Cruise ship fire puts Bermuda visits in jeopardy (Update)

A major fire on board a cruise ship that regularly calls in Bermuda could cost the island hundreds of thousand of dollars.

The Grandeur of the Seas’ 2,120 passengers bring in around $120,000 in tax alone per voyage to the island.

And that figure does not take into account spending on shore by passengers and the ship’s 840-strong crew.

Cabin tax and wharfage fees, the latter which are paid to Wedco, make up a further $35,000 in revenue per visit.

The ship was due to stop in Bermuda 15 times this season, but her third trip arriving June 2 has now been cancelled due to the extensive damage caused by the fire.

Last night it remained unclear when the Royal Caribbean liner would be back in service.

The ship is due to make what would be her third trip of the year to Bermuda on June 16.

Yesterday Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell said: “It is unfortunate that Royal Caribbean suffered a fire onboard the Grandeur, but it is fortunate that no one was injured and the incident was brought under control quickly.

“Royal Caribbean is one of our valued cruise partners and we hope the Grandeur returns to service and to Bermuda as soon as possible.” 

Royal Caribbean have not yet been able to determine a time frame to repair the ship and return to service but Minister Crockwell said he would keep the Bermuda public informed. 

The Department of Marine and Ports is liaising with the ship’s local agents to determine how the incident will affect the ship’s remaining 12 calls to the Island. 

Yesterday Royal Caribbean told the Bermuda Sun it would be able to provide an update regarding the ship’s future sailings by the ‘end of the week’.

While a statement released on Monday by Royal Caribbean stated that the ship would undergo repair work in Freeport, the Bahamas. n