7/18/2007 Chamber members learned of Government’s plans for the 2008/2009 cruise ship seasons at a special meeting for Chamber Members on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 in the Chamber Boardroom. Guest speaker, Mr. Larry Jacobs, consultant for the Ministry of Tourism and Transportation, presented the 2008/2009 schedule to over 60 Chamber members. The attendees represented businesses from all areas of the community and across the island. Plans for 2008 see two contract ships in St. George’s each week (Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dream), 3 contract ships in Dockyard (Explorer of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas and the Norwegian Dawn) and no contract ships in Hamilton. In fact, Hamilton will only see 11 occasional callers all season. On a positive note, all contract ships will be overnight ships, staying between 1 to 3 nights. These extended visits will allow visitors to spend more time exploring the island and ultimately spending more money. New transportation hubs are planned for all three ports. During the meeting West End merchants were questioning their new transportation hub, claiming it will escort tourists out of the Dockyard area before they have a chance to explore what the West End has to offer. However, with the addition of a second cruise ship dock in 2009, Mr. Jacobs feels it will give passengers more time in the area. In 2009, there will be more big changes. St. George’s will only see one contract ship per week and Hamilton will again have only occasional callers. The second pier in Dockyard will be completed and will allow 2 ships in port at a time. This means, approximately 5000 passengers in Dockyard 5 days a week. The Ministry of Tourism and Transportation is also looking at an alternate pier development at Murray’s anchorage. This area is located near the oil docks in Ferry Reach, St. George’s. This would allow bigger ships to enter the waters near St. George’s and dock close enough to the old town without significant damage to the environment. In October 2007, a new 350 passenger ferry will be arriving on the island which should help ease the current transportation concerns with these additional ships in Dockyard. More frequent late night ferry’s between Dockyard and Hamilton are also in the works. Government, however, is calling on the private sector to help offset the large costs associated with running these ferry’s through the night.
The Chamber is keeping abreast of the situation and will update you should any further developments arise.
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