Shawn Crockwell, the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, commemorated cruise ship MV Oriana’s inaugural visit to Bermuda with a traditional maritime plaque exchange.

The exchange was held on board between Mr Crockwell and ship captain Marcin Banach.

MV Oriana is a cruise ship and ocean liner of the P&O Princess Cruises fleet and is the seventh largest of eight ships in service with P&O Princess Cruises. She is exclusively for adults and arrived in Bermuda at Heritage Wharf early this morning carrying 1,784 passengers. She is scheduled to depart Bermuda this evening.

Mr Crockwell was warmly welcomed aboard the Oriana, along with the Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, Francis Richardson, the permanent secretary of Tourism Development and Transport, and representatives from the Department of Marine and Ports and Wedco.

“We are honoured and grateful to be a part of this celebration as we commemorate the MV Oriana’s inaugural call to Bermuda,” Mr Crockwell said. “This visit is extra special as the Oriana is a Bermuda-registered ship that was launched on April 5, 1995. Therefore, it was an extreme pleasure to welcome the vessel to her port of registry immediately following the celebration of its 20 years of service.

“This year, Bermuda will host many cruise ships, but it is very special for us to have the luxury ship Oriana here. This is a beautiful ship, with a very refined and sophisticated atmosphere that is very comfortable.”