The Bermuda Industrial Union last night denied responsibility for a cruise ship’s cancellation of visits to St George’s.

A BIU spokeswoman said the union’s work to rule would end at midnight last night – before the Viking Orion’s first scheduled visit to the East End.

The spokeswoman added: “Given the fact that we had put out our intended date to conclude the work to rule, we are not sure why the ship is unable to dock in St George’s as scheduled.

“Once again our members and our organisation are being made to shoulder all of the responsibility and blame for St George’s and the local business owners not being able to welcome cruise passengers as expected.”

The BIU earlier said the work to rule – sparked by a dispute with the Government over union decertification votes in workplaces – would start on June 11 and last for seven days.

But it added at the time that the industrial action, which included a ban on overtime, would be reviewed today - which left uncertainty over a continuation of the dispute.

The Viking Orion had been scheduled to anchor and Murray’s Anchorage today and tomorrow.

But agents for Viking Cruises said the work to rule would mean a Government-owned tender would not be available to transport passengers from the ship to St George.

Joe Simas, the vice president of marine operations at Meyer Agencies, the agent for the Viking Orion, said after the industrial action was announced: “We made alternative plans because of the work to rule action.

“The ship will now call into Heritage Wharf on Friday and Saturday instead of St George’s.”