as the "Love Boat''.

The Pacific Princess called in at St. George's on Tuesday from New York to begin its first regular sailing schedule to the Island since 1975.

The veteran 20,000-ton vessel was a regular visitor to Bermuda between 1971 and 1975 when it was known as the Sea Venture -- named after the Island's founder Sir George Somers' shipwrecked vessel.

Built specifically for Bermuda, the cruise ship stopped calling in 1975, when it was sold to P&O and renamed the Pacific Princess .

The ship achieved worldwide fame as one of two vessels used in the filming of the hugely successful television series the "Love Boat'' in the mid-70s.

Princess Cruises, the ship's owners, said they were delighted the grand old lady of their fleet was returning to the Island once more.

At an on-board ceremony in Hamilton yesterday, Captain Tony Yeomans said: "It's a pleasure to be here. The ship has been here once or twice before in another guise and going just as well as she did all those years ago.'' Capt. Yeomans exchanged plaques with the Corporation of Hamilton's Tommy Dickinson, the Tourism Department's Barbara Willis, the Chamber of Commerce's Sharon Davies and Director of Marine and Ports Ron Ross.

The absence of a Government Minister at the plaque ceremony drew criticism from Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell.

Mr. Dodwell, who was on board the ship yesterday, said last night it was outrageous that no Cabinet Minister was there to perform the ceremony, especially since it was a new ship visiting for the first time in 25 years.

He said there was nothing wrong in Civil Servants standing in but stressed the job should have been done by a Minister.

Tourism Minister David Allen is currently sailing to Bermuda on the Crown Dynasty , which will berth at Dockyard tomorrow as Bermuda's first weekend cruise ship.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown was on board the ship later during the welcome.

Manager of Caribbean and Atlantic Shore Operations for Princess Cruises Tom Anderson said he was confident the Bermuda to New York route, which will run for three seasons, would be a big success.

He said: "The passengers like the itinerary a lot and it feels great to be in Bermuda.

"We had the opportunity to compete for one of the contracts and Bermuda is well-known as a great destination for vacations.

"We like to think our approach to vacations and destinations is very similar to Bermuda's approach. It is a very clean and safe environment and steeped in British traditions, not unlike what we do on our ship.

"The passengers are not in the least bit intimidated about going on-shore. We don't like destinations where we have to give special safety instructions and briefs.

"It's great after all the planning and talk and paperwork to see it all coming together and passengers looking so happy.'' All aboard the Love Boat: The Pacific Princess , which was made famous as television's `Love Boat', docked in Hamilton yesterday after a 25-year absence.