Latest news with #GrandBahama
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Cruise Ships Are Turning Duty‑Free Into Destination Retail
Cruise retail is undergoing a quiet revolution. Once viewed as a predictable appendage rows of duty‑free bottles and perfume testers, shipboard shopping is now evolving into curated, immersive experiences. Both cruise operators and brand partners are creating environments that feel more akin to boutique destinations than traditional shops. And as that shift accelerates, it's creating a significant new platform for brand engagement at sea. According to Transparency Market Research, global luxury retail-on-cruise-liners was worth US $15.4 billion in 2023, growing at around 8.3% per year and forecast to nearly double to US $36.9 billion by 2034. Cruise tourism more broadly is projected to rise from US $158 billion to US $436 billion in the same period. Those are not margins, they're trajectories. Take Silversea's Silver Ray (and its sister ship Silver Nova), both spotlighting more than just luxury surroundings. They include expansive, gallery-esque public spaces designed to elevate ambience and discovery, embedding retail into a broader experiential architecture. While specifics remain selective, insiders describe adjacent retail as 'meaningful brand-telling areas' that align with the ship's intimate style and destination-driven itineraries. For more visible examples, look to Carnival Cruise Line's partnership with EFFY Jewelry, which is expanding to include a new boutique at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama and a host of interactive offerings aboard Carnival Liberty beginning July 2025. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy has personally selected her favorite pieces for an exclusive EFFY Jewelry collection available aboard. The 'Return to Sea' collection includes 23 unique pieces ranging from rings and earrings to bracelets and necklaces, all of which evoke a love for the ocean in their color and design. Guests can now design custom souvenirs with DestInked, create bespoke essential‑oil blends at HOPE Wellness, browse personalised color palettes in Curated Beauty, or experience immersive spirits tastings, all delivered by Hematian Family Duty-Free (HFDF) in a newly renovated retail footprint. Similarly, Carnival's 'Shop Fun' concept first introduced on ships like Carnival Horizon and now expanded fleet-wide, including on Jubilee and Firenze, delivers an elevated promenade across two decks with branded zones. Offerings range from Swiss watch boutiques (TAG Heuer, Bvlgari, Cartier), fashion designers, pre‑loved luxury pieces, destination-themed apparel, and interactive floor installations. Aboard Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas and other newer vessels benefit from Starboard Cruise Services' curation strategy: boutique-style spaces tailored per ship and destination, mixing global luxury labels and local artisans. For example, Spectrum includes Gucci and Qeelin jewelry, Cartier, Omega, and vintage watch sections, each supported with immersive storytelling. And Princess Cruises is now expanding its partnership with Starboard for its upcoming Star Princess, debuting fall 2025. With nearly 4,800 ft² of retail across two decks, the ship will feature a first-at-sea Chanel beauty shop-in-shop, destination-specific boutiques, rotating trunk shows, personalisation stations, and luxury resale from brands like Shae. The commercial shift here is intentional. Cruise companies recognise that guests don't just want to shop, they want discovery. And they're creating retail spaces that reflect that desire: ambient lighting, lounge furniture, destination storytelling, and curated exclusivity. Luxury brands and designers benefit by accessing a unique, globally mobile audience, travellers with higher spend capacity, and in a world of more pressure and digital distress than ever before, precious leisure time and openness to experiential retail. Onboard promotions are often tied to e‑commerce follow‑ups, creating potential repeat engagement after the voyage ends. This is one of the most under‑tapped yet potentially profitable spaces for experience-driven brand activation. The combination of immersive 'retailtainment', high dwell time, captive audience, and curated brand storytelling is rare outside luxury flagship stores or high-end pop-ups. What makes this most interesting is how brands and cruise lines are co-owning the guest journey: from pre-cruise browsing (with e‑commerce integrations) to live activations and post-cruise follow-up. In industry terms, the journey is more closed-loop and data-rich than typical retail channels. As ship interiors are updated, older duty‑free aisles are being refurbished into thematic boutiques that feel elevated, intentional. The shift is clear: cruise retail is no longer residual revenues, it's a strategic business line. Luxury and premium brands that position themselves as dynamic partners, not just merchants stand to gain most. The lines between commerce and hospitality are blurring: marketing teams must think like experience designers. From a commercial perspective, this model is promising: revenue per guest is rising. And brand visibility comes embedded within guest experiences in personal stories and sensory engagement. The businesses that thrive will be those willing to invest in immersive storytelling, destination-aligned collaborations, and multi-season activation. From local artisans in ports to global labels, experiential retail aboard modern ships is becoming a platform for brand elevation, not just transaction. Aboard the inaugural Disney Adventure, launching from Singapore in December 2025, Disney Cruise Line opens nearly 17,000 sq ft of retail space unlike anything at sea. For the first time, guests will