Minister: Increased Cruise Ship Visits Next Year

Mr. Speaker,

I would like to update this Honourable House on the 2014 Cruise Ship Schedule that has now been finalised. Although we have not yet finished the 2013 Cruise Ship Season, we had 292,533 cruise visitor arrivals through the end of the 3rd Quarter and are anticipating approximately 335,000 cruise ship visitors by the end of the season in December. The number of cruise calls for 2013 is anticipated to be 126.

For 2014, we are anticipating a total of 132 cruise calls, bringing a total of 356,000 cruise ship visitors to Bermuda. We are also projecting that the cruise industry will contribute over $90 million to Bermuda’s economy in 2014. This include fees paid to Government, expenditures made by cruise visitors and crew members while on-island and shore excursions booked by cruise visitors, including taxi and bus tours, walking tours and water sport excursions. Working with the cruise lines we have developed an outstanding blend of contemporary and luxury cruise brands for 2014.

Mr. Speaker,

Returning to Bermuda in 2014 will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Norwegian Breakaway” sailing from New York City with 22 calls. As you will recall, Norwegian Cruise Line deployed the “Breakaway” on her inaugural season in 2013, and by all accounts it has been a successful season for them as well as Bermuda. The “Breakaway” alone brought 90,000 cruise ship visitors to the Island making an economic contribution of approximately $26 million. Even though it was the largest ship to have docked in Bermuda, we accommodated the increased number of guests extremely well with both public and private transportation services operating efficiently and reliably. We are proud of the collective contributions of those in the transportation sector, including the Ferry Service, the Department of Public Transportation, the Taxi industry and the Minibus owners and operators in making the introduction of the “Breakaway” a success.

Also returning to Bermuda in 2014 will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Norwegian Dawn”, sailing from Boston with 22 calls;Royal Caribbean’s “Explorer of the Seas”, sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey with 27 calls; Royal Caribbean’s “Grandeur of the Seas”, sailing from Baltimore with 14 calls; and Celebrity Cruises “Summit”, sailing from Cape Liberty with 19 calls. These are termed our “regular callers” and represent the majority of our cruise calls.

We are also pleased that for 2014 will have three cruise calls from Charleston, South Carolina on Royal Caribbean’s “Vision of the Seas”. We consider Charleston an important cruise market because cruises from there generally bring a different demographic to Bermuda, as compared to the traditional visitors from Boston and New York. Our experience has shown that cruise visitors originating from the Southeast United States have a better understanding of our unique culture and history, and often have more disposable income to spend while here.

Princess Cruises will return to Bermuda with three different ships, the “Ruby Princess”, the “Emerald Princess” and the “Ocean Princess” scheduled to make one cruise call each.

Carnival Cruise Lines will make two calls in 2014, with the “Carnival Spirit” and “Carnival Splendour” making one call each.

Mr. Speaker,

A major element of our cruise ship strategy is to attract premium and luxury cruise lines to make Bermuda a port-of-call. We are pleased to announce that for 2014 we will see a number of Luxury cruise ships docking in Bermuda, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises “Seven SeasNavigator”; Oceania Cruises “Riveria”, “Regatta” and “Insignia”;Windstar Cruises “Wind Star”;Silversea Cruises “Silver Whisper” and “Silver Spirit”;Hapag-Lloyd Cruises “Europa 2”;and, three (3) cruises from the Aida Cruises“AidaLuna”. Currently, the fastest growing cruise market is Germany, and we have met with Aida to consider Bermuda on their limited itinerary in North America. This will be the third year that Aida has stopped in Bermuda.

Many of these lines are Luxury or Premium brands, and we have worked hard to attract these lines to sail here. Bermuda is still considered a premium cruise destination, and we have developed a close relationship with the cruise lines to ensure that we continue to be an attractive destination for them.

Many segments of our tourism industry rely on cruise ships for a majority of their annual revenues, and in difficult economic times we have an obligation to support those whose livelihood relies on cruise ship segment of our overall tourism strategy.

Mr. Speaker,

We are excited about the 2014 Cruise Ship Schedule that we have worked hard to complete. In early 2014, I will be providing this Honourable House with a statement on our transportation strategy in preparation for the 2014 Cruise Ship Season, so we can ensure that transportation services for residents and hotel visitors are effectively planned and implemented.The 2014 Cruise Ship Schedule will be available on Monday, November 25 at the Department of Marine & Ports webpage, SeaExpress.bm.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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