Farewell Veendam, hello hardship

The Holland America cruise ship has injected much needed money and life into the city for the past three summers.

But the cruise line’s decision to pull the plug on its Hamilton schedule next year is expected to hit the pockets of retailers, cafes, souvenir stores and restaurants.

Business owners ‘fear the worst’ because a cruise liner to replace the Veendam as a regular caller into Hamilton has not been found for 2013.

Artist Carole Holding, who runs a print and art shop on Front Street, said: “This is a devastating loss for Hamilton to have no Veendam next year. There are no other regular callers coming into the city and many businesses in the city fear the worst. The difference with the Veendam passengers is that they will sometimes come into the shop as often as twice a day.

“While the Dockyard passengers may only venture into Hamilton once, if at all during their trip. The ship provided a terrific backdrop to Harbour Nights because the city was full of life and busy. It will be very sad to see this ship leave for the last time. I just wonder how we are all going to survive next year without a regular cruise ship in port in Hamilton. You can not overstate just what a difference the ship made to the city. Who knows what next summer will bring.”

Holland America has remained tight-lipped about its decision to end the Veendam’s trips to Bermuda. In November 2011 the firm simply stated it was severing the link as ‘other destinations are being considered as part of our overall global deployment.”

But some observers believe the island’s gaming laws that prevent ship from opening their casinos in port lie at the root of the move. In a letter to Government in June 2009 Holland America said it was “fearful” the company’s long-term ambitions in Bermuda could be “in jeopardy” if they are not allowed to open their casinos in port.

And industry experts claim that the rejection of then-Premier Dr Ewart Brown’s cruise ship gaming bill in 2009, to allow ships to open their casinos in port, was a fatal blow.

Last night Holland America released a statement saying: “While Veendam will not be returning to Bermuda for the 2013 summer season, Holland America Line will continue to call in Hamilton occasionally on other itineraries. We sincerely appreciate and value the partnership of the Bermuda government, tour operators, vendors, local businesses and the people of Bermuda for welcoming our guests and sharing their beautiful country.

“A review of our guest feedback on Bermuda indicates that the islands have received high marks on the experience and the friendliness of its people. Guests have especially enjoyed the opportunity to overnight in ports to wander in town and enjoy a meal shore side.“

Angela Bean, manger of Juice ‘N Beans on Front Street, added: “From Tuesday to Friday passengers from the Veendam probably make up at least 40 per cent of our business. And over the last three summers we have built up a good relationship with the ship and the crew.

“The ship has been very good for us and many other businesses in Hamilton. The presence on one ship in Hamilton makes a massive difference.

“The fact it’s not coming back next year is very concerning. It is scary for us when we think about what next year might bring. I’m sure some businesses will end up closing. We will definitely lose sales. The fact we have lost this ship shows we have to be more lenient to what the cruise lines want and maybe let them open their casinos for a short period at night.”

Holland America is not the only cruise line to cut calls to Bermuda. Carnival Cruise Lines , Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean have also reduced their trips to Bermuda in the last two years.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has kept faith with Bermuda and next year will see the arrival of its newest and biggest ship the Breakaway. But in a recent interview with the Bermuda Sun NCL’s CEO Kevin Sheehan said the firm would consider taking the ship elsewhere in 2014 if rules preventing ships from opening their casinos in port were not changed.