Bermuda is expected to receive an extra 68,000 cruise ship visitors next year, according to the Government.

Next year’s cruise ship schedule includes 192 calls to Bermuda, which is estimated to bring 544,000 passengers, a rise of 14 per cent on the 2018 figure.

Zane DeSilva, Minister of Tourism and Transport, said the increase in passengers is expect to generate $7.9 million in tax revenue and increase visitor spending.

He said: “We have another growth year for cruise ship calls to Bermuda and we look forward to welcoming approximately 544,000 cruise ship passengers in 2019.

“Be assured, though, that our Government is very mindful of the big picture: the increase in cruise passengers, year over year, the need to balance air and cruise arrivals, and the challenge of providing the necessary infrastructure to serve all of our visitors.”

The minister added: “My ministry is working diligently to attract more business for Hamilton and St George’s.”

Kevin Dallas, Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO, said the body is still working to increase the number of ships in the cooler months.

Mr Dallas said: “The long lead time of the cruise ship industry means the Bermuda Tourism Authority has accounted for next year’s cruise passenger’s growth in the National Tourism Plan.

“Our focus between now and 2025 is better balance in Bermuda’s cruise business with more calls outside the summer months, increases in what cruise passengers spend on-island and, perhaps most importantly, growing the number of vacationers who arrive by air.”

Next year’s cruise ship schedule includes five inaugural visits to the island, including calls from NCL Pearl, NCL Jade, Celebrity Edge, Spirit of Discovery and the Adventure of the Seas.