The Ministry of Tourism and Transport confirmed they denied a recent request for permission to three cruise ships, saying that while Bermuda values the relationship with cruise ship partners, in considering the “risk of COVID-19 to Bermuda, we must put the interest of our country and her people above all else.”
This follows after an overseas media outlet reported that the Norwegian Bliss was supposedly expected to depart for Bermuda on Tuesday afternoon.
Bernews asked the Ministry for clarification, and a spokesperson told us, “The Ministry of Tourism and Transport can confirm that they have denied a recent request from the Norwegian Cruise Line and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for permission to berth the Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Gem, and the MS Europa. The ships were intending to ‘lay up’ with crew and medical staff only, and to date neither cruise line has had any incidents of coronavirus associated with its fleet.
“Bermuda very much values the relationship with our cruise ship partners, however in considering the global impact and risk of COVID-19 to Bermuda, we must put the interest of our country and her people above all else.”
