Exclusive: Local entertainers to play on Breakaway?

Local entertainers could get the chance to perform live on board the biggest ship to ever sail into Bermuda, the Sun can reveal.

Premier Craig Cannonier has been in talks with Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO, Kevin Sheehan, about getting Bermudian singers and musicians to play on the Norwegian Breakaway while she is in port at Dockyard.

The welcome news comes as contractors worked around the clock this week to get Heritage Wharf ready for the mega-ship’s arrival today. (see page 3)

Mr Cannonier told the Bermuda Sun: “We’re now working on potentially getting some of our entertainers on the ship.

“There are ongoing conversations and meetings and we’re hoping some good can come out of this.”

The Premier, who recently attended the ship’s christening in New York with Tourism Minister, Shawn Crockwell, says he also hopes Bermudians might be allowed on board the Breakaway to give talks about the island’s culture and history.

He added: “The unique thing about the Breakaway is it’s a destination all of its own.

“Bermuda will have to continue to work with Norwegian to encourage the people to get off the ship because these ships have everything on them. 

“We have a good partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line. We’ve had great talks with them. This was a business trip and not a leisure trip for me at all.

“I spent hours meeting with different travel agents and agencies and media so there was very little time for leisure. And there is a huge amount of interest in Bermuda.”

Meanwhile Mr Sheehan is equally complimentary about the new Premier calling him a ‘breath of fresh air’ and someone Norwegian could work with in the future.

He added: “That’s nothing against Paula or any of the people before that, but this is a real deal guy. He’s a regular Joe and he’s happy and he cares about Bermuda. 

“He wants to see it excel. That’s the kind of spirit you need.”

The Norwegian CEO told the Sun he was confident the Breakaway’s 4,000 passengers would enjoy everything Bermuda had to offer as long as the transportation plan in Dockyard ran smoothly.