Senator Michael Fahy this week greeted the Captain of the Carnival Vista as it made its inaugeral visit to the island.

Mr Fahy, the Minister of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities, provided Captain Luigi De Angelis the Bermuda Coat of Arms, while Carmen Tucker of Wedco exchanged plaques with the captain.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Randy Rochester, Marine and Ports director Rudy Cann and ship’s agent, Meyer Agencies’ Troy Pitcher, were among a group on hand to welcome and tour the ship.

The Carnival Vista, which departed Heritage Wharf today, was built in Italy, entering service on May 1 becoming the largest ship in the Carnival fleet. It arrived on the island on the way to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, with 4,000 passengers and 1,450 crew members, after visiting Gibraltar and the Azores.

It boasts almost 30 restaurants and bars, a casino, an Imax theatre and Skyride — and an open-air pedal-powered ride 40ft over the ship’s deck.

The ship is expected to arrive in New York on Thursday, with a gala event to be held the following day featuring country music star Carrie Underwood. The ship is also set to be christened by Miss USA Deshauna Barber, with hundreds of military families being able to spend an overnight on board to enjoy the festivities in honour of Operation Homefront.