No Gambling in Bermuda may prevent Breakaway sailings

[chrisc71]

Understood. I was asking the question as someone earlier mentioned that the casinos were always closed in ports. For sailings out of New York, you are generally going to either Bermuda or the Bahamas (for 7 day trips) so the point is, in fact, the casino is available in roughly half the ports sailing from NY on 7 day trips and boats almost never stay over in Port Canaveral.

 

Switching gears, someone else mentioned that perhaps something dramatic would need to occur for Bermuda to change its mind on this....perhaps the current state of their tourism industry is enough? See: http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120315/BUSINESS/703159915/0

 

Obviously the fact that something or some way of thinking has worked in the past has nothing to do with future success. Indeed, failure to adapt is almost always the root cause behind what the press calls "mismanagement". Not suggesting casino gambling is the answer for Bermuda, but the statistics don't lie that gambling has been on a huge rise in terms of things that get recreation dollars. The real point is that it shouldn't be dismissed just because it has never existed in the past.

 

You could write that same article about Vegas. I dare say that the last decade has been different than most times and the worldwide economic downturn has affected ALL tourism spots. Look at FL and how badly they were hurt.

 

I like casino but people need to stop thinking it is the cure all that some business people like to purport. The market is being over saturated and will start feeling the pressure. There are only so many regular gamblers that can support the industry. And casinos are expensive to run.

[Diamond60]

I enjoy gambling as much as the next person. I'm a Diamond Player with Harrah's and spend alot of time in casinos. However, I've been on a few Bermuda cruises and didn't miss not having the casino open. For me, Bermuda was worth it so I wouldn't discourage any one from booking a Bermuda cruise as long as they knew what to expect.

 

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going to Bermuda. All I'm saying is, if you're one who looks forward to the casino as one of the ship's activities, then Bermuda is not the itinerary for you. I'm talking about 2-3 day layovers with no casino activity. Some people actually enjoy the casino while their better-half do other activites, whatever their activites may be; to each their own. (JMHO)

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

When we sailed the Solstice in 2009, they opened the casino at 7pm while we were in St. Marten. We didn't leave port until 11pm. So not all ports prohibit it.

[willysgrandma]

They didn't leave because of gambling, they left because of the lack of berths. The only docks that can handle the large ships is Kings Wharf and there are only so many ships that can be in port in one day.

 

It should be a moot point since Breakaway is also doing Florida and the Bahamas, so just book that itinerary and you should be happy.

 

 

 

 

2 cruise lines have already removed Bermuda from its itinerary.

 

Its a matter of choice. Some like the shows, some like the dance clubs. Some like smoking cigars on deck at night, some like hanging in the casino. Some like eating at speciality restaurants, some like the MDR.

 

Its what we like. Cruises have always had formal nights, I remember bringing a tux on the ship........thank goodness for Freestyle.

 

My point is just because it has always been done that way, does not mean it shouldn't change. Change is good as we all know because we all love Freestyling. BERMUDA is messing with our free styling LOL.

[david_sobe]

It would be odd and definately different to come back to the ship 2 nights in a row and the casino be closed. Wont people get bored with one option removed for night entertainment? I dont gamble but know so many that book cruises just for the casino. I think the big difference is the nights. 2 nights completly closed. Very different to say the least.

 

But I am sure they will find a way to nickel and dime the money back in some way HA HA ;)

[jints07]

You could write that same article about Vegas.

 

I really don't think you could.

 

Las Vegas tourism (gambling, hotel, food, shopping) has not seen a drop anywhere near HALF from its all time high. Real estate? Sure, but that's not what we are talking about.

 

I understand your point though, and I mostly agree that it is not a cure-all. But honestly, speaking strictly about Bermuda....do you not agree with the premise that more people would want to go there if gambling was legal?

 

Also, as the linked article points out, Bermuda can't even get banks to give money for new construction anymore because of the enormous debt that properties have racked up since 1980 (the high point btw, so this isnt some 3 year phenomena). This leads to dilapidation which in turn leads to less customers, lower revenues, and yet more dilapidation. Would you agree that if Caesars Entertainment or someone else invested billions this would help?

