The seven-ship multi-national force under Dutch flagship HNLMS Witte De With will arrive at Dockyard on Friday morning.

The group -- the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) -- includes frigates from the UK, Canada, Portugal, Germany and Denmark, as well as a US destroyer.

While in Bermuda on the four-day visit, crewmembers will take part in a host of sporting and charity events.

On Saturday, these include work at the Windreach site for a centre for disabled children, open ships for adults and children, and sporting events, including soccer and cricket matches.

An 11 drawn from the crew of the Portuguese NRP Vasco De Gama will take on Bermuda's Vasco De Gama soccer team, while rugby and cricket matches will also be played.

The squadron -- six to berth in Hamilton, while the larger US destroyer will go to Dockyard -- is expected to depart next Monday.

Meanwhile, the Cunard luxury liner QE II arrived in Great Sound on Monday from New York and left for the return leg on Tuesday.

The Somers Isles arrived in Bermuda from on Monday from Florida carrying 86 containers -- 13 refrigerated -- and loose cargo, including a Suzuki Jeep, a 25-foot boat and 30 bundles of lumber and steel. The ship returns to Florida today.

And the Bermuda Islander arrived the same day from New Jersey carrying 78 containers, 11 of them refrigerated. It left on Tuesday afternoon to return to New Jersey.

The Oleander arrived on Sunday from New Jersey carrying 164 containers, 36 of them refrigerated and five 48-foot trailers loaded with steel. She sailed for New Jersey on Tuesday.

And the Abitibi Claibourne is expected to leave Hamilton today after unloading a cargo of paper destined for The Royal Gazette .

Regular cruise ship Zenith arrived on Monday on the New York -- Hamilton run carrying more than 1400 passengers.

The ship was scheduled to visit St. George's yesterday morning before departing this afternoon.

But the ship's Master opted -- due to bad weather -- to anchor in Great Sound instead.

The Dreamward also arrived from New York on Monday, with a total of 1336 passengers, and berthed at St. George's before moving to Hamilton. She is expected to leave on today.

And the Meridian arrived on Tuesday morning at Dockyard from New York with 1133 passengers on board and is expected to leave tomorrow.

The Song of America arrived from the same port on Tuesday at St. George's. She moved to Hamilton yesterday morning and is set to depart on Friday.

Don MacPherson of John S. Darrell said the ship arrived earlier than usual because of a medical emergency on board, but the passenger was not thought to be seriously ill.

The Royal Majesty steamed into St. George's on Tuesday from Boston and is scheduled to leave on Friday.

WE ARE SAILING -- The seven-ship group from the NATO Atlantic squadron, the oldest permanent multi-national peacekeeping force, steams towards Bermuda for a four-day goodwill visit.