Ms McCartney said last weeks seminar had clarified issues surrounding the CRSs implementation and provisions, and identified provisions of the Multilateral Convention where the Bahamas could seek to obtain reservations.

Ultimately, whatever we do has to put us in a position to avoid adverse listings, she told Tribune Business. There are two things the industry is concerned with. We dont want to be on any blacklist, and two, we are mindful clients are concerned with data protection and privacy.

To allay the latter concern, Ms McCartney said the OECD was conducting assessments of all Global Forum members data protection regimes to ensure they are up to standard, and will publish a list of those countries that meet the requirements.

A blacklisting along the lines of the 2000 listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) would threaten the Bahamas reputation and integrity, causing a potential loss of business and impeding access to developed countries financial markets.

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'Ball In Bahamas Court' Over Tax Exchange Pledges - Bahamas Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The FNMs deputy leader yesterday accused the Government of treating the Public Treasury as a bottomless pit through its pre-election spending commitments, warning that it had placed the Bahamas at tremendous risk.

K P Turnquest told Tribune Business he had already reconciled himself to facing a total mess should the FNM win next weeks election, given that the Governments promises would bind any incoming administration.

He argued that the Christie administration was making numerous commitments the Bahamas can ill-afford in a last-minute bid to shore up its support, and secure a win at the ballot box.

Mr Turnquest accused it of defying warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), credit rating agencies and now the Central Bank of the Bahamas, which are all calling on the Government to curb its soaring expenditure if this nation is to narrow its $300 million-plus deficits in the short-term.

These guys, in the last few weeks, have put this country at tremendous risk with the nonsense theyve done, the FNM deputy leader blasted to Tribune Business.

The Bahamian people ought to hold them accountable. Its not responsible for the Government to have done the things they have done in the last five weeks. Its irresponsible.

Mr Turnquest said he had personally heard more discussions about the risk of a Bahamian dollar devaluation, and of both local and foreign investors seeking to transfer assets, investments and funds away from this nation.

People are now starting to talk about the D word in a significant way, he warned, and are also talking about capital risk and flight.

Ive already decided, or reconciled in myself, that we will be inheriting a total mess. This government seems intent on its successor being bogged down in all manner of issues. Its going to be a very difficult year coming up. The Budget will be very difficult to manage, but we will have to be very responsible.

The Government has effectively embarked on a spending spree leading up to the May 10 general election, without estimating the cost to Bahamian taxpayers or how it will be paid for.

Among the treats handed out were the largest-ever promotions exercise at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), with 427 officers promoted this week. This came one day after 851 Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officers were promoted, and less than a week after the Government pledged to pay long-promised overtime payments.

The newly-released Baha Mar Heads of Agreement also commits the next administration to a massive, multi-million dollar energy and wastewater treatment infrastructure upgrade while relieving the projects new owner, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE), of any responsibility to help finance this.

The Christie administration is also regularising 3,000 part-time public sector workers into full-time, pensionable civil servants - a move that will further add to recurrent spending and a $1.5 billion public sector pension deficit.

This comes on the back of a 4,500 net increase in the civil service since it took office in 2012. Mr Turnquest said that while neither he, nor the FNM, begrudged any of these promotions or appointments, the cash-strapped state of the Public Treasury raised serious questions as to whether the Bahamas can afford all this.

While we applaud these deserving officers promotions, we have to be responsible with the taxpayers dollars, Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business, and recognise this is not a bottomless pit; this is not a piggybank to play with.

These are peoples lives. Im very, very concerned about the commitments theyve made. We have a recurrent debt thats been increased by the salary obligations added to our payroll.

Im very concerned about the lump sum payments coming due, and how we meet those obligations we will find in place. It gives you very little room for manoeuvre going forward.

The Christie administration has added more than $2 billion to the national debt, the highest sum ever incurred in Bahamian history during a single term in office.

This exceeds the $1.5 billion added to the now-$7 billion national debt by the former Ingraham administration, which was roundly criticised by the then-PLP Opposition for doing so.

The Christie administrations debt has also been achieved despite the benefit of a $756 million net revenue increase since the January 1, 2015, introduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT).

