Bermuda

This chapter covers the island nation of Bermuda. Bermuda, located in the North Atlantic Ocean about 1,000 kilometers off the US eastern seaboard, is influenced by, but not directly part of, the Caribbean cruise circuit. Unlike most islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda has the advantage of being a single cruise destination rather than simply one stop among a string of island nations. Bermuda has developed, over the last three decades, what are probably the world’s strongest cruise tourism policies to regulate cruise ships making ports of call in Bermuda. A combination of this island’s uniquely favorable geographic location, strong hotel sector, and active citizen and government participation have created a multi-faceted set of regulations intended to help ensure that cruise tourism is done in ways that maximize the benefits for Bermuda. This chapter reviews both costs and benefits of cruise tourism in the country and offers important lessons for other island states seeking to optimize the economic benefits while curbing the negative social and environmental impacts of cruise tourism.