call to Bermuda earlier this week, berthing at Dockyard for just a day en route to New York from Europe.

Fourteen decks high -- although there is no number 13 for superstition's sake -- the Costa Victoria has a 1,950-passenger capacity, is 824 feet long, 105 feet wide and weighs 76,000 gross tons.

The entire ship's surface is equal to 14 soccer fields, she has 800 crew and staff, a cruising speed of 23 knots and cost $300 million to build and fit out.

Although built in Germany, she is of Italian pedigree being owned by Italian firm Costa Cruises and designed in true Italian fashion.

With the exception of one, every deck is named after an Italian opera. Inside is the atrium, which reaches seven decks, and there's an observation plaza at her bow spanning four decks.

Two restaurants cater for the passengers' tastes, while spas, swimming pools, turkish baths, hydrotherapy, a 500-metre jogging track, saunas, a tennis court and health centres cater for their fitness. There is also a wide range of speciality shops.

There are two outdoor pools, a conference centre, and a theatre with an 800-person capacity. There are also numerous bars, a casino spanning the width of the ship and even a children's club and library.

Decoration is in blues, silvers and golds offset by mirrored walls, rattan chairs, thick carpeting, murals and paintings by Bermuda's marine artist Stephen Card.

An example of the decor: the Pompeii Spa. At the centre of the spa is an indoor swimming pool adorned with a large mosaic by Italian artist Roberto Sambonet.

Surrounding the pool are Roman columns covered in mosaic tile. The centre of the ceiling is covered in mosaic while the floors are covered in stone. Around the pool are teak lounge chairs.

As well as the sheer luxury, the ship is also environmentally friendly.

It uses diesel electric and a system which turns waste into ash. Heat generated by the incinerators is recycled to heat the ship.

When the ship paid her one-off call to Bermuda on Tuesday, the Department of Tourism, Chamber of Commerce and the West End Development Corporation all exchanged plaques with the Captain, Mario Palombo.

He said: "Costa is one of the most prestigious companies in this business. I am happy to be in Bermuda, one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen during my life at sea.'' SHORT STOP-OVER -- The Costa Victoria called in at Dockyard on Tuesday.