weekend cruise ship -- and appeared to back the massive Carnival Cruise Lines to operate it if Celebrity Cruise Lines do not exercise their option on a sixth caller.

The Senate heard that Celebrity Cruise Lines, which currently operates the Meridian to Dockyard and the Zenith to Hamilton and St. George's, has first option on a sixth cruise ship.

Sen. Alf Oughton said he was behind a weekend caller -- particularly for the Dockyard complex.

And he added: "If Celebrity Cruise Lines, by virtue of their contract, are entitled to first bite of the cherry, let's give them the cherry now.

"If they don't bite it we can give it to someone else.'' He stressed afterwards that he supported the idea of a weekend cruise ship for Dockyard -- not any operator in particular.

Sen. Oughton added: "I am not raising the flag for Carnival Cruises or Celebrity Cruises.

But he said: "I have no objection to Carnival Cruises going down there to Dockyard.

"Everybody seems to think it's a big ogre -- there are a lot of people who think it's a down-grade cruise line, but I don't think that's the case.'' He added the West End Development Company were desperate for a weekend caller -- and that "overtures'' had been made to Carnival by Wedco executives.

Sen. Oughton spoke in Senate after Sen. Terry Lister slammed the new cruise ship policy.

Report from Senate, Page 5 SENATE SEN