discover a dedicated Duffy and Friends Shop, the first of its kind on a Disney ship offering nautical-themed merchandise and an interactive 'Discovery Quest' adventure for fans on board. Alongside it, the debut World of Disney stores, reimagined for Southeast Asia's cultural richness offer exclusive apparel and souvenirs inspired by Singapore's landmarks and regional artistry. Another first at sea, a National Geographic Store presents co-branded adventurous apparel, bags, and gear designed for explorers of all ages . Concierge guests will enjoy elevated access to Palace Treasures, a boutique of fine jewelry and luxury goods, and 3 Wishes, offering unique collectibles and apparel not available elsewhere onboard. This isn't dusting off tired duty‑free stores. It's a retail renaissance aboard ocean liners, driven by consumer expectations for discovery, personalization, and connection. Smart brand strategists will see cruise retail as its own channel, a curated world where storytelling sells, dwell time matters, and emotional resonance equals ROI. For cruise lines, it's a value multiplier. The sea is no longer just a route to escape. For brands, it's a platform to engage, inspire delight and convert.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carnival Unveils Celebration Key, New Bahamas Destination
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is one of the most undervalued stocks to buy and hold for 3 years. On July 19, Carnival Cruise Line officially opened Celebration Key, which is its new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama in The Bahamas. The Carnival Vista, carrying ~5,000 guests, made the inaugural visit to the new premier cruise port. The opening marks the first phase of Carnival's initial $600 million investment in the destination. Celebration Key is designed with five distinct areas: Paradise Plaza, Starfish Lagoon, Calypso Lagoon, Pearl Cove Beach Club, and Lokono Cove. Celebration Key is projected to initially attract over two million guests annually to Grand Bahama, with this number expected to double to four million by 2028. A luxurious cruise ship sailing the deep blue sea, sun glistening off its decks. More than 1,200 Bahamians have been hired to staff the destination, with many being Grand Bahama natives returning home after Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a cruise company that provides leisure travel services in North America, Australia, Europe, and internationally. While we acknowledge the potential of CCL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Associated Press
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE OPENS $600M CELEBRATION KEY, ITS SPECTACULAR NEW EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION
Carnival Vista Makes First Official Visit with Nearly 5,000 Guests CELEBRATION KEY, The Bahamas, July 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line officially unlocked paradise as it opened Celebration Key – the cruise line's beautiful new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama this weekend. Carnival Vista made the first official visit to the world's newest premier cruise port on Saturday, and nearly 5,000 guests experienced all the fun of Celebration Key: from the unique Suncastle, the world's tallest sandcastle, the world's largest swing and swim-up bar and the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons. Highlights from the special day can be seen here. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal and Carnival Vista Captain Paolo Severini turned the key that 'unlocked' the gates to the iconic 10-story Suncastle, home to two thrilling racing waterslides. They also cut the ribbon to open Lokono Cove, the shopping village; and O'Neal made the first shot at the basketball court; followed by a champagne toast at Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only retreat. The ceremony was livestreamed and can be watched here. 'Opening this new exclusive destination marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come. Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it's a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings,' said Duffy. 'We've built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.' There are five areas to explore, including: Guests will find more than 30 food and beverage venues across the destination, offering something for everyone, and will be treated to a variety of live entertainment that includes Junkanoo parades, roaming rake-and-scrape musicians, DJs and all-day beach games. For private relaxation, a wide variety of cabanas, daybeds and villas are available and sports courts, water activities and shore excursions are available to those seeking action and adventure. Guests simply looking for a perfect beach day will enjoy over one mile of pristine, white sand beach overlooking the beautiful Bahamian waters. Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million guests a year to Grand Bahama. By 2028, this number is expected to grow to four million. The economic impact for Grand Bahama is substantial, with hundreds of long-term jobs created by daily operations. The destination features an adjacent cruise pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival's largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate two additional ships. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GLIF to Launch Liquid Staking for Impossible Cloud Network
