Vexed Bermoothes

It is being reported that Bermuda is trying to beef up the slumping tourism numbers by seeking additional cruise arrivals.  After years of saying that Bermuda wants big ships, Government is finally pursuing the smaller vessels that are better suited to our island.

Bermuda is in negotiations with several cruise lines in hopes of garnering new business, Cruise Industry News has learned. The island is courting Celebrity Cruises, which “has always been good partners” with Bermuda, as well as Holland America Line, said Larry Jacobs, transportation coordinator for the Bermuda Ministry of Tourism and Transport. Jacobs also hinted that MSC Cruises, which is only making one Bermuda call in 2009, is another possibility. “We are looking at companies that have smaller ships,” he said. Bermuda’s new pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard, which is expected to be completed in May 2009, will give the island “more possibilities,” when it comes to accommodating cruise ships, Jacobs added.