Tourism Minister David Allen has categorically denied claims that he was lobbied into keeping Carnival Cruise Lines out of Bermuda's regular sailings by members of its competition.

A Wall Street Journal story stated that Carnival president Bob Dickinson had blamed both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises officials of deliberately blocking his attempt to secure rights for weekly trips to the Island.

Mr. Dickinson said his competitors had convinced Bermuda's tourism officials that Carnival was too downmarket for the Island.

But Mr. Allen said nothing could be further from the truth. And many Bermudians have voiced concern themselves over attempts by Carnival to bring the mega-ships to the Island on a regular basis, claiming the cruise liners were too big and out of keeping with its image, the story said.

The Department of Tourism stated: "The Minister of Tourism states categorically that neither Royal Caribbean nor any other cruise company has lobbied the Bermuda Department of Tourism to keep Carnival Cruise Lines out of Bermuda.

"Indeed, Carnival Cruise Lines will be granted permits for five cruises this year.

"We continue to have relationships with Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, and others."

Jack Williams, who heads both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity brands, said the Bermuda Government had decided which brands it wanted to allow into port.

He added: "We don't have to bad-mouth Carnival to help our brands. We've got a far better brand than Carnival."

The Royal Gazette was unable to get a comment from Carnival Cruise Lines last night.