Staff at the Island's biggest hotel pulled out all the stops yesterday to welcome more than 700 diverted passengers who were en route to the disaster-struck US.

Everyone from accountants to maintenance workers were cleaning rooms and preparing the Fairmont Southampton Princess in preparation for the influx of people who filled the hotel to capacity last night.

Hotel manager Norman Mastalir, who had called every member of staff in to work, stood and welcomed the steady stream of passengers entering the hotel throughout the afternoon and early evening.

Passengers from five flights, including from Puerto Rico, Madrid, Lisbon and Barcelona, were transported to the hotel in vast numbers and steadily checked in.

Spanish-speaking hotel staff were on hand in the lobby to help those passengers who were unable to speak English.

But, despite the queues of people who snaked their way around the lobby of the hotel waiting to be allotted rooms, and scores of suitcases which sat on the grass outside waiting to be collected, the atmosphere was calm and friendly.

There were no tears, few frustrations and no lost tempers. The atmosphere was more akin to the arrival of hundreds of conference delegates, instead of the knock-on affect of a tragic disaster.

Mr. Mastalir said it had been all hands on deck yesterday, but everything had gone smoothly.

"I'm so proud of our employees today," he said.

"Everyone has pitched in to get the rooms ready. We have had maintenance workers and accounts staff cleaning rooms, and human resources people in the lobby helping to welcome people. We called people at home and asked them to come in. We were expecting a slow day because we had a big group check out earlier, but tonight we will have 1,200 people here, which is capacity."

Each of the airlines which diverted to Bermuda will foot the hotel and food costs for their passengers, but hotels are unlikely to make a profit.

They have each offered a deal to airlines of about $100 per person for room, breakfast and evening meal.

Complimentary drinks were offered to passengers as they arrived at the Southampton Princess yesterday, but all alcoholic drinks will be met by the passengers themselves.

Mr. Mastalir added: "We have opened all the restaurants up because we will be having 1,200 people for dinner tonight.

"We have enough supplies - that is not a problem, even if people have to stay here for a good number of days.

"We have a central warehouse that we and the Hamilton Princess share, so we will have more than enough supplies. We were already planning for a full house this weekend, anyway, because of the Jazz Festival."

Mr. Mastalir said at times like this it was important for everyone to pull together. And he praised the manner in which passengers had dealt with the diversion to Bermuda yesterday and said that, in itself, had made it much easier on staff and the hotel.

He said the hotel had immediately set up a counselling centre to help any distraught guests or staff, along with a multi-media centre to assist those people trying to keep up to date with the attack on America.

"I was actually surprised at how calm most of the people were when they arrived," said Mr. Mastalir.

"Some are distressed and tired, but I think they are thankful to be here in Bermuda.

"I think what is on most people's minds is calling their relatives to let them know where they are and that they are OK.

"We haven't really had anyone traumatised or upset yet, but we are prepared. We also have several members of the clergy to help us with counselling if we need them, and Dr. Gerhard Boonstra, a local doctor, has volunteered his time to be here on duty for a couple of hours in case anybody needs prescriptions re-filled or help.

"It has all gone very well, but we still have an awful lot to do."