 

Finally, do you realize that significantly less than half of the revenue earned by Las Vegas strip properties is from gaming? This was certainly not the case 30 years ago and speaks to how if it is done correctly, it's not even about the gaming in the long run.

[che5904]

Anyway, weird, some people almost seem annoyed that there is a casino on the boat.

 

Well I didn't get that strong an impression when I read the previous posts. I did get the impression some felt it should not hold much importance. I wonder if that same feeling would be felt if it was the shows or the bars on the ship that were closed in ports.

 

I think some just have a hard time understanding that different strokes for different folks.

[WaldosPepper]

It would be odd and definately different to come back to the ship 2 nights in a row and the casino be closed. Wont people get bored with one option removed for night entertainment? I dont gamble but know so many that book cruises just for the casino. I think the big difference is the nights. 2 nights completly closed. Very different to say the least.

 

But I am sure they will find a way to nickel and dime the money back in some way HA HA ;)

 

We've sailed the Bermuda itinerary four times, and have booked it again for this October. We are HUGE fans of the casino and spend a large portion of our sea-time there, however we've never felt "bored" on the nights in port. We have discovered plenty to keep us occupied on shore in the evenings, and when the businesses close we enjoy just walking and listening to the frogs perform their symphony for us. Boring? Perhaps for some, but we enjoy the change of pace immensely.

 

Also, I feel compelled to note that we have never felt as though we were "nickel and dimed" on those sailings. Those itineraries are more expensive to begin with, and people are happily paying them, because these ships are sailing full, so I'm pretty confident that others are not feeling "nickel and dimed" either. ;)

[Pikaia]

I think some just have a hard time understanding that different strokes for different folks.

Here's the way I see it: if you want to gamble on vacation, go somewhere gambling is legal.

Whining about how unfair it is that some countries don't allow gambling seems a waste of time.

[WaldosPepper]

Well I didn't get that strong an impression when I read the previous posts. I did get the impression some felt it should not hold much importance. I wonder if that same feeling would be felt if it was the shows or the bars on the ship that were closed in ports.

 

I think some just have a hard time understanding that different strokes for different folks.

 

Exactly! :D

[smeyer418]

I have been on cruise ships in harbors with the casino open. Barbados permits this as do some others.

 

But Bermuda hasn't had gambling for decades.

 

Bermuda is one of the most popular destinations from NY. Its expensive because that is what the market can bear although I have gone for as little as $421 including port charges and this is within the past 10 years. NCL has a long term relationship with Bermuda that has been very successful with as many as three ships going in one season every week(when the smaller ships could use Hamilton and St George). You ever wonder why only NCL goes to Bermuda from Boston? Its because the government of Bermuda granted it an exclusive which it has had for more than 10 years. When a government grants you an exclusive its exempt from anti-trust rule, the State action exception.

 

The Government officials are concerned that tourism is down and its not just cruise lines. But cruise line bookings are down because the smaller ships have left most fleets and can only use the Dockyards. HAL's prices were generally higher than NCL's out of NY, so its also an example of competition. But if gambling was allowed only on the cruise ships while in Port probably bookings would rebound somewhat.

 

there is hardly any worthwhile duty free shopping in Bermuda and the unique stores that Bermuda used to have have been whittled away.

 

Bermuda itself is an expensive Island...high food costs as they grow very little food stuff themselves and it has to be shipped or airshipped in(mostly from NY and Norfolk)

 

NCL only two years ago had ships leaving from Boston, New York and Philadelphia for three ships...well at least there for a month or two. Now its down to only two.

[che5904]

Here's the way I see it: if you want to gamble on vacation, go somewhere gambling is legal.

Whining about how unfair it is that some countries don't allow gambling seems a waste of time.

 

I'm not whining, I was actually just responding to what another poster had wrote.

 

I've never been on a Bermuda cruise, don't intend, at this time, to go to Bermuda on a cruise and really gambling (or lack there of) has nothing to do with my choice.

