A truly multi-national crew headed by a Greek captain serve the passengers aboard the Nordic Empress , Bermuda's newest weekly cruise ship.

The Nordic Empress which made her inaugural visit to Bermuda on May 11 replaces the Song of America as a regular caller to Bermuda.

The ship is nine years old and commenced her service in Miami with three and four day cruises to the Bahamas. About two years ago, her home port became San Juan and she was again employed in short cruises to the Virgin Islands and Lesser Antilles.

The Nordic Empress has a gross weight of 46,000 tonnes, is 210 metres long and 30 metres wide and draws 7.3 metres. She has a crew of 685 and can carry 1,800 passengers although the usual number is approximately 1,600.

Speaking at the key and plaque ceremony which took place on board the vessel last Tuesday at St. George's, Capt. Michael Lachtardis said: "The passengers are happy to be here.'' The captain, who has already fallen in love with St. George's, expressed his disappointment that next year the vessel will be calling at Dockyard and Hamilton instead of St. George's.

Capt. Lachtardis, who obviously takes great pleasure in his work, was born on Samos in Greece and comes from a long line of seamen.

He spent his early years on freighters, travelling all over the world. In 1973 he performed his required military service in the Greek navy aboard a destroyer.

After three years serving his country, Capt. Lachtardis returned to the Merchant Marine employed on ferries and cruise ships. He became a Master Mariner in 1980 and joined Western Cruise Lines.

That line ultimately merged with others to become Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Capt. Lachtardis commanded cruise ships, sailing on both coasts of the US and to Mexico, the Caribbean and Alaska.

The crew is made up of people from 50 countries and Royal Caribbean has training facilities in India and the Phillipines. The cruise line will need an additional 5,000 new employees over the next few years and intends to improve its existing schools and set up new ones.