Basketball fans who missed their sport because of last season's lockout have been rewarded with a cruise with a celebrity difference.

More than 1,300 fans of the Boston Celtics arrived in Bermuda last week on a spectacular cruise on the Norwegian Majesty -- complete with stars from the National Basketball Association team and also hockey and baseball heroes.

The cruise was put on by the Fleet Centre in Boston -- which houses the Celtics and the National Hockey League team, Boston Bruins -- as a thankyou to fans who watch from premium seats and exclusive "skyboxes''.

Fleet Centre manager of premium service, Cara Hard, said the idea for the charter came from president Richard Krezwick after a contract dispute meant fans missed half the NBA season last year.

The company had looked at a trip to the Caribbean or Las Vegas, but the large numbers involved meant only a cruise ship could handle the event.

"Mr. Krezwick has frequently been on cruises and he thought it would be a wonderful idea to show the clients how much we appreciate them and do something really special,'' she said.

"We did the normal things like offer refunds but we felt bad because they still missed out.'' As well as the normal attractions on board the vessel, Fleet Centre bosses brought in many baseball, basketball and ice hockey stars to mix with the passengers.

In addition, there was a WWF wrestler and top NHL player, Bobby Orr, who led a golf tournament at Castle Harbour. Also accompanying the guests were Boston Bruins president Mike O'Connell and Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman of Fleet Centre parent company Delaware North Companies.

The cruise followed the regular Majesty schedule, mooring at Ordnance Island, St. George's.