The Phoenix Store will open a new pharmacy at the Royal Naval Dockyard in April.
The new store will cater primarily to cruise ship passengers docking at the former naval base.
The company also plans to move its store in the Clarendon Building to the new Victoria Place development on Victoria Road, Hamilton.
A famous wine and spirit shop in the town of St George has shut its doors.
Gosling’s have closed their store in York Street due to a lack of trade. The move is a direct result of the reduced number of cruise ships visiting the historic town.
In the 2009 cruise season the only ship docking at St George on a regular basis is the Norwegian Majesty. In 2008 both the Norwegian Dream and the Norwegian Majesty docked in the town.
Holland America Line will resume cruises to Bermuda in 2010. The Veendam will offer 10 cruises in 2010 and 20 in 2011. She will sail from New York on Mondays and stay 3 nights in port.
The Veendam is a relatively small ship, accommodating 1,300 passengers and 500 crew, and enabling it to dock in both Hamilton and St George.
Richard D. Meadows, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs for Holland America Line said, ‘Veendam is ideal for this itinerary. She is a premium mid-size ship, the perfect size to navigate the narrow entrances to the harbors in Hamilton and St. George’s. Veendam’s guests are able to step off the ship right in the center of each town. Ships larger than Veendam must tie up at the Dockyard facility a considerable distance from both towns. With overnight stays in Hamilton and St. George’s, guests will truly have the time to explore Bermuda and gain an appreciation of its culture, its people and its history as well as the time to relax on the island’s beaches, play a full round - or two - of golf on its world-renowned golf courses or partake of the many activities offered.’
The Bermuda Government have given the go ahead to allow cruise ships to operate casinos while docked in port. The concession is part of a wider plan to increase the competitiveness of the island as a major cruise destination.
Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Ewart Brown announced the decision in the House of Assembly last week. Cruise ships would also be allowed to open bars, shops, and allow entertainment while docked, all prohibited under current legislation.
The Government have defended the plans, stating that Bermuda is losing its competitive edge in the cruise market, particularly the ability to attract smaller ships capable of docking in Hamilton and St George.
Cabin tax for ships visiting Hamilton and St George has also been waived for 3 years.
Ewart Brown, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, has announced improved tourism statistics for 2007. Total visitor arrivals were 663,767, up 3.4% on 2006. 305,548 visitors arrived by air (up 2.2%) while 354,024 (up 5.3%) came by cruise ship. Hotel occupancy rates rose to 67.1%, compared to 63.8% in 2006.
He also emphasized that with cruise ships moving from Hamilton to Dockyard in 2008 there would be a significant reduction in the number of cruise arrivals during the transition period.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has signed a deal with the Bermuda government that will see at least two of the company’s new Panamax ships visiting the island until 2018. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, commencing in 2009, each ship will make at least 22 visits per cruise season. NCL has also agreed to sponsor the Bermuda Music Festival and extend their Freestyle Dining Ashore Programme.
NCL has announced the launch of its new Golf Bermuda program that will offer its passengers advanced tee time bookings on Bermuda’s golf courses, club rental, and transportation to and from the course.
The company is also offering its guests tickets for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, to be held at the Mid Ocean Club on October 16-17 2007. They are available from their website until September 14.
Effective January 1 2008, Royal Caribbean will prohibit smoking in staterooms and suites on its ships, including those visiting Bermuda (Explorer of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas). One lounge on each ship will also be designated as a non-smoking area.
Passengers will be able to smoke so on starboard outer decks, designated areas in lounges and bars, and on stateroom and suite balconies. Guests smoking in their staterooms will have a cleaning charge added to their onboard accounts.