Dockyard merchants were hit with the news yesterday that a replacement vessel for the Meridian will only berth in the West End for two nights.

Government has allowed the Horizon to fill the hole left by the sale of the Meridian to a Singaporean company by owners Celebrity Cruise Line.

But an attached condition means the vessel will spend the third night of its visit in Hamilton.

Government and Celebrity had only recently signed a ten-year contract to keep the Meridian on the run to the West End. The contract did allow for vessel substitution.

Somers Cooper, co-owner of the Dockyard Humidor, said the "upsetting'' news announced by Tourism Minister David Dodwell yesterday morning was "a crushing blow to retailers and everyone in the West End''.

Mr. Dodwell made a formal statement to the Press after he revealed the news to retailers located in Dockyard.

He said: "The sale was very quick, and a complete surprise to us, and it has handed Bermuda a tough decision.

Turning down Celebrity's proposal of sending the purpose-built Horizon to Bermuda -- with the requirement that it spend only two nights in Dockyard and the third in Hamilton -- was not attractive, continued Mr. Dodwell.

He said: "We could end up with no ship at all for the West End, or we could end up with an inferior ship on the run.'' The news means that as of 1998, the Horizon will leave New York on Sunday, arrive in Dockyard on Tuesday, leave Dockyard on Thursday for Hamilton and return to New York on Friday.

Celebrity said the condition was the only way it could justify the move economically and from a marketing standpoint, added the Minister.

He said the department would review the latest decision with Celebrity in two years and would keep the latest development in mind when three more contracts for cruise ships came up for negotiation.

However Douglas Patterson, a co-owner of Makin' Waves which has branches in Hamilton and Dockyard, pointed a finger straight at the cruise line.

"I don't believe they have told us the truth about why they want to sail into town.

"There's something in the background of their excuse that they are not making money.'' Mr. Patterson noted that it seemed "cruise ships are dictating to us what they will and will not do'' but added that he was sure Government had no other choice in their decision.

West End loses ship night From Page 1 "They could have still spoken to the people directly affected.'' And with Carnival Cruise Line knocking down the door to get into the Island, Mr. Patterson asked: "Why would we want to be associated with a company of that nature. Celebrity didn't even tell their agents Meyer what they were doing.'' He said Mr. Dodwell should approach Carnival about filling the West End dock next year.

"At this time we should leave no stone unturned. If Dockyard does not get another boat, how long will it be viable?'' Mr. Cooper agreed and said he felt a weekend cruise ship -- which Carnival has offered to provide -- could be the answer to the problem of the Horizon berthing at the West End for only two days.

But Mr. Dodwell has said discussions with other cruise lines are pending the outcome of the long-awaited cruise ship policy -- which also took flak yesterday.

Mr. Patterson slammed Government for not discussing the new cruise ship policy with retailers, whose livelihood it would directly affect.

"He could have sent out a questionnaire or held a forum so our thoughts could be heard. We have been ignored in reference to this whole thing.'' He said he never could understand why Government would put a hotelier in the position of Tourism Minister where he would have to deal with issues such as cruise ship policy.

"I always felt this would cause a conflict of interest with a hotelier. They don't like cruise ships.'' Mr. Dodwell did note some "compensating factors'' during his announcement which included: the Horizon's capacity is larger than the Meridian's with nearly 250 more passengers; the Horizon's cruise rate was higher than the Meridian's meaning a more affluent clientele; passengers spending more time in Dockyard and the surrounding area as they know they will go to Hamilton; and Celebrity being able to fill the vessel during September and October when occupancy normally drops.

But the last night in port is believed to be the best by retailers and Mr.

Patterson pointed out that this was now lost with the ship moving to Hamilton.