This launch signals the first wave of GLIF's broader vision, where on-chain credit powers real-world storage, compute, and energy networks. FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2025 / GLIF is bringing decentralized finance to real-world infrastructure with the launch of unique DeFi models built for the Impossible Cloud Network (ICN)-including liquid staking, stablecoin lending, and borrowing. GLIF's model is well established doing over $1b in lending/borrowing volume on the Filecoin Network - the world's first decentralized storage network. This partnership underscores growing momentum behind ICN's highly anticipated token economy, which was recently valued at a $470 million fully diluted valuation in their last round. GLIF's integration marks an exciting milestone for the Impossible Cloud Network. It makes participating in and supporting our network simpler than ever for ICNT holders, while also laying the groundwork for a new era of DeFI, where people directly contribute to building the storage, compute, and the next-gen internet. - Kai Wawrzinek, Founder Impossible Cloud Network Launching on GLIF on the Base Network, ICNT token holders will be able to deposit their tokens into GLIF and passively earn ICNT rewards. ICNT is the native crypto asset powering the Impossible Cloud Network. 'GLIF allows passive token holders to earn rewards without having to know or understand the unique sophistications of staking on the Impossible Cloud Network. It's the superior option for token holders that want to productively put their tokens to use in the network and earn rewards, without the day-to-day management.' - Jonathan Schwartz, Founder & CEO, GLIF ICNT holders can stake their tokens in GLIF's ICNT Staking Pool and receive 'stICNT' (Staked ICNT)-a reward-bearing ICNT token, minted on the Base network. Alongside the launch of its liquid staking protocol on ICN, GLIF has also rolled out a new stablecoin pool pilot. This closed pilot pooled $100,000 USDC to fund real storage hardware and help grow the Impossible Cloud Network. The financing is collateralized by hardware, opening the door to new types of on-chain credit mechanisms. Infrastructure financing in stablecoins allows liquidity providers to crowdfund infrastructure like data centers and solar farms amidst a major hardware deficit in the age of artificial intelligence. This launch signals the first wave of GLIF's broader vision, where on-chain credit powers real-world storage, compute, and energy networks. About GLIF: GLIF is the on-chain credit layer for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), transforming locked tokens and hardware receipts into collateral, allowing hardware operators to borrow the required capital needed to grow their operation. Launched in 2019, the platform has since powered lending markets exceeding 35 million FIL in TVL and 200 million FIL in loans. With its expansion across multiple blockchain networks, GLIF is bringing decentralized credit infrastructure to a broader DePIN ecosystem, unlocking capital efficiency for hardware operators across networks. About Impossible Cloud: Impossible Cloud Network (ICN) is building a permissionless, open cloud network to rival Big Tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google. With resilient, high-performance decentralized cloud services, ICN is laying the foundation for a scalable, secure, and community-driven global cloud that supports enterprise, AI, gaming, applications, and end-users. With real-world adoption already generating million-dollar revenue and a vision for 200+ decentralized cloud services, ICN offers a true alternative to monopolistic hyperscalers. About DePIN: DePIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, is a rapidly growing sector within crypto that leverages blockchain technology to coordinate and incentivize distributed hardware networks. These networks allow independent hardware providers-ranging from storage and compute to energy and sensor data collection-to contribute resources in exchange for tokenized rewards. By decentralizing access to critical infrastructure, DePIN reduces reliance on centralized entities, lowers costs, and enables more resilient, globally distributed networks. Leading DePIN projects are transforming industries such as cloud computing, telecommunications, and renewable energy by creating open, permissionless alternatives to traditionally monopolized services. Media Contact Organization: GLIF Contact Person Name: Jonathan Schwartz Website: Email: [email protected] City: Freeport Country: Bahamas The SOURCE: GLIF press release
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The Under 30 Founders Making Waves With A $8 Million Series A
Think this is nice? It's a version of the weekly Under 30 newsletter and would be even better in your inbox . courtesy of Coral Vita Nestled along the southern coast of Grand Bahama is the world's first commercial land-based coral farm for reef restoration, Coral Vita. Their facility is not just growing coral, but an entirely new industry. This month, Coral Vita closed an $8 million Series A round led by Builders Vision, bringing their total funding to $15 million. This new financing will go toward expansion in the Middle East—where they're currently designing the biggest coral farm in the world—as well as research and development initiatives. The reef restoration startup was founded in 2015 by Sam Teicher and Gator Halpern, who made the 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list in 2019. While coral takes up less than 1% of the sea floor, it supports the livelihoods of approximately 1 billion people and generates $10 trillion per year by providing sites for biodiversity, tourism and medical innovation. Teicher says that we must start thinking of coral reefs as an infrastructure. But the world's already small supply of coral reefs is disappearing quickly due to climate change, ocean acidification and human activity. Coral Vita is on a mission to change that by selling restoration as a service to hotels, developers, governments and other entities who depend on the vast benefits of coral. Using the controlled environment at their farms to grow coral in months rather than decades, they're able to plant new coral back into degraded reefs. The startup has reached significant milestones such as winning Prince William's Earthshot prize of £1 million in 2021 and landing partnerships with nature-positive brands like Corona and Cariuma. 