Mr. Speaker, growth requires pause, and progress sometimes means rebuilding. While 2025 may see slightly fewer ships sailing to our shores, it’s all part of preparing for a spectacular 2026—a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my Honourable colleagues a preview of the cruise season for 2025 and provide a snapshot of the projections for the remainder of the year.
Mr. Speaker, you will be aware that the Ministry of Transport released a joint press release with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited last week and just recently the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule. I would like to share a little more detail at this time.
Mr. Speaker, the cruise ship season is projecting 179 cruise ship calls in 2025, a few more than the 2024 season will end with year at approximately one hundred and seventy-two 172 calls, after eighteen (18) cancelled calls, thus far. In 2024, these cancelled calls are attributed to both weather events and preplanned itinerary changes. Thirteen (13) weather, and five (5) itinerary changes. There are still five (5) more cruise ship calls before the end of this season, and before the final numbers will be tallied.
In 2025, Mr. Speaker, we are projecting 518,510 passengers @95% occupancy, accounting for weather cancellations, similar to 2024. Also, in 2025, there is a reduction in winter calls. There is one (1) call in January, one call (1) in February and eight (8) calls in March.
Mr. Speaker, you might notice a reduction of eleven (11) calls overall from the 2024 season and there is a reason. Progress- Progress is the prime reason, and I know the Minister of Public Works will join with me in our exhilaration that the Kings Wharf pier is finally going to get its much-needed extension by 200 feet and become equal in size and stature to that of the Heritage Wharf pier in Dockyard. The extension is between the terminal building and the current dolphins. 100 feet each side of the terminal building. This news may not mean much to many, but to those who know, it is a significant milestone. This project will significantly help Bermuda attract certain ships, and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation (formerly WEDCO) will be postured to better service ships at Kings Wharf. Most importantly, this enhancement will help the Department of Marine & Ports and Ships Agent manage the cruise ship schedule more efficiently as both piers will be equal in size and the upgrades will allow guests during the disembarkation and embarkation process to have a better passenger experience because more hatches will be deployed, allowing more gangways to be used.
Mr. Speaker, this construction project would not be possible without the Ministry of Transports collaborative efforts with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited, Bermuda Land Management Corporation, the Ministry of Public works and the sincere support, and partnership of NCL, a dedicated partner to Bermuda for decades. Mr. Speaker, the Kings Wharf pier will be under construction from the 2nd of October 2025 to March 31st 2026. In addition, this winter 2025 some pre-construction work will start.
Mr. Speaker, the good news does not finish here. Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to deploying some of its newest ships to Bermuda and a third ship starting regularly from 2026, thereby calling 7- days a week in peak season.
Mr. Speaker, in 2026 passenger projections will increase again. Deployment bookings today for 2026 include 199 cruise ship calls, estimating 575,000 passengers. It is in 2026 that our (2) new Marine and Ports 550 passenger ferries will also be in service.
Mr. Speaker, these numbers remain fluid, but we are preparing for a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever. Mr. Speaker, the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule is on-line at www.marineandports.bm.
Mr. Speaker, thank you.