Regatta Cruise Ship Docks In St George’s
St George’s witnessed the unfamiliar sight of a cruise ship entering the Town Cut at approximately 7am this morning [June 14] when the flagship of the Oceania Cruises fleet, Regatta made her way to Penno’s Wharf.
The cruise ship is expected to bring hundreds of visitors to the island, and will spend the day in St George’s with a planned departure of 6pm today. It is the only planned visit to Bermuda by the Regatta this year. The stopover in St George’s is part of a multi-visit cruise which saw the Regatta depart from Miami, Florida and it will continue on to the Azores before reaching its final destination of Spain.
The ship — which is approximately 593 feet long — was built in 1998 and is registered in the Marshall Islands. The cruise line’s website says, “Her decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone and tile work and her lounges, suites and staterooms boast luxurious, neo-classical furnishings, Regatta offers every luxury you expect.
“Four unique, open seating restaurants, a world class fitness center and spa, 8 lounges and bars, casino and 342 lavish suites and luxurious staterooms, nearly 70% of which feature private verandas. And with just 684 guests to pamper, our 400 professionally trained European staff ensures you will want for nothing.”
Speaking last year about the ability of cruise ships to enter St George’s, then Minister of Transport Terry Lister said, “Ships more than 680’ long and 94’ wide, depending on handling characteristics, cannot safely navigate through Town Cut in St. George’s.
“The Ministry recently completed a study of Bermuda’s Shipping Channels to accommodate the larger cruise ships being built today. A section of the study addresses the issue of the availability of smaller cruise ships.”
“The analysis revealed there are 165 cruise ships currently in operation that are available to serve the North American and European markets. Of that total, 139 are too large to transit Town Cut in St. George’s, leaving only 26 that can successfully transit Town Cut.”
A study conducted about widening the Town Cut to accommodate larger cruise ships indicated that it could involve the virtual demolition of three islands, and could cost between $48 and $71 million and would not be completed until 2017.
about time!!
Will they be visiting often? is there a schedule?
Sorry, we should have been more clear, we just added another sentence above. According to the 2012 cruise schedule, its not a regular visitor, this is the only time it will visit Bermuda this year.
YES!!! It might be only one stop this year, but I hope the cab drivers, buses, etc & the old town was ready for them . . . as hopefully it will encourage them to return!
YES INDEED! Let’s go Bermuda! Let’s show these people courtesy and care.
so is anyone tryna market St. George to the smaller cruies operators? Of the 26 ships that can get thru town cut, you mean to tell me that St. George can’t attract at least one of them? Does anyone know how to spell I-N-C-E-N-T-I-V-E-S?
“St George’s witnessed the unfamiliar sight of a cruise ship entering the Town Cut at approximately 7am this morning”
PLP – betraying Bermudians since 1998
Its nice to see St. George’s will have some life today, even if it not for long!!!
It was amazing in St.George’s yesterday. Tons of people, gorgeous weather. Like the good ol days.
It would be great to have more cruise ships going to St. George’s. We need one of the operators out of NYC to do this as well. A visit to St. George’s creates a wonderful balance for visitors and a must for history buffs. Fingers crossed.