Opinion is divided over the impact next year's cessation of contract cruise ships docking in Hamilton will have on business in the city.

Government revealed its plans for the 2008/09 cruise ship schedule at a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce earlier this month, which will see two contract ships (Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Dream) dock in St. George's each week and three disembark in Dockyard (Explorer of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas and the Norwegian Dawn), with none stopping in Hamilton in 2008.

In fact, Hamilton will only see 11 occasional callers all season next year.

But, on the plus side, all contract ships will be over-nighting for between one and three nights, which will allow visitors to spend more time on the island and to spend more money.

The following year, in 2009, St George's will receive only one contract ship, with Hamilton, again, taking occasional callers.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce are split over the issue, with some arguing that it will have a detrimental effect on businesses, while others claim it will even boost trade.

Phil Barnett, president of the Chamber of Commerce and head of the Island Restaurant Group, said that members believe it is a double-edged sword.

"The issue has, to a certain extent, got the membership split," he said.

"There are some members that do believe that not having a cruise ship in Hamilton is going to have impact on their business and there are some that believe it is going to be very good for their business.

"So in the absence of any mandate it is going to be very hard to take one side or another."

He went on to point out that from a restauranter's point of view it could be a blessing in disguise, with passengers more likely to spend their money in Hamilton if they make the journey out from their base in St. George's or Dockyard.

"From the restaurant trade point of view, we know there is going to be a lot of concern from some of our members," he said.

"It is hard to compete against the free food and drinks and Broadway style shows on the cruise ships, so, what the hope is that, by putting the cruise shops in an area, say, for instance, in Dockyard, it would encourage people to make plans to come into the town and partake in things, because when they berth right in town they can jump straight back on the ship and use the facilities there instead."

Mr. Barnett added that he, along with other members, is keen to see the redevelopment of the waterfront in Hamilton, a chance which may be afforded in the absence of cruise ships docking in the city.

"The big thing that we do want to see from a Chamber of Commerce point of view, is that it sounds like it is going to be a very good opportunity to see what happens with the waterfront and I think, if anything is going to kick-start the development of the waterfront, then this is going to be it," he said.

"There is such a great need to create something new like a grand promenade for people to walk and gather or markets and that sort of thing - we don't really have that and I think that is really a crying shame."

Fellow Chamber member and chairman of retail division, Kristi Grayston, echoed Mr. Barnett's sentiments.

"The retail division is divided on the issue," she said.

"There are some people who are desperate to have a small, maybe, purpose-built cruise ship come into Hamilton and there are those who feel the development of the waterfront is the most important thing.

"To be honest with you, you know that if there is a cruise ship in Dockyard and it was only here for a couple of hours, the passengers will probably try and get on the fast ferries and come to Hamilton, so I think there will be cruise ship passengers coming to Hamilton anyway."

But Ms Grayston admitted she, too was divided on the subject.

"My personal opinion and the Chamber's opinion is divided on it," she said.

"There are some retailers who really feel it is going to effect their business dramatically and some who don't believe that is the case.

"In the past there has always been two ships who are regular cruisers coming into Hamilton every week and my understanding is next year there will be 11 occasional callers.

"I think really for a lot of people it is about the fear of the unknown - when was the last time Hamilton was without a regular cruise ship?

"But Hamilton has been doing a lot of things to attract business to the city, so hopefully the retail community will continue to attract more people into Hamilton in the evening and make it an even more vibrant place to be."

But the Mayor of Hamilton, Sutherland Madeiros, was fiercely opposed to losing the cruise ships visiting the city.

"I think it will have a significant effect on business in the city," he said.

"Effectively having ships in Hamilton means we have a captive audience."

He added that a large number of crew members on the cruise ships use Bermuda, and Hamilton, in particular as a base for banking and shopping.

"Also, there is the fact that the crew members on the ship, whose numbers are significant, use Bermuda as a base - they open their bank accounts in Bermuda and they buy shoes and clothes in Hamilton as well," he said.

"We have had a tradition of ships in our country throughout history and I think it would be short-sighted to eliminate them."

Mr. Madeiros also countered claims that passengers would make the visit to Hamilton if they were moored out in St. George's or Dockyard.

"They might make the day trip out if they are in those places, but if they are in Hamilton they will make the day trip out," he said.

"With the single day ships, because they arrive in Bermuda and go on a tour, few of them go on shopping trips because they are here for a short period of time.

"I think they are an important part of the economy in Hamilton."

*Larry Jacobs, transportation co-ordinator for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, presents his view on the impact of the loss of cruise ships to Hamilton in tomorrow's Royal Gazette.