one of the world's largest vessels.

The Italian-built Golden Princess , the second biggest passenger ship on earth, was entered into the registry this week.

It has the same specifications as the Grand Princess , which is also on the Bermuda Registry and was the biggest cruise ship in the world until last year.

The massive vessel, which is operated by P&O, weighs 102,000 tonnes and can take 3,400 passengers and a crew of 1,400.

Surveyors from the registry inspected the ship in Italy and in Southampton, England, where she is now moored, before approving her registration.

Principal Marine Surveyor, Captain Pat Nawaratne, said the move will be a major boost to Bermuda's reputation. He told The Royal Gazette : "It is the most up-to-date cruise ship in the world, comfort-wise and in terms of safety, and is rated very highly by tourists and travel agents. We are very happy. We were working on this for a while and it is now the jewel in the crown of our fleet. She's following in the same pattern of the Grand Princess and we have an excellent relationship with her owners, so we're keeping up traditions.

"We are already a prestigious registry, but this will definitely improve our ratings.'' The Golden Princess brings the total number of ships on the Bermuda Registry to 135, with a total tonnage of around seven million.