Mr Turnquest said the Government was effectively ignoring the latest admonition by the Central Bank of the Bahamas, which this week urged the Bahamas to implement sustained expenditure controls if it was to meet its medium-term fiscal consolidation targets.

Arguing that Baha Mars impact was likely to be muted and delayed, the FNMs deputy leader added: For them to achieve any kind of balance, they need to rein in expenditure. Theyve increased expenditure by 11 per cent every year for the last five years.

The IMF and the rating agencies have been saying for the last five years that expenditure controls are an important part in the fiscal consolidation plan, but every year we see these increases in expenditure and no real attempt to rein them in.

Mr Turnquest accused the Government of hypocrisy, saying it had criticised its predecessor for signing contracts in the run-up to the 2012 election, only to now do exactly the same thing - along with temporary public sector hires.

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Govt Puts Bahamas 'At Tremendous Risk' - Bahamas Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Team Bahamas put together its most complete game of the tournament thus far en route to their first win of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017.

The Bahamas scored a 4-1 win over Ecuador last night in the new national beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park. Jean Francois scored a pair of goals while Lesly St Fleur and Kyle Williams each added goals to close out the tournament with an historic win for the programme.

Williams scored the final goal of the game at 3314 to send the Bahamian faithful into frenzy and cap the first Beach Soccer World Cup win in the island nations history.

He said the team made a point to bounce back from Saturdays lopsided 10-1 defeat at the hands of Senegal.

The effort was absolutely amazing. Ecuador is a very good team, this is the World Cup so every team is really good and after the Senegal game we knew we had to have a great performance, he said. It was great for us, we came out, played hard, we had great support from our fans, they stuck with us the whole time and it made the difference in the end.

It was a new starting lineup for the Bahamas with St Fleur, Daron Beneby, Dwayne Forbes and Gary Joseph the first five on the pitch.

It was great, it allowed us to stay engaged, sometimes quicker subs means everyone is a bit more involved throughout the game and it made a difference, Williams said. The effort was great, everyone gets to touch the sand, everyone gets to contribute and thats what we want in the end.

Julio Jemison was a force in goal once again for Team Bahamas and finished with 12 saves. Both teams missed several scoring opportunities in the first but the Bahamas defensive effort was highlighted late when Ecuador had numbers, but Jemison came up with a deflection to keep a 0-0 tie.

After Ecuadors Daniel Cedeno missed a shot that sailed above the crossbar, the Bahamas would score on the very next possession when Francois scored the first goal of the game and his first of the tournament at the 5:47 mark.

St Fleur would tack on another goal less than three minutes later after an incredible individual effort to outrace a pair of defenders and the Ecuadorian keeper to land a strike for a 2-0 lead.

Early in the third, Ecuador was able to keep pace on a goal from Segundo Moreira, but failed to score the equaliser. Francois scored the brace at 3249 and Williams added another goal to secure the win. The Bahamas finished third in Group A with a 1-2 record.

With a World Cup win, team captain Gavin Christie said the Bahamas proved it belonged on the big stage with the worlds best teams and he expects a rise in the rankings to follow. Hopefully, but the rankings are on paper, what matters is what happens on the sand, he said. Im proud of the effort this team put out there all tournament, we proved we belong on this stage and the programme will only continue to get better from here.

Four teams, the top two finishers from Group A and Group B, advanced to Thursdays quarter-finals.

Iran defeated Nigeria 2-1 on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw after extra time to claim the runners-up spot in Group B and reach the quarter-finals. They will advance to face Switzerland who beat Senegal 3-2 on penalties after their 6-6 draw after extra time to top Group A.

Italy was undefeated at the group stage and eased past Mexico 8-1 to finish top of Group B. They will face Senegal in the quarter-finals.

The other half of the quarter-finals will be decided today as the winners and runners up from Group C and D emerge. Tahiti will face Poland at 3:30pm followed by Paraguay v Panama at 5:30pm, Brazil v Japan at 6:30pm and the United Arab Emarites v Portugal in the 8pm nightcap.

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Bahamas Earns 4-1 Win Over Ecuador - Bahamas Tribune

A party promoted by models on a deserted island? What could possibly go wrong

Its not been a good week for Ja Rule. Picture: Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File

HES already being torn apart on social media and is the subject of a $100 million lawsuit following the flop of his Fyre festival.

