this week met with Tourism Minister David Dodwell and praised Bermuda for its hospitality and beauty.

The soap stars as well as representatives from the cruise agency CruiseWorks Inc. presented Mr. Dodwell with a plaque thanking the ministry for Bermudian style hospitality.

Visiting cast members included long-time stars Joseph Mascolo, who plays the villainous Stefano DiMera on "Days'' and Italian-born heartthrob Victor Alfieri, who stars as the mysterious Franco Kelly.

Jaime Lyn Bauer, a first-time visitor to the Island who stars as Dr. Laura Horton on "Days'', said Bermuda was "the most beautiful place, overall, I've ever seen.'' Local "Young and the Restless'' fans may remember Ms Bauer from her nine-year stint in the role of Lauralee Brooks.

The stars arrived on Island via the Norwegian Crown on Monday afternoon and have been spending their vacation shopping and enjoying Bermuda's beaches.

However, despite an enthusiastic cast, both Ms Bauer and Mr. Mascolo said the producers of "Days of Our Lives'' were not planning to shoot any spots on location in Bermuda.

"Daytime TV is so used to filming in the studio where there's control over the mountains and lakes instead of on-location shots -- and it's much cheaper to film,'' said Ms Bauer.

She explained that on-location shots require filming technology similar to that used in movie productions -- which is often very different from studio filming.

"It's a real hassle, it's a different genre, really, to film outside the studio,'' added Mr. Mascolo.

The visiting celebrities are vacationing as part of the 13th annual "Days of Our Lives'' cruise where soap fans can rub shoulders with their favourite stars.

The cruise includes an opportunity to audition, a "Days'' gossip session, and a photo autograph session with the stars.