[Pikaia]

I'm not whining, I was actually just responding to what another poster had wrote.

Oops sorry, I should have been more clear. I didn't think you were whining at all. Your contributions to this thread have been quite reasonable! :)

 

I understand different strokes for different folks. I just don't understand railing against another country's gambling laws.

[jints07]

Well I didn't get that strong an impression when I read the previous posts. I did get the impression some felt it should not hold much importance. I wonder if that same feeling would be felt if it was the shows or the bars on the ship that were closed in ports.

 

I think some just have a hard time understanding that different strokes for different folks.

 

Agreed.

[jints07]

Oops sorry, I should have been more clear. I didn't think you were whining at all. Your contributions to this thread have been quite reasonable! :)

 

I understand different strokes for different folks. I just don't understand railing against another country's gambling laws.

 

Hopefully my intentions were also clear.....open discussion, which is why we are here.

[emcelh]

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going to Bermuda. All I'm saying is, if you're one who looks forward to the casino as one of the ship's activities, then Bermuda is not the itinerary for you. I'm talking about 2-3 day layovers with no casino activity. Some people actually enjoy the casino while their better-half do other activites, whatever their activites may be; to each their own. (JMHO)

 

I think we agree.

[DGP1111]

The crew/staff running the casino and onboard merchandise shops will definitely have a unique schedule during Breakaway's Bermuda run..

 

This has been standard in the cruise industry for decades. Why do you think it would be so weird for NCL?

 

Chris:

 

Sorry if I gave the impression that I felt this would be "weird for NCL". Not my intent at all.

 

What I meant was that for a specific part of the crew/staff, this particular itinerary could (at least for a while) feel quite unique. New ship with a newly organized crew, and some/most of them might not have been accustomed to being on a 7-day sailing where their primary duty was out of Guest-active operation for approximately 64 consecutive hours. When compared to that previous initial transatlantic sailing, and the 7-nt Bahamas itinerary that follows, the Bermuda run could possibly (perhaps certainly) be viewed as different.

 

Yep, absolutely an industry standed for decades, no doubt. But it might not (initially) feel common to all.

 

I hope that clarifies my earlier post.

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[willysgrandma]

If OP is this upset about not being able to gamble when the ship is just in port, he should never plan on sailing Hawaii - there is no casinos open AT ALL on those cruises.

 

I am not a big gambler, but even I missed the Casino when we sailed Hawaii. It was a way to kill time after dinner and before a show. Ship didn't even have a casino.

[DGP1111]

I do enjoy visiting the onboard casino pretty much every night for a little while. It's part of my planned entertainment. [note: losing nightly last month on Star offered very little 'entertainment' value :o]

 

I fully understood when I booked Breakaway last year that there would be a certain change to that normal plan for multiple days. It will seem odd, but I doubt I'll really miss it. I'm going to cover as much ground of Bermuda as humanly possibly during those days docked there. Never been before, and I want to see everything. :)

 

What I did enjoy for several years were those long weekend get-away sailings to Nassau where the onboard casino would still be open in the evening while docked there for an overnight stay. Kinda neat for the slot and blackjack tournaments to be going on, and you can see an active Senor Frogs out the window.

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[AceDoc]

The cruise lines decision had nothing to to with gambling. There are only 2 piers that will handle the larger modern ships. NCL has one tied up for 6 days a week in season. HAL left when their plan to dock in St George failed with the cut being too narrow for there smallest ship. Carnival bailed as they were unable to us there weight to secure desirable in season dockage.

 

There have been several efforts to open gambling on the ships at night. The last bill 2 years ago. It as been defeated every-time. There is a huge anti gambling segment of the Bermudian population. The last bill even had Bermuda sharing in the profits and was abandoned before even bing voted on. I don't ever expect to see it change in my lifetime but could be wrong. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

 

 

Source?

