Lines, whose massive Queen Elizabeth 2 will visit just once this year.

The local agent will also take over shore excursions for the passengers of Chandris's Meridian , which berths at Dockyard.

The Cunard appointment will see John S. Darrell handle Cunard's flagship on her June 4 visit. In October, Cunard is scheduled to send the Sagafjord for two visits.

Cunard was last year represented by Bermuda Travel Tours, whose chief officer Mr. Llewellyn Peniston has been hobbled by debt problems.

Mr. Peniston left John S. Darrell in the mid-1980s, taking with him almost all of its cruise business, including Cunard.

Darrell president Mr. Donald McPherson said: "We are most excited about these developments which closely follows last year's appointment as Port Agents and Shore Excursion operators for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line which this year will see the Song of America take over from the Nordic Prince in providing the regular New York-Bermuda service with 26 scheduled visits.

"All of this serves to clearly indicate that John S. Darrell has successfully established itself as a major player in the local cruise ship scene.'' UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- Weatherbird II , the Bermuda Biological Station's premier research vessel, is expected to return to the Island in mid-May following a massive refit. The vessel is shown at anchor at the shipyard in Houma, Louisiana.