Rules on cruise ship entertainment have been relaxed for the Island's only weekend caller -- after concerns that there was not enough for passengers to do.

Tourism Minister David Allen said the break, to allow the Crown Dynasty vessel to put on a nightclub show while moored at Dockyard, was not a green light for other ships coming to Bermuda.

He told MPs in the House of Assembly yesterday that the suspension of the policy for the ship was in response to fears that Dockyard did not have enough night entertainment for the up to 800 vacationers that come each week.

"We do have a responsibility to ensure visitors aboard the ship do have enough to adequately entertain them in that port,'' he said.

He added that he was pleased with the shopping, craft market, galleries, restaurant and museum attractions at Dockyard.

And he said he was happy that efforts had been made to put on night time entertainment at the snorkel park and with tours to Hawkins Island.

"However, there has been a concern that still more is required to keep what is often in excess of 800 passengers engaged, particularly on Sunday evenings, when Dockyard is particularly quiet,'' he said.

The Minister said he had allowed the Crown Dynasty to stage a show on Sunday evenings for the rest of the season. But, he said the show had to feature Bermudian entertainment, and added that the company had employed local entertainer Gene Steede to produce it.

"This decision should not be regarded as a precedent for other cruise ships, since these can afford their passengers more night life opportunities than those currently on offer at the Royal Naval Dockyard.'' The Crown Dynasty sails to Dockyard each Friday from Philadelphia, returning to the US on Monday. In its first season, 100 cabins are designated for cruise and stay passengers, who spend a portion of their holiday in an Island hotel.

Dockyard traders agreed that there was a lack of distractions for passengers while in the port -- but added that it was the ship's crew and locals, not customers, who were providing most of their business.

Jodi Noye, supervisor of Pirate's Landing restaurant, said: "We haven't seen an increase in passengers from the ship. We have noted an increase in locals.

"If Government and WEDCO offered more things to do, the tourists might come off the ship.'' Chairman of the Dockyard Marketing Committee, and owner of Frog and Onion pub, Carol West said: "We do feel there isn't adequate entertainment in the area.'' But she said she did not have a problem with the move, adding that it was "important that the guest is happy at our destination''.

"We deal primarily with the crew,'' she said. "I don't feel it will be a great impact.