be filled by Bermuda residents.

Norwegian Cruise Lines are aiming to sell some of its cabins on the newly revamped Norwegian Majesty to locals in a bid to bolster capacity.

After its $53 million, 112-foot stretch, the Majesty now sails from Boston to Bermuda with berths for 1,751 people -- compared to 1,501 last year.

Tourism Minister David Allen stressed the extra space would have to be for cruise-and-stay passengers stopping at either Grotto Bay or Castle Harbour, leaving NCL with a potential base of unused cabins.

Now NCL's agents, Meyer, have stepped in with a promotion to utilise some of the berths.

Meyer president Henry Hayward said it was still early for the cruise-and-stay concept, which was selling but still resulted in some empty berths on the weekly route.

"We are not sure from week to week how many are available, and as long as the total passenger list doesn't go over 1,501, there could be any number available,'' he said.

"In the first few days of marketing cruise and stay, there were several bookings which is a good indication. It is something that has been talked about for a number of years, but hasn't had any real marketing.'' Under the current "sail only'' deal, people can sail one way for $389 or $584, depending on the cabin -- doubling the figure for a round trip.

They would then either require a return or outward flight, or could sail again on the vessel for another rate.

Mr. Hayward said the price was reasonable, bearing in mind that customers got two nights on the ship -- and comparing it to some return air fares.

Mr. Allen warned that companies bringing in larger vessels than their contracts stipulated would have to try and sell the additional berths to cruise and stay passengers.

Passengers on a cruise and stay either fly to Bermuda, spending three nights in a hotel, and sail back -- or vice versa.

In addition to the Majesty , the Nordic Empress has now replaced the Song of America , bringing up to 300 extra berths.

Mr. Allen stated that such vessels would have to sail with empty cabins if they did not manage to sell them as cruise and stay.

But previously one cruise industry executive warned against threatening the cruise lines over berths, saying that many Island businesses would rather have some customers than none at all.

In addition, many cruise passengers will return to the Island for a land-based vacation, he predicted.

Next year a new weekend cruise ship will call at Bermuda and an integral part of the Crown Dynasty's brief will be to pioneer a substantial cruise-and-stay programme.

Although it is not known how many of the Dynasty's berths will be for hotel guests, the Minister has said the policy could bring up to 30,000 hotel bed nights a year.