HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Although Hurricane Fabian's unwelcome Sept. 5
visit to Bermuda resulted in the closure of three properties,
damage to the island's golf courses, roads, businesses and private
homes, and the temporary rerouting of cruise ships, the island
moved quickly to remove debris, reconnect power and reopen
transportation lines.
The island's south coast, which sustained the brunt of the storm
and more than three hours of 120-mph-plus winds and rain last
Friday, had the heaviest damage, according to initial
estimates.
Hotel Closures
• The 400-room Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda in Southampton
Parish, on a 25-acre peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, sustained
heavy damage and will be closed through April, reopening May 1.
Prior to Fabian's arrival, 150 guests were evacuated to the
Fairmont Southampton; guests with future bookings will be relocated
to other properties, rebooked at a later date or given full
refunds, a spokesman said.
• The 94-room Pink Beach Club & Cottages in Tucker's Town,
which received extensive water damage, will be closed through March
14. Guests have the option to reschedule their trip for up to one
year from the scheduled date of departure.
• The 593-room Fairmont Southampton Princess, the largest resort
on Bermuda, is closed through Sept. 22 while damage assessments to
the roof area, indoor pool and spa are under way.
• The 47-unit Ariel Sands Beach Club in Devonshire Parish is
closed through Sept. 21 due to damage to the roofing on two of the
property's 12 buildings and to assess damage to the guest
rooms.
• Elbow Beach in Paget Parish is open, despite extensive damage
to Cafe Lido and Mickey's on the Beach.
Transportation
• Bermuda International Airport reopened Sept. 7, but carriers
have not resumed normal schedules. The causeway connecting the
airport and St. George's to the rest of the island was damaged, but
one traffic lane is back in service.
• Island bus service is operating on a limited basis. Most of
the major roads are passable but many secondary roads still have
downed trees and power lines.
On the cruise front
New England is seeing a lot more cruise traffic this week, as
lines revised the itineraries of their Bermuda-bound ships in the
wake of Hurricane Fabian.
• Celebrity Cruises' Horizon departed Philadelphia Sept. 7 for
Bar Harbour and Portland, Maine; Boston; and St. John, New
Brunswick. The Zenith, sailing out of New York on a similar
itinerary, is calling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead of
Boston.
• Royal Caribbean's Nordic Empress left New York Sept. 7 and is
calling in Boston, Halifax, Portland.
• Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sea departed New York Sept.
7 forBar Harbor; Boston; Halifax; Newport, R.I.; and St. John. The
Norwegian Majesty is calling in Bar Harbor; Halifax; Newport; St.
John; and Sydney, Nova Scotia, before returning to Boston.
• Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' ship the Seven Seas Navigator,
normally departing for Bermuda on Wednesdays, revised its upcoming
Sept. 10 cruise to head to Bar Harbour, Boston and Halifax, (as
well as its regular call in Norfolk Va.). The line substituted the
Canada/New England schedule last week, as well. Radisson Seven Seas
is offering guests a $750 future cruise credit.
Updates on Bermuda's status will be posted once a day at the
official Bermuda Web site at www.bermudatourism.com.
To contact reporters Gay Nagle Myers or Rebecca Tobin, send
e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].