reception on board their newest ship on Saturday hoping it will become the Island's fifth regular caller, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Chairman of Government's cruise ship committee Mr. Terry West said yesterday Crown Cruise Line had applied to supply a fifth ship to Bermuda before the Crown Jewel sailed here on her inaugural Atlantic crossing.

The just-built 540-foot liner, berthed in St. George's for the day, enroute from the Barcelona Olympics.

Mr. West, who was given a tour of the ship by the line's executive officer, said he was impressed with her and thinks she is ideal for St. George's.

But he said Chandris Celebrity Cruises has first option to supply a fifth ship in May, 1994 and has not yet turned it down. The option is stated in her contract.

"It's a lovely ship, brand new and the line has solid financial backing,'' he said.

Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall, on board for the reception and tour, said after presenting a plaque to the captain that he hoped the ship would "come back on a more permanent basis''. Chamber of Commerce president Mr. Louis Mowbray agreed.

Tourism Minister the Hon. CV (Jim) Woolridge was unable to make the reception and could not be reached for comment last night.

Crown Cruise Line, based in Finland, is a new line with two ships in its "fleet'' and a third, Crown Dynasty , currently being built.

It is understood the Line would like Crown Jewel to sail to Bermuda out of a port other than New York.

With its seven bars, health spa, huge dining room, nightclub-come-conference centre, movie theatre, video arcade, swimming pool and two jacuzzis on deck, the cruise liner is still small enough to safely pass through narrow Town Cut.

The liner, whose sister ship Crown Monarch also visited on the weekend, carries a maximum of 820 passengers in her luxurious cabins -- many with sky roofs.

Government's strict cruise ship policy is set to change in 1994 following a decision last year -- after much pressure from the Opposition and recession-battered retailers -- to exercise its option to add a fifth regular calling cruise ship.

Apart from four regular callers, Government's cruise ship policy also allows for 12 additional visits by occasional callers.

The object of the policy is to ensure the tourist infrastructure is not overtaxed by having too many cruise ship passengers on the Island at any one time.