a cruise ship spokesman for making "insulting'' remarks.

Meeting in Jamaica, officials of the Caribbean Hotel Association decided they would no longer deal with Mr. John LaCapra, president of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

The move is the latest in a tit-for-tat row between the region's hotels and cruise lines, which has already seen the FCCA walk out of a major joint tourism group in protest at hotel "misinformation''.

The CHA is in the middle of a campaign, headed by former Jamaican leader Mr.

Michael Manley, which calls for cruise lines to pay more taxes, contribute more to local economies and curb pollution.

Mr. John Jefferis, managing director at Elbow Beach, backs the campaign. He was at the Jamaica meeting in his position as a CHA executive.

He said: "They were extremely upset that the cruise ship association had called Mr. Manley a `mouthpiece'.

"He's regarded as an elder statesman and to make these rather unpleasant comments was regarded as most unseemly.'' Relations between the two industries were "extremely strained'', he said.

Caribbean islands were now beginning to follow Bermuda's lead and introduce financially prudent taxes on cruise ships, he said.

He believes pollution -- highlighted by April's illegal dumping conviction for Princess cruises -- is a big issue all over the region.

"Everyone is concerned about the environment and the pollution from cruise ships.

"I imagine in Bermuda's waters it must be terrible. I believe that cruise ships dump all of their garbage at sea.'' The FCCA includes major lines sailing to Bermuda like Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.