Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its Bermuda cruise schedule for 2011.
NCL will sail two ships from the Northeast to Bermuda weekly from May through October calling at Kings Wharf.
Norwegian Gem, one of Norwegian’s newest and largest Freestyle Cruising ships carrying 2,400 guests, will replace Norwegian Dawn sailing from New York on Sundays to Bermuda, staying for three full days. In Boston, the 2,224-passenger Norwegian Dawn will homeport there for the first time, replacing Norwegian Spirit which sailed from Boston for two years. The ship will depart on Fridays with three days in Bermuda.
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport held a consultation meeting with licensed taxi operators servicing the mobility impaired on the Island.
Junior Minister of Tourism and Transport Sen. Marc Bean said, “The purpose of the meeting was to seek taxi operators’ views on the proposed Paratransit Strategy and Business Plan. The goal is to establish paratransit service that will provide transportation to Bermuda’s mobility impaired population. The meeting was informative and the taxi operators gave invaluable information that will be used going forward in establishing this service for the people in our community.”
The proposed plan clearly establishes a proposed framework for the paratransit system that will be customized to suit the needs of Bermuda’s mobility impaired. The plan was presented to the taxi operators by Ms. Jane Bret, Policy Analyst for the Department of Human Affairs and Mr. Marc Drew who have worked closely with the Paratransit Taskforce.
Premier Ewart Brown issued a statement yesterday concerning issues with Bermuda’s taxi industry. Government is particularly concerned that taxi drivers are not using GPS services as required by law and have not been delivering services on public holidays such as Cup Match and Remembrance Day.
Here’s the statement in full:
Good afternoon,
Over the past few years we have been working to resolve the challenges with the taxi industry; specifically the issues with the GPS requirements.
In January 2009 we made amendments to Section 35B of the Motor Car Act:
- No person shall operate or cause or allow any other person to operate a motor taxi unless the mobile data terminal and the global positioning device that the motor taxi is required to be equipped with are in working order and are switched on.
- When a motor taxi is being operated for hire, the person who operates the motor taxi shall—
- (a) use the global positioning device for the purposes of indicating the location of the motor taxi to the taxi despatching service with which the motor taxi is registered; and
- (b) use the mobile data terminal for the purposes of receiving messages from, and sending messages to, that taxi despatching service with regard to the hiring of the motor taxi.
- Except in the case of emergency, no person who operates a motor taxi shall use any equipment other than the global positioning device and the mobile data terminal for the purposes of communication, with regard to the hiring of the motor taxi, between the motor taxi and the taxi despatching service with which the motor taxi is registered.”;
These amendments mean it is an offence not to have the GPS device switched on and in working order when operating a vehicle.
Over the Cup Match Holiday and during the Remembrance Day holiday we expressed our extreme displeasure with the calibre of service being provided by taxi operators at the airport and the ongoing complaints of lack of available taxis and non-compliance with GPS generally. At that time we said the taxi industry was forcing Government to take corrective steps.
Effective immediately taxi operators can expect Traffic Officers will be implementing more aggressive enforcement measures. Throughout Bermuda where taxis are plying for business, the Traffic Officers will be checking and verifying that taxi operators are compliant and in instances where operators are found not to be compliant the appropriate action will be taken.
In addition, Traffic Officers at Bermuda’s ports of entry who are charged with assigning taxis to passengers will not allow taxis to take passengers in instances where GPS is not switched on and in working order.
It is our goal to ensure that residents and visitors receive the best service for their transportation needs; we feel these amendments and the subsequent enforcement measures move us closer to this goal and the overall goal of general compliance with the laws of Bermuda.
Celebrity Cruises has introduced unlimited beer and liquor packages on its cruise ships.
All-you-can drink Beer Package costs $34.50 per night gives passengers unlimited consumption of variety of domestic and imported beers. The selection currently includes Coors Light, Miller Lite, Beck’s, Heineken, Amstel Light, Corona, Samuel Adams, Dos Equis, Grolsch, Carlsberg, Buckler, Hoegaarden, Guinness, Boddingtons, Leffe and Stella Artois.
The Premium Liquor Package costs $76 per night and includes spirits such as Johnnie Walker Black Label, Glenfiddich, Dewar’s 12, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Tangle Ridge, Midleton Very Rare, Knob Creek, Remy Martin VSOP, Hennessy, Bombay Sapphire, Belvedere Vodka, Grey Goose, Pyrat Rum, Bacardi 8, and Grand Mariner.
The Classic Liquor Package costs $51.50 per night and includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Dewar’s White Label, Cutty Sark, Canadian Club, Jameson, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Hennessy VS, Beefeater, Absolut Vodka, Captain Morgan, and Baileys.
