By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 1,000-seat fast ferry service between Grand Bahama and Fort Lauderdale starts today, with the arrival of Balearia Bahamas Express’ newly commissioned vessel Bahama Mama.

The ferry is scheduled to arrive at Freeport Harbour at 11am on its maiden voyage from Port Everglades.

As part of expanded cruise services to Grand Bahama, Balearia acquired the new, state-of-the-art Bahama Mama at a cost of over $1m to replace the Pinar de Rio ferry – a 463-passenger, 80-vehicle capacity vessel.

The cruise ferry provides three-hour daily crossings, departing Fort Lauderdale at 8am and returning from Freeport at 7pm. There will be overnight hotel packages with properties on Grand Bahama. Bahamas Express is part of Balearia Group, a Spanish shipping company with routes in the Mediterranean.

The Grand Celebration also launched new expanded services to Freeport from West Palm Beach earlier this month. In December, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that there would be expanded cruise services to Grand Bahama, resulting in unprecedented level of overnight arrivals.

The Ministry of Tourism is expected to launch a new $3m advertising campaign to run with the start of expanded cruise services from South Florida.