Are Ships Casinos open in Bermuda?

[RSGS315]

I read in the Bermuda Gazette a few month ago that Bermuda allows cruise ships to open their casinos and shops after 10PM while in port.

 

Can any recent cruiser to Bermuda confirm this?

I know that the Bahamas allowed gambling onboard a few years ago.

 

Thank you,

Ginnie

[ohioNCLcruiser]

In April on the Dawn they were closed the entire time we were there.

[AuntieBarb]

The same this past June. I don't believe there will be any changes with respect to gambling in Bermuda until next year. Sorry, but I don't have the article at my fingertips. However, it was posted here at Cruise Critic.

 

This is all I could find, but I don't think NCL has made any changes yet. I'm thinking the target date is April 2009, but I honestly can't remember.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2636

 

As a result of overturning the restrictions, cruise lines will be able to open casinos and shops after 10 p.m. Allowing ships to open casinos at night is a big deal precisely because most of Bermuda's cruise calls are multi-day commitments. As such, passengers traveling on Grandeur of the Seas, for instance, could only access the casino during sea days. The new policy runs counter to the island nation's otherwise strict gambling laws, which prohibit gaming houses.

 

The government also acted to eliminate the $14 cabin tax currently levied on ships calling on the ports of Hamilton and St. George's -- where smaller luxury ships typically dock -- for a period of three years beginning in 2009. The benefit of that repeal could be negligible as most ships are now too large to enter either port and must dock at King's Wharf, which is not included in the repeal.

 

According to a report in Bermuda's Royal Gazette -- opponents of the initiative predictably criticize the government for not allowing public discourse on the issue, and claim that allowing cruise ship casinos to open will hurt local business by enticing passengers to remain onboard at night. What's not said, however, is that King's Wharf, the primary cruise facility, is located well away from most sources of nightlife in St. George's and Hamilton.

 

Even with the changes, Bermuda still stands to gain if cruise lines return. Those already operating the multi-day runs will make hefty monetary contributions to support Bermuda tourism, according to the Royal Gazette report. Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, who spearheaded the initiative, told the newspaper that Norwegian Cruise Line has already made commitments that include paying $150,000 per year to the Bermuda Music Festival, and donating $275,000 to the Bermuda Heritage Museum and St. George's Foundation.

 

NCL has not yet responded to a request for confirmation of those arrangements.

[AuntieBarb]

Hopefully some recent pax will confirm whether NCL is opening up the casino while in port.

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d864b330030012&sectionId=60

[Cosmopolitan]

Hopefully some recent pax will confirm whether NCL is opening up the casino while in port.

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d864b330030012&sectionId=60

 

 

Bermuda has always been our "longest/largest" port to exit the ship (on this ininerary) and gamble...geographically"

NCL did have to close their casinos while in port on the ship. Bermuda law.

 

NCL's sure who dictated that decision...but...we did have to wait for the machines to open (sfter debarkatio)...much longer than other cruises.

 

Know before you go...

[*Luv2Cruz*]

The benefit of that repeal could be negligible as most ships are now too large to enter either port and must dock at King's Wharf, which is not included in the repeal.

 

Does this mean that King's Wharf will not have gambling and shops open after 10p next year?:confused: :(

[cruiser12]

We were in Bermuda on Dawn 8/17-8/24/08, as we were going through customs on the way back to the ship oer heard---looks like either the ship shops and casino will be open or gambling in Bermunda.

[*Luv2Cruz*]

The government also acted to eliminate the $14 cabin tax currently levied on ships calling on the ports of Hamilton and St. George's -- where smaller luxury ships typically dock -- for a period of three years beginning in 2009. The benefit of that repeal could be negligible as most ships are now too large to enter either port and must dock at King's Wharf, which is not included in the repeal.

 

Does anyone have an update on the status of when/where the gambling will be allowed? Also, based on the comment above, does anyone know if King's Wharf is excluded?:confused: Thanks!

[negc]

Perhaps someone has more current information and can assist us in answering the question of when and if cruise ships will be allowed to open their casinos during the time they are docked in Bermuda. The only information I have read indicated that the Bermuda authorities have proposed allowing ships to do so at some future date but any such permission was contingent on the cruiseline making some undefined contribution to Bermuda. Nowhere have I seen a proposed effective date for such a proposal and it may be that it is not intended to go into effect until next year. This thread is the first place that I have seen any indication that ships docked at King's Wharf would not be included in this program and I have to question the rationale behind this prohibition. I can understand that some in Bermuda might oppose the plan as it has always been clear that Bermudans have traditionally been of two minds when it comes to the benefits and negatives of cruise ship visits, but if you are going to allow the casinos to open it seems less than realistic to prohibit ships docked in the most remote area of Bermuda from doing so.:rolleyes:

[bluesea777]

Starting next April 2009 when the new cruise ship season begin the ships' casino and shops will open after 10pm while ships are in dock.

[*Luv2Cruz*]

Starting next April 2009 when the new cruise ship season begin the ships' casino and shops will open after 10pm while ships are in dock.

 

Thanks for the update! Can you please confirm this applies to ships at all three ports.:confused: Thanks!

[smeyer418]

Its my understanding its all three port for shops and gambling but only St George and Hamilton for no port charge...but frankly until we see it signed no one will be sure until next year. Some of the Bermudian legislators weren't happy with any gambling as it is not permitted on the Island itself...

[*Luv2Cruz*]

Its my understanding its all three port for shops and gambling but only St George and Hamilton for no port charge...but frankly until we see it signed no one will be sure until next year. Some of the Bermudian legislators weren't happy with any gambling as it is not permitted on the Island itself...

 

Thanks for your update. I lay the odds at even money we'll be gambling in port in June!;) :D