passengers this week.

Zenith , which arrived in Hamilton from New York on Monday, was carrying 1,672 visitors -- the highest number on a single ship since the start of the 1998 season.

Shipping chiefs put the tourism boost down to the school holidays and many families "doubling up'' on room occupancy.

The numbers swelled further when Norwegian Crown docked alongside the Zenith on Monday, brimming with 1,045 passengers.

Another 1,554 visitors were on board the Horizon when she berthed at Dockyard on Tuesday. The Norwegian Majesty , which sails from Boston to St. George's, had 1,022 passengers aboard when she docked on Tuesday.

The docks also handled thousands of tonnes of cargo.

Somers Isles , which sails from Jacksonville in Florida, unloaded 90 containers in Hamilton -- including nine refrigerated containers, two trucks and four boats.

Oleander was packed with 126 dry containers and 40 refrigerated containers.

She also carried five road trailers, 12 cars, two trucks and two trailers when she arrived from Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Sunday.

There were 94 containers, including 13 refrigerated, on board the Bermuda Islander , in from Salem, New Jersey.