Bermuda has traditionally had a love-hate relationship with its cruise ships.

Front Street merchants love the money and business they bring to the Island, especially as the number of "regular" visitors and hotel beds have shrunk.

Hoteliers cordially dislike the ships, because of the competitive advantages they have - marginal local taxes and low labour costs - over land-based hotels.

For the overall Bermuda economy, cruise ship passengers, welcome as they are, contribute far less to the economy than air visitors, while crowding the streets, blocking Front Street and so on.

Still, it is terrifying to think where Bermuda's tourism sector would be without the cruise ships.

While Bermuda is a popular destination for cruise lines, they can always go elsewhere.

That makes the decision of Norwegian Cruise Line to actively encourage their passengers to enjoy local restaurants especially gratifying. They did not have to do this, but they have done so.

Of course, they are getting something out of the deal: NCL's Norwegian Sea has a four-year deal to come to Hamilton, St. George's and Dockyard next year while Norwegian Majesty's contract for St. George's, which expires next year, will be extended for another three years from 2004.

Still, this is a good deal all round, and the cruise line and Tourism Minister David Allen deserve credit for making it.

Now it is up to the restaurants to ensure that the cruise passengers get value for their vouchers; the idea should be to to get them to keep coming back, even if they could enjoy a free meal on board ship.