 

Apparently, there are multiple politicians and reports who seem to feel that there is a connection:

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20111125/NEWS01/711259926/0

 

And there are polls showing that it may be gaining popularity amongst the populace:

 

http://www.examiner.com/cruise-in-bowling-green/bermuda-citizens-say-let-ships-open-casinos

 

I do not use the casino, more than a brief passing, and it would be easier to just hand them ten dollars in nickels or quarters a couple of nights during a cruise. I honestly would not care if there was no casino. But I get that it is entertainment for many. If a ship closed, say, all swimming pools for a few days straight while in port, I think that might cause some to not take that cruise. If enough revenue is lost, it will cause a change in policy for either Bermuda, the cruise lines, or both.

[BeckyMax]

I suspect that there are a great number of cruisers who wouldn't miss the casino but would love to go to Bermuda and won't be a bit upset, that's who they are marketing too. They realize that they will lose some, but hope that you will try another ship. I like to gamble, but I only spend maybe $100 in the casino on a 7 day trip. I completely understand that some people really enjoy it and they want it to be a major part of their trip, that's great too. I don't criticize anyone's choice in entertainment. I have friends who didn't want to waste time just sitting on a beach in Hawaii......they would rather drive around looking at sights. I'd rather spend my time relaxing. We all have different interests, that's what I love about cruising, I can do my thing and DH can do his.

 

NCL Sky 3/19/12

[Diamond60]

I think we agree.

 

Yes, I guess we do. The funny part about this whole statement is, is that my husband and I only go to the casinos maybe once or twice a year. But, when we are on the ship, we really enjoy the casinos. We enjoy the shows and the restaurants. But, the casinos are where you'd find us mostly.

[Dolphins]

You really don't loose much casino time. Any cruise the casino is closed during the day in port so you only loose 2 nights but gain that time back with all the sea days.

 

I totally agree. If going to the casino 5 out of 7 nights is not enough, consider another itinerary beside Bermuda. Lots to see in Bermuda at night including their street fair on Front Street or at the Royal Dockyard. In addition, after a possible rough sailing across the Gulf Stream, many passengers look forward to a tranquil docking in Bermuda.

[bluesea777]

I totally agree. If going to the casino 5 out of 7 nights is not enough, consider another itinerary beside Bermuda. Lots to see in Bermuda at night including their street fair on Front Street or at the Royal Dockyard. In addition, after a possible rough sailing across the Gulf Stream, many passengers look forward to a tranquil docking in Bermuda.

 

Gamblers who must spend time in casino every night, should definitely NOT go on South America cruises that include Chile in their itinerary. When we cruised from Santiago to Buenos Aires, the casino was CLOSED for 6 (yes, SIX) DAYS while the ship cruised in Chilean waters.

 

I cannot see why all the whining about casino being closed for only 2 nights out of 7. Get out and enjoy the nightlife, either in Bermuda or aboard the ship (yes! Coka says there is plenty of activities going on ship while docked in Bermuda).

 

Don't forget to try the Dark N Stormy drinks on board!

[nbsjcruiser]

Its not about the gambling so much but more of the atmosphere. We pay good money to use the cruise ships amenities but when one of the major ones is not allowed for 3 of the 7 days, it is a loss.

 

My issue with Bermuda is most passengers are on the ship at night anyway. Bermuda is not loosing any of its tourist money. It is another venue for the passengers to hang out in, mingle and gamble if they like. If Bermuda allowed the casino to be open from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, what would be the harm.

 

I do like to play but there many times I enjoy just watching others play. Again, it is something that we pay for and is included in the cruise. It is easy to just take a different cruise to other ports but it is an issue that should be able to be addressed.

 

I for one (and I bet I'm far from the minority) like the idea of cruising to Bermuda and staying put for 2 or 3 days. The fact that the casino is closed means more money in my pocket and less time in a smoke filled hotbox. As fas as the cruise lines losing money, you can bet your bottom dollar (sorry for the pun) that they more than make up with it with all those days at sea returning to NY or Boston. Don't forget that the casinos are closed at every port they stop in so all they lose is some gambling time at night which is made up for with the extra days at sea.