Government is considering getting two cruise ships, each calling for half a season at Dockyard rather than one scheduled ship for next season.

Tourism Minister David Allen told The Royal Gazette yesterday he was "optimistic" that Radisson would complete a "significant" number of sailings in 2003, which could be up to half a season, or roughly 13 visits.

And he told MPs in the House of Assembly that Government's cruise policy - which the Opposition has been calling on him to produce for years - was finished six months ago.

But he said he would not be publishing it yet because he was still in contractual negotiations with several cruise lines and didn't want to "tip his hand".

Mr. Allen was criticised for not getting a replacement ship for Dockyard in 2001 or this year after the owners of the Crown Dynasty filed for bankruptcy in December 2000.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I am optimistic for Radisson for a significant number of sailings, but it probably won't be a full season.

"One thing I am looking at is getting two lines doing a half season - that could be beneficial. Also, I am still talking to Carnival. There's a lot of flexibility."