cruise ship season winds down.

The Dreamward , which arrived on Monday with 1,091 passengers, left the Island on Tuesday for San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Local agents for the ship, Meyer Agencies, said the ship -- which will begin its seven-day cruises through the Caribbean -- left with some 45 Bermudian passengers.

The Meridian , which arrived on Tuesday from Wilmington, Virginia with 945 passengers, is scheduled to bid the Island farewell tomorrow as it makes its way back to Virginia.

From there the ship will re-position to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where it will be based for the winter as it begins its Florida-Caribbean route.

The Zenith -- which brought 1,348 visitors to the Island this week -- will make its final trip to Bermuda next week.

John S. Darrell reported that it was business as usual for the cruise liners Song of America and the Royal Majesty which brought in 1,381 and 894 passengers, respectively.

Both ships arrived on Tuesday morning and were scheduled to leave the Island tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Holland American Line's MS Veendam made its inaugural visit to the Island last week.

The Bahamian-registered ship brought a near-capacity 1,240 pas sengers and 550 staff from New York to the Island.

The 50,000-ton ship anchored at the Great Sound on October 10 and 11 before leaving for Boston.

Local agents Harnett and Richardson said the 720-foot ship was built in 1995 with the capacity to carry 1,266 passengers. Among its amenities are 633 cabins, a swimming pool, a casino, a theatre, a spa and gymnasium, a sauna and steamroom.

Veendam's sister ship, the Maasdam is expected to visit the Island on October 31. It is scheduled to berth at King's Wharf, Dockyard for the day.

The British Shell Oil tanker Ebalina visited this week to carry out a two-port discharge in St. George's and Dockyard. The ship, which came from Houston, Texas, was scheduled to leave today for Curacao.

In news from the Hamilton docks, Meyer reported that the container ship Bermuda Islander arrived on Monday morning with 79 containers, including nine refrigerated ones. It departed on Tuesday.

The Somers Isles was expected to arrive today from Jacksonville, Florida with 87 containers, including four refrigerated ones, one jeep, and building materials.

Container Ship Management reported that the Oleander arrived on Sunday with 127 dry containers and 36 refrigerated containers, four cars, and steel decking. It left on Tuesday.

MAIDEN VOYAGE -- The Bahamian-registered cruise ship Veendam anchored in the Great Sound this week.