But rapper Ja Rules woes appear to have worsened with the Bahamas where Fyre was due to be held banning him from holding any more events on the islands.

Costing as much as $12,000 to attend and billed as a cultural moment, the Fyre Festival become just that but for all the wrong reasons when it was finally cancelled on Friday.

The festival was promoted by a whos who of Instagram influencers and models including Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Baldwin and Bella Hadid.

Its not been a good week for Ja Rule. Picture: Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, FileSource:AP

But as flights of rich kids touched down in the Bahamas they found not a luxury pop up resort but something more akin to a refugee camp with row upon row of disaster relief tents.

Promises of top notch food were dashed as frustrated revellers were served bread with processed cheese slices, while the famous bands and beautiful models were nowhere to be seen.

The Bahamas Government was keen on making Fyre work to encourage more cashed up visitors to the nation. But it looks like they got their fingers burned.

According to TMZ, the country will tighten up the rules on any future festivals to protect its international image.

The website said they were told by sources at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism that a stricter vetting system will be put in place including multiple check-ups on organisers.

Being a private event, the Government said, they couldnt step in earlier until partygoers safety became a concern.

People were expecting models at Fyre they go diaster relief tents.Source:Supplied

TMZ reported Ja and his business partner Billy McFarland have now been barred from organising any other events, including music festivals.

Furious festival goers labelled Fyre as Hunger Games but with less luxury.

Others likened the primitive facilities as straight up Lord of the Flies.

But in a social media post, insisted It was NOT A SCAM as everyone is reporting and he was heartbroken at the failure.

His priority was that everyone got off the island safe. But he added. This is NOT MY FAULT.

In a statement on the weekend, Fyre said a storm had set back the festivals preparations.

They have said that all festival goers this year will be refunded in full.

This may not be the last we see of Fyre with talk of a follow-up festival in 2018. But perhaps wisely, given the Bahamas ban, organisers say next years event will be held on a US beach.

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Bahamas reportedly bans Ja Rule for organising future events - NEWS.com.au

Carnival Cruise Line plans to build a new destination port in the Bahamas, located on the east side of Grand Bahama island.

The agreement signed with the Bahaman government on Tuesday is to build out the largest destination cruise facility yet in the islands, which already has several private islands designed specifically for cruise lines.

The new port, which doesn't yet have a name, will include a pier large enough to support two of Carnival's largest ships at once. The line said it expects to have it host up to 1 million guests a year. The line's current fleet of 25 ships includes its largest, the 133,500-ton, 3,954-passenger Carnival Vista that sails out of Miami. A sister ship Carnival Horizon due in 2018 will also call Miami home. The line has a third Vista-class ship due in 2019 as well as new class of ship that will be 180,000 tons and a 6,600-passenger capacity due in 2020 and 2022.

"Carnival Cruise Line is the leader in year-round cruising to The Bahamas and this new development will not only provide a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind destination experience for our guests but it will further solidify our partnership with the people of The Bahamas, said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy in a press release.

Parent company Carnival Corp. also owns Holland America Line that sends ships to Half Moon Cay and Princess Cruises that sends ships to Princess Cays. Along with those destinations on top of main Bahaman ports Nassau and Freeport, stops by all of the company's various branded ships in 2017 will already be close to bringing 3 million tourists to the island, according to Duffy. The line sails to the Bahamas from more East Coast ports than any other line including Florida port Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville.

The multimillion-dollar project, which is subject to a public discussion process, environmental studies and permitting, will include a one-mile stretch of beach, food, beverage and shopping outlets, water-based amenities and other recreational facilities.

Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald said, "The Bahamas continues to be one of the most strategic and important destinations for our company. Signing this agreement today is especially meaningful to me, as we strive to further contribute to the prosperity of the people of The Bahamas through providing experiences that continue to exceed our guests expectations.

While details about timetables and exact look and feel were not available, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry G. Christie released a statement saying, This new cruise port initiative in East Grand Bahama will deliver a cruise port in the traditional sense, but more than that, its shore project will create a new destination with a distinctive flavour and characteristics that offer the broadest Bahamian entrepreneurial and employment opportunities, representing another phase in the development of Grand Bahama as a viable tourist centre.

