Bermuda's tourist trade was dealt another blow this week when Renaissance Cruises, which was scheduled to begin sailing to the Island next year, shut down and filed for bankruptcy.

Tourism Minister David Allen revealed last week that the company, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had agreed to send a weekend ship to Bermuda next year calling at Hamilton and Dockyard.

But on Tuesday, the company announced it was ceasing operations, resulting in the loss of 400 jobs.

Acting Tourism Minister Randolph Horton said yesterday that Government was disappointed at the news but was still in talks with other cruise companies to try to find a new ship for Dockyard next year.

Dockyard has been down one regular ship this season after the owners of the Crown Dynasty filed for bankruptcy last December.

Mr. Horton said yesterday: "Obviously, we are disappointed to hear of this turn of events.

"Efforts will continue to find a suitable weekend ship for Dockyard. The Department of Tourism continues to be engaged in ongoing discussions with a number of cruise lines.

"While tentative agreement had been reached with Renaissance, it was not the only cruise line the department has been talking with."

The Miami Herald reported yesterday that Renaissance was less than six months into a major restructuring programme and that its financial backers, worried about the effect on travel caused by the terrorist attacks in the United States, had pulled out.