OBA’s Crockwell On Cruise ‘Crisis’
Speaking at Thursday’s [Nov.24] One Bermuda Alliance press conference to roll out new candidates, Shadow Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell spoke on the recent cruise cancellations, saying they “send a signal that Bermuda’s viability as a cruise destination is seriously open to question,” and called on the Government to provide Bermuda with a full and complete explanation of just what is going on, and provided information on plans for a way forward.
Mr Crockwell said, “Yesterday Bermuda awoke to more bad news on the cruise ship front. Princess Cruise Lines revealed its intention to cut its Bermuda schedule next year. The news came on the heels of Carnival Cruise Line’s cancellation of its 2012 Bermuda schedule and Holland America’s decision to cancel the Veendam’s 2013 schedule.
“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 jobs losses and reduced paycheques. The cancellations also send a signal that Bermuda’s viability as a cruise destination is seriously open to question.
“Against these debilitating decisions, the Government has given no indication it knows what to do. Every announcement of withdrawal seems has to caught it off-guard. It has provided no conclusive reasons for the pullouts. What we do know is that has been landed with yet another crisis, where before there was none.
“We call on the Government to provide Bermuda with a full and complete explanation of just what is going on. What is its understanding of the issue? What are its plans for a way forward?
“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 paycheques depend on it,” concluded Mr Crockwell.
Yes please. Tell us why they are pulling out? I sincerely want to know. Is is because of the terrible job we did with providing public transporation (striking in the middle of tourism season)? Is it because of some of our rude bus operators? Is it that prices are too high for the services being offered? Is it gambling/ WHAT IS THE REASON ?!?!
Thanks for that incredible insight, Mr. Crockwell. It’s a surprise to all of us who have experienced all of what was noted above by “Truth”, as well as all our tourists. Instead of telling us what all the problems are, why doesn’t anyone write about potential solutions? OMG – I forgot — it’s already too late. (I do wish I had a sarcasm font)
What is really going on??
i don’t think by any means is gambling the solution. the cruise operators plead for gaming out of selfishness. don’t let anyone fool you. Bermuda is STILL a very popular destination. i work very closely with senior officers on the ship and they tell us the ships are nearly always filled to capacity. the number only fall short before school comes out and after school goes back in. they want gaming to help prop up the money that they are losing because of the GLOBAL recession. the cruise operators have to lower the ticket prices to attract customers because at normal prices most people would rather save that money for something else. but this is not confined to Bermuda as ticket prices are down around the world. so to help make up the loss they figure they could make up a bit in the casino. so as soon as the recession ends the companies would be able to charge full amount, they wouldn’t give two hoots about gambling and we would have opened a can of worms that we can’t close. On top of that, the ships that come for more than a day trip love being in port because they save a ton on fuel. so these companies aren’t as bad as they sometimes make out to be…instead of making a million billion trillion dollars, they may take half a million billion trillion dollars.
now for the operators that have pulled out, the have stated why they are shortening the schedule.
Carnival said they have less than desirable slots (before or after the summer or weekends) one could understand the pullout for that reason…if every time i come here i have one hand tied behind my back then i’ll go somewhere where i’m more likely to be able to fill my ship.
Princess is redeploying to the Med based on demand and because they got rid of one of their ships will only have one ship in our region.
Holland America as i’ve been told by senior officers are used to making loads from their share of the shore excursions that are promoted on board. apparently they aren’t making as much money here on the excursions as they wold normally would (in Alaska for example). that may have something to do with them only being in St George for the day and seemingly not many excursions operating out of Hamilton and St. Geo as the bulk of excursions operate out of dockyard now.
remember no gaming in port is par for course around the world (for obvious reasons). we are not unique in that sense. our biggest challenge in my view is the global recession. that unfortunately is out of our hands. until that is less of a factor, the cruise operators will try to squeeze every dime from us that they can. heck…they even sell bermuda t-shirts on board
But please tell us why competing destinations are doing well.
i don’t think Bermuda is doing any worse than our competitors. the companies that pulled out are relatively new to our market. Holland America has only been coming to Bermuda for the last 2 seasons, Last year was the most Carnival has come to the island ever (and remember many of the brands that aren’t cutting back are owned by Carnival Corp) and Princess only made day trips here that don’t generate much money anyway.
our regular longstanding lines (NCL, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean) see not problem with us. we are still popular and appeal to a certain customer. when i’m on the ships while here in port, i meet countless repeat visitors. they obviously come for nothing else but Bermuda because we are the only stop on their itinerary. NCL this high enough of us to even announce that they are deploying their NEWEST ship that hasn’t even been built yet to Bermuda.
