also prefer to travel by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line vessels.

The news came yesterday from Meyer Travel marketing manager Heather Henneberger and Franklin Travel supervisor Roxanne Knights.

Ms Henneberger admitted there were wide variations between vessels and destinations of choice for Bermudian cruisers.

However she said these two rose above the rest of their competition in the Bermuda marketplace.

She added that cruising was the most popular way to vacation amongst Bermudians.

She put this down to the convenience cruises offered as the entertainment and transportation was all pre-paid. "You unpack once and that's it,'' she said.

Ms Henneberger noted that they were more popular than all-inclusive resorts such as Sandals who are only open to couples, not to families and friends like cruises were.

She said Bermudians travelled year-round but the majority of cruise bookings came in the first quarter of the year.

Ms Knights disagreed and said the majority of Bermudian cruisers went away during June and July.

She said this was most likely due to the fact that this was when children were out of school and thus the perfect time for a family vacation.

But both agreed that the Caribbean was the number one destination with these cruises lasting an average of seven days and visiting half a dozen ports of call.

Ms Henneberger said these cruises were especially popular amongst first-time cruisers.

Following in second place in the destination ranks were cruises to Alaska which were only active in the summer, said Ms Knights.

And Ms Henneberger said cruises to Europe and other destinations -- Asia, South America and around the world -- brought up the rear.

Looking at office figures for 1996, she said Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines was the most popular followed by Carnival, Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Ms Knights said her office had Princess cruises in third place.

Ms Henneberger said it was interesting that two out of the four most popular lines were represented by regular callers to the Island during the summer -- Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

While Carnival did not call here, she continued, Cunard liners made irregular trips here. Berthing in Bermuda was similar to "free advertising'' for the companies.