MS Bahamas Celebration is a cruise vessel owned by Celebration Cruise Line. The ship was built in 1981 by HDW Ship Builders. This is a first class German shipbuilding company, headquartered in Kiel, Germany and is the largest shipyard in Germany with more than 2,400 employees. From 1981 to 2004 this ship operated on the Oslo, Norway to Kiel, Germany route, first for Jahre Line and, from 1990 onwards, for their successor the Color Line. In 1992 she was radically rebuilt at Astilleros Españoles in Cadiz, Spain, increasing her length by 35.25 meters, passenger capacity by 858 and tonnage by 19,224 GRT at a cost of $40 million.
Her capacities now are 35,500 gross tonnage, 1900 passengers and 700 cars.
In 2003 Color Line spent $10 million on upgrading the on-board interior. On September 3, 2008 Color Line reported that the vessel had been sold to the United States-based Celebration Cruise Holdings for $36 million. The ship was delivered to her new owners on October 1st. 2008, and left Sandefjord, Norway on the same date for Freeport, Bahamas.
This sturdy vessel was originally built for service in the North Atlantic. To convert her to Caribbean cruise service in the tropics required a substantial investment of $20 million by Celebration Cruise Line in 2008. The conversion included installing new air-conditioning throughout the vessel, refurbishment of all cabins, new side doors, creation of a spa and shopping facilities, creation of the full Vegas-Style Casino, restaurant upgrades from self serve to cruise style dining, upgrades to galley to fully comply with USPH standards, installation of a new laundry facility, creation of a full topside entertainment deck with the construction of a water slide, two swimming pools, bars and entertainment facilities. Part of the safety expense incurred, was to bring the vessel up to US Coast Guard and USPH control verification standards.
The owners utilized the industry’s best resources for the conversion, the reputable Finnish design company, Delta Marin - who also supervised the lengthening in 1992. These first class interior designers, customarily used by the larger cruise lines, were also consulted for the conversion and upgrade. So, in the last two years the owner’s investment numbers are:
Value considerations:
Cost of vessel: 36,000,000 USD
Upgrades: 20,000,000 USD
TOTAL: 56,000,000 USD
We believe a fair market value of the Bahamas Celebration on the US market today, would be approx. $55 million in the U.S and slightly less for the Southern European Market. For the Northern European market, few of the upgrades such as Casino and outdoor areas (swimming pools, etc.) can be utilized, and a market value around USD $50 million could be expected.
Restaurants
- Crystal Dining Room (Menu based Fine Dining)
- The Cove (Premium/Up Scale for an additional fee)
- Rio's (Themed Buffet)
- Trattoria Di Gerry (Italian)
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Bars and entertainment
- The Wynmore Casino
- The View (after dinner shows and dancing)
- Clubs or Pubs for Everyone’s Taste
- Cyber Cafe (Internet Cafe)
- Ocean Breeze Lounge
- Pub 437
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Children
- Island Coconuts Club (for ages 3–10)
- Club Wave (for ages 11–13)(contains 1 Xbox 360 for up to 4 players, 2 Nintendo Wiis, 1 PS2 with Dance games, and 1 PS3 With Guitar Hero 3 as of 1 September 2009)
- Club Open Water (for ages 14–17)(contains 1 Xbox 360 for up to 4 players, 1 Nintendo Wii for up to 2 players, Guitar Hero for up to 2 players, Dance Dance Revolution for up to 2 players, and 2 computers for computer games only)
- 180-foot slide in the Kids of The Caribbean area
Pools
- 2 Jacuzzis
- Adult pool
- Children's pool
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Spa & fitness
- Fountain of Youth Spa & Salon
- Mussel Beach Gym
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Shops
- Treasure Chest Gift Shop
- Island Memories Photo Gallery
- Tax free liquor sales
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Conference
- Meeting rooms
- Theater accommodates up to 600
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| General characteristics (as built, 1980) |
| Type: |
Cruise Ferry |
| Tonnage: |
16,631 GRT |
| Displacement: |
3,210 metric tons deadweight (DWT) |
| Length: |
170 metres (557 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: |
24 metres (78 ft 9 in) |
| Draught: |
5.80 metres (19 ft 0 in) |
| Ice class: |
1B |
| Installed power: |
2 × Stork-Werkspoor 20TM410 diesels
combined 18,600 kW |
| Speed: |
21 knots (38.89 km/h; 24.17 mph) |
| Capacity: |
892 passengers
892 passenger berths
603 cars |
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| General characteristics (as rebuilt, 1992) |
| Tonnage: |
35,483 GT (gross tonnage) |
| Displacement: |
3,826 DWT |
| Length: |
205.25 metres (673 ft 5 in) |
| Beam: |
26.60 metres (87 ft 3 in) |
| Draught: |
6.10 metres (20 ft 0 in) |
| Depth: |
13 metres (42 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power: |
2 × Stork-Werkspoor 20TM410 diesels
4 × Stork-Wartsila 9FEDH240 diesels
2 × Stork-Wärtsilä 9FEDH240G diesels
combined 3,6356 kW |
| Capacity: |
1900 passengers
1875 passenger berths
700 cars |
| Notes: |
Otherwise the same as built |
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| Career |
| Name: |
1981–2008: MS Prinsesse Ragnhild
2008 onwards: MS Bahamas Celebration |
| Owner: |
1981–1990: Jahre Line
1990–2008: Color Line
2008 onwards: Celebration Cruise Holdings |
| Operator: |
1981–1990: Jahre Line
1990–2008: Color Line
2009 onwards: Celebration Cruise Line |
| Port of registry: |
1981–1990: Sandefjord,  Norway
1990–2008: Oslo, Norway
2008 onwards: Nassau,  Bahamas |
| Builder: |
Howaldtswerke Kiel, West Germany |
| Yard number: |
164 |
| Laid down: |
March 1980 |
| Launched: |
1 August 1980 |
| Identification: |
IMO number: 7904891 |
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Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suites are 231 to 269 sq feet and are located on the forward or aft ends of the ship with great views from the ocean view windows. They have queen size beds, a sofa and coffee table, flat screen TV, mini bar and large bathroom with shower. They also can accommodate up to 2 rollaways.
Club Suite
Oceanview Cabin 
Interior Cabin 
