Dockyard preparing for return of mega ships

The start of the cruise season is just days away now — but Dockyard has been a hive of activity for several months in preparation for the return of the mega-ships.

Behind the scenes, a series of improvements and modifications has slowly been taking shape in the off-season.

West End Development Corporation boss, Andrew Dias, believes Dockyard is ready and raring to go for the new season.

The changes will see a new retail shop, extra car parking spaces and new roofs for some of the older buildings.

And the Bermuda Police Department’s Marine Division is expected to be installed in its new headquarters very soon.

Mr Dias said: “We have been working on a lot of different projects over the off season to improve Dockyard as a visitor location.

“These have included a new irrigation system with automated sprinklers, some pretty major landscaping work and a major cleanup of the old Sally Port area.

“There have been new pavements installed and extra parking is being worked on at the moment.

“The arrival of a permanent police presence in Dockyard, in the shape of the Marine Police, is also a welcome addition.

“Having officers stationed here promotes public confidence and acts as a visible deterrent too.”

Other minor alterations will see the ice cream parlour, Nannini’s, shifted from its current position in the Clock Tower Mall to a bigger premises at the front of the building.

New flagpoles are also set to be installed before the start of the cruise season and a new retail outlet is expected to open soon at Dockyard Terrace #9.

Plans are also being put in place to restart the four clock faces on the Clock Tower.

Mr Dias added: “This year we do not have to deal with the renovations to Heritage Wharf and the associated issues that caused in the early part of the season.

“We felt we handled the transport situation well when the cruise ships were in town and we hope to improve on that again this season.

“The last few months have been very busy and there is still more to come for our local and international visitors to Dockyard.”

The first cruise ship, Explorer of the Seas, arrives in the West End on Monday from Cape Liberty in the US.

Its arrival will signal the beginning of a season that will see 130 visits from several cruise liners including the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, which is back for its second season.