As the Bermuda cruise ship season starts to wind down, it may be high time to consider doing things differently in seasons to come.

Bermuda has long been a popular destination for cruise ships. However, beneath the surface of our idyllic island lies a concerning reality: the negative effects of cruise ships on our delicate ecosystem and local community desires.

The rapid growth of cruise tourism in Bermuda has led to complaints of overcrowding and overtourism. St George and even Hamilton often struggle to accommodate the influx of cruise ship passengers, leading to strains on resources and infrastructure. This can result in a loss of authenticity and cultural erosion since businesses cater primarily to the needs and demands of tourists, neglecting the needs of the local community.

The nature of the cruise ship business can limit the economic benefits to local businesses, as passengers spend a significant portion of their time on board or participating in cruise line-sponsored activities. This includes live entertainment, gaming and restaurants, all allowed while the cruise ships are in port. This leads to a lack of meaningful engagement between tourists and the community, depriving visitors of an authentic Bermudian experience and preventing the sustainable growth of local businesses. The cruise ship takings from Bermudian-owned business in terms of fees for onshore and waterborne activities is not always sustainable, especially as “unapproved” providers can get short shrift when cruise ships advise passengers to use approved vendors only.

While cruise tourism brings economic benefits to Bermuda, it also creates a sense of economic dependence and vulnerability. The heavy reliance on cruise ship arrivals can leave the island susceptible to fluctuations in the industry, such as changes in cruise itineraries or a decline in passenger numbers. This dependence can hinder the development of a diversified and sustainable tourism sector, which is crucial for the long-term economic stability of Bermuda’s tourism income.

Despite all these potential pitfalls, our overreliance on cruise ships continues to increase and every year it is the same. Before the cruising tourist season, the concession area at Horseshoe Bay never seems to be ready for the massive influx of tourists, with continuing debates as to who is responsible for what at the site. The minibuses and taxi drivers argue about who should get priority in Dockyard in transporting the thousands of tourists. There are always issues about how to get all the tourists back to the cruise ships on time, especially when it rains. Locals constantly complain about their lack of access to prime beach spots since the concessionaires allegedly take up too much space. There is always someone moaning or taking videos, with negative commentary posted on social media.

One of the things that I have never seen is an environmental impact assessment of the effect the massive ships have on Bermuda. From the pollution caused by the ships’ stacks, the increased pollution on our roads owing to increased traffic from taxis and minibuses to the potential decline in water quality, the effect on the fishing industry, possible declines in reef quality with increased salinity disturbances and overtourism at places such as Horseshoe Bay and Tobacco Bay, all is not well!

International studies show that cruise ships emit significant amounts of air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The exhaust emissions from these vessels contribute to air pollution in Bermuda, potentially leading to respiratory issues especially in St George. Additionally, the burning of heavy fuel oil by cruise ships releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and its associated impacts, such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification — both areas that Bermuda should take a lead on, given our vulnerabilities to climate change.

Moreover, the large number of cruise ships visiting Bermuda places immense pressure on our marine ecosystems. Anchoring offshore near coral reefs can cause physical damage, leading to the destruction of vital habitats for marine life. The noise and vibrations generated by cruise ships can also disrupt marine species, including whales and dolphins, impacting their behaviour and potentially affecting their long-term survival.

Sadly, I suspect that even if an environmental impact study was done, it would not change our trajectory of even larger cruise ships coming into Bermuda because the Government benefits from the fees and taxes paid — although I do query how this is offset by the running of fast ferries from Hamilton and Dockyard, and Dockyard to St George at the expense of the taxpayer. Cayman Islands was so concerned about the potential overreliance on cruise ships and the associated environmental impacts that the local population voted in a referendum to ensure a cruise ship terminal would not be constructed.

To reduce criticism of overtourism and stressing already crumbling infrastructure, cruise lines are creating totally private destinations by spending up to $250 million buying Caribbean islands as exclusive locations for their customers. Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney cruises are expanding their private offerings to help travellers avoid crowds on local beaches and access an intimate resort experience (Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2023). Do any of these cruise lines sound familiar? They should! Despite the reservations listed above, cruise ship visits will only increase.

With this is mind, we should consider reducing the strain at Horseshoe Bay and Dockyard by encouraging one of our “cruise partners” to invest in Morgan’s Point. If for example, Disney were to be granted a long lease or ability to purchase Morgan’s Point, facilities could be created, beaches formed and a completely new experience could be manufactured. Morgan’s Point could become a cruise passenger mecca. Local entrepreneurs could run business on the point with excursions in the Great Sound. Disney could run a private ferry service — much like Norwegian Cruise Lines does to St George — to and from Dockyard. Locals could purchase day passes to use the facilities as part of the deal and perhaps be run year-round. The point is the idea is not as far-fetched as it immediately may sound, and could help to reduce the strain elsewhere while making us feel a little better about the overall negative effects the cruise industry has on our environment.

Cruise ships are here to stay. However, it seems to me we are paying for the infrastructure, the environmental impact at Horseshoe Bay and the inability to properly transport our visitors without straining local usage.

The negative effects of cruise ships on Bermuda’s environment and community cannot be ignored, but could be offset by a development of a brownfield site such as Morgan’s Point. It is essential for the cruise industry, the Bermuda Government, and local stakeholders to work together towards sustainable tourism practices that protect the island’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and economic stability. Diversifying our tourism offerings and promoting authentic cultural experiences could help to mitigate the impact of overtourism in traditional areas and foster a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.

If sustainability and responsible tourism practices were at the core of a redeveloped Morgan’s Point, Bermuda could continue to attract cruise visitors while preserving our unique natural environment and cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy. It is time to shift towards a more sustainable model of cruise tourism that respects and protects the delicate balance of Bermuda’s ecosystem, and supports the wellbeing of our local communities while redeveloping a brownfield site on a sustainable basis with our cruise partners.

• Michael Fahy was the Government Senate Leader and Cabinet minister in the One Bermuda Alliance government from 2012 to 2017. Thoughts or comments to opedfahy@gmail.com