Businesses on Front street last night welcomed an announcement that a cruise ship is set to return to Hamilton.

Tourism Minister and Premier Ewart Brown yesterday confirmed that in 2010 and 2011, Holland America will deploy the cruise ship Veendam to Bermuda.

He said: "This premium cruise line will provide 10 cruises in 2010 and a full season in 2011, sailing from New York on Saturdays, arriving on Mondays and staying three nights in port.

"The ship can accommodate approximately 1,300 passengers and 500 crew. For those of you not familiar with Holland America Line, simply put, it is one of the world's most recognised and respected cruise brands.

"Founded in 1873, they have more than a century of experience."

He added: "Holland America doesn't just view Bermuda as just any port of call. So significant is their partnership with Bermuda that they are committing some $40 million in refurbishments on the Veendam, prior to her deployment to Bermuda.

"This past weekend when Holland America announced their alliance with Bermuda to a large group of travel agents, travel writers and travel enthusiasts it was viewed by the group as a huge positive and something wonderful for vacationers to look forward to in 2010 and 2011."

Manager of the Irish Linen Shop, Jeremy Hartley said: "Having the ships come back into Hamilton will be wonderful, but I definitely think it's a shame we have to wait until 2010.

"The absence of the ships in the harbour is very noticeable and I think it sends the wrong message to hotel tourists that visit town. "Having no ships here gives them an uneasy feeling of the tourism industry and Bermuda's economic status."

Joe Tee, President of Carole Holdings Shop, said: "I think it is very good news that the ships will be back in port.

"Our store has been affected by their absence and our sales have considerably declined since they left.

So it is encouraging to know they will be back."

Dr. Brown said that cruise lines worldwide have been withdrawing their older, smaller cruise ships from service to make way for the larger, so-called mega ships.

Transportation Coordinator Larry Jacobs previously told The Royal Gazette: "We never took the cruise lines out of Hamilton and St. George's, it was the cruise lines themselves which decided the smaller ships could be more competitive in Asia, Europe and other markets.

"Most ships being built today are 850 ft but Hamilton and St. George's can only accommodate 750 ft."