Bermuda intentionally reduced its passenger arrivals in 2008 – angling away from one-day arrivals that drive up numbers and moving toward the island’s traditional two and three day stayovers, which drive revenues, Ministry of Tourism and Transportation coordinator Larry Jacobs told Cruise Industry News.

With the completion of the Dockyard refurbishment, Bermuda will be able to take two Voyager-class ships at Dockyard and a third ship in St. George’s in 2009.

Bermuda reported 354,000 passengers in 2007 and estimates 285,000 this year. Next year, the numbers will surpass 320,000, Jacobs said.

“By moving toward longer stays, we had to reduce the cruise arrival numbers,” he said. “The numbers will increase this year.”

Holland America Line will bring the Veendam to Bermuda from New York in August 2009, and return for a full season in 2010.