For the first time in more than 70 years the Holland America Line will sail to Bermuda stopping in both Hamilton and St. George's when it visits.

This is according to the blog Cruise Diva by award-winning writer and cruise travel guidebook author Linda Coffman, who shares news items and thoughts about the cruise industry on her website.

According to a posting she made yesterday, beginning in 2010 the cruise line will sail between New York City and Bermuda.

And the Holland American Line, which will send the MS Veendam with a capacity for 1,350 guests will be the only major cruise line that will call on Hamilton and St. George's according to the website.

In the blog Richard D. Meadows, the executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Guest Programmes said: "We are thrilled to homeport a ship in New York City again and especially to be returning to Bermuda.

"And it's particularly relevant to be doing so on a ship with the same name as the one that sailed to Bermuda so many years ago. Veendam is ideal for this itinerary.

"She is a premium mid-size ship, the perfect size to navigate the narrow entrances to the harbours in Hamilton and St. George's.

"Veendam's guests are able to step off the ship right in the centre of each town. Ships larger than Veendam must tie up at the Dockyard facility a considerable distance from both towns.

"With overnight stays in Hamilton and St. George's, guests will truly have the time to explore Bermuda and gain an appreciation of its culture, its people and its history as well as the time to relax on the island's beaches, play a full round–or two–of golf on its world-renowned golf courses or partake of the many activities offered."

In 1926, Veendam II, with a guest capacity of approximately 500, left New York on the company's first Caribbean cruise.

During the summers of 1930 and 1931, Veendam II sailed on five-day round-trip cruises between New York and Bermuda.

Last night a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport said they were delighted to confirm that Holland America Line will again provide cruise ship service to Bermuda in 2010 and 2011.

Adding that this week the Premier Ewart Brown will officially expand on Holland America's announcement and what it means to Bermuda and that he was looking forward to continuing the relationship.

He said: "Holland America Line is one of the world's most recognised and highly regarded cruise brands and we are looking forward to fostering our new partnership with the cruise line."

In the House of Assembly in June this year, the Premier had announced alterations to the cruise ship legislation including allowing casinos on cruise ships and a proposal to waive the $14 cabin tax for Hamilton and St. George's for three years from 2009.

The Veendam will arrive in August 2010 for the first of 10 roundtrips to the Island and according to the blog this relationship came from a partnership between the Bermudian Government and the cruise line.

According to the blog, in addition to the ten sailings between late August and October in 2010, Holland America Line will visit the island and its towns for a full season beginning in May the following year, with 20 or more sailings anticipated.