Photo: Erik Russell
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Freeport, Grand
Bahama – The Celebrity
Infinity sailed out of Grand Bahama harbour in December with 60 more cabins, a
freshly repaired and painted hull, newly overhauled propulsion systems and all
inspections and maintenance completed.
“We had 21 days to complete our end of this project,” explained Carl-Gustaf
Rotkirch, Chairman and CEO of the shipyard. “We began fabrication of the new
aluminum accommodations back in September 2010 and she re-launched on time due
to our staff’s efficiency.”
Celebrity Infinity prepares to leave the Grand Bahama Shipyard with a freshly repaired and painted hull and newly overhauled propulsion systems. Photo: Jock Hall
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The Infinity cruise
ship also brought with it a full crew and 700 additional international staff
that worked on the interiors of the liner. During its stay the crew and the
workers injected over 7 million dollars into the Grand Bahama economy. “Approximately 300 plus hotel rooms were used
for this project, local housing, rental cars, bus and taxi services,” noted
Rotkirch.“This does not include the money
the crew and staff would have spent in local restaurants, stores, etc. These
large projects require a sizeable work force and a tremendous amount of
planning. The upside for the country is
the vast amount of spending that the cruise line, their crew, and
subcontractors put into the community.”
Prebuilt cabins were positioned next to the Infinity Celebrity cruise ship and were hoisted on board and fitted by Grand Bahama Shipyard. The new cabins were built on the stern of the cruise liner. Photo: Erik Russell
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The Infinity now accommodates over 2,000
passengers and began its winter itinerary on December 18th when she
sailed to South America. During her stay at the Grand Bahama Shipyard the
Infinity rooms were upgraded to AquaClass® accommodations, 60 staterooms
were added as well as new verandas. A
new restaurant was created called Blu, a Mediterranean-themed specialty
restaurant, she gained a new Celebrity iLounge
SM where
guests can participate in the iLearn enrichment series or pick up the latest
high-tech wonder from the first Apple Reseller at Sea. The liner also added the
QsineSM restaurant, where you order from an iPad® and a new Martini Bar. In addition
to all of this the cruise liner was also completely redecorated.
Photo: Jock Hall
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Working along with the expat teams brought in
for this project were the 600 plus GB Shipyard employees including 25 Bahamian
apprentices who gained much needed skills while on this job. “Each apprentice
works with a Grand Bahama Shipyard employee to gain on the job experience,”
said Ed Pavey, Director of Technical and Planning at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. “Our apprentices worked on the Infinity but
they also helped on the 7 other ships that were docked with us during the
revitalization of this ship.”
60 new staterooms for the luxury liner. Pictured is the stern on the Celebrity Infinity, the GB Shipyard installed new staterooms and balconies on the top deck of the luxury cruise liner by removing the old children's play area and back bar. Pictured below are the finished stern state rooms after the renovations.
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The GB Shipyard is
pleased to announce that Celebrity Cruise lines has also booked a second ship,
the Celebrity Summit, for work in early January with a 3rd ship to follow in
April 2012. “Pre-fabrication for the
Summit is well underway,” explained Pavey. “If all goes well major revitalization projects for this and other
cruise lines will keep us busy until 2015.
This is wonderful news for our Grand Bahama community and we are working
hard to keep the yard and the island busy!”
Apprentices gain much needed skills while on the job.
Working along with the expat teams brought in for this project were the GB Shipyard employees including 25 Bahamian apprentices who gained much needed skills while on this job. Pictured are GB Shipyard employees adding metal roofing to support the new staterooms Photo: Erik Russell
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60 new staterooms for the luxury liner.
Pictured is the stern on the Celebrity Infinity, the GB Shipyard installed new staterooms and balconies on the top deck of the luxury cruise liner by removing the old children's play area and back bar. Pictured below are the finished stern state rooms after the renovations. Photo: Jock Hall
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