Norwegian Breakaway Cruisers to Bermuda...Update on Heritage Wharf Project

[njhorseman]

The Ministry of Public Works continues to say that the Norwegian Breakaway will be able to dock at Heritage Wharf on its maiden voyage to Bermuda...BUT...read this article carefully, because they admit that there will still be additional work being done on the wharf for some time thereafter:

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/...NEWS/704079999

 

 

 

...It is intended that the all piling works be completed prior to the arrival of the ship. However the public should expect to see further works continuing after this date as the dock is further upgraded for progressively higher design wind speeds.

 

“By midseason we will have a structure that will be competent for moored vessels in wind speeds of a sustained 45 knots. To reach this level of strength we need to complete concreting works to two additional mooring dolphin structures, one to the north and one to the south of the main dock,” the Minister said. “These structures also allow clean unobstructed lines for the mooring ropes of the larger vessels. In addition we will be installing important safety upgrades to the dock, providing deck furniture in the form of safety railings and ladder access to the water for recovery of persons in the event of any accidents.”...

[njhorseman]

If I'm NCL, do I want to risk a brand new ship that cost something like $840 million to build, not to mention risking the safety of her passengers and crew, by docking at a wharf that won't initially be able to secure the ship in 45 knot winds?

[j603]

Holy crumb! I am thinking they may want to double time those repairs.... geez...

[Happytotravel64]

Is anyone hearing anything about NCL changing the itinerary for the NCL Breakway from Bermuda to Bahamas? I heard this today from a colleague going on the cruise for the Maiden Voyage. My cruise is June 30th so perhaps NCL is changing destination for earlier cruises? Anyone?:(:(

[macfin]

we where docked there last may on rccl explorer we had a storm that day night with 30knot winds and she was still moving around quite a bit...scary that they are not ready for the largest ship to dock---makes one wonder if they want it??? Hopefully NCL takes this under consideration..and changes the first few sailings...not good Bermuda...

[Eric.Lince]

So much of their local economy is generated from the cruise industry I just don't understand why they would cut it so close? Hopefully its operable by June when we set sail.

[punkincc]

So much of their local economy is generated from the cruise industry I just don't understand why they would cut it so close? Hopefully its operable by June when we set sail.

 

My perception is that Bermuda has a very robust economy ( banking and re-insurance ) which has little to do with the cruise industry. They already enjoy a very high standard of living there, and perhaps as a nation they really don't have a great deal of interest in tourism.

 

Also, from talking to some of the locals, I got the impression that there is some degree of political inefficiency, wrangling and deadlock in the government ( quite like at home ).

[njhorseman]

My perception is that Bermuda has a very robust economy ( banking and re-insurance ) which has little to do with the cruise industry. They already enjoy a very high standard of living there, and perhaps as a nation they really don't have a great deal of interest in tourism.

 

Also, from talking to some of the locals, I got the impression that there is some degree of political inefficiency, wrangling and deadlock in the government ( quite like at home ).

 

Bermuda's economy has suffered greatly in the past several years, as many nations' economies have. Unemployment is high, and the government is in debt (sound familiar?).

 

While tourism may not be as big a component of the economy as it once was, it's by no means insignificant or something Bermuda isn't interested in promoting.

 

Bermuda's political climate is toxic and dysfunctional (also sound familiar?) .

[punkincc]

You are correct horseman.

 

Just trying to point out the differences between Bermuda and most of the other islands they visit on a cruise, whose economies depend very heavily on tourism. Bermuda is much more like the U.S. in it's economy and in it's political issues. Tourism is important here as well, it just isn't the only thing that drives our economy, nor Bermuda's. Therefore, no real sense of urgency to get this project done, coupled with inefficiency.

[marco]

I'm sure the maiden arrival of a cruise ship (especially on it's maiden voyage) will make for a very festive occasion in the port. We've looking forward to experiencing it (from the dock) as we will be arriving the same day on the Celebrity ship. I guess because it's the maiden season for the "Breakaway", but rates, with OBC and bus transportation to the ship ended up being nearly 1/2 what it would cost for the "Breakaway". We love cruising to Bermuda and this will be our 25th plus sailing there out of NY/NJ over the past 35 or so years, and we've always gone in May or Sept.

