of the most underrated cruise ships afloat'', is Cruise Travel magazine's Ship of the Month.

"With new megaships being launched that carry 2,000 to 3,500 passengers, the Meridian , with a capacity of 1,106 is a refreshing medium-size vessel,'' says the article headlined "Oldie But Goodie Still Makes the Grade'', featured in the July/August issue of Cruise Travel.

The leading US cruise travel magazine notes Meridian , which visits Dockyard weekly from Tuesday-Thursday, was the initial liner in the Celebrity Cruise Line fleet of Chandris Inc. Refitted in 1990, she was introduced in 1963 as Galileo Galilei with a distinct long bow, and was the last of the cruise ships powered by steam turbines, Cruise Travel writer Brook Hill Snow notes.

Food, including the midnight-1 a.m. "Gourment Bites'' (hot and cold gourmet dishes served at romantic tables, won high praise, as well as the two "Starlight Suites'' featuring skylights, and the wheelchair modified cabins.