Police say an autopsy is likely following the death of American Larry Lynn Hamilton, 64, who collapsed on Monday evening while watching a show with his family on board cruise ship the Empress of the Seas.

The vessel was docked at Number One Shed, in Front Street, at the time. Mr. Hamilton was pronounced dead by the ship's doctor at 8.30 p.m. No foul play is suspected.

A host of cruise ships have brought thousands of passengers to Bermuda over the past few days.

The Azamara>arrived in St. George's with 530 people aboard on Monday, and has been docked in Hamilton throughout the week before leaving tomorrow.

On Monday, the Empress of the Seas arrived in Hamilton carrying 1,600 passengers. It leaves for St. George's today before departing the Island tomorrow.

The Norwegian Spirit arrived on Monday with 2,200 people before leaving later in the day, while the Explorer of the Seas arrived yesterday and leaves today.

The Norwegian Majesty and the Norwegian Crown both arrived on Tuesday and leave on Friday. The Norwegian Dawn arrived last Thursday and left on the same day.

The Oleander brought more than 190 containers to Bermuda when it arrived from Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Sunday.

These included 140 dry containers, 53 refrigerated containers, three flatbeds, four mafis, 13 cars and a trailer. The vessel sailed from the Island at 8.05 a.m. yesterday.

The Bermuda Islander is expected from New Jersey on Friday morning, with 130 containers aboard, of which 26 are refrigerated.