Cruise Line to Stop Coming to Bermuda in 2006

Bermuda tourism officials are assessing their options after Radisson Seven Seas Cruise Lines decided to halt serving the island in 2006, as the company overhauled its itinerary following the sale of one of its main ships, the Radisson Diamond.

Tourism Minister Ewart Brown said they would continue to work to provide a destination that is both high-quality and competitive with other ports, and he was confident they would find a suitable replacement vessel in time for our 2006 cruise ship season.

After selling the Diamond, Radisson will relocate the Navigator for its European itinerary. The 500-passenger ship, though, would continue as an occasional weekend caller to Bermuda during 2005. The boat visited Bermuda 15 times in 2004.

The Navigator, though boasting only about one-third the passenger capacity of other cruise ships visiting Bermuda, is a more upscale ship whose passengers, while few in number, have deep pockets and are more willing to spend.

Bermuda suffered a fall-off in mega ships visiting the island last year, a decline that led to a drop in the number of tourists. Overall, figures were down by just under one percent over 2003.