it brings will only be clear when the season has worn on a bit.

For years now, St. George's has done everything except beg for a dedicated ship. There have been real suggestions that St. George's was hard done by and political stands taken on the basis that St. George's was being deprived of its share of cruise traffic. Then the East End was given regular one day calls by sips destined based in Hamilton. There seems to have been little benefit to the Town from these calls largely because the ships were berthed strangely outside the main-stream at Penno's Wharf.

Now the Town has a make or break chance to prove that it was correct in claiming that it needed a ship. Getting a ship is not the end of the matter because the ship has to be looked after and its passengers have to be satisfied that St. George's is a port they can enjoy. Passengers will be unhappy if they feel that "there is nothing here''. St. George's has already taken a step forward by locating the ship at Ordnance Island, thus maximising the ship's usage of the Town.

There is some apprehension over the ability of the East End to keep the ship and its passengers happy in the long haul. There is also some concern over whether or not St. George's is large enough to comfortably handle two ships in port at the same time, given the fact that the other three-port cruise ships will continue their one day calls at Penno's Wharf.

There is no doubt St. George's has a good deal to offer cruise visitors.

However much it offers and what it offers will depend on the demands of the passengers. If they are ushered off the ship and instantly whisked towards Hamilton, then it will not matter much what St. George's offers. However if the passengers are encouraged to enjoy St. George's as a unique town, then they can have a very good visit.

With demand, some of the curiosities of St. George's may well change. Perhaps the signs which say, "Back from lunch at 2.15,'' when it is already 3 p.m.

may become a thing of the past. Perhaps the tendency of the "branch'' shops to be stocked with Hamilton's leftovers will disappear.

Ultimately, of course, the success of this venture will depend on the ship.

After all the debate and confusion all will fail if this is not a good ship and there is already some doubt about the quality of the ship and the quality of its operation.

Just as St. George's must respond to the needs of a cruise ship, so the ship has to serve St. George's. Much will depend on how the operators market the ship and the Old Town. Bermuda is aware that St. George's is not a town to be sold on the basis of T-shirt availability but it can be marketed as a classy small town full of heritage and history. To do that you have to work to attract people who are interested. Given today's demand for something more in tourism than sand and sun, it should be possible to sell St. George's. But first of all you have to have a good ship to sell, and that is still a big question.