Hopes are high that the newest additions to Bermuda's cruise schedule will signal a retail boom in Dockyard.

An 800-passenger cruise ship, the Crown Dynasty , is due to start a weekend service to Dockyard in May, and West End Development Corporation officials are anticipating a fruitful time ahead for shops, restaurants and services.

But they are also mindful that facilities and technical services need to be updated to accommodate the new ship, which together with the existing midweek vessel will mean almost continuous numbers of people over seven days.

In addition to the new weekend ship, another new visitor the Pacific Princess , will call at Dockyard between Thursday and Friday, and with the Nordic Empress , from Tuesday to Sunday, there will be a vessel in every day except Monday.

Wedco chairman and Government MP Walter Lister said he was confident that any negative effects of the extra load would be balanced with the economic impact of hundreds of passengers in the West End.

"We are now trying to prepare to receive these ships,'' he said. "Every plus has a minus. But as far as I can see, from an economic point of view, it will be pumping more dollars in the West End and the rest of the Island.

"We hope to be able to cope with any problems and prepare the infrastructure.'' Wedco officials are also looking at the possibility of getting extra buses to service the visitors -- avoiding the often crowded West End bound vehicles.

Mr. Lister said there is little they can do to enhance the ferry service, which Dockyard business people have complained is far too infrequent, particularly on the weekend.