Passengers must be 21 years old to purchase drinks packages.
The Celebrity ship visiting Bermuda in 2010 is the Celebrity Summit.
Budget airline WestJet today announced today it will offer seasonal, cheap flights from Toronto to Bermuda, commencing May 2010.
Details of ticket prices and schedules will be released mid-December.
Ewart Brown, Premier of Bermuda and Minster of Tourism and Transport said, ‘We are delighted to welcome WestJet to Bermuda. Our island home has for a long time had strong business, cultural and educational ties to Canada. With more seats and lower fares that WestJet will undoubtedly bring, both Canadian visitors to our island shores and local residents travelling to Canada will now have a choice in direct air service between Bermuda and Toronto, the centre of Canada’s largest metropolitan area. We look forward to a longstanding relationship with WestJet.’
Today, the Transport Control Department (TCD) announced that from November 18 to 22 a group of high ranking civil servants from the Barbados Government, including the Assistant Commissioner of Police, the Director of Transport, and the Principal Crown Counsel will be on island consulting with TCD to determine if the Electronic Vehicle Registration system (EVR) could work in Barbados.
Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr Ewart Brown, JP, MP said, “In July of 2008 Bermuda became the first country in the world to implement countrywide deployment of the Electronic Vehicle Registration Tagging System, or EVR as it is better known, to address the non compliant motor vehicles operating on Bermuda’s roads.
Since this time, TCD has been contacted by a number of jurisdictions who are considering this new technology to assist them in a like manner. I am pleased Barbados has taken an interest in the system and we will provide them with all the information they need.”
During their visit, the Barbados delegation will be advised on the consultation process Bermuda undertook, the legislative process put in place for the system to work as well as the challenges Bermuda has faced since implementing the EVR system.
Government House today released further details of the November 24-26 2009 Royal Visit to Bermuda by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen will make official visits to the historic town of St George as well as the Royal Naval Dockyard. A Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton will see some lucky residents who submitted their names as part of a lottery, join a host of dignitaries at the historical service. Her Majesty will also attend an official dinner given by the Premier and Government of Bermuda.
The route of the Royal motorcade as it travels around the Island has been designed so that members of the public, school children and various youth groups will be able to meet or catch a glimpse of the Royal Party.
Government House said today that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Miliband when their flight arrives in Bermuda on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 November, 2009. Her Majesty will be met by the Governor and Lady Gozney and the Governor will then present the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown to the Queen.
The Royal motorcade will leave the airport and arrive in St George at 3.20 pm. Her Majesty will be met by the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, Lt. Col. Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will receive a Royal Salute from a Guard of Honour of the Bermuda Regiment. The Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and local Members of Parliament and their spouses will head the list of dignitaries on hand to meet Her Majesty and His Royal Highness.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will proceed to the Town Hall where they will be introduced to the Mayor of St. George’s Mariea Caisey; St George’s Alderman, Kenneth Bascome; Vicar of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rev David Raths; Town Crier, David Frith and Chairman of the St George’s Foundation, Kenneth Snaith.
Girl Guides and Brownie troupes, school children from east end schools and seniors together with some of those who re-enacted the Sea Venture landing in 1609, will join members of the public that are expected to gather along the sidewalks from King’s Square to Ordnance Island to see the Royal couple.
In the event of inclement weather, the Royal Party will visit the World Heritage Centre, via King’s Square, and will meet the various dignitaries inside the Centre. Opportunities to meet school children and other groups will be available as can be accommodated. The Royal motorcade will then travel to Government House, departing St George via Water Street. The Queen will hold a reception for invited guests at Government House.
On Wednesday, November 25 2009, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to Bermuda’s Gold winners and a few others at Government House. The Royal party will then travel to the Anglican Cathedral for a 10.30 am service celebrating Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary. The service will be attended by leaders of Christian denominations and other faiths. The arrival of the Royal Party and the church service will be covered by live television on ZBM and on CITV – the Government television station. In addition, monitors will be erected outside the church for the viewing convenience of the general public gathered outside the Cathedral.
Following the church service, the Royal party will head to Albouy’s Point at approximately 11.20 am where they will board a ferry to Dockyard. On their 11.40 am arrival in Dockyard, they will be met by Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, the Hon. Michael Scott, JP, MP; seniors, children from west end schools and members of the public. Here, the Royal Party will separate briefly, with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and Foreign Secretary David Miliband paying a visit to the sloop, the Spirit of Bermuda and Her Majesty being met by the Hon. Walter Lister, JP, for a tour of the Clocktower building.
