Carnival Cruise Lines will not be visiting Bermuda as often next year due to scheduling constraints that damage its profitability.

The company has chosen to forego the majority of its trips to Bermuda during the 2004 season and instead operate a cruise to Orlando and the Bahamas, where it can generate higher cruise yields.

Carnival mega cruise ships have already been to Bermuda nine times this year so far, sailing into Dockyard on Fridays and leaving on Mondays, and have a further two trips planned for October.

Their visits in the West End over the usually quiet weekends has pleased retailers and restaurateurs in Dockyard, who saw their profits massively increase when ever the enormous vessels sailed in.

However, The Royal Gazette understands that Carnival has chosen not to agree to the same programme next year because it was unhappy with the sail times.

Instead of departing the US on its usual Wednesdays and arriving on Fridays for a three-night stay, as it had done previously, it wanted to leave the US on Saturdays and arrive on the Island on Mondays, departing Bermuda Thursdays.

It is believed a weekend to weekend vacation is more popular with passengers.

However, those slots are already taken by other cruise companies, such as Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said: “For the 2004 cruise season, due to our scheduling constraints at Kings Wharf and the resulting itinerary that we would have been asked to operate, we have determined that we can generate higher cruise yields and a more profitable programme by operating an alternative itinerary from New York that will include the Bahamas and Orlando. The ship will have an extra long stay in Orlando.

“The decision to take this particular New York ship and do the Bahamas programme is strictly for 2004 at this point. We are taking a look at some other opportunities for a few additional Bermuda calls in 2004, but not the full progamme we did this summer, which was offered to us. It is because of the berth availability or scheduling restraints at Kings Wharf.”

However, the spokeswoman said Carnival was continuing to have productive discussions with Bermuda tourism officials for 2005 and beyond.

But she said she could not elaborate on her comments as to why the company had taken the decision it had. “This is as much as the company wants to say right now,” she added.

The Carnival Pride and the Carnival Legend have been visiting Bermuda this summer. Due to the larger size of the ships, they must stay at Dockyard, rather than venture into the other ports in Hamilton or St. George's. However, the ship originally earmarked to visit next year was the Carnival Miracle.

The spokeswoman added: “We have one sailing formally scheduled for Bermuda next year from April 23 from New York and we are looking at the possibility of a few additional calls in 2004, but that's not confirmed. There won't be as many as this year.”

Yesterday, Government's department of communication and information released a statement from Tourism Minister Renee Webb about the cruise company's change in schedule next year.

She confirmed the Carnival Cruise Lines had re-deployed the Carnival Miracle and would not resume their weekend visits next season. “Their decision was not in any way related to the guest experience in Bermuda, as their passengers truly enjoyed their experiences while on the Island,” said Minister Webb.

“While I am disappointed that Carnival has decided to re-deploy the Miracle for next season, I am pleased, however, that this is temporary in that discussions are on-going with respect to them returning to the Bermuda route in 2005.”

She said the Bermuda Department of Tourism was now actively seeking a replacement for the Carnival Miracle. Carnival had only recently let the Ministry know they were considering cancelling but a letter from the cruise liner was only received yesterday, the Minister said later.

“We're still working with them - we have an amicable relationship with all our cruise ship partners.”