The St. George’s Foundation has picked up an important new partner — Norwegian Cruise Line, whose ship Norwegian Majesty provides St. George’s with a dedicated service out of Boston.

Andy Stuart, senior vice president, marketing and sales with NCL will act as the direct representative to the Foundation.

A frequent visitor to Bermuda, Mr. Stuart has worked out of Miami for NCL fir the past nine years and previously was based in the UK.

Foundation campaign coordinator Gayle Evans and Foundation chairman .Henry Hayward, honoured Mr. Stuart with a plaque last week in their York Street Office.

Mr. Hayward said: “Today’s focus is very important and we look forward to partnering with NCL. They make a generous financial contribution to St. George’s through their port dues and wharf fees.”

Norwegian Majesty <$>is in port three days a week with 1,600 passengers in the cruise ship season while the Norwegian Crown comes in for one day with about 1,100 passengers.

Mr. Stuart said NCL passengers love the history, nice shops and the pretty beaches of St. George’s. He also mentioned how friendly, polite, and helpful the townspeople are.

A strategic point mentioned by Mrs. Evans is the location of the ships.

“They are sitting right here, smack in the middle of our historic town. Older people can walk off ship and appreciate our historic museums and simply admire Somers’ Gardens and our architecture in general.

“We have a beautiful golf course and beaches for the more active tourists.

“It feels like home away from home to the cruise passengers, especially those that stay several days,” said Mrs. Evans.

Mr. Stuart said: “My business has allowed me to travel around the world and I love my job. I first visited Bermuda in 1988 and continue returning.

“I look forward to bringing my wife and two children to Bermuda. It is such a beautiful place, especially in the warmer months.

“This morning I went for a run of about five miles. It was so exhilarating. In Bermuda everyone benefits from its beauty, the locals and the tourists.”

According to Mr. Hayward the second phase of the World Heritage Centre at Penno’s Wharf will be complete by late June or early July.

“The town is the museum. Inside the building there will be a circular motion of people gathering at the information wheel. We will be looking at 700 to 1,000 people daily.

“There will be a 1620 model of the town with information about Sir George Somers, whaling, and thatched huts.”

In addition, the Friends of St. Peters was recently established under the patronage of the Duke of York to support the preservation and promotion of St. Peter’s Church, which is the site of the oldest Anglican church in the western hemisphere.

Mrs. Evans said the Rev. W. David Raths and the Vestry of St. Peter’s Church, with the Friends of St. Peter’s, invite people to a commemoration service for Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale, USN, (D. 22 Feb. 1815) at a brief service at his grave in St. Peter’s Graveyard on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 6 p.m.

At 5.30 p.m. an introduction will be delivered by William S. Zuill in King’s Square, St. George’s in front of the Butterfield Bank Building (formerly Stennett’s Hotel), where he died.

From there they will proceed to his newly refurbished grave in St. Peter’s historic graveyard.

Following this will be a reception and dinner at 7 p.m. at the World Heritage Visitor’s Centre, Penno’s Wharf.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Edward Harris, the Director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

Cost for the reception and dinner is $75 per person and you may RSVP to: 297-2459 or email: friends[AT]stpeters.bm.