After the month-long trans-Atlantic voyage, the majestic vessel, bearing 350 weary crew sailed into Royal Naval Dockyard last weekend.

"We arrived Sunday,'' said Lt. Prestijacopa. "We were one of the first real tall ships here.

"Everyone else took a southern route thinking there would be better winds. We took a northern route.'' Built in 1931, the Amerigo Vespucci was completely refurbished two years ago.

But to keep its teak decks and brass fittings looking their best, the crew cleans this imposing ship daily.

"Everyday we polish the brass and clean the entire ship,'' said the young naval officer. "Everything must be perfect.'' "Whenever you pass the ship, you will see someone cleaning something,'' added Mr. Tomaino. "Everyone is always cleaning!'' A testament to a bygone era, the ship is steeped in history that is practically written on every surface and mechanism both above a below deck.

Behind the main deck's wooden and glass doors, are adjacent captain and officers corridors which lead to the fairest jewel in the Amerigo Vespucci's crown -- a regal reception room fit for a king.

"The first time you walk into this room you can't help but be impressed, I know I was,'' confessed Lt. Prestijacopo. "This ship was built when Italy still had a king and this reception area was for the king.'' Today, the opulent room serves as a VIP reception area where Commodore Ugo Bertelli can receive important dignitaries who visit the tall ship.

"The two oil paintings and the silver candelabras and centre piece are all original,'' he noted. "A bedroom and a bathroom lead off the room.'' Behind the wooden doors in the `royal suite' is a feature unique to the Amerigo Vespucci , a charming, but narrow, balcony.

"The balcony is called the `little garden' because that is where plants are traditionally grown,'' he explained. "They called it this because back then, they didn't bring much fresh fruit on board but vitamin C was needed to prevent scurvy. They would grow plants on the balcony but only the captain would eat the produce because he was the one that needed to be protected from the disease because he was the most important person on the ship.

"At the moment we have little basil growing,'' he added. "I've never seen another tall ship that has a balcony like this.'' Above deck, visitors will find further evidence to the Amerigo Vespucci's rich heritage and unique touches that make any tall ship a must see.

Inside one of the ship's two command centres, known to sailors as the bridge, are several enormous wooden wheels, something you won't find on today's modern luxury cruise liners.

"The four large wheels go right to the rudder,'' he explained of the stern bridge. "You need eight people to turn them since they are completely manual, there's no hydraulics.'' Behind the bridge, visitors will find another historic treasure, a small boat perched above the `little garden'.

"This ship had a sister ship,'' he revealed. "In 1949 it was given to Russia as payment for the war. The small boat at the back of the ship is from the sister ship. It has never been used.'' According to the charming Italian sailor, with the exception of seven years, the 69-year-old ship has always offered cadets the opportunity to sail the high seas in a floating masterpiece.

"Up until 1984, everyone slept in hammocks, now only the cadets sleep in hammocks,'' noted Lt. Prestijacopo. "The ship has done 62 training trips. We usually sail around Europe or the Mediterranean. This will be the second time we will be visiting the US during the last ten years.'' The full-time Italian naval officer said that sailing on board the Amerigo Vespucci was the opportunity of a lifetime for cadets and seasoned sailors alike.

"It's like a break,'' said Lt. Prestijacopo of the year he has spent on the tall ship. "Its still hard, but its a different kind of hard.

"You get to visit beautiful places like Bermuda. It's, as you say, give and take.'' And the first-time visitor had nothing but praise for the Island.

"Bermuda is very beautiful. I've been to Hamilton and to the beach.'' Italian masterpiece: The Amerigo Vespucci's regal masts (pictured top right, being climbed by Andrea Alleruzzo) old-world bridge (pictured top left with Lieutenant Junior Grade Allessio Prestijacopo) and majestically appointed reception room (above), help make this 330 foot tall ship a work of art.