According to a Freeport newspaper reports, the site is roughly 25 miles east of Freeport on East Grand Bahama, and chosen after an environmental impact report looking to see the site's impact on the island's aquifer. The project will take two years to complete and cost around $200 million.

Cruise lines continue to invest in private islands including MSC Cruises creation of Ocean Cay, Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay, Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay and Royal Caribbean's CocoCay. The private islands keep more money in the cruise line's coffers as opposed to stops at major cities like Freeport or Nassau, but they also offer a more controlled, branded experience. While not its own island, this will be Carnival Cruise Line's first purpose-built destination.

rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134

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Carnival to build new home for its cruise ships in the Bahamas - Orlando Sentinel

Local celebrity Washburnthe wandering manatee that was rescued from chilling waters in East Falmouth last fallhas officially escaped from the limelight, ending her months-long news coverage in the Enterprise.

The previously pregnant mammal was due to give birth sometime this spring, and staff at endangered species protection organization Sea to Shore Alliance had hoped to meet the newborn calf using a satellite tracking device that was looped around Washburns tail.

By November, Washburn had traveled from her original release site in Florida's Volusia County to warmer waters in the Bahamas, making her the first tagged manatee to cross to the Bahamas.

She was located on November 26 by staff from Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization in a densely vegetated area near the island Double Breasted Cay, which is east of Cuba, and found to be behaving normally.

However, US Fish & Wildlife Service biologist Terri J. Calleson reported this week that the tracking device broke off Washburn in late November or early December. The satellite tag was designed to snap off if Washburn were caught on something, to ensure her safety.

Staff at the Bahamas research organization spent time searching for Washburn but Ms. Calleson said the manatee has not been sighted since, to her knowledge.

Washburn has an identifying white scar on her left side, so it is possible that she will spotted in the future; otherwise, her fans may never know whether she gave birth to a boy or girlor twins.

She has certainly been one of the most interesting manatees to be tracked, Ms. Calleson said in an e-mail.

Enterprise readers will recall the ongoing saga of Washburns travels, which began in September when she was rescued off a spit extending from Washburn Island in Eel River by an International Fund for Animal Welfare rescue team, just before waters cooled to uninhabitable temperatures. At that point, she was misidentified as male.

She was then transported to a temporary rehabilitation facility at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where staff discovered that she was in fact femaleand also pregnant.

In October, Washburn was transported to SeaWorld in an aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. Veterinary staff at SeaWorld deemed her and her baby in good health, and on November 1 the adventurous mammal was released into Mosquito Lagoon, with more than 300 people watching her departure through a Facebook Live video.

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Washburn The Manatee Off The Grid, Last Seen In Bahamas - CapeNews.net

Experience a new level of luxury at the Bahamas' most elegant resort. Sandals Royal Bahamian is a blend of European sophistication with an exotic offshore island adventure. Once a favorite of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, today it offers two sky-sized colonnaded pools overlooking the emerald sea, Global Gourmet dining at 10 specialty restaurants, and an award-winning Red Lane Spa. Experience the royal treatment at this glamorous all-inclusive resort featuring the all-new River Pool Swim-up Suites with butler service, two pristine white-sand beaches, and exclusive VIP airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz for butler guests.

as reported by the Pan American Health Organization.

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Take a complimentary ferry to the resort's own Sandals Island for exotic offshore adventures. There are two secluded beaches to choose from‐one for relaxing and the other for exploring an area reputed to be the best in the Bahamas for snorkeling. The chic beach club features a pool with swim‐up bar, whirlpool and a casual restaurant. You'll find shaded hammocks and private cabanas for a romantic and playful rendezvous. It's paradise found‐and included‐just minutes away!

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White Night

Authentic English Pub

Scuba diving at Sandals truly offers you the very best in equipment, staff and unbelievable dive sites ‐ all included! From regulators, BCD's, masks, snorkels, fins and tanks to state‐of‐the‐art, twin diesel Newton boats and expert guidance from our PADI certified dive professionals ‐ we've taken care of everything.

