(UBP backbencher Tim Smith chastised the PLP's Trevor Woolridge, who wondered if it was proper that visitors' expectations always be put ahead of Bermudians' desires.) "I would not have that Member in charge of sales and marketing -- the customer is king, through and through,'' said Mr. Smith.

"This is the danger Bermuda has faced for a number of years. If we are not flexible and adaptable, we will go out of business.'' Mr. Smith added that surveys showed entertainment was third on a list of holidaymakers' priorities.

He said: "Maybe we should be doing a little bit more in training Bermudians at an early age about the importance of music and maybe the arts in general.'' And he claimed that there was a move away from nightclub entertainment and Las Vegas-style shows by tourists to traditional "island-style entertainment.'' Shadow Technology Minister Walter Lister said he hoped a single port ship for the West End could be provided.

He said: "I don't think this area is being fully utilised at this time. It's up to the Minister to help involve some of our people in this industry.'' Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb said it was time to recognise Bermuda was having serious problems.

And she questioned spending an entire day of Parliamentary business discussing such a "flimsy'' document as the cruise ship policy update.

She added she was fed up with claims that Bermuda had the best water in the world or the friendliest people in the world.

Ms. Webb said: "It's just not true any more -- Bermuda has become a very crowded place. If you drive around, you find the environment is polluted with traffic -- that's why they are going to the islands to the south.

"Bermuda has lost its glow, its lustre. If we don't accept that, we are in trouble.'' And she challenged Tourism Minister to find jobs for Bermudian musical talent like Eugene Steede.

She said: "That is one of the differences with the islands in the south, that's one of the things the governments in the islands do.'' She added there were rules about serving alcohol on the pavement, which ruled out European-style cafes, a Caribbean-style beach bungalow was out of the question, casinos were forbidden and topless and clothes-optional beaches were a no-no.

And she said all this was the case while tourists commonly complained there was "nothing to do.'' Ms Webb added: "If we are talking about the tourism industry and giving the tourists what they want, the reality is the Caribbean is outdoing us.

"And if the tourist sees a very staid, boring place which is very expensive and doesn't give good value for money, then he won't come back.

" `Let Yourself Go' the slogan was wonderful -- but it was false advertising.'' And she said Bermuda was not in the ranks of the world's exclusive tourist resorts any longer.

But she added: "Too many of our people depend on the tourism industry and we have to ensure the industry continues.'' Mr. Dunkley said Bermuda's tourism industry may have slipped since the 1970s.

He added, however, private sector investment boded well for the future.

This was exemplified by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute off East Broadway.

The future could also be secured by good value and service, said Mr. Dunkley.

It was in this area that Bermuda may have slipped in the last few years.

"It is not too late for us to jump back up.'' Opposition backbencher Paula Cox praised Mr. Allen and said Bermuda should be and could be the premier destination of choice.

Cruise ships, she said, had connotations of fantasy on the high seas, magic and romance. And Bermuda should be exploiting this.

Ms Cox said Bermuda had to cater to two clients: the external ones, visitors; and internal ones, Bermudians.

It was important to make holidays as enjoyable as possible for visitors by showcasing local entertainment and dealing with overcrowding on ferries, such as the Somerset one.

Ms Cox then focussed on "internal clients'', saying there was concern among Bermudians about job training.

She said it was worthwhile looking at apprenticeship opportunities in terms of cruise ships.

"We have an opportunity to look at cruise ship policy as setting a tone to make Bermuda an economic enclave.'' Government Whip Rick Spurling said the cruise ship policy document was a summary of an in-depth report. And it was subject to review.

Mr. Spurling defended the proposed permit fees by saying cruise ships had enjoyed a good deal for a long time.

They were not charged, for instance, for their contracts.

While it was true cruise lines understandably objected to the fees, they accepted the process, Mr. Spurling added.

And after consultation the fees were reduced from $8 to $4 per berth.

The cruise lines would probably pass on the charge to their passengers, but the increase was "minimal,'' said Mr. Spurling.

He added the Bermuda run was very "lucrative'' to cruise lines.

Mr. Spurling said a commission was being appointed to look into entertainment.

"We have got to give the customer what he wants.'' On the idea of a sixth cruise ship, Mr. Spurling said this had not been included in the policy document.

But he believed a serious application for a sixth ship would be considered by Government, if the infrastructure to support it was there.

Mr. Spurling, however, warned of the effect a weekend ship would have on hotel guests, eroding their vacation experience.

What was needed was the correct balance between the number of cruise passengers and hotel guests.

Mr. Spurling said the twin port concept had pluses and minuses.

One of the disadvantages was the effect on transportation with ships moving from St. George's to Hamilton.

Among the benefits, however, were customer satisfaction.

Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith said Mr. Dodwell showed disrespect to the House by quoting from the in-depth cruise report -- while MPs had only been provided with a summary.

"The Minister should have provided us with the report not the summary.

Information should have been laid before the House.'' Ms Smith said Mr. Spurling had made the suggestion of water taxis, but there was no dock space available.

If Government wanted to encourage water taxis, they should create an environment for them to operate.

Ms Smith said Bermuda had too long tried to compete with destinations in the areas of sun and sandy beaches.

But the Island was not competitive in these areas.

Marketing, she added, should be focused on Bermuda's unique qualities -- fortifications, wrecks spanning the 17th and 20th Centuries, architecture and flora and fauna.

"We should not further desecrate what is our's uniquely.'' On entertainment, Ms Smith said she was constantly surprised by local talent and professionalism.

"We have world-class entertainers who cannot get employment.'' She took exception to the headline in the cruise ship policy document, which stated: "Why we must improve the quality and variety of local entertainment available to our visitors.'' Premier Pamela Gordon said she had been in the tourist industry some 14 years.

And this had given her an understanding of it.

She questioned whether cruise ships offered much of an enticement to Bermudians seeking employment.

This was because cruise ships chose to use the cheapest labour they could.

Ms Gordon believe the cruise ship policy document was good -- although it was not a panacea.

It was important to look at the bigger picture.

"Cruise ship policy will not break Bermuda. What will break Bermuda is attitudes of people.'' She added: "The cruise ship policy is only one piece of the whole picture.'' Ms Gordon said it was important that MPs sent out a more "definitive'' message on tourism. There were too many mixed signals.

"If we are serious about the tourism product we must all sing from the same hymn book.''