cruising to St. George's next May, residents will see one of the most sophisticated, modern cruise liners in the world.

Built in 1992, with striking floor-to-ceiling windows on either side and a pink stripe circling it, she is Majesty Cruise Line's only ship.

She is the first ship to offer smoke-free restaurants for her maximum 1,056 passengers.

Off-Broadway shows, lectures and even art auctions take place in her richly decorated Palace Theatre. A 24-television-set sports bar is featured.

You might just be in Las Vegas when you enter the Winners' Circle Casino, which overlooks an atrium filled with tropical plants.

The Frame 52 nightclub surrounded by windows offers special light effects and a granite dance floor.

The ship's spa and swimming pool area are perhaps among the cruising world's most attractive. Shaded by sleek white canopies, the swimming deck features a tiled pool flanked by two jacuzzis.

The piano bar is spacious, offering cozy but private booths. The Polo Club offers a long, sleek bar and grand piano as the centrepiece.

Royal Majesty's brochure describes the 1992-launched liner as a vessel for people who'd rather "depart from the norm than conform''.

"She's a quarter of a billion dollar venture designed for individuals. Not for the masses,'' states the brochure. "If you want to be yourself, be our guest. Some people don't mind crowds. Waiting in line. Or being treated like a number. Some people do. For those people there's the MV Royal Majesty .

The 32,4000-ton ship is currently cruising out of Florida to Mexico and the Bahamas. Prices range from $489 to $1,589.

Royal Majesty would be chartered by Boston-Bermuda Cruising as a replacement ship for the Sally Albatross , which was originally supposed to designated solely for St. George's. But the company backing Boston-Bermuda found that plans to refit and lengthen the Baltic ferry were not financially viable.

St. George's Mayor and shipping agent, the Wor. Henry Hayward, said last week that he had a letter sealing the deal to send Royal Majesty to St. George's.

But Government said there was another ship in the running and insisted a final decision has yet to be made.