[njhorseman]

Now concern is being expressed over the use of nonstandard construction materials at the Heritage Wharf project:

 

http://bermudasun.bm/Content/Default/Homepage-Article-Rotator/Article/Exclusive_-Unease-over-dock-repairs/-3/1288/65435

[Laszlo]

LOL

They'll be rebuilding the dock in 5 years. None galvanized in a salt water environment is crazy in this day and age

[Bobcat Pete]

My perception is that Bermuda has a very robust economy ( banking and re-insurance ) which has little to do with the cruise industry. They already enjoy a very high standard of living there, and perhaps as a nation they really don't have a great deal of interest in tourism.

As NJ Hosseman indicated:

The island has suffered four years of economic contraction. Cruise arrivals have slumped, with 20 fewer calls in 2012 than the year prior.

Tourism minister Shawn Crockwell: “There is much work still to do to rebuild our economy and our tourism industry."

The Royal Gazette reported Wednesday: Government contractors are racing to get upgrading of the wharf facilities at Dockyard ready in time for the liner’s arrival

[njhorseman]

LOL

They'll be rebuilding the dock in 5 years. None galvanized in a salt water environment is crazy in this day and age

 

And the current government has been bashing the previous government for the poor initial construction job on the wharf, leading to many needed repairs only a few years after it was built.

 

Talk about how people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...:rolleyes:

[NycSanman]

The Carnival legend is in Bermuda today. Looks like the work is underway.

[njhorseman]

Work on that part of the wharf has to be suspended until replacement parts arrive and repairs are made. The government is still saying the Norwegian Breakaway will be able to dock on May 15 as scheduled.

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20130414/NEWS/704149995

 

http://bernews.com/2013/04/dockyard-wharf-repairs/

 

http://bermudasun.bm/Content/Default/Latest-News/Article/Minister-confident-in-Heritage-Wharf-progress/-3/1297/65481

[HowardK]

[ATTACH]267686[/ATTACH]

The Carnival legend is in Bermuda today. Looks like the work is underway.

 

They should keep all Carnival ships away from there! They would surely mess something up as usual!!!

[Keith1010]

Thank you for the update.

 

Keith

[Mooder]

Thanks so much for keeping us updated on this!

[computerworks]

Picture of the project from another Forum, taken April 12th.

 

[Laszlo]

Port Webcam

 

http://www.portbermudawebcam.com/

[CruisinMaterial]

Even though Bermuda's economy has suffered like the rest of the world's economies (now BRIC nations are feeling it too)... the work on the Heritage Wharf pier doesn't seem to really warrant a brand new ship to call there. I am really starting to wonder if NCL is going to pull the Breakaway out at the last minute rather than risk it's HUGE investment in the ship over what they're trying to say is a pier which is ready for them?? :cool:

 

If I were NCL I'd send the ship somewhere else until the rest of the pier is finished in mid-summer. Plus Bermuda hasn't loosened their gaming restrictions making a large part of Breakaway useless during the ship's stay in port. Luckily the Breakaway's casino isn't as large as EPIC but it's still fairly large.

[rpb718]

Fyi

[Bacchybella23]

Would the ncl breakaway dock at kings wharf and celebrity summit tender since its a smaller ship? I know rccl owns kings wharf and celebrity but what pull does celebrity have on using the wharf?

[njhorseman]

Would the ncl breakaway dock at kings wharf and celebrity summit tender since its a smaller ship? I know rccl owns kings wharf and celebrity but what pull does celebrity have on using the wharf?

 

 

Kings Wharf can't safely accommodate the Breakaway any more than Heritage Wharf would have been able to before being modified, so docking the Breakaway at Kings Wharf isn't an option.

 

Royal Caribbean doesn't own Kings Wharf, the government of Bermuda does. However they do have the contractual right to dock their ships, as does Celebrity for their ship at Kings Wharf in accordance with the schedules they have agreed upon with the government of Bermuda. NCL has no right to displace another cruise line's ship at Kings Wharf.