Two new cruise ships will be making their way to Bermuda in 2006 including the and a true giant of the ocean, the which boasts over 3,000 passengers.

But 2006 will also hold the new all-time record on the cruise ship calendar, with 190 cruise visits booked for the 2006 season ? compared to 165 in 2005,161 in 2004 and 158 in 2003.

The Permanent Secretary of Transport, Marc Telemaque yesterday said Bermuda was becoming more and more popular with occasional callers with almost every weekend in the 2006 season booked.

He said this meant that there would also be a greater spread of visitors to Hamilton, Dockyard and St. George?s during the week, so as not to put too much strain on the Island?s infrastructure.

Mr. Telemaque said Tuesdays and Wednesdays would remain peak days with the number of ships in port and because of the amount of callers, the season will once again be extended to November.

The joins the popular in operating from New York in the coming 2006 season.

This spectacular, state-of-the-art ship hosts eight unique restaurants, 11 bars and lounges, the luxurious Roman Spa and Fitness Centre and the glimmering Maharajah?s Casino.

She has a passenger capacity of 1,966 (double occupancy), 965 crew and comes in at 77,000 gross tonnage with a cruise speed of 24 knots. The second new caller to Bermuda is the which comes in at a whopping 116,000 gross tonnage and has a passenger capacity of 3,100. She has a cruise speed of 21 knots.

When the debuts in June 2006, she will sail nine-day roundtrip voyages from New York to the Eastern Caribbean as well as Bermuda.

Other regular visitors returning to Bermuda in 2006 include the Post-Panamax ships and .

However, the , recently sold and renamed , will not return to Bermuda in 2006.

Meanwhile a new visitor to the Caribbean this year is the world?s biggest cruise liner, which makes its maiden voyage to the Caribbean on July 4, 2006.

While stop-overs in Bermuda are not in its immediate future, this 3,600 passenger cruiser is sure to attract a lot of attention as the first cruise ship to boast the FlowRider ? an on board 32 foot wave surf park which allows passengers to stand-up or body surf while cruising the Caribbean.