The One Bermuda Alliance is a newly formed political party whose professed aim is to renew confidence in a brighter future for Bermuda. The Shadow Minister for Tourism, Shawn Crockwell, has called on the present government to give a full and complete statement about the situation of the island’s cruise industry. Last week the Princess Cruise Line stated it would be cutting its Bermuda schedule next year and this follows the decision by Carnival Cruise Line to cancel its 2012 Bermuda schedule and that by Holland America’s decision to cancel the Veendam’s 2013 schedule.
Crockwell commented, “These blows to the one working arm of the tourism industry are very disturbing. They will cost Bermuda tens of millions of dollars in earnings. They will cause job losses and reduced pay cheques. The cancellations also send a signal that Bermuda’s viability as a cruise destination is seriously open to question.”
Reported issues concern the lack of transportation for arriving cruise ship passengers and the regulations that require the ships to close their casinos whilst in port. According to Crockwell, the government has given no conclusive reasons for the withdrawal of Bermuda from cruise ship schedules.
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In June 2008 the government approved the late opening of casinos on cruise ships docked in Bermuda but only on the condition that the cruise lines engage heavily in Bermuda events and activities.
“If it thinks in-port gambling is the way to go, then let’s hear it; if it has evidence that cruise companies have been unhappy with onshore arrangements and services for their passengers, then let’s hear it. Bermuda cannot afford to drift through another breakdown without making the strongest effort to reverse and rectify the situation – jobs and pay cheques depend on it,” Crockwell concluded. (E-11.28.11)
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