Cruise ship cancellations to have ‘significant impact’

News that the Grandeur of the Seas has cancelled three calls to Bermuda will be a significant blow to retailers in Dockyard.

The liner, which sustained major fire damage to the stern of the ship, will not be back in operation until mid July.

Joanna Cranfield, WEDCO’s Business Development Manager, told the Sun that the cancellations would have a ‘significant impact’ on businesses in Dockyard.

She said: “We are obviously not happy about this, but the safety of passengers is the most important thing.

“The fact that we have lost three calls is bad news.

“It will impact all avenues from retailers to tour operators and restaurants.

“But we will deal with it.

“To put it in perspective we have only lost three of the ship’s 15 calls this year and it’s not the end of the season. 

“We fully understand that the cruise line has to ensure the ship is only going to be back in service when it is ready and
all the repair work has been done.”

The Grandeur of the Seas sustained significant damage during a major blaze onboard the ship on Monday.

A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean International, which owns the Grandeur, said: “Due to the time needed to repair the damage caused by the fire, it is necessary to cancel Grandeur of the Seas’ next six sailings. The ship is expected to return to service with the July 12 sailing.”

As the Grandeur alternates between Bermuda and Bahamas, it will impact three sailings to Bermuda.

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 of which are paid to WEDCO, make up a further $35,000 in revenue per visit.

The Grandeur is expected to make its return to Bermuda on July 14.