Today, some members of the House of Assembly voted their conscience. Other members voted their politics. Now, the cruise ships companies know where Bermuda stands and can plan accordingly. We will continue to work vigorously to attract cruise ship births at Hamilton and St. George's, but, there may very well be consequences to these actions. Premier Brown:

I invited the vote on the Bill being reported to the House today. This matter has been on the Order Paper for some time and there was nothing to be gained from the uncertainty of holding it over. Cruise lines and tourism partners interested in this Bill needed to know where Bermuda stands on the issue. We owe it to them to say yes or no and to be clear.

Today's vote was clear and the uncertainty is removed. Those cruise lines and tourism partners now know where things stand and can plan accordingly.