Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas made her first visit to the island of Bermuda over the weekend and was welcomed with a special ceremony.

Photo by Bernews

It's customary to welcome new vessels that visit a port for the first time and for Liberty of the Seas, a short ceremony was held on May 9th onboard the ship.  

During the ceremony, a traditional maritime plaque was exchanged.

Bermuda's Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, Shawn Crockwell, spoke about the occasion, “This ship is simply stunning and definitely lives up to its reputation – designed with pure pleasure in mind. She features an abundance of phenomenal onboard experiences; there is something here for everyone.”

“She is beautiful and we are delighted that you chose Bermuda as a destination this summer, giving your guests an opportunity to experience our beauty, our charm and the warmth and friendliness of our people,” added Minister Crockwell.​

Simulation tests have proven that Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is currently under construction, Quantum of the Seas, is too big to be able to dock in Bermuda.  

The Bermuda Sun reports the tests revealed the existing North and South Channels were not big enough to safely accommodate the vessel, especially in high winds.  If Bermuda wants to be able to host Quantum of the Seas, then dredging will need to begin soon.

A Government spokesman told the Bermuda Sun: "The principle dimensions of the vessel, in particular, its predicted draft at 8.5M, was an early indication and evidence that modifications to either channel would be required to ensure safe transit of the vessel.

"The recently completed simulation exercise provided real-time information on the vessel’s performance, maneuvering and handling characteristics under various wind and speed conditions.

"The simulation exercise also provided critical data on channel depth and width requirement in specific areas.

"Technical officers from the Ministry of Public Works in consultation with the Department of Marine & Ports will analyze the simulation report and trial run data, and then provide recommendations that will be considered by Cabinet."

Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship that is under construction, Quantum of the Seas, has plans to go to Bermuda in 2015 but simulations looking at if the new mega-ship can dock there have raised some questions.

The Bermuda Sun reports simulation tests to determine whether Quantum of the Seas will be able negotiate Bermuda’s channels have been undertaken in Baltimore.

Modifications may have to be made to the North Channel in order to accommodate Quantum of the Seas, which has a bigger draft than the next largest ship to dock in Bermuda, the Norwegian Breakaway.

Officials in the Bermuda government have indicated to the Bermuda Sun that despite Royal Caribbean's published plans to send the new ship to Bermuda, a final decision had not been made yet to approve the itinerary.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Ministry of Transport and Tourism told the Bermuda Sun: “A decision on the Quantum of the Seas sailing to Bermuda for the 2015 season has not yet been made.

“However, the Bermuda Government continues to work very closely with Royal Caribbean International principals and technical officers and a decision will be made in due course.

“The Quantum of the Seas vessel simulation exercise was completed by the Department of Marine & Ports Senior Branch Pilots on November 13 and 14 at the MITAG facility located in Baltimore.

“The information and data obtained from simulation exercises will assist in determining if modifications are required to our channels to ensure safe transit of the vessel. Once the report is presented a decision will be made based on the channel modification requirements and the associated timelines to complete.”

The Bermuda Sun is reporting that Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is under construction, Quantum of the Seas, will make regular stops to Bermuda in 2015.

Last night a spokesperson from Bermuda said: “We have received an application from Royal Caribbean to deploy the Quantum of the Seas on a Bermuda itinerary for 2015 but no decision has been made."

“The Ministry is continuously working with our partners in the cruise industry to secure new itineraries for their ships.” 

As of now, Royal Caribbean is only allowing bookings on Quantum of the Seas through April 2015, but itineraries after April 2015 have yet to be announced.

Bringing Quantum of the Seas to Bermuda is a boon for the local economy, with up to 4,180 passengers descending onto the island to put money into the local economy.  It's especially good news after Royal Caribbean cut back the number of cruises going to Bermuda in 2013 by 11.

Quantum of the Seas will sail out of Port Liberty in New Jersey and replace Explorer of the Seas.

Last week Royal Caribbean announced it would scale back the amount of stops in Bermuda and now we know why.  Royal Caribbean is citing guest demand for the change.  The company has recieved feedback that its passengers want to visit other destinations, especially from the cruises that depart Baltimore, Maryland.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman elaborated on the issue, "While Bermuda continues to be a great destination for our guests, we also have received feedback that they want more variety of destinations from Baltimore."

"As a result for 2013, we will alternate Bermuda and Bahamas sailings with Grandeur of the Seas."

Royal Caribbean is scaling back Grandeur of the Seas' calls to Bermuda to just 26 in 2013.  Explorer of the Seas will continue to make some stops in Bermuda but the total between the two ships will amount to 41 trips total in 2013, which is a drop of 14 compared to 2012.

Royal Caribbean added: “Bermuda is a spectacular destination and very popular with our passengers."

“While we would have liked to visit more often, the difference in the number of port calls is largely due to a change of itinerary patterns from Baltimore, which limited our ability to call in Bermuda.”

The island of Bermuda is seeing cutbacks of cruise ships stopping there across the board, including Royal Caribbean.  Royal Caribbean will cut back the number of calls they will be making to the island in 2013 by 11.

At the end of 2012, Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will have visited Bermuda a total of 55 times between the two ships.  Next year, however, Grandeur of the Seas will replace Enchantment of the Seas and make ten less stops to Bermuda, for a total of 15 calls.

A spokesman from the Bermuda government commented on the change, "We had early discussions with Royal Caribbean to include additional Grandeur of the Seas calls from Baltimore, with a weekend stop in Bermuda and continuing to Maine and other locations in New England."

“Royal Caribbean decided that these cruises were not selling well, and decided not to include them in their 2013 itinerary."

“However, we will still have 15 calls from the Grandeur of the Seas in 2013. We will also have 29 calls from the Explorer of the Seas in 2013, compared to 30 Explorer calls in 2012. "

Photo by tPFmariah9999

Tropical Storm Gert formed in the Atlantic last week and has caused a delay for Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.

A Royal Caribbean representative indicated that Explorer of the Seas was scheduled to dock at King's Wharf, Bermuda at 9am today but its arrival was delayed due to the storm.  Royal Caribbean is still expecting Explorer of the Seas to arrive in Bermuda later on today.

Two Royal Caribbean workers from the West Indies appeared in a Bermuda court on August 12, charged with drug importation.  One of the men plead guilty while the other defendant pleaded not guilty. Both men were remanded into custody.

The two workers were charged with importing an estimated 200 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of just over $52,000.  Crown Counsel Tawana Tannock told the court the drugs were found in the soles of the shoes worn by one of the men as he disembarked from the Royal Caribbean ship earlier this month. A search revealed a small brown package in each shoe.

Royal Caribbean joined with Bermuda's Minister of Business Development and Tourism, Patrice Minors, to award $15,000 to three students so they can pursue careers in hospitality as part of the Royal Caribbean Hospitality Endowment Fund.

Michiko Campbell, a student at Johnson and Wales University, won his scholarship for building – and flying – two 6 foot Bermuda style kites at his Miami school this past Easter.

Joliza Vanderpool, a Canadian student, is studying Professional Baking Fundamentals, Modern Pastry Craft and Culinary Techniques.  The final winner, Jallande Greaves, is also a student at Johnson and Wales University and is studying Travel Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Minister Minors was pleased to see three of Bermuda's citizens win the awards, “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to highlight the success and accomplishments of those Bermudians who are pursuing careers in the hospitality industry. And this annual event provides us the perfect forum to do just that".

The ceremony took place aboard the Celebrity Summit