The Government expects Bermuda will receive slightly more cruse ship visits next year, and is working to keep ships in port longer.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport said that it is projected Bermuda will see 199 cruise ship visits in 2020, up from the 193 this year.

The spokesman said: “With a view to increase visitor spending, Government, in partnership with the Tourism Authority, is implementing a cruise ship strategy to encourage two-port itineraries and attract year round calls, with smaller luxury ships calling into Hamilton and the Town of St George.

“This strategy has the additional benefit of providing relief to the island‘s transportation infrastructure as it reduces the need for passengers to travel from Dockyard to Hamilton and vice versa.”

The spokesman said Government is “mindful” of the benefits of longer stays, including greater spending by visitors and crews.

He added: “Also, with more time in port, passengers are able to learn and experience more of Bermuda, increasing their overall satisfaction levels.”

Next month, the Prestige Insignia is scheduled to make three visits to the island, with the ship to dock in both Hamilton and St George, spending four days in port.

Jan Card, owner of St George’s jeweller Vera P Card, expressed hope that the visits would mark the beginning of a new trend for the town.

He said: “Happily, for the first time in ten years we will see real ‘Bermuda Cruises’ where the ship leaves the East Coast and spends as much time as possible here before returning.”

Mr Card said all three trips will have the ships at port in Bermuda for four days, giving them more time to tour.

He added: “This has not happened since 2009 when the Royal Majesty last left.

“I only wish we, and the BTA, could marshal the enthusiasm to pull out the stops and make these passengers the happiest that Prestige sees this season. The potential of these visits on these itineraries, done 15 to 25 times a season by two or three ships, would match the economic impact of the resident ships pre 2009. The revitalising impact on the town would be life saving for businesses and the town.”