Bahamas Paradise to begin calling in Nassau

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will sail to Nassau on the Grand Classica, the first time it will regularly serve another destination besides Grand Bahama.

Sailings from Palm Beach, Fla., will start Oct. 12.

And, after cancelling several Grand Bahama cruises this month, Bahamas Paradise said it is ready to resume two-day sailings to Freeport beginning Sept. 27.

"After ongoing discussions with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, we are thrilled to have been given official approval to resume leisure cruises to Grand Bahama Island, as well as to introduce Nassau as a second destination for our guests," said Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise.

Parts of Grand Bahama are still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Khosa said a beach getaway to the less affected south side of the island will be offered as an excursion for guests sailing on the Grand Celebration.

Travelers interested in joining the island's rebuilding effort may forgo the beach getaway excursion and instead participate in a volunteer excursion, which Bahamas Paradise said it is currently planning with local organizations. Volunteer excursions are expected to include light manual labor, and as such, participants are required to wear athletic clothing and appropriate closed-toe footwear.

Nassau cruise-only fares start at $159 per person and departures will be available to book starting September 25, the line said. Travelers can expect details on shore excursions soon.

Bahamas Paradise has used the Grand Celebration for two humanitarian sailings since Dorian struck in early September.

The line said that Bahamians currently in the U.S. who are looking to return to the Bahamas may book a one-way sailing to Freeport on the Grand Celebration at $105 per person, beginning with the Sept. 27 departure.