Undisputed Lead Flag For Cruise Ships

Industry Information - 16/04/2002

The Bahamas fleet reads like a "Who's Who" of international shipping. Cruise operators include well-known names such as Disney, Crystal, Radisson, Carnival, Seabourn, Holland-America, and Silver Line -- and now Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, one of the world's leading cruise companies.

Currently there are more than 1400 international ships, with over 30 million gross tons flying the Bahamian flag. Of these, 80 are cruise ships, 350 are tankers and 70 are container vessels. The growth of the Bahamas Ship Register has been phenomenal; in 1983 there were less than 100 ships of just one million gross tons.

According to the lead article in the latest issue of "The Bahamas Flag", the newsletter of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, owners of cruise ships are particularly sensitive to public perception. A high quality managed register is therefore integral to maintaining their profile in the market place.

Whilst quality and service are key to the Bahamas Maritime Authority's success, the wider appeal of The Bahamas as a major tourist attraction and financial center has enhanced the flag's popularity. Quality is also the central focus of the Bahamian Government's policies for tourism, finance and shipping.

The Bahamas recently consolidated its cruise ship lead with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines flagging eight of its vessels to the Bahamas Ship Register, confirming the BMA's position as the number one choice for the world's leading cruise ship operators.

The vessels include three of the largest cruise vessels afloat, the Voyager Class "Adventure of the Seas", Explorer of the Seas" and "Voyager of the Seas". Each vessel is more than 1000 feet in length and has a gross tonnage of about 138,000 tons, a total passenger capacity of 3,838 and a crew of 1,181. Two more ships...