Bermuda, it was revealed this week.

Following the release of the new cruise ship policy on Monday, members of the community renewed calls for a weekend cruise ship and noted Carnival was prepared to come.

But Tourism Minister David Dodwell said: "They (Carnival) said, I think a few weeks after they were here, that they were going to apply. I have had no applications from Carnival.'' Representatives from the line and the Port of Baltimore -- who have formed an alliance -- visited Bermuda in March and went straight to local retailers with a sales pitch that offered a weekend cruise ship 18 times a season at a port of the Island's choice.

Carnival senior vice-president for sales and marketing Vicky Freed offered a short-term trial arrangement and a store in Baltimore's terminal featuring Bermudian merchandise and an advance reservation service.

Mr. Dodwell said: "I did meet a delegation...from the Port of Baltimore and Carnival wanting to bring a dedicated ship out of Baltimore, but I have had no formal application.

"Any application that we receive will be viewed in context of the policy and the existing contracts.'' Businessman John Casling said Government was contradicting itself by not approaching Carnival about sending a ship to the Island.

Carnival were the largest player in the cruise ship industry, he continued, and no-one was better than them for catering to the young clientele who fitted in perfectly with Government's Let Yourself Go theme.

Mr. Casling said young travellers were a priority for Bermuda at the moment because if they were not introduced to the Island, then arrival numbers would continue to fall as the number of the Island's older repeat visitors dropped.

He warned: "We're going to remain as we are in the industry for the next three years with no new players in the cruise industry.'' Other support for the introduction of Carnival has come from West End retailers who were confronted with the news in March that their dedicated caller would be replaced by a vessel which called for a shorter period of time.

The Meridian has been sold by Celebrity Cruises and is set to be replaced by the Horizon . But instead of berthing for three nights at King's Wharf, Horizon will shift to Hamilton for its final night in Bermuda.

This means the space at King's Wharf will only be filled for two nights of the week apart from when an occasional caller visits.

Makin' Waves co-owner Douglas Patterson said Carnival should be called in to fill the space at the Dockyard berth -- particularly on the weekends.

BUSINESS BUC