HAMILTON, Bermuda – The first non-homeporting cruise ship of 2021 is set to arrive this week as Bermuda welcomes the Crystal Symphony.
Cruise ship at Royal Navy Dockyard. Largest of Bermuda's three cruise ship ports. Bermuda Tourism Authority photo.The Crystal Symphony, owned by Crystal Cruises, was scheduled to leave Boston on Sunday and arrive on Tuesday in Dockyard at the island’s west, where it will remain for two days as part of a seven-day cruise itinerary.
Apart from the Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion, which is homeporting here and running cruises out of Bermuda this summer, the Crystal Symphony will be the first regular cruise ship to visit Bermuda since the coronavirus pandemic halted cruise ship visits to the island in March last year.
The Crystal Symphony is scheduled to make 13 trips to the island, with the first four departing from Boston and the final nine collecting passengers in New York.
According to the Cruise Industry News website, capacity on the liner will be reduced, and all passengers and crew will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Crystal Cruises also confirmed that all guests and crew will be required to follow public safety protocols while in Bermuda.
Crystal Symphony was originally expected to spend the summer cruising to Antigua and St Maarten, but has had to reschedule a number of routes.
Norwegian Breakaway, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, is expected to make six calls to Bermuda from New York with about 3,200 passengers on each voyage starting on September 29, officials said.
Premier David Burt, who is also Tourism Minister, said that the additional cruise visits in the later part of the summer tourism season emphasizes the importance of having regular cruise calls to the island.
“The cruise industry is a substantial component to rebuild our tourism industry and our economy. As consumer confidence in cruising gains momentum worldwide, Bermuda will stand out as a responsible and safe destination for visitors.”