Sail away and indulge in a vast array of all-inclusive water sports. With our top‐of‐the‐line equipment, professional staff and unparalleled tropical locations, you can choose to fly across the water ‐ propelled by wind, motor or muscle-power ‐ or dive beneath its pristine surface.

Tennis, day and night, on lighted courts surrounded by fragrant tropical flowers and cool breezes that flow through towering trees. Volleyball on pillow‐soft sand. Exciting tabletop games such as pool tables and table tennis to enjoy. Plus, our multi‐million dollar fitness centers are equipped with state‐of‐the‐art Life Fitness equipment and complimentary certified instructors.

Slip into any one of seven extraordinary pools at Sandals Royal Bahamian. Reminiscent of the epic grandeur of ancient Rome, towering arches and majestic statues edge two vast colonnaded oceanfront pools‐each with sophisticated outdoor lounge seating and lively swim‐up bars. Meanwhile, on Sandals Island, a pool with a swim‐up bar is just steps from the sea.

Our unprecedented Butler Service, only available in our very highest level of suites, provides our most discerning guests with an unimaginably supreme standard of service and luxury, where your every need is anticipated. Your personal butler is trained in accordance to exacting standards by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, which provides butlers and valets to nobility and celebrities worldwide.

A place overflowing with extraordinary privileges, unique experiences, and exceptional service for concierge guests of Sandals Resorts. Extravagance is blended with remarkable amenities that completely redefine genuine hospitality and allow guests to enjoy one-on-one service and complete relaxation in the comfort of a stylish lounge.

At Sandals, all gratuities are included. From bellhops, to waiters, to bartenders, all tips are taken care of. In fact, only personal butlers are allowed to receive tips. Enjoy Sandals Resorts industry-leading hospitality and personalized service, and leave your wallet at home.

TRAINING ‐ Great opportunities are available for Sandals staff members through Sandals Corporate University, a program where Sandals Resorts employees can experience reputable education and training programs and in turn, provide you with the best Luxury Included experience possible.

When you tie the knot at Sandals, you get a FREE Beautiful Beginnings Wedding - or use the value toward creating the wedding of your dreams. After you've exchanged your vows, you can begin your happily-ever-after with endless ways to enjoy your time together, from suites so exotic and romantic, we named them "Love Nests Suites", to intimate dining beneath the moonlit sky, hand-in-hand strolls along the beach, and every land and water sport under the sun. All included.

Staying connected with loved ones is easier than ever at Sandals Resorts. Enjoy FREE INTERNET ACCESS throughout your vacation from any device, anywhere on the resort including all rooms.

Relax and enjoy your stress-free ride with non‐stop airport resort transfers featuring air-conditioning and comfortable, spacious seating. Or, opt to arrive in style in a private luxury vehicle from our first class fleet, which is available for an additional cost. Butler guests who book 7 paid‐nights or longer enjoy free private round‐trip airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes luxury sedan.

Classic European rituals are reinterpreted with a distinctive Caribbean flair at the exclusive Red Lane Spa at Sandals Royal Bahamian. Take the time to let us envelop you in natural botanicals & you will feel renewed for a lifetime. Whether it's the perfect setting for your spa experience or your favorite tropical infused aroma, we will adapt our treatments to your personal preferences.

Island Routes offers luxury adventure tours that range from completely exhilarating to delightfully sedate. No matter what your speed, you'll gain insider insights and a whole new perspective on this beautiful paradise that we call home.

Five Star Diamond Award

World's Leading All-Inclusive Resort

Offering you the very best in world-class hospitality

an exotic offshore island

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NOW FROM $444 PP/PN

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NOW FROM $425 PP/PN

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NOW FROM $419 PP/PN

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NOW FROM $412 PP/PN

Unlimited Premium Spirits

When drinks are Included, there's always a party!

Complimentary

rolls-royce/ mercedes

private transfers

for all

butler suites

Flight schedules vary by season and are subject to change.

the choices are all yours, all included, all the time.

Scuba diving & Water Sports

Penthouse Fitness Center

Red Lane Spa

Nightly entertainment

Link:

Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, Nassau ...