`too dangerous' for lawsuit-wary cruise line owners By Henry Adderley Chief Reporter Cruise ships visiting Bermuda are steering their passengers away from local activities in a bid to protect themselves from possible lawsuits. The news came after it was revealed that Carnival's Inspiration had circulated a pamphlet amongst its passengers which warned them off riding mopeds and parasailing because these activities were potentially dangerous. West End Development Corporation development officer Ed Williams said the warnings were standard amongst the cruise lines which visited Bermuda. "This is not something that surprises me,'' he said. "While I have not seen this specific pamphlet, I understand that it's been happening for years.'' Mr. Williams explained that the lines issued the warnings to dissuade passengers from taking part in risky activities. "You have to appreciate the cruise ships' view. The cruise they offer is a whole package and is something they have control over. "They therefore take responsibility for all their guests and the cruise ships which come here have Americans on board. "As we know, America is a very litigious society so the cruise ships, by issuing these warnings, are covering themselves. They do not want to be seen suggesting an activity that someone then gets hurt on. "Eventually there will be accidents so they will not recommend activities which they deem to be risky. "They have nothing against the people doing the activity. They are concerned about the likelihood of an accident so they cover themselves. "This way, if someone has an accident they cannot say the line didn't warn them.'' Meyer Agencies president Henry Hayward confirmed Mr. Williams' comments. "This is becoming standard practice. The cruise ships are covering themselves against any liability. "There have been numerous cases of people who have ridden mopeds and had an accident and there have been several cases of those people blaming the cruise line for their mishap.'' Dockyard-based Windjammer Watersports' partner Raymond Lambert confirmed he had heard that Carnival had circulated a warning message to the Inspiration passengers but added that he had not seen it for himself. "We are not privy to what they tell their passengers,'' he noted. And he said the warning message had little effect on his company's business. "With jet skis and parasailing, we work on the premise of selling it to people who come through our door and through our brochures,'' said Mr.

Lambert. "We still do good business with the cruise ships.'' PHOTO Legal advice: Cruise directors on Carnival Cruise Lines' Inpiration advised not to drive mopeds or go parasailing during the ships's recent visit to Bermuda.