At the Spirit of Bermuda, Captain Simon Colley will be with about thirteen 16-year-old girls from Bermuda Institute who will be sailing that week as sail trainees. Mr. Walter Lister who serves as Chair of the West End Development Corporation will introduce members of his board; area MPs the Hon. Terry Lister, JP, MP, and Hon. Dennis Lister, JP, MP as well as the Deputy Chairman of St. John Ambulance.
Inside the Clocktower building, Her Majesty will watch Sandy’s Middle School children perform a short selection on Dockyard history before meeting some of the apprentices who were training when the Royal Navy facility closed in 1950/51 and who finished their training in Portsmouth. She will also see costumes depicting a traditional Bermuda wedding and a cedar carving demonstration will be conducted by Dr David Saul. Before departing the Clocktower building at 12.25 pm, Her Majesty will unveil a plaque by Mr Lister.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will then be driven to the Maritime Museum for lunch with Dr. Edward Harris and invited guests. An Honour Guard by the Bermuda Sea Cadets will greet their arrival. At the conclusion of the Maritime Museum visit, Her Majesty will inaugurate the mural of Bermuda’s history by local artist Mr Graham Foster. The Royal Party will proceed back to Government House via car.
Also on Wednesday November 25 2009, Foreign Secretary David Miliband will meet Dr Tony Knapp when he visits the Bermuda Institute of Oceanic Sciences.
On Wednesday evening, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will attend a formal dinner at Tucker’s Point, hosted by the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown.
In keeping with tradition that saw Her Majesty plant trees on Government House grounds during Bermuda visits in 1953, 1975 and 1994, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will plant two Royal Palm trees at Government House grounds before they depart Bermuda, 11.30 am Thursday November 26 2009.
The Ministry of Works and Engineering announced today that Government has approved the formation of South Basin Development Ltd., a development company that will build the Island’s first marina specifically designed to meet the needs of the mega yacht community of vessels. The area of Dockyard where the marina – to be known as Cross Island Marina – is to be located falls within the remit of the West End Development Company (WEDCO). The principals of South Basin Development Ltd. have indicated that they have the financing in place that will enable them to proceed with this exciting new venture immediately.
WEDCO has entered into a strategic partnership with South Basin Development Ltd. in order to make this important new project a reality. The development of Cross Island Marina will be a major step in the continuation of the redevelopment of the area where the former Royal Navy Dockyard was located. This redevelopment has already seen recent major infrastructure upgrades, including a water treatment plant, a new cruise terminal expansion, homes, restaurants and shopping facilities.
The multi-phased Cross Island Marina project will offer approximately 200 slips, along with support and club facilities. It will include a mix of slip sizes (100 to 250 feet and possibly in excess of 300 feet long) to accommodate both mega yachts and those smaller in size. The marina will offer exceptional services for yacht owners, captains, crews and their vessels and it is anticipated that a large number of local yacht owners will take advantage of the new facility.
Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess and WEDCO Chairman Walter Lister will be at the International Boat Show in Fort Lauderdale for tomorrow’s announcement of the new marina. Members of South Basin Marina Ltd. and WestRec Marinas, a company of international experts in marina development and operation, will be in attendance also, along with thousands of yacht owners and enthusiasts from the United States and around the world.
Minister Burgess said, “Cross Island Marina, an exciting new development in every respect, will enhance Bermuda’s reputation as a unique and important international recreation and business destination. The Government applauds South Basin Development Ltd. and WEDCO for their initiative in this regard”.
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport provided an update on the progress of their plan to improve paratransit in Bermuda.
At the time of the 2008 Throne Speech the Government recognized the gaps in the transport system for disabled persons. At that time the Government pledged to consult with stakeholders and to develop a paratransit strategy which when implemented will meet the needs of the physically challenged community. This initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation through the Department of Human Affairs in partnership with Age Concern.
A multi-stakeholder taskforce met over a three month period to produce a comprehensive strategy to provide transportation in Bermuda for people with mobility impairments. The strategy clearly establishes a proposed framework for the paratransit system that will be customized to suit the needs of Bermuda’s physically challenged. A draft business plan to implement the strategy is expected by month’s end.
Dr. Ewart Brown, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport said: ‘The Ministry of Tourism and Transport is the obvious entity to be charged with implementation of the paratransit system. A few weeks ago the Ministry received the recently completed strategic plan and I have urged the team to move swiftly towards its implementation. For anyone to imply that we have not heard the call for improved service for the physically challenged is most inaccurate and unkind.’
Meanwhile, the public will be aware that the most recently acquired buses now on Bermuda’s roads are equipped with a paratransit feature, although the feature exists many bus stops do not provide for its use, particularly those on the roadside where there is no curb and those where there is a curb but no wheelchair access; a study is currently underway to determine exactly which stops can be used for paratransit in the future.