'While we have been banging the drum about reef restoration being a viable commercial industry for a long time, we finally turned a corner and started to see millions of dollars of contracts flow into doing reef restoration,' Halpern said. Teicher and Halpern met during graduate school at Yale University's School of Environment. After bonding over a shared love for the ocean, they grappled with how to make a meaningful impact in the blue economy beyond the traditional academic and NGO space. 'It felt like I was writing these papers that were the obituary of these ecosystems and not actually going out and actively trying to change that fate,' Halpern said. One day on a back porch in New Haven, Connecticut, Teicher and Halpern realized that focusing on revenue-generation could actually impact their environmental goals for the better. 'We are showcasing that 'for profit, for nature and for good' is a viable approach that we can do good and do well in,' Teicher said. The journey to this Series A funding has not come without setbacks. As an environmental startup, Coral Vita's success is vulnerable to circumstances out of their control. Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 storm, destroyed their entire coral farm in 2019. While the storm left devastating impacts, Teicher and Halpern were encouraged by how their regeneration efforts had already touched the local community. Coral reefs provide a natural seawall during tropical storms by breaking wave energy before the tides reach shore. 'We literally saw how healthy reefs saved lives in our area while a few miles away, where the reef was depleted, many lives were lost,' Halpern said. 'We decided that the only thing to do was double down on our commitment here in Grand Bahama to build our next iteration of the coral even bigger and better than the last.' Talk next week, Alexandra, Zoya and Alex P.S. welcome Alexandra, the Under 30 intern for the summer. She wrote this intro! Have any more tips for her? Reach her at ameier@ Forbes Top Creators: The borders between Creators and showbiz are blurring. Jake Shane, no. 37 on the Forbes Top Creators list. Photography by Cody Pickens for Forbes Last week, Forbes launched its fourth annual Top Creators list, highlighting the top earners across social media. Some content superstars returned, like MrBeast, who remains at No. 1 with $85 million in annual earnings, or no. 5 Alex Cooper, whose podcast empire bumped her earnings up to an estimated $32 million this year. Newcomers joined this year's list, too: Brit Steven Bartlett, No. 11 for his podcast The Diary of A CEO, is on track to expand his European fanbase to the U.S. (Check out more about his journey here, including why he's turned down $100 million deals.) And Wisdom Kaye—who just might be the chicest man on TikTok—came in at No. 48. See the full list here. Lister Lowdown -The ball is in Sequel's court. This week, the 30 Under 30 startup, founded by CEO Greta Meyer and CMO Amanda Calabrese, announced they're the official tampon sponsor of the Indiana Fever. It's part of a growing trend for women's teams to bring on women's health companies as sponsors: The New York Liberty announced a deal with feminine care company LOLA in April. In June, The Honey Pot was named exclusive body care partner of the Atlanta Dream, and Phoenix Mercury partnered with Aunt Flow. Read more here. -2024 Forbes Under 30 company Harvey AI, which builds custom AI assistants for law firms, this week announced a $300 million Series E that valued the startup at $5 billion. The news comes just four months after Harvey, which was founded by Winston Weinberg, was valued at $3 billion in a $300 million Series D led by Sequoia. This latest round was co-led by Coatue and Kleiner Perkins. - a transcription platform that automatically takes notes from meetings, this month announced it reached unicorn status with a $1 billion valuation. Cofounded by 2022 Under 30 listers Krish Ramineni and Sam Utodong, the valuation boost came from a tender offer as opposed to a new funding round (this means existing shares, usually from employees, were bought out from investors). Fireflies claims it has been profitable since 2023. On Our Radar -Looking to elevate your summer style? Subscription service Nuuly, from the creators of Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, is disrupting the fashion rental market. Renters get their pick of six apparel pieces per month with their subscription and the flexibility to buy or return them. Nuuly's ability to obtain almost half of their inventory at cost from its sister companies is leading to substantial revenue and subscriber growth ( Yahoo Finance ). -The AI Revolution could mean trouble for your electricity bill this month. The sweeping spread of computing centers is putting a strain on the nation's power grid. The number of data centers in the U.S. doubled in the past three years, requiring 10 times the electrical power as traditional search engines. Electricity consumption is moving toward a record high and American taxpayers will pick up the tab, particularly in the Northeast ( CBS News) . -Time to BeReal… again. The photograph-in-the-moment social media app that launched in 2020 and went viral in 2022 has since seen declining in user engagement. But now, they're positioning themself for a comeback. Their tactic? Advertising across other apps owned by Voodoo Games (which acquired BeReal in 2024 for €500 million), tapping micro influencers at college campuses and sponsoring parties. ( Business Insider )