As i understand, Celebrity is even testing some of their bigger ships to enter into Hamilton should we decide to widen Two Rock. and Carnival was keen to take the St. Georges berth should we widen Town Cut as the our longstanding operators already had Dockyard on lock.
our Caribbean competitors are going through the same thing we are going through with the customer spending less. its the same mostly North American passenger. but if the they have five one day callers nearly everyday (because its easy and quick for the ships to island hop) that may give the appearance of success. the passenger still isn’t spending
So its not a question of Bermuda being less attractive to the customer as evidenced by the fact that the ships coming here are full but the customer doesn’t spend as much as they’d like or the slots given don’t allow the ships to reach maximum profit. So the ship will seek better slots, customers that may spend more or customers willing to pay for full priced tickets
Not all competing destinations are doing well. I operate approx 30 contracted excursions per week in Bermuda during the summer season. We have ships in 6 or 7 days per week our entire season.
I am in the British Virgin Islands in the winter season operating far fewer contracted excursions, mainly because they only have ships in 4 days per week, and for only 8 hrs at a time.
Bermuda is doing well, even with the loss of Princess and Carnival. Holland America’s ship was never expected to be a permanent fixture on Front Street. RCCL/Celebrity and NCL have been our staple clients for the past decade and so far as we can see, they arent going anywhere. They get the premium slots, and they do well.
That said, the politicians are correct, we need to stay on our toes and keep our cruise clients happy.
BTW: Our public transport is light years ahead of our competition. Most ports move guests by way of expensive excursions. Bermuda’s cruise guests have that same option. Sometimes you just have to wait in line if you want to get away with only having to spend $8 for the entire day of traveling around the island on the bus and ferry.
black empowerment thats what…….
I swear I remember Minister Burgess outlining clearly why the cruise line pulled out, most of which rubber bong also outlines above. This is weak OBA. By the way, I would NOT vote for this guy!!! Not impressive.
Keep breathing down their bloody necks Shawn …
Well Mr. Shadow Minister for Tourism what are your REAL plans to make the islands Tourism product more fruitful??
Like others on the forum have said “TELL THE TRUTH”
SORT IT OUT or GET OUT!!
What will the OBA do? Well you will have to vote them in to find out.
Oh…wait a minute… we have heard that one before. Who was it? I recall it was a political party before the last election. It was the party which did not have a platform published till something like 48 hours before polling day.
Gee… who could that have been? Ummmmmmm…. you know what…. it was none other than the PLP.
Amazing! Imagine, the PLP being so secretive, or not having a plan, to tell the voters to vote them in to find out what they are going to do.
What is even more amazing is that you voters did it.
He doesn’t have to tell you. It’s the responsibility of the PLP who, for 13 years, have failed to make any positive impact on tourism. The most successful events, by far, are those where the PLP don’t have their grubby little fingers in the till.
Independent Tourism Authority. Let professionals do it, we’ve been treated to incompetents and thieves, and now we have chubby cheeks serenading potential clients. Jesus Christ people, it’s amateur hour.
You’re absolutly right Sandyman , everysince David Allen passed it’s been amateur hour , DREB was a dismal failure strutting around like a peacock in full regalia , promising everything and delivering nothing but three Wigga’s .
Actually sandgrownan he does have to answer as a representitive of the people he really does! Not only that if he doesn’t he is not going to get votes.
Er no. He’s an opposition spokesman/shadow minister. He doesn’t have to divulge his plan until Cog calls an election. Right now, his job is to call BS on anything the PLP says or does, which to be perfectly frank, is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Er actually we you and i pay for him to sit in the house. SO he does have to answer.