Prisoners at Dockyard

October 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

My husband and I recently cruised to Bermuda from Boston on the Norwegian Spirit. It is with extreme sadness that I inform you that my husband and I will never cruise to Bermuda again for reasons listed in this letter. We have sailed to Bermuda from Boston seven times in the past when the Norwegian Majesty was docked at St. George's. Docking at Dockyard was a huge disappointment for too many reasons.

When we docked at St. George's, we were free to get off and on the ship as many times as we wanted to take public transportation to get to wherever we wanted to go without limitations. The water ferries leaving the Dockyard don't start running until 9.15 a.m. and run every hour on the hour to St. George's. The last ferry leaves St. George's to return to the Dockyard at 4 p.m. The buses don't start running from the Dockyard until 8.45 a.m., and they also run very infrequently. When docked at St. George's, my husband and I would get to Horseshoe Bay Beach by 7.30 a.m. and leave about 10.30 or 11 a.m. at the latest because the sun is at its strongest threat after that. Even though there is a bus that runs express to Horseshoe Bay Beach from the Dockyard, the earliest bus is at 8.45 a.m. which makes arrival at the beach at the time when the sun is starting to get strong.

The Spirit arrives at the Dockyard on Sunday mornings. With the limited transportation and infrequent runs, passengers have little to do except walk around the Dockyard which is boring and a big tourist trap. It is not quaint like St. George's and has nothing to offer. There is an extremely tiny beach which is good for snorkelling but nothing else. We looked forward to taking the ferry into St. George's on Monday and were excited to see the pastel-coloured homes as we approached the Island. However, our excitement did not last long as we saw the empty streets that were once filled with people. Because of the ships docking at the Dockyard, some shops and restaurants have closed. Even the Tourist Information Office has closed. Maps and other information are now in the coffee shop. There are no taxis or horse and buggies. St. George's has turned into a ghost town. We felt sad and disappointed to see the changes in this once bustling port.

Those who have never cruised to Bermuda before may not feel the difference between docking in St. George's and the Dockyard. However, we met many people who have taken this cruise before who expressed their extreme disappointment and anger about being "stranded" at the Dockyard.

We took this trip with six other family members all of whom have agreed that they will not sail to Bermuda again. When my husband and I returned home and were asked about our vacation, we have answered honestly that this is the worst cruise we have taken with Norwegian because of the docking location and limitations of the port. We felt like prisoners at the Dockyard. We feel very sad that we have made the decision to never cruise to Bermuda again; but vacations are supposed to be enjoyable, and cruises are supposed to be convenient. It is our sincere hope that something can be worked out between the cruise ships and the wonderful people in St. George's.

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT LAFLEUR